Other Visas - Subclass 151

Former Resident Visa 151: returning to Australia for those with close, lasting ties.

The subclass 151 Former Resident Visa is a niche permanent visa for certain people who were once Australian permanent residents or citizens and want to return to live in Australia permanently. It is not widely available - it applies to a specific cohort with particular histories and ties to Australia.

Permanent visaFormer permanent residentsClose ties to Australia requiredNiche pathway

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Who the 151 Is For

Former permanent residents with substantial ties to Australia.

The subclass 151 Former Resident Visa is available to a specific group of people who were previously Australian permanent residents (or who fall into certain other categories with close historical ties to Australia) and want to return to live here permanently.

The visa is not a general pathway for anyone who once held a visa or spent time in Australia. The eligibility criteria are specific and the cohort is limited. The 151 exists primarily for people who were substantial contributors to Australian society, left, and now seek to return - not as a broad backdoor to permanent residence.

The 151 is not the same as the Resident Return Visa (RRV). If you currently hold Australian permanent residence but your travel facility has lapsed, you need a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155 or 157) - not the 151. The 151 is for people who no longer hold any Australian permanent visa and are seeking to re-establish permanent residence from scratch.

Eligibility Requirements

Who qualifies for the 151.

Former permanent resident or specific cohortYou must have previously held an Australian permanent visa, or fall into one of the specific cohorts defined in the Migration Regulations (for example, certain people who held a permanent visa that was cancelled for specific reasons, or former Australian citizens who lost citizenship in particular circumstances).

Close ties to AustraliaYou must demonstrate substantial and ongoing close ties to Australia - family, property, long-term residence, or other significant connections. This is assessed qualitatively, not just by how many years you were here.

Residence historyYour prior residence in Australia must meet certain thresholds. The specific requirements depend on your particular circumstances and which stream of the 151 you may be eligible for.

Apply from outside AustraliaThe 151 is an offshore application - you must be outside Australia when you apply.

Health, character and securityStandard requirements apply.

What Counts as Close Ties

What "close ties to Australia" means in practice.

"Close ties" is the heart of a subclass 151 Former Resident Visa case, and it is assessed qualitatively rather than by a single number. A decision maker looks at the whole picture - your family in Australia, time you previously lived here, property and financial connections, employment history, and the circumstances in which you left. No single factor decides it, and a strong showing in one area can offset a weaker showing in another.

The scenarios below are illustrative only. They show how the factors tend to interact - they are not a checklist, and they are not advice on your own case.

Likely a strong claim

Australian spouse and property, left 8 years ago

You held PR, lived here for years, married an Australian, still own a home here, and visit regularly. The ongoing family and property connections point to substantial, continuing ties even though you have been away for some time.

Likely a strong claim

Former citizen, immediate family still here

You grew up in Australia, lost or renounced citizenship in particular circumstances, and your parents, siblings or children remain Australian. Deep historical residence plus close family in Australia is the kind of profile the 151 was designed for.

Uncertain - needs assessment

Distant relatives, limited prior residence

You have cousins in Australia but spent only a short period here and have few financial or property connections. The ties may not reach the threshold on their own. This is exactly the kind of case that needs a proper review before you lodge.

Uncertain - needs assessment

Long residence, but no current connections

You lived here for many years but have no family, property or financial links remaining and have not returned in a long time. Past residence helps, but a decision maker will want to see what ties you have now. The strength of the claim depends heavily on the detail.

Close ties is assessed, not counted. There is no points test for the 151 and no fixed number of years that guarantees eligibility. Family presence, property ownership, prior residence, employment and financial connections are weighed together. A registered migration agent can tell you, before you spend anything on lodgement, whether your ties are likely to meet the standard or whether family sponsorship or another pathway is a better fit.

Costs and Timeline

What to expect on fees and processing.

The 151 is a niche permanent visa, and the documentation needed to evidence close ties is often substantial. That makes timeframes and total cost genuinely case-specific.

Processing: a decision on a subclass 151 application generally takes around 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of your history and the volume of evidence the Department needs to assess. Cases involving cancellations, gaps in residence, or hard-to-document ties tend to sit at the longer end. Processing times change, so treat this as a typical range rather than a commitment, and we confirm the current position when we scope your case.

Fees: there is a government visa application charge for the 151, and our professional fees depend on the complexity of your case. We do not publish a flat price because the work required varies widely from one applicant to the next. We quote our fees in writing before any engagement, so you know the cost up front. See how we quote for the detail.

Common Questions

Former Resident Visa questions answered.

I used to have a permanent visa but it was cancelled. Can I use the 151?

Possibly, depending on the reason for cancellation and your circumstances since then. Cancellation on character grounds (section 501) would be an immediate obstacle. Cancellation for other reasons may not permanently bar the 151 pathway, but the history will be part of the assessment. Speak to us before assuming either way.

What if I gave up my permanent residence voluntarily to become a citizen elsewhere?

This is one of the specific scenarios the 151 was designed to address. Certain people who renounced Australian citizenship or permanent residence, particularly in eras when dual citizenship was not permitted, may have a pathway back through the 151. The ties to Australia and the circumstances of departure are central to the assessment.

Is the 151 the same as the Resident Return Visa?

No. The Resident Return Visa (155/157) is for current Australian permanent residents whose travel facility has expired and who want to re-enter. The 151 is for people who no longer hold any Australian permanent visa and are seeking to obtain one from outside the country. If you are unsure which describes you, our citizenship and Resident Return Visa guide sets out the difference.

What does "close ties to Australia" mean for the 151, and how is it assessed?

It is assessed qualitatively, not by a single number. A decision maker weighs your family in Australia (such as a spouse, children or parents), property you own here, how long you previously lived in Australia, your employment history, and your financial connections. No one factor is decisive, and strength in one area can balance a gap in another. Someone with an Australian spouse, a home here and regular visits will usually present stronger ties than someone with only distant relatives and a brief period of past residence. Because it is a judgement on the whole picture, two applicants with similar years in Australia can land very differently.

If my permanent visa was cancelled for non-character reasons, does that permanently bar me from the 151?

Not necessarily. A cancellation for reasons other than character does not automatically put the 151 out of reach, but the circumstances will form part of the assessment and need a case-by-case review. By contrast, a cancellation on character grounds under section 501 is typically a major obstacle and can affect your ability to be granted any visa. Either way, get the history reviewed properly before assuming the answer, because the detail of why the visa was cancelled matters.

Can I apply for the 151 while I am in Australia, or must I be outside?

The 151 is an offshore visa - you must be outside Australia both when you lodge and when the visa is decided. This is different from many onshore pathways, where you can apply and hold a bridging visa while you remain in the country. If you are already in Australia on another visa and want to stay, the 151 is generally not the right vehicle, and you would need to look at an onshore option instead. We can map which pathways are open to you given where you currently are.

How long does a 151 decision usually take?

As a typical range, a subclass 151 application generally takes around 6 to 12 months to decide, depending on the complexity of your history and how much evidence the Department needs to assess. Cases involving prior cancellations, gaps in residence, or ties that are harder to document tend to sit at the longer end. Processing times change and are not guaranteed, so we confirm the current position when we scope your case rather than relying on a fixed figure.

What will the 151 cost me?

There are two parts: the government visa application charge for the 151, and our professional fees. We do not publish a flat price because the work involved depends heavily on your history and how much evidence is needed to establish close ties. We quote our fees in writing before any engagement so you can decide with the full picture in front of you. See how we quote for the detail.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Still a PRResident Return Visa 155/157If your PR travel facility has lapsed, the RRV is what you need. Skilled optionsSkilled Migration PerthIf the 151 doesn't apply, a skilled visa may be the path back. All visa optionsVisa FinderNot sure which visa fits your situation? Start here.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Unsure if the 151 applies to you?

The Former Resident Visa is a niche pathway with specific eligibility. We can assess your circumstances and tell you whether it's viable - or point you to a more appropriate alternative.