Former Resident visa (subclass 151)

This permanent visa allows former permanent residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defence Force to live in Australia.

Process

In order to be eligible for this visa, you must meet the age and long residence requirement or defence service requirement. The application must be submitted on paper.

With this visa, you can

With the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you can:

• Stay in Australia permanently
• Work and study in Australia
• Enroll in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare

Visa Stay

This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. You become a permanent resident on the day you get the visa. For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day we grant the visa if you are in Australia, or the day you enter Australia on this visa if you are outside Australia when we granted it.

Visa Cost

The cost of the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) starts from [insert cost]. Additionally, there is a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you. Other costs may include health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. You can use the Visa Pricing Estimator to get an estimate of the total cost of your visa application.

Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) varies. You can use the visa processing time guide tool to get an indication of the processing times for recently decided applications. Please note that this is only a guide and may not be specific to your application.

See All Conditions

With the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you can:

• Stay in Australia permanently
• Work and study in Australia
• Enroll in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
• Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• Travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years from the date of grant as long as the travel facility remains valid
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible

How Long You Can Stay

The Former Resident visa (subclass 151) allows you to stay in Australia permanently. You become a permanent resident on the day you get the visa. For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day we grant the visa if you are in Australia, or the day you enter Australia on this visa if you are outside Australia when we granted it.

Include Family

You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply. You can also add members of the family unit to your application at any time before we decide on your application. Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements. If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirements.

Newborn Child

If your child is born after you apply for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you will need to follow specific steps. Please refer to the relevant information provided on our website.

Cost

The cost of the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) is [insert cost] for the main applicant. There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you. Additional costs may include health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. You can use the Visa Pricing Estimator to get an estimate of the total cost of your visa application.

Apply From

You can apply for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) while you are in or outside Australia. However, you cannot apply while in immigration clearance. If you apply in Australia, we cannot grant you the visa if you are outside Australia when we make our decision. If you apply outside Australia, we cannot grant you the visa if you are in Australia when we make our decision.

Processing Times

The processing time for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) varies. You can use the visa processing time guide tool to get an indication of the processing times for recently decided applications. Please note that this is only a guide and may not be specific to your application. Your application might take longer to process if there are errors or missing documents, or if we need additional information from you.

Your Obligations

As a holder of the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you and your family members must obey all Australian laws.

Travel

With the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date of grant. If you want to travel after the initial 5-year travel validity expires, you will need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) visa. Alternatively, you might want to consider Australian citizenship, which eliminates the need for a visa to enter Australia. Please refer to the relevant information on our website for more details.

Visa Label

We will digitally link your Former Resident visa (subclass 151) to your passport. You will not receive a physical label in your passport.

Be Able to Meet the Long Residence Requirement, If Applicable

In order to meet the long residence requirement for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you must meet specific criteria. These include spending at least 9 years in Australia as a permanent resident before you turned 18 (if you are 18 years or older), or spending at least half of your life in Australia as a permanent resident (if you are younger than 18). Additionally, you must be younger than 45 years of age at the time of application, have never been an Australian citizen, and have maintained close business, cultural, or personal ties with Australia after you were no longer a permanent resident. This can include regular contact with relatives or friends, frequent visits, owning property, or having active business interests.

Be Able to Meet the Defence Services Requirement, If Applicable

In order to meet the defence services requirement for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you must meet one of the following conditions: completed at least 3 months of continuous Australian defence service, or discharged from the Australian Defence Force before 3 months of service due to medical unfitness caused by your Australian defence service.

Be This Age

To meet the long residence requirement for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), you must be younger than 45 years of age at the time of application. There is no age requirement for the defence services requirement.

Meet Health Requirement

You and any family members who apply for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) with you must meet the health requirement. If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet the health requirement.

Meet Character Requirement

You and any family members aged 16 years or over must meet the character requirement for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151). If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet the character requirement.

Assurance of Support

You might be asked to provide an Assurance of Support for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151).

Have No Debt to the Australian Government

If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back or have a formal arrangement to pay it back before applying for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151).

Not Have Had a Visa Cancelled or a Previous Application Refused

We will consider your immigration history when making a decision on your application for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151). If you have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused, you may not be eligible for this visa. However, there are limitations on applications in Australia, and in some circumstances, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa. If you need assistance with your visa application, refer to the relevant information on our website.

Before You Apply

Before applying for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), there are a few things you need to consider. You may need to get health examinations, and if you need help with your application, you can appoint someone to act on your behalf. Make sure to check your passport and gather all necessary documents to prove your identity and meet our requirements.

Prepare Your Documents

Before submitting your application for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), make sure to translate all non-English documents into English. Certified copies of all documents, including non-English documents and English translations, should be provided. Keep a full copy of your completed application, including all supporting documents, for your own records.

Apply for the Visa

The application for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) must be submitted on paper. You can apply while you are in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance. Pay the application charge before sending your application. Mail the form and supporting documents to the designated office. Make sure to provide accurate information and include all necessary documents. Keep a copy of your completed application, including all supporting documents, for your own records.

After You Apply

After you have submitted your application for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151), we will notify you when we have received your application and documents. You may need to complete additional steps, such as health examinations or providing biometrics. Make sure to stay lawful and inform us of any changes in your circumstances. We will notify you of the visa outcome in writing.

Coming to Australia

If your application for the Former Resident visa (subclass 151) is granted, make sure to check your travel documents before leaving for Australia. Complete the incoming passenger card and follow the necessary procedures at the border. Once in Australia, you can enjoy the benefits of the visa, such as staying permanently, working and studying, enrolling in Australia's public health care scheme (Medicare), sponsoring relatives, and traveling to and from Australia while the visa is valid. Make sure to comply with all Australian laws and notify us of any changes in your circumstances.