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Former Resident Visa subclass 151: What this Former Resident visa lets you do
The Former Resident visa lets you stay in Australia indefinitely as an Australian permanent resident. It is a permanent visa with a travel facility that lets you travel to and from Australia for up to five years from the date it is granted. Once the travel facility expires you will need to apply for, and be granted, another permanent visa if you want to leave Australia and return as a permanent resident.
For more information about being an Australian permanent resident, including eligibility for government services and benefits, refer to Australian permanent resident.
You need a valid passport or other travel document for this Former Resident visa. If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa. If you get a new passport after you have lodged your application, give the details of your new passport to the department of immigration and border protection.
If you are granted a visa, it will be linked to your passport. If you get a new passport before your visa ends, you should let the department of immigration and border protection know to have your visa linked to your new passport.
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Cost
The visa application charges are listed in Fees and charges.
You might have to pay other costs, such as the costs of health assessments, police certificates, or any other certificates or tests. You are responsible for making the necessary arrangements.
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Who could get this Former Resident visa
You might be able to get this Former Resident visa if you meet:
If you are in Australia when you apply, you must hold a current substantive visa or apply for this Former Resident visa within 12 months of your substantive visa expiring.
The last visa you held must not have been a Transit visa (subclass 771).
The department of immigration and border protection recommend that you only apply for this Former Resident visa if you believe you are likely to be successful. If your application is refused or withdrawn, they will not refund you the cost of the visa application.
To meet the long residence requirement for this Former Resident visa you must:
Proof of your close business, cultural or personal ties with Australia could include:
One of the following conditions must apply for you to meet the defence service requirement for this Former Resident visa:
Service in the Australian Defence Force means that you served in one of the following forces:
You must meet certain health requirements. The results are usually valid for 12 months. Do not arrange a health examination until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.
This also applies to all the members of your family unit included in your application, whether they are migrating or not.
You must meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.
This applies to everyone listed in your application, whether they are migrating or not.
You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this Former Resident visa can be granted.
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Including family in your application
You can include the following people in your visa application at the time of lodgement:
For detailed information regarding who you can include in your application see including family members in your application.
The application must include documentary evidence of their relationship to you. ​​
Members of your family unit must be able to show that they meet health and character requirements.​
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: How to apply
This information explains what you need to do to apply for a Former Resident visa (subclass 151). You and anyone included in your application can apply for this Former Resident visa when you are in or outside of Australia.
In Australia: If you apply in Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted.
Outside Australia: If you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are listed in the Document checklist.
Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the application to reduce any delays in processing.
You must complete the application form:
Lodge your application at the Perth office in Western Australia. Provide all relevant documents and pay the visa application charge when you apply.
You can pay by credit card, bank cheque or money order made payable to the Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au).
Please refer to preparing your application, for information on:
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: After you have applied
After you have lodged your application and documents, the department of immigration and border protection will acknowledge that they have received your information.
The department of immigration and border protection have visa processing times for each visa.
Your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete.
Outside Australia: If you apply for this Former Resident visa from outside Australia, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. Wait for a decision from the department of immigration and border protection before you leave your job, sell your home or book your travel.
In Australia: If you apply for this Former Resident visa in Australia, you could be eligible for a Bridging visa that allows you to stay in the country lawfully while your application is processed. If you are given a Bridging visa A, you can apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) to travel outside Australia while you wait for a decision.
You can provide more information to the department of immigration and border protection, at any time until a decision is made on the application. If you want to correct information you provided, use:
The department of immigration and border protection could also ask you for more information. You will have to respond by a set date. After that date, they can make a decision about your application using the information that they have.
If another person gives the department of immigration and border protection information that could result in you being refused a visa, they will usually give you the opportunity to comment on the information.
You might also be interviewed. If you are asked to attend an interview in person, bring your passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.
You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.
Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount. If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:
If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane. ​​
​You can withdraw the application at any time before the department of immigration and border protection make a decision about it. To do this, send the department of immigration and border protection a letter or email to ask for the withdrawal. Your request must include your full name and date of birth. You should also include your file reference number, client ID, or a Transaction Reference Number.
​​​All applicants 18 years of age or older, wishing to withdraw, must sign the request for withdrawal. ​​​​​​
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Visa decision
If the visa is granted, the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:
This letter will also tell you the date by which you must enter Australia.
If the visa is not granted, the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Document checklist
You need to provide documents to support your application for this Former Resident visa. The department of immigration and border protection can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.
Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless the department of immigration and border protection specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.
Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Your Children
You should have at least functional English.
Applicants and dependants (18 years and older) who cannot provide evidence of having at least functional English must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge. If they have less than functional English, provide a statement indicating your intention to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge.
To prove you have functional English you must provide evidence of one of the following:
If you are applying against the “long residence” requirement, evidence of your ties with Australia and that you have kept these ties while you have been living overseas:
If you are applying against the “Defence service” requirement, evidence of service with the Australian Defence Forces before 1981 (if applicable).
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Your obligations
You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
You must enter Australia before the date given to you in your visa grant.
Your family might not be allowed to arrive in Australia before you. The department of immigration and border protection will tell you if this is the case.
Former Resident Visa subclass 151: Report changes in circumstances
You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.
Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount. If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:
If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane.
Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au). Please visit www.border.gov.au to get updated information.