# Three Month Resident Return

> visa-157 — as in force on 2026-06-01 — F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026C00497/latest/text

Subclass 157—Three Month Resident Return
157.1—Interpretation
               Note:    Australian permanent resident is defined in regulation 1.03.


157.2—Primary criteria
               Note:    All applicants must satisfy the primary criteria.

157.21—Criteria to be satisfied at time of application

157.211
               The applicant:
                (a) is an Australian permanent resident; or
                (b) was an Australian citizen but has subsequently lost or renounced Australian
                    citizenship; or
                (c) is a former Australian permanent resident, other than a former Australian
                    permanent resident whose most recent permanent visa was cancelled.

157.212
          (1) The applicant meets the requirements of subclause (2) or (3).
          (2) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if the applicant:
               (a) was lawfully present in Australia for a period of, or periods that total, not
                   less than 1 day but less than 2 years in the period of 5 years immediately
                   before the application for the visa and, during that time, the applicant:
                     (i) was:
                             (A) the holder of a permanent visa; or
                             (B) an Australian citizen; and
                    (ii) was not the holder of:
                             (A) a temporary visa (other than a Subclass 601 (Electronic
                                  Travel Authority) visa, a Subclass 773 Border visa, Subclass
                                  956 Electronic Travel Authority (Business Entrant—Long
                                  Validity) visa, Subclass 976 Electronic Travel Authority
                                  (Visitor) visa or Subclass 977 Electronic Travel Authority
                                  (Business Entrant—Short Validity) visa held concurrently
                                  with the permanent visa); or
                             (B) a bridging visa; and
               (b) either:
                     (i) has compelling and compassionate reasons for departing Australia; or
                    (ii) if outside Australia, had compelling and compassionate reasons for
                         his or her last departure from Australia.









          (3) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if the applicant is a
              member of the family unit of a person who:
               (a) has been granted a Subclass 157 visa and that visa is still in effect; or
               (b) meets the requirements of subclause (2) and has lodged a separate
                   application for a Return (Residence) (Class BB) visa.

157.213
               If the applicant is outside Australia, the applicant has not been absent from
               Australia for a continuous period of more than 3 months immediately before
               making the application for the visa, unless the Minister is satisfied that there are
               compelling and compassionate reasons for the absence.

157.22—Criteria to be satisfied at time of decision

157.221
               If the applicant is outside Australia, the applicant satisfies special return criterion
               5001.

157.222
               The applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4021.

157.3—Secondary criteria: Nil.
               Note:     All applicants must satisfy the primary criteria.


157.4—Circumstances applicable to grant

157.411
               The applicant may be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, at
               the time of grant.

157.5—When visa is in effect

157.511
               Permanent visa permitting the holder to travel to and enter Australia for a period
               of 3 months from the date of grant.

157.6—Conditions: Nil.