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151 Visa: Former Resident

Are you an ex-permanent resident or served in the Australian Defence Force, and wish to permanently live in Australia? Apply for a subclass 151 visa with a qualified migration consultant to assist you from consultation to post-visa grant. Get in touch with a Parish Patience professional today to schedule an appointment.

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    Former Resident Visa Subclass 151

    A 151 visa, or the Former Resident Visa, allows former Australian permanent residents to reapply for permanent residency and resettle in Australia. Those who served in the Australian Defence Force are also eligible to apply for this visa.

    With this PR visa, you can:

    • Live in Australia indefinitely
    • Work for a local employer or study in an Australian institution
    • Avail of healthcare and hospital benefits through Medicare
    • Bring your relatives overseas to come live with you in Australia
    • Travel within or outside Australia for up to five (5) years while your travel facility is valid
    • Eventually apply for Australian citizenship once you become fully eligible

    Which Subclass 151 Stream Do You Qualify For?

    The Former Resident Visa (Subclass 151) is not an open pathway for all former visa holders. You must satisfy the strict legal requirements of either the Long Residence or the Defence Service stream:

    Stream 1: Long Residence

    • Spent at least 9 years in Australia as a permanent resident before turning 18 (or half your life if under 18).
    • Must be under 45 years of age when lodging the application.
    • Never acquired Australian citizenship.
    • Can show ongoing personal, cultural, or business ties to Australia.

    Stream 2: Defence Service

    • Served at least 3 continuous months in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) prior to 1981.
    • Or discharged before 3 months due to service-related medical unfitness.
    • No age restriction applies to this stream.
    • Did not leave the ADF with a dishonourable discharge.
    Did you live in Australia as an adult permanent resident? If you lost your PR status after living in Australia as an adult, you likely require a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) rather than a Subclass 151.

    151 Visa Eligibility Requirements

    There are two chief requirements for an Australian visa subclass 151 application. These are long residency (for former permanent residents) and proof of your Australian Defence service (for former Australian Defence Force servants).

    Long Residency

    As a key criteria, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least nine (9) years prior to turning 18. If under 18, you must have lived half of your life in the country as a permanent resident. Other qualifying traits include:

    • You must be below 45 when you apply
    • You must not have been an Australian citizen ever
    • You must have kept your cultural, personal, and/or business ties with Australia even after you are no longer
    • considered a permanent resident. This includes having regular communication with friends and relatives through visits, as well as property ownership or business interests.

    Defence Force Service

    Meanwhile, you may be granted a new visa class 151 if you served in the Defence Force of Australia for at least three (3) continuing months. You are also eligible for this visa under this route if you have been discharged before 3 months of continuing service if you were deemed medically and physically unfit.

    There is no age limit for former Defence Force servants.

    Meanwhile, here are other criteria and requirements to be issued a #151 visa and become permanent residents.

    • You and any family members applying with you must satisfy the Department’s health requirements
    • You and family relatives applying with you must secure police certificates or clearances as proof that you don’t have a criminal record
    • You may also be asked to provide an Assurance of Support, which is a guarantee that migrants entering Australia will not depend on any government subsidy for their first two (2) years.
    • You must have no outstanding debt owed to the Government and have no history of visa(s) refused or cancelled.

    Need Visa Assistance?

    Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.

    How to Apply for an Australian Visa 151

    It pays to be prepared. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you have a streamlined application process as a 151 subclass visa aspirant:

    1

    Assess your Eligibility

    You can do so by referring to the requirements above or have a migration agent or legal practitioner conduct an eligibility assessment on you to gauge your chances.

    2

    Prepare your Documents

    If you are certain you meet the requirements, your next best step is to prepare ALL documents that will help support your application. You need documents for:

    • Identification. Your current passport showing your photo and basic details, including issuance and expiration dates. Also include a national ID or an equivalent, as well as proof of name change, if applicable.
    • Proof of long residence. For ex-permanent resident applicants, this includes passport pages showing your arrival and departure dates from Australia, school records, proof of business and/or property ownership, recurring visits to Australia, and membership in social or professional groups, among others.
    • Proof of Defence service. You must provide supporting documents showing you did serve in the Australian Defence Force before 1981, alongside your identification documents.
    • Character and health check. You will be notified by the Department if they need you to submit police certificates for the character requirement. But generally, you must be of good character and not suffering from serious ailments.
    • Dependents, if applicable. If applying with dependents, you must supply pertinent documents about their individual identities and proof of relationship with you.

    3

    Lodge your Application

    You can only apply for an Australian visa 151 on paper. Online applications are not currently accepted. However, you can be inside or outside Australia during your application, except for immigration clearance.

    You must fill out and complete the Form 47SV Application for special migration to Australia and mail it to the Department’s office in Sydney. You must first pay the application fee online using your ImmiAccount. Your application will not be processed unless it is paid first.

    4

    Wait for the Visa Outcome

    You will be notified if your application has been received, processed, or otherwise needs additional information for further assessment. Make sure to promptly respond to these requests so your visa will not be delayed.

    Need Visa Assistance?

    Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.

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    Haroon Parvez

    The team at parish Patience Immigration Lawyers were incredibly helpful throughout the application process. Their assistance made our lives so much less stressful and their expertise cleared up any confusion we had. They remained engaged with us the whole time and quickly responded to any questions with thoughtful, detailed answers. Special thanks to Usman Ali and Shan . We highly recommend the team at Parish patience immigration lawyer for anyone considering help regarding any kind of visa .

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    Highly recommended lawyers! Extremely professional and reliable service, with outstanding outcomes. A special thanks to Mr Thong and Marlene, for helping us with our difficult case. Not only did they ensure that everything was ready to go, but their professionalism came in favor when we were granted our visa within just under 6 months!

    J P

    Thong and Marlene helped my partner gain permanent residency in Australia. We did the application ourselves but it turned out lots of information we needed to provide was missing. Thong and Marlene picked our case up and helped amend it. I really appreciate their help and guidance and look forward to contacting them again in the future. I am pleased by their efforts and professionalism.

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    Successfully handled my case. He had been prompt, caring and very professional in dealing with my case. I am glad to have received very strong support, guidance and service from them. I would highly recommend Parish patience immigration lawyers. I wish the best for their future prospects.

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    I’m really thankful for the guidance and assistance I’ve received regarding my Partner visa from Shan and his assistance Asha at Parish Patience. They handled my matter professionally and there were clear instructions from the beginning till end. I got my partner visa 820 granted in less than 7 months, thanks to their knowledge and expertise. I wish them all the best and highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for any sort of immigration matters.

    Have a Parish Patience Professional Handle Your Visa Requirements


    Struggling and stressed out with your 151 subclass visa application? Let a licensed and trustworthy Australian migration consultant process your visa requirements on your behalf. You can find one at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers, an accredited law firm in Australia that’s been in existence since 1888. We have the most competent visa professionals who can ensure you have a great and smooth migration experience. Consult with one of our specialists by calling our office to discuss your unique case and requirements.

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      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


      Got some more specific questions about business visa requirements to Australia? Here are some
      of the most common ones alongside our responses.

      What is a former resident 151 visa?

      A former resident visa under subclass 151 is a type of visa that allows ex-permanent residents and those who worked for the Australian Defence Force to be resettled in Australia. Once granted, they can live, work, study, and travel to and from Australia indefinitely.

      Is visa 155 permanent?

      Yes, a former resident visa subclass 151) in Australia is a permanent visa that allows applicants to re-enter Australia and become permanent residents.

      What is the application fee for a former resident visa?

      The cost for a 151 visa application is A $6,005 for the primary applicant. Note that this is subject to change, so it’s best to consult with a migration professional or refer to the Department’s official website for updates.

      What is the processing time for a 151 visa?

      With low application volume, there is currently no data available for the 151 visa application processing time.

      Can I bring my family over with a visa 151?

      Yes, you can include your family members or dependents in your application and bring them with you to Australia, provided they also satisfy the requirements, including health and character checks.

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