151 Visa: Former Resident

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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