Australia•Oceania1-6 months
4,805 AUD
Indefinite
No
Not Required
Allowed
No
Allowed
The Former Resident visa (subclass 151) is an Australian permanent visa for ex-permanent residents and ADF veterans. Eligibility rests on historical ties: 9 years of childhood permanent residence before age 18, or ADF service before 19 January 1981 — not on skills, points, or a job offer.
The visa grants permanent residence immediately, with full work rights, Medicare, and a citizenship pathway. Applications use paper Form 47SV (AUD 4,805 fee); since July 2025, the lodged application can be imported into ImmiAccount for online management. Processing typically takes 1–6 months.
This visa is ideal for former long-term child residents or ADF veterans who have maintained ties to Australia and wish to return permanently without a skills assessment.
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Must be a former permanent resident or have served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 9 years before turning 18, or if under 18, lived half of their life in Australia as a permanent resident.
Must have maintained business, personal, or cultural ties with Australia while living abroad.
Must not have been an Australian citizen.
Must meet health and character requirements.
Must not have had a visa cancelled or rejected in the past while in Australia.
Must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government.
Must be under 45 years of age (for long residence stream).
Must have served at least 3 months in the ADF before 19 January 1981 (for defence stream).
Education
none or higher
Current passport and national ID.
Evidence of former permanent residency or ADF service records.
Evidence of ongoing ties to Australia (e.g., property ownership, business interests, family connections).
Police clearance certificates for all countries lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years.
Health assessment results.
Proof of relationship for any included family members.
| Application Steps | Prepare all necessary documentation including proof of former residency or ADF service.; Pay the vis… | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Dependent Visa | Yes | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Fee Breakdown | Base application fee: 4805 AUD | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Fees | AUD 4,805 | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Forms | 47SV | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Forms · 47SV · description | Application for a Former Resident visa | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Forms · 47SV · name | 47SV | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Forms · 47SV · url | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/47sv.pdf | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
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