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Permanent resident

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Proof of permanent residence​

You can prove that you are an Australian permanent resident by using VEVO. You must have an electronic visa record of your permanent visa, and it must be linked to your passport or Immicard.

You can also use VEVO to check you have the right to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, before you travel outside of Australia.

You arrived before 1 June 1959, or you are a New Zealand citizen who arrived before 1 September 1994

If you arrived in Australia:

  • before 1 June 1959 and you have not left Australia since your arrival, or
  • before 1 September 1994 as a New Zealand citizen without a permit, and you can prove you usually resided in Australia before 1 September 1994

you may be considered a former Australian permanent resident and eligible to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV). You will need an RRV if you wish to travel overseas and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

If you do not have an electronic visa record with the department, you do not have to request one before lodging your RRV. However, you should provide the following supporting documentation with your RRV application:

  • evidence of your first arrival to Australia (New Zealand citizens must also provide evidence of any subsequent travel in and out of Australia)
  • identity documents
  • documents proving your residence in Australia

You can find more information about the RRV and how to apply at Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or subclass 157) 

If you have no intention to travel and re-enter Australia, but you need an electronic visa record to prove you are a permanent resident, you can request one by following the instructions below.

Requesting an electronic record of your permanent visa

You may not have an electronic record of your visa if your last arrival was before 1990.

You can use one of the below forms to request to have your permanent resident visa recorded electronically.

Before you start:

NOTE: If none of these forms apply to your circumstances and you attempt to submit one, we will not process your request.

If you are considering requesting an Authority to Return or Return Endorsement (Transitional (Permanent) visa) to be recorded as a BF-111 visa, before submitting your request see Authority to Return or Return Endorsement.​

Request for an electronic visa record of your permanent visa

Use this form if you meet all of the following:
  • You last entered Australia before 1990 as a permanent visa holder and do not have an electronic visa record but need one
  • You are not the holder of an Authority to Return or Return Endorsement issued between 1 March 1976 and 31 December 1986
Go to request form

Request for Authority to Return or Return Endorsement (Transitional (Permanent) visa) to be recorded as a BF-111 visa.

Use this form if you meet all of the following:
  • You are the holder of an Authority to Return or Return Endorsement which was issued between 1 March 1976 and 31 December 1986 by way of a wet stamp in your old passport and you would like to have it recorded in the Department's current electronic systems as a BF-111 visa
  • You have never departed and remained outside Australia for more than three consecutive years after you were issued an Authority to Return or a Return Endorsement
  • You have never been granted any substantive visa since 1 September 1994. This does not include the granting of:
    • an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 956, 976, 977, or 601) visa granted on or after 1 July 2002
    • a Border (Subclass 773) visa granted on or after 1 July 2002
    • a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa granted under the Business Visitor stream in conjunction with APEC Business Card
    • a Special Purpose visa
Go to request form