{"id":"F2022L00490","name":"Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/019) 2022","slug":"migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":102361,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2022L00490-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/019) 2022","content":"![Commonwealth coat of arms](image.001.png)\n\nLIN 22/019\n\nMigration (Arrangements for Resident Return Visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/019) 2022\n\nmade under the Migration Regulations 1994\n\nCompilation no. 1\n\nCompilation date 4 March 2023\n\nThis compilation was prepared by the Department of Home Affairs on 15 February 2023 taking into account amendments up to Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/014) 2023.\n\n1 Name\n\nThis instrument is the Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/019) 2022.\n\n3 Definitions\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n> ImmiAccount means the interactive portal for online services available through the Department’s website at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.\n\n> written notice means an email from the Department inviting a person to make an application using a form and in a manner other than an Internet form through ImmiAccount.\n\n4 Making an application for a Special Eligibility (Class CB) visa\n\nFor subitem 1118A(1) and paragraph 1118A(3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations an application for a Special Eligibility (Class CB) visa must be made using form 47SV and be posted with sufficient prepaid postage to:\n\nSubclass 151 Visa Application\n\nDepartment of Home Affairs\n\nGPO Box 9984\n\nSydney NSW 2001\n\nAustralia.\n\n5 Making an application for a Return (Residence) (Class BB) visa\n\n(1) For subitem 1128(1) and paragraph 1128(3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations an application for a Return (Residence) (Class BB) visa must be made using form 1085E through ImmiAccount.\n\n(2) If the application cannot be made in accordance with subsection (1), it may be made using form 1085 by sending it to residentsreturn@homeaffairs.gov.au if:\n\n(a) the Department has given a written notice inviting the person to make the visa application using form 1085; and\n\n(b) the written notice is attached to the application; and\n\n(c) the application is received by the Department by 11:59pm (AEST or AEDST as applicable in the place where the email is received), two calendar days after the Department sends the written notice.\n\n6 Making an application for a Resident Return (Temporary) (Class TP) visa\n\n(1) For subitem 1216(1) and paragraph 1216(3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations, an application for a Resident Return (Temporary) (Class TP) visa must be made:\n\n(a) using form 1085; and\n\n(b) at a diplomatic, consular or immigration office maintained by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia.\n\n(2) For subitem 1216(1) and paragraph 1216(3B)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations, an application for a Resident Return (Temporary) (Class TP) visa must be made using form 1085 and be posted with sufficient prepaid postage to:\n\nResident Return Visa Application\n\nDepartment of Home Affairs\n\nGPO Box 9984\n\nSydney NSW 2001.\n\n> Notes\n\n> Note: This compilation comprises Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/014) 2023 amended as indicated in the following tables.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of\n> \n> instruments\n\n| Name | Registration | Number | Commencement | Application, saving or transitional provisions |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | ----------- | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |\n| Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/019) 2022 | 1 April 2022 | F2022L00490 | 2 April 2022 | |\n| Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/014) 2023 | 03 March 2023 | F2023L00195 | 04 March 2023 | |\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of amendments\n\n```html\n

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

s 2..................

rep. Legislation Act 2003, s. 48D [auto repeal of commencement provision]

s 4..................

rs. F2023L00195

s 7..................

rep. Legislation Act 2003, s. 48C [auto repeal of repeal provision]

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains its original narrow administrative purpose. The 2023 amendment simply updated the Subclass 151 application method (switching from an unspecified method to the specific form 47SV and postal address) and removed spent commencement/repeal provisions. No expansion of substantive scope."},"complexity_factors":["Only 2 defined terms ('ImmiAccount' and 'written notice')","Straightforward procedural rules with minimal cross-referencing (only references to Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994)","Single conditional exception in section 5(2) for online applications that cannot be made online","No nested exceptions or complex definitional chains","Total length: approximately 1.5 pages of substantive content","Clear structure: one section per visa class with explicit form numbers and submission methods"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets out the **paperwork and submission rules** for three types of Resident Return visas — essentially permits that let Australian permanent residents or former citizens re-enter Australia after travelling overseas.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Former Australian citizens** applying for a Special Eligibility visa (Subclass 151) to resume citizenship status\n- **Current permanent residents** applying for a Return (Residence) visa (Subclass 155/157) to maintain their travel rights\n- **People seeking temporary travel rights** via a Resident Return (Temporary) visa (Subclass 159)\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Subclass 151 (Former citizens):** Must use paper form 47SV and post it to a Sydney GPO Box\n- **Subclass 155/157 (Permanent residents):** Must apply online through **ImmiAccount** (the government's visa portal). Only if the Department specifically emails you an invitation can you use the old paper form 1085, and you must submit it within 2 days of that email\n- **Subclass 159 (Temporary):** Must use paper form 1085, either lodged at an Australian embassy/consulate overseas or posted to the same Sydney address\n\n**Why it matters:** This is purely administrative — it tells applicants exactly *how* to submit their application (which form, online vs paper, where to send it). Get this wrong and your application could be invalid, even if you qualify for the visa."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022","history":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-arrangements-for-resident-return-visa-applications-instrument-lin-22-019-2022/documents"}}