A petition to the Australian Parliament is calling on the Albanese Government to reverse a more than 200 per cent increase in the application fee for Australia’s Resident Return Visa, arguing that the higher charge places an unfair financial burden on permanent residents and migrant families.
Petition EN10273 is currently open for signatures and has recorded 8,209 signatures, with the petition due to close at 11.59 pm AEST on 2 September 2026.
The campaign follows the increase on 1 July 2026 in the application charge for the Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 Resident Return Visas, commonly known as Resident Return Visas (RRVs).
According to the petition, the fee increased from approximately $490–$495 to $1,475 for most applicants — an increase of about $985, or 201 per cent.
An RRV allows eligible Australian permanent residents to return to Australia as permanent residents after the travel facility attached to their original visa has expired.
The petition argues that permanent residents may need an RRV for reasons including visiting family overseas, caring for ageing parents, responding to family emergencies, medical matters or international employment commitments.
“This new fee is excessive, disproportionate and unfair,” the petition states.
It argues that permanent residents have already undergone extensive immigration assessment and have contributed to Australia through employment, taxation, business, education and community participation.
The petition also questions the basis for the size of the increase, arguing that while many visa application charges rose by about 25 per cent, the RRV charge was subject to a much larger targeted increase.
It calls for the Government to publish the evidence used to determine the new fee, including processing-cost data, financial modelling and expected revenue.
The petition is also seeking an independent review of Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 pricing and greater consultation with permanent residents, migrant communities, community organisations and immigration professionals before future major fee increases are introduced.
It further calls for transitional arrangements for people whose travel plans or need for an RRV arose before the fee increase took effect.
The petition argues that families with several permanent residents can face a combined cost running into thousands of dollars when multiple RRVs are required.
The campaign also highlights the timing of the change, arguing that the regulations were registered on 30 June and commenced the following day, leaving affected permanent residents with little time to prepare.
The Department of Home Affairs has defended the increase, saying additional revenue from visa application charge increases will support migration system reform and other Government priorities.
The department has also said the increased RRV charge reflects the importance of permanent residents retaining their eligibility to travel to and live in Australia.
The Government has pointed to Australian citizenship as an alternative for eligible permanent residents who wish to avoid future re-entry requirements and make an ongoing commitment to Australia.
A separate Change.org campaign with more than 37,500 signatures has also been established opposing the fee increase.
With the parliamentary petition remaining open until September, supporters are now seeking further signatures before the matter is considered through the parliamentary petitions process.
The petition does not itself require the Government to reverse the fee, but a strong level of support could increase political attention on the issue at a time when immigration policy and the treatment of migrant communities remain prominent public and political issues.
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