Aged dependent relative visa
(subclass 838) (onshore)
This permanent visa allows a single older person to reside in Australia if they depend on a relative residing in Australia for financial support.
Here are the key features of the visa:
- Stay in Australia as a permanent resident.
- Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
- Submit your application while inside Australia, but not during immigration clearance.
- Must be sponsored by your relative or your relative’s partner.
With this visa you can
Here are the privileges associated with this visa:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely.
- Work and study in Australia.
- Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You have the following travel privileges with this visa:
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the visa grant date, as long as the travel validity remains valid.
- If you wish to travel after the initial 5-year period, you’ll need to apply for and be granted a Resident Return (RRV) visa.
- Alternatively, you may consider applying for Australian citizenship, which eliminates the need for a visa to enter Australia.
How long the child can stay
This visa is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to reside in the country indefinitely. Additionally, for citizenship eligibility, your permanent residency status begins on the day the visa is granted.
Include family
You have the option to include family members in your visa application either at the time of application or before a decision is made. All family members, including those who are not migrating, must be listed in the application form. Family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements, and those not migrating may also need to meet these requirements. For this visa, family members include dependent children and stepchildren.
Cost
The cost of this visa starts from AUD4,990.00, with an additional charge for each family member included in the application. Payment for the visa is divided into two instalments: the first instalment is paid upon application, and the second instalment is paid when requested by us. Additionally, there may be other expenses for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. To calculate the total cost of your visa, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. However, please note that this tool does not consider the second instalment or other associated costs. For further details on visa fees and charges, please refer to the relevant information.
Apply from
Processing times
The demand for Other Family visas often exceeds the available quota, resulting in extended processing times for these applications.
To get an estimate of processing times for this visa, you can use the visa processing time guide tool. However, please note that this tool provides general processing times for recently decided applications and may not reflect the exact timeframe for your specific application.
Several factors can contribute to delays in processing your application:
- Incomplete or incorrect filling of the application form.
- Failure to include all required documents or the need for additional information from you.
- Verification of your information taking longer than usual.
It’s essential to ensure that you provide all necessary documentation accurately and promptly to avoid delays. Additionally, make sure to pay the correct visa application charge to facilitate the processing of your application.
Please be aware that applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing, further affecting processing times. You can find more information about the Other Family Visa queues and processing priorities on our website.
For detailed insights into Migration Program outcomes and planning for each migration program year, you can refer to the Reports on Migration Programs.
Visa label
Eligibility
Have a sponsor
To obtain this visa, you must secure sponsorship from an eligible relative or their partner. This sponsorship must receive approval from the relevant authorities.
Be this age
You must meet the eligibility criterion of being old enough to receive the age pension in Australia in order to qualify for this visa.
Be dependent
In order to be eligible for this visa, you must have been dependent on your relative in Australia for basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing for at least the last 3 years prior to applying for the visa. This dependency could be due to a disability that prevents you from working.
Have no partner
To be eligible for this visa you must have no partner.
Must not have a no further stay condition
Your current visa must not have a “no further stay” condition attached to it. You can check the conditions of your visa in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support. An assurance of support ensures that you will not need to rely on government assistance after entering Australia on this visa. This assurance covers both you and any family members accompanying you to Australia on this visa. We will inform you when you need to provide the assurance of support. You can learn more about assurances of support on our website.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet our health requirement. Additionally, we may request that other family members also fulfill this requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet our character requirement. Additionally, we may request that other non-migrating family members also meet this requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe money to the Australian Government, you or they must have either repaid the debt or established an approved arrangement to do so.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
Your immigration history will be taken into consideration when assessing your application. If you have had a visa cancelled or refused, you may not be eligible for this visa. However, there are circumstances where you may still apply for a permanent visa despite previous issues. For more information on limitations on applications in Australia, refer to the provided document. If you’re applying for a visa from outside Australia, consult the “Can I go to Australia” section. If you require immigration assistance, find out more about who can help with your visa application.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.