Remaining relative visa
(subclass 115) (offshore)
This permanent visa allows individuals to relocate to Australia to reunite with their immediate family members.
Key features of this visa include:
- -Permanent residency status in Australia.
- Authorization to work and pursue studies in Australia.
- Enrollment eligibility in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Requirement to be outside Australia during the visa application and decision process.
- Qualification as a remaining relative of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Need for an eligible sponsor.
With this visa you can
The benefits of this visa include:
- Indefinite stay in Australia.
- Permission to work and study in Australia.
- Eligibility to enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Ability to sponsor relatives to come to Australia.
- Eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship.
- Note: Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You are granted multiple entries to and from Australia for a period of 5 years from the visa grant date. If you wish to travel beyond this initial 5-year period:
- You must apply for and receive a Resident Return (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
- Consider applying for Australian citizenship, which eliminates the need for a visa to enter Australia. You will require an Australian passport for travel. See eligibility criteria and processing times for Australian citizenship.
- To check the expiration date of your travel validity, use VEVO.
How long the child can stay
This visa grants you permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to reside in the country indefinitely.
For citizenship eligibility, your permanent residency commences either upon your entry to Australia with this visa, or if you had previously been in Australia and held a permanent visa before departing, upon the grant of this visa.
Include family
You can include your family members in your visa application when you initially apply or add them later before a decision is made.
Ensure you provide details of all family members, regardless of whether they are migrating.
Family members applying with you must satisfy our health and character requirements.
Additionally, family members not migrating may still need to meet health and character requirements.
Newborn child
If your child is born after you have submitted your visa application, you need to inform the immigration department as soon as possible. You should update your application with the new information regarding your child’s birth. This typically involves notifying the immigration department of the new addition to your family and providing any necessary documentation related to the child’s birth, such as a birth certificate. Depending on the visa subclass and specific circumstances, there may be additional requirements or steps to follow, so it’s essential to follow the instructions provided by the immigration authorities closely.
Cost
Apply from
You must submit your application for this visa while you are outside of Australia. Additionally, you must remain outside of Australia while the immigration authorities process your application and make a decision regarding its outcome.
Processing times
Due to the high demand for Other Family visas, processing times for these applications can be lengthy. To get an idea of the processing times, you can use the visa processing time guide tool, which provides information on recently decided applications. However, please note that this information is a general guide and may not be specific to your application.
Your application may take longer to process if there are errors or omissions in the application, if all necessary documents are not provided, or if additional information is required for verification.
It’s essential to ensure that you pay the correct visa application charge, as failure to do so may result in the application not being processed. If necessary, we will inform you of any issues with the payment and may return your application.
Please be aware that applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing, and processing priorities are determined based on various factors.
For more detailed information on migration program outcomes and planning, you can refer to the Reports on Migration Programs.
Your obligations
You are required to arrive in Australia before the date indicated in your grant letter, typically set at 12 months from the date of visa grant. It’s essential that both you and your family members comply with all visa conditions and adhere to Australian laws during your stay.
For details regarding specific conditions attached to this visa, please refer to our visa conditions page.
Visa label
Your visa will be electronically linked to your passport, eliminating the need for a physical label in your passport.
Eligibility
Have a sponsor
You need to have sponsorship from an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, or an eligible partner of your relative. This sponsorship must be approved by us before proceeding with the visa application.
Not have other near relatives
Your visa application will be denied if either you or your partner have a close relative residing outside Australia, or if a close relative is living in Australia on a temporary visa (excluding Eligible New Zealand citizens) or unlawfully. Temporary visas encompass bridging visas as well.
Have assurance of support
You need to be capable of obtaining an assurance of support. This assurance ensures that upon entering Australia on this visa, you and any accompanying family members will not need to depend on government assistance. We will inform you when it’s necessary to provide the assurance of support. You can learn more about assurances of support on our website.
Meet the health requirement
You and any accompanying family members must meet our health requirement when applying for the visa. Additionally, we may request that other family members also meet this requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet our character requirement. Additionally, we might 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 the Australian Government money, you or they must have either paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to repay it.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will review your immigration history during the application process, which means you may not qualify for this visa if you have previously had a visa cancelled or refused.
In certain situations, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa even if you have experienced a visa cancellation or application refusal. For more information, refer to the Limitations on applications in Australia.
If you are applying for a visa from outside Australia, please refer to the “Can I go to Australia” section.
For assistance with your visa application, you can consult with an immigration advisor or agent.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, there are specific requirements you must meet:
- You must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet.
- You must sign an Australian Values Statement affirming that you will respect the Australian way of life and adhere to Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Conditions
8502 - Not arrive before person specified in visa
You must not enter Australia before the person specified in the visa has entered Australia. Typically, this refers to the main visa holder or other relevant individual, such as your sponsor in the case of a Partner visa.
8515 - Must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entry
Before entering Australia, you must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship.
If your contact details change, refer to the appropriate procedure.
Failure to disclose an engagement, marriage, or de facto relationship that existed prior to visa approval may result in visa cancellation.