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Remaining relative visa
(subclass 835) (onshore)
The Australian Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 835) is a permanent visa designed for applicants whose close family members (such as a parent, brother, sister, step‑brother or step‑sister of the applicant) are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
It is designed for applicants and their spouses (if any), who have no remaining near relatives in their home country (such as a parent, brother, sister, step‑sibling, or non dependent child of the applicant or spouse). This visa therefore allows applicants to stay in Australia and be with their family members. This visa can be applied only through a paper application.
Benefits of Subclass 835 Visa
Once granted, Subclass 835 visa allows you to:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely, without any time limits on your residency.
- Work and study in Australia without restrictions.
- Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare, to access medical services.
- Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia under certain conditions.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria.
These privileges provide you with the opportunity to establish a stable life in Australia and contribute to the community. Make sure to comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws during your stay.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
If granted, your visa allows you to travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish within a period of 5 years from the date it is granted. This travel facility remains valid as long as the visa is valid.
Should you wish to travel after the initial 5-year period, you will need to apply for and obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Additionally, you may consider applying for Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you won’t require a visa to enter Australia. Instead, you will need to apply for an Australian passport and use it for travel purposes.
To check the expiration date of your travel facility, you can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
How long the child can stay
Once granted, subclass 835 visa provides you with permanent residence status in Australia, allowing you to stay indefinitely in the country.
Regarding citizenship eligibility, your permanent residency status begins on the day the visa is granted. This permanent residence status serves as the foundation for your potential future application for Australian citizenship.
Include other family
You have the option to include members of your family unit in your visa application when you initially apply. Additionally, you can add them to your application at any point before a decision is made.
It’s important to note that family members included in your application must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government. Even family members who are not intending to accompany you to Australia might still need to meet these requirements.
Visa cost
The Subclass 835 Remaining Relative Visa (Onshore) costs at total fee of AUD $7,190, with additional charges for each family member included in the application. The fee is paid in two instalments: the first fee of $5,125 is at application submission and the second instalment fee of $2,065 is when requested by the Department.
Additional costs may include health exams, police certificates, and biometrics.
For more details, refer to the official immigration guidelines.
See related: Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115)
Apply from
You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa and when the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision on your visa application.
Processing times
The processing times for Other Family visas can be lengthy due to the high demand exceeding the number of available places each year. To get an estimate of processing times, you can use the visa processing time guide tool, which provides information on recently decided applications. However, please note that this tool offers only a general guide and may not be specific to your application.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- It is not filled in correctly.
- It lacks necessary documents, or we require additional information from you.
- The verification of your information takes longer than usual.
If the correct visa application charge is not paid, we cannot process your application. In such cases, we will inform you and, if necessary, return your application.
It’s important to note that applications for this visa are subject to capping and queueing, which means that processing priorities are determined based on various factors.
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.
Not have other near relatives
You will not be granted subclass 835 visa if you or your partner have a close relative who typically resides outside Australia, or if the close relative residing in Australia is on a temporary visa (excluding Eligible New Zealand citizens) or unlawfully. Temporary visas encompass bridging visas.
Have assurance of support
You must have the ability to secure an assurance of support. This ensures that upon your entry into Australia on this visa, you and any accompanying family members will not depend on government assistance. We will inform you when it’s necessary to provide the assurance of support.
Meet the health requirement
You and any accompanying family members must satisfy the health criteria when applying for the visa.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members applying for the visa alongside you must meet the character standards.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members have outstanding debts to the Australian Government, you must have either repaid the debt or have established an approved arrangement to settle it.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
The Department will assess your immigration history as part of the decision-making process for your application. If you have previously had a visa cancelled or refused, you may not be eligible for this visa. However, there are certain circumstances where you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa despite past visa issues.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, it is a requirement that you:
- Have read the Life in Australia booklet, or have had its contents explained to you.
- Sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your commitment to respect the Australian way of life and abide by Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
Your visa may be refused if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.