Family Visa – Relative

Australian family visas are organized pathways for family members to sponsor their eligible relatives to the country. Relative visa is specifically designed for people who have them only near relatives settled in Australia. Relative visas are based on a close family relationship with an eligible relative/sponsor residing in Australia. For the purpose of this visa, the visa applicant must be aged and financially dependent on a relative who resides in Australia, or they or their partner’s only remaining relatives are in Australia, and they wish to reside with them. For a relative visa to Australia, you can only be sponsored by/related to a person who is:

• An Australian citizen, or
• An Australian permanent resident, or
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

An applicant applying for a relative visa needs to ensure the following before applying through this stream:

• The Australian relative is the only remaining relative of the applicant.
• Their Australian relative is over 18 years of age
• They are eligibly related to the visa applicant
• The Australian relative has been lawfully residing in Australia for a reasonable period of time.
• The Australian relative or sponsor must provide an Assurance of Support to the Government (specified for certain visa categories).

One can find the following visa categories under the relative visa stream-

Subclass 114 Visa- Aged Dependent Relative Visa– The subclass 114 is suitable for those who are single, aged, and dependent on their relatives, who are permanent residents/ citizens of Australia or citizens of New Zealand if eligible.

The subclass 114 visa is an offshore visa, which means it is specifically for those applicants who are not living in the Country (at the time of filing the application for the concerned immigration category). The aged dependent visa also requires the Australian relative of the applicant to act as the sponsor of the required aged dependent relative. The applicant must prove that they are dependent on their Australian relative and have been receiving their support for at least three years before applying under this category.

Subclass 115 Visa- Remaining Relative Visa– The subclass 115 visa is designed for those individuals who live outside the country and wish to stay permanently with them only near relatives in Australia.
If an applicant’s only near relative is an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, usually residing in Australia, they qualify to apply for a remaining relative (subclass 115) visa in Australia. This is an offshore visa process. While Subclass 835 is an onshore visa. It is a permanent visa category.

Subclass 117 Visa – Orphan Relative Visa – Subclass 117 allows a single child to come to Australia and live with an eligible Australian relative if their parents are dead, are unable to care for them, or can not be found. Under this subclass, a child would be allowed to stay in Australia as a permanent resident, and would get to live, study, and work in Australia indefinitely. The relative should be a sponsor to the child and must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. If the eligible child is already in Australia on another substantive visa, they can apply for a visa application through the visa subclass 837 meant for individuals already staying in Australia.

Subclass 835 Visa- Remaining Relative Visa– Subclass 835 visa is an onshore visa. If approved, it grants a permanent residency to its applicant who intends to stay in Australia to be with their only remaining relative. If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, usually residing in Australia, your last remaining relative can apply for a remaining relative (subclass 835) visa in Australia. The applicant must be in the country when the application is filed, and the decision is made. Subclass 835 visa (remaining relative) is a permanent permit to the country