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Visa Options for Children

What are the Visa Options for Children?

A child might be eligible for a child visa if they are:

  • Under 18 years of age, and

  • Single (not married, engaged to be married, or in a de facto relationship)

In certain circumstances, a person over 18 years of age might be considered as a child. These circumstances are described in the child visa options below.

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The visa options listed below allow a child to live in Australia as a temporary or permanent resident.

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You might be able to sponsor a child if you are:

  • An Australian citizen, or

  • An Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent visa.

VISA OPTIONS FOR A CHILD INSIDE AUSTRALIA

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Visa option: Child (Permanent) (Subclass 802)

To apply for a Child (Permanent) (Subclass 802), a child must be:

  • inside Australia when applying for the visa

  • sponsored by their parent or their parent's;s partner.

 

Visa option: Orphan Relative (Permanent) (Subclass 837)

To apply for an Orphan Relative (Permanent) (Subclass 837) a child must be:

  • inside Australia when applying for the visa

  • sponsored by a relative (a brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or step-equivalent) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • unable to be cared for by their parents because they are both either missing, dead or permanently incapacitated

  • under 18 years of age when applying for the visa.

 

Visa options for a child outside Australia

Visa option: Child (Permanent) (Subclass 101)

To apply for a Child (Permanent) (Subclass 101) visa, the child must be:

  • outside Australia when applying for the visa sponsored by their parent or their parent’s partner.

If a child is 18 years or older, they must be single and either:

  • a full-time student between 18 and 25 years of age and financially dependent on the sponsoring parent; or

  • unable to work due to disability.

 

Visa option: Orphan Relative (Permanent) (Subclass 117)

To apply for an Orphan Relative (Permanent) (Subclass 117) visa, the child must be:

  • outside Australia when applying for the visa

  • the relative of a person who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • sponsored by a relative (a brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or step-equivalent) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • unable to be cared for by their parents because they are both either missing, dead or permanently incapacitated

  • under 18 years of age when applying for the visa.

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Visa option: Adoption Visa (Permanent) (Subclass 102)

To apply for the Adoption Visa (Permanent) (Subclass 102), the child must be:

  • outside Australia when applying for the visa

  • adopted

  • sponsored by their adoptive parent or their adoptive parent's partner

  • under 18 years of age when the application is lodged and when it is decided.

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VISA OPTIONS FOR A CHILD INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA

 

Visa option: Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)

To apply for a Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445), a child must be:

  • either inside or outside Australia when applying for the visa

  • a dependent child of a parent who holds a Partner Provisional visa (subclass 309), Interdependency visa (subclass 310), Dependent Child visa (subclass 445), Partner visa (subclass 820) or Interdependency visa (subclass 826)

  • sponsored by the same person sponsoring their parent (with limited exceptions).

If a child is 18 years or older, they must be:

  • financially dependent on the parent holding the temporary partner visa, or

  • unable to work due to disability.

For a confidential personalised information session please contact us

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