The remaining relative visa is for people whose only close family lives in Australia. Registered migration agents in Brisbane explain the rules and the long queue. Call us.
The remaining relative visa is for a person whose close family all live in Australia, and who has almost no close family left in their home country. It’s a permanent family-reunion visa for people who would otherwise be left behind while their parents, siblings and other near relatives are all here. The eligibility is strict and the queue is famously long, so the most useful thing we can do early is give you an honest picture. Our registered migration agents in Brisbane help families understand whether it’s worth starting.
A remaining relative visa is a permanent visa for someone whose only near relatives are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia. There are two subclasses, depending on where the applicant is when they apply.
Applying inside Australia: the Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835).
Applying outside Australia: the Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115).
Both lead to permanent residency. The idea behind the visa is family unity: if all your close family is in Australia and you’re on your own overseas, this is the pathway that can bring you here for good.
The test is about who your near relatives are and where they live. Broadly, to qualify you and your partner (if you have one) need to show that:
Your near relatives are in Australia. “Near relative” usually means a parent, brother, sister, or step equivalent.
You have no near relatives living outside Australia, or only a very limited number, beyond what the rules allow.
In other words, the visa is for the person who is genuinely the “remaining” relative overseas. If you still have siblings or parents in your home country, that usually rules the visa out, and it’s better to know that before you invest years in a queue. We check this carefully at the start.
The sponsor is usually the near relative in Australia, who needs to be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. An assurance of support commonly applies, which is a commitment that the applicant won’t rely on certain government payments for a period after arrival. We explain what that means before you go ahead.
There’s no gentle way to put it: the remaining relative visa has one of the longest waits in the family program, because places are capped and demand is high. Many applicants wait a very long time for a decision. That doesn’t make it pointless, because once lodged, an eligible applicant can often hold a bridging visa (if onshore) and get on with life while they wait. But you should go in with your eyes open.
Because the wait is so long, families often keep people connected in the meantime through visitor visas, and some look at whether a carer visa, aged dependent relative visa or parent visa is a faster fit for their situation. We’ll compare the options with you rather than push you into a decade-long queue by default.
A remaining relative visa carries a government application charge, an assurance of support usually applies, and the processing wait is long. Because these figures and timeframes change, we’ll give you the current numbers and a realistic view of the queue in your consultation, so you can make a sound decision about whether to lodge now.
We test the “remaining relative” eligibility carefully, including who your near relatives are and where they live.
We give you an honest picture of the queue, so you’re not surprised years down the track.
We explain the assurance of support and what the sponsor is committing to.
We compare this visa against parent, carer and aged dependent relative options.
We prepare the full application and manage the bridging visa where you’re onshore.
Broadly, someone whose near relatives (parents and siblings, or step equivalents) all live in Australia as citizens or permanent residents, and who has no, or only very limited, near relatives elsewhere. Your partner’s near relatives are usually counted too.
Both are permanent remaining relative visas. The 115 is for an applicant outside Australia. The 835 is for an applicant already in Australia. The right one depends on where you are when you lodge.
Places for this visa are capped, and there are far more applicants than places each year. That creates a long queue. We’ll give you a realistic view of the current wait before you decide.
Generally, having a near relative such as a sibling living outside Australia will rule out the visa, because you wouldn’t be the “remaining” relative. Let us check your exact family situation, since the rules have specific definitions.
Yes, usually. The test typically looks at both your near relatives and your partner’s. If either of you has near relatives overseas, that can affect eligibility.
If you apply onshore (the 835), you’re usually granted a bridging visa to remain lawfully while the application is processed. We’ll set that up as part of the job.
Possibly. Depending on your circumstances, a parent, carer or aged dependent relative visa might suit better. We compare them with you so you don’t commit to a long queue unnecessarily.
Yes. The subclass 115 is lodged offshore, and we work with families remotely throughout.
