The Remaining Relative Visa is a way for people who have no close family members outside Australia to live permanently with their family in Australia. It is meant for individuals whose only near relatives—like parents, siblings, or adult children—are already settled in Australia as citizens or permanent residents.
There are two types of remaining relative visas:
- Subclass 835 – for people who are already in Australia
- Subclass 115 – for people applying from outside Australia
Suppose you are the last remaining relative of your family living overseas or in Australia on a temporary visa. In that case, this visa allows you to stay with your loved ones in Australia.
If you are interested in applying for the last remaining relative visa, then this blog is all you need.
In this blog, we’ll explain who can apply, how the Remaining Relative Visa Australia works, what the visa requirements are, how much it costs, and whether it's still available in 2025. Let’s get started.
Eligibility Criteria for Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 835 and 115)
To apply for the Remaining Relative Visa Subclass 835 (onshore) or Remaining Relative Visa 115 (offshore), applicants must meet key eligibility criteria for the Remaining Relative Visa 115 and 835:
1. No Other Close Family Member
You must not have any close relatives living outside Australia. Close family members include:
- Parents
- Siblings (including step-siblings)
- Children (including step-children)
This is the core condition of the last remaining relative visa; you must be the only member of your immediate family who is not already in Australia as a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Read More: How Do You Get Australian Permanent Residency?
2. Sponsor in Australia
An eligible relative must sponsor you for the remaining family visa who is:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident, or
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
The sponsor must be your parent, brother, sister, step-parent, step-brother, or step-sister, or their partner, and must agree to meet sponsorship obligations for the relative visa, which include financial support and accommodation if needed.
3. Assurance of Support
You must have an Assurance of Support (AoS) provided by your sponsor or another eligible person. This is a legal commitment to support you financially and ensure you do not rely on government support after your arrival.
4. Health and Character Requirements
As with all permanent visas, applicants of the remaining family visa must meet:
- Australian health requirements
- Character requirements, including police clearance certificates
5. Location at Time of Application
- For Subclass 835, you must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
- For Subclass 115, you must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
6. No Previous Visa Cancellation
You must not have had a visa cancelled or a visa application refused while in Australia. This may impact your ability to apply for onshore family sponsorship visas like Subclass 835.
Read More: Top Reasons for Visa Rejection in Australia Explained
Quick Comparison: Subclass 835 vs Subclass 115
Feature | Subclass 835 (Onshore) | Subclass 115 (Offshore) |
Where to apply | Inside Australia | Outside Australia |
Location where the visa is granted | Must be in Australia | Must be outside Australia |
Application format | Paper only | Paper only |
Processing time | 25–30+ years | 25–30+ years |
Work & study rights | A bridging visa may apply while waiting | No visa status until granted |
How to Apply for the Remaining Relative Visa Subclass 835 & Subclass 115?
Here’s the full process for both visa subclasses for both onshore Subclass 835 and offshore Subclass 115 visas:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Remaining Relative Visa 115 or 835. Refer to all the points above & then move forward.
Step 2: Find and Confirm Your Sponsor
You must be sponsored by your parent, brother, sister, step-parent, step-brother or step-sister, or their partner.
The sponsor must:
- Be over 18 years old.
- Have lived lawfully in Australia for a reasonable period.
- Agree to take financial responsibility if needed (sponsorship obligation).
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
Gather supporting documents for both the applicant and sponsor, such as:
- Identity documents (passport, birth certificate)
- Proof of relationship with the sponsor
- Sponsor’s proof of citizenship or permanent residency
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination results
- Completed sponsorship forms
- Assurance of Support documents
Step 4: Apply for the Visa
Depending on your location:
For Subclass 835 (onshore):
- You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
- Lodge your application by paper (there is no online form for this subclass).
- Use Form 47OF (Application for migration to Australia by other family members) and Form 40 (Sponsorship for migration to Australia).
For Subclass 115 (offshore):
- You must be outside Australia at the time of application and grant.
- Submit the same forms via paper to the Department of Home Affairs.
All forms must be sent by post to the Parent and Other Family Processing Centre in Perth, or through the Australian diplomatic mission if applying from overseas.
Read More: Can I Stay in Australia After My Visa Expires?
Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Fee
The cost of applying for a Remaining Relative Visa is AUD $4,990. And, you may also need to pay for health checks, police certificates, biometrics, etc.
Step 6: Wait for Acknowledgement & Queuing
Once the Department receives your application, you will be sent an acknowledgement letter with your file number. If your application is valid and complete, it will be placed in a queue under the Other Family Visa category, which has a very limited number of places (around 500 per year across all family visas in this group).
Step 7: Wait for Processing (Queue and Release)
- As of 2025, applications are being released for processing lodged before 28 February 2013.
- The estimated wait time for new applications is 25 to 30+ years.
- No priority processing is available.
Step 8: Final Decision and Visa Grant
If your application reaches the front of the queue and is approved:
You’ll receive a visa grant notice, allowing you to live permanently in Australia.
You must be in the correct location at the time of the grant:
- In Australia for Subclass 835
- Outside Australia for Subclass 115
Note: There are many things that need to be done correctly, as the process is more complex when it comes to obtaining a remaining relative visa. Therefore, ensure you partner with a professional migration consultancy that can assist you throughout the process and help you with the remaining relative visa for Australia.
Read More: How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Australia
Final Line
So, here’s the wrap. We hope this guide has helped you in getting a relative visa subclass 835 & subclass 115. We hope this guide has helped you understand the eligibility criteria, application process, costs, and the reality of the waiting period.
If you’re truly the last remaining relative outside Australia, and your family is your anchor, this visa could be your pathway to permanent residency through family sponsorship.
Remember, the journey may be long, but the outcome could mean being with the people who matter most, for life. And, if you need help in the journey to make it simpler & quicker, then Visafast Migration Consultancy - the leading immigration agent in Adelaide can help you out.
To know more about us, how we can help you with the process, understand certain things about visa - connect with us right away.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. How long does the Remaining Relative Visa 835 take to process?
The Remaining Relative Visa Subclass 835 has a very long processing time, estimated at over 25–30 years due to annual caps and high demand.
2. Can I apply for the Remaining Relative Visa without a sponsor?
No, you cannot apply for the Remaining Relative Visa Australia without an eligible sponsor. Also, the sponsor must be a close relative (like a parent, sibling, or step-sibling) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
3. What is the cost of applying for a Remaining Relative Visa?
The cost of a Remaining Relative Visa is approximately AUD $4,990 for the main applicant (as of 2025). Additional charges apply for dependents and for health checks, biometrics, and police certificates.
4. Is the Remaining Relative Visa still available in 2025?
Yes, the Remaining Relative Visa Subclass 835 and Subclass 115 are still available in 2025. However, there are a very limited number of places (around 500 per year) for this type of visa.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and policies may change over time, so we strongly recommend consulting a registered migration agent or legal professional before making any visa application.
