Remaining Relative visa (Subclass 115)

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying family relationship is that of a 'remaining relative' of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen: this means the applicant and their partner, if any, have no other near relatives (parent, sibling, or child) living outside Australia, and no near relatives living in Australia other than as an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must be outside Australia both when applying and when the application is decided.

See recorded sources

Overview tab
This permanent visa lets people move to Australia to be with their only close family members.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen or Permanent resident or an Eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when you apply for this visa and when we decide your application
Eligibility tab — Not have other near relatives
you or your partner have a near relative who usually live outside Australia, or

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The applicant must be sponsored by an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or an eligible partner of that relative, and the sponsorship must be approved by the department.

See recorded sources

Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have an eligible sponsor.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, or an eligible partner of your relative.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve the sponsorship.
Eligibility tab — Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support.
Eligibility tab — Have assurance of support
The assurance is for you and any family members who come to Australia with you on this visa.
Overview tab
This permanent visa lets people move to Australia to be with their only close family members.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen or Permanent resident or an Eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when you apply for this visa and when we decide your application
Eligibility tab — Not have other near relatives
you or your partner have a near relative who usually live outside Australia, or

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Proof for this visa turns on the absence of other close relatives rather than proof of a partner or parent-child bond: the visa is refused if the applicant or their partner has a near relative usually living outside Australia, or a near relative in Australia who is there on a temporary visa (including a bridging visa) or unlawfully, rather than as a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Not have other near relatives
We will not grant you this visa if:
Eligibility tab — Not have other near relatives
you or your partner have a near relative who live in Australia on a temporary visa (and are not an Eligible New Zealand citizen) or unlawfully. Temporary visas include bridging visas.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The applicant must be able to obtain an assurance of support, which guarantees they will not need to rely on government assistance after arriving in Australia; this assurance covers the applicant and any family members who migrate with them. The applicant and any family members applying with them must meet Australia's health and character requirements, and any debt owed to the Australian Government by the applicant or family members must be repaid or under an approved repayment arrangement. Adults must sign an Australian Values Statement.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Meet the health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Eligibility tab — Meet the character requirement
You and family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Eligibility tab — Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement to pay it back.
Eligibility tab — Sign the Australian values statement
sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Eligibility tab — Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have an eligible sponsor.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
You must be sponsored by an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, or an eligible partner of your relative.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve the sponsorship.
Eligibility tab — Have assurance of support
You must be able to obtain an assurance of support.
Eligibility tab — Have assurance of support
The assurance is for you and any family members who come to Australia with you on this visa.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

This is a permanent visa: the holder can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor their own relatives, attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. There is no onward temporary-to-permanent progression, since permanence is granted immediately; the visa costs from AUD6,600.00, with concessions applying only in limited circumstances.

See recorded sources

Overview tab — With this visa you can
stay in Australia indefinitely
Overview tab — With this visa you can
sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
Overview tab — With this visa you can
if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
Overview tab — Cost
From AUD6,600.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Remaining Relative visa (Subclass 115)

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.