Subclass 115 and 835
The Subclass 115 and 835 visas are permanent pathways for remaining relative of an Australian permanent resident, citizen, or ENZC.
Reuniting the Final Piece of Your Family
The Remaining Relative stream allows an individual whose only near relatives are settled in Australia to migrate to or remain in Australia permanently. The primary distinction is the applicant's location: the 115 is for those outside Australia, while the 835 is for those already in Australia.
Because these visas are capped, once the core criteria are met, the application is placed in a queue that currently extends for over two decades.
Key Factors:
- Remaining Relative Status: You (and your partner) must have no "near relatives" living in a country other than Australia.
- Near Relative: Includes parents, step-parents, siblings, step-siblings, or children (including adult children).
- Sponsorship: Must be sponsored by an eligible near relative (parent or sibling) or their cohabiting spouse.
- Settled Sponsor: The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, PR, or ENZC and be "usually resident" in Australia for at least 2 years.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): A mandatory bond of AUD 5,000 (for the primary applicant) is required at the time of decision.
Subclass 115 - Remaining Relative (Offshore)
Applicant Requirements
What it is for: Individuals outside Australia whose only near relatives are settled in Australia.
What it allows: Entry to Australia; permanent stay; full work/study rights; and a pathway to Citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- Must be outside Australia at time of application and grant.
- Must satisfy the "Remaining Relative" definition regarding global family.
- Must have an eligible, settled sponsor.
- Must meet health and character standards.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Sponsor Requirements
Eligibility: Must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key Limitations:
- Relationship: Must be the applicant’s parent, sibling, or step-equivalent.
- Support Undertaking: Must assist the applicant financially and with accommodation for at least 2 years.
Subclass 835 - Remaining Relative (Onshore)
Applicant Requirements
What it is for: Individuals currently in Australia whose only near relatives are settled in Australia.
What it allows: Permanent stay; full work and study rights; access to Medicare; and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- Must be in Australia at time of application and grant.
- Must satisfy the "Remaining Relative" definition.
- Must hold a substantive visa or satisfy Schedule 3 criteria.
- Must meet health and character standards.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Sponsor Requirements
Eligibility: Must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key Limitations:
- Relationship: Must be the applicant’s parent, sibling, or step-equivalent.
- Settled Status: Must be "usually resident" in Australia for a reasonable period (generally 2 years).
Maintaining compliance
- Near Relative Status: Your eligibility is assessed at the time of application and time of decision. If a sibling moves from Australia to another country during the processing period, you may no longer meet the visa criteria.
- Sponsorship Obligations: The sponsor must remain settled in Australia and be able to fulfil the two-year support undertaking once the visa is granted.
- AoS Bond: The financial bond must be ready for lodgement at the "time of decision," which occurs at the end of the long queue.
The 115 & 835 Application Process
Eligibility Audit
Verify that you and your partner have no near relatives living outside Australia.
Documents & Lodgement
Compile birth certificates for all siblings and parents, and proof of the sponsor’s permanent residence/citizenship in Australia. Submit the application (Offshore for 115; Onshore for 835).
Queue Assessment
The Department performs an initial assessment of the family structure to ensure the "Remaining Relative" definition is met.
Queue Placement
Once core criteria are verified, the application is assigned a "Queue Date" (currently releasing dates up to June 2013).
Final Assessment
When a place becomes available, final health/character checks and the AoS bond are completed before the visa decision.
For 115 & 835 Applicants
The Subclasses 115 and 835 require strict adherence to the defintion of a remaining relatives. At Immilex, we assess your entire family tree to ensure that you and your partner have no near relatives, including step-parents or half-siblings, living outside of Australia.
It is also important to plan for the 25-year processing queue. While these visas offer a permanent pathway, they are subject to annual capping. If you have near relatives elsewhere, we recommend evaluating the Skilled Migration or Employer Sponsored streams to see if you can meet the requirements for a different residency pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of February 28, 2026, the Department has released applications for final processing that have a queue date up to June 30, 2013.
You may still be eligible. Relatives who are Australian citizens, Permanent Residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens usually living outside Australia are not counted as "near relatives" for the purpose of the negative test.
No. The Department does not consider whether you are "estranged" from a relative. If a near relative physically resides outside of Australia and is not an Australian citizen/PR, you are ineligible.
A near relative is a parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, or child (including adult children) of the applicant or their partner.
Manage Your Remaining Relative Visa with Care
The Remaining Relative visa involves complex requirements. Contact us at Immilex for an assessment of your evidence to ensure your application meets the Department's high standards.