Child Adoption Offshore (Permanent) Visa (subclass 102)
The Subclass 102 Child Adoption Visa allows children adopted overseas by Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. This visa is applicable for legal adoptions, including those conducted under the Hague Convention. To be eligible, the child must be outside Australia at the time of both application and visa grant. With this visa, the child gains permanent residency, including access to Australia's healthcare system, education, and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Benefits of the Subclass 102 Visa
Permanent Residency
The child gains the right to live in Australia permanently.
Sponsor Relatives
Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
Healthcare Scheme
Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme - Medicare
Travel Rights
Travel in and out of Australia for the first 5 years upon visa approval
Work and Study Rights
This visa will allow the child to work and study in Australia without restrictions.
Citizenship Pathway
After meeting residency requirements, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship
Subclass 102 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 102 Child Adoption Visa, the following conditions must be met:
Adoptive Parents
The child must be adopted or in the process of being adopted by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Adoption Process
The adoption must have been arranged by a competent authority in the child’s home country, or the adoption must be under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
Sponsorship
The child must have an eligible adoptive or prospective adoptive parent as their sponsor.
Age
The child must be under 18 years of age at the time of application.
Location
The child must be outside Australia when the visa application is lodged and when the visa is decided.
Health and Character
The child must meet Australian health and character requirements. The adoptive parents may also need to undergo character checks.
Adoption Approval
If the adoption was not arranged by an Australian state or territory adoption authority, the Department of Home Affairs will assess whether the adoption meets the requirements.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 102 Visa
Ensure Eligibility
Verify that the child meet the basic requirements
1
Gather Documents
Gather all necessary documents, including proof of relationship, parental responsibility, health checks, and other identification documents.
2
Visa Decision
Stay outside Australia before a decision is made on the Subclass 102 visa.
3
Submit Application
Lodge the visa application online or by post while the child is in Australia.
4
Health and Character Checks
Complete mandatory health examinations and character checks, including police clearances.
5
Visa Grant
If approved, the child will receive permanent residency and can live in Australia indefinitely.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 102 Visa
When it comes to the processing timeline, several factors can impact your application. These include the quality of submitted documents and the volume of applications received by the Department.
| 50% applications are processed in | 90% applications are processed in |
|---|---|
| 6 Months(SC 173) | 17 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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No, the child must be outside Australia when the visa application is lodged and when the visa decision is made.
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Yes, this visa is specifically for children adopted overseas by Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
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In some cases, the adoption process may still be ongoing when the visa is applied for, but it must be finalized before the visa is granted.
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The Subclass 102 visa is exclusively for adopted children, while other child visas may apply to biological children of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
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Yes, once the child becomes a permanent resident and meets the residency requirements, they can apply for Australian citizenship.