Offshore Child (Permanent) Visa (subclass 101)
The Subclass 101 Offshore Child Visa is a permanent residency visa for children outside Australia who have a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa allows children to live in Australia permanently with their parents, providing them access to the benefits of Australian residency, such as healthcare, education, and a pathway to citizenship. The child must be outside Australia at the time of application and during the visa decision process.
Benefits of the Subclass 101 Visa
Permanent Residency
Grants the child permanent residency, allowing them to live, study, and work in Australia indefinitely.
Sponsor Relatives
Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
Work and Study Rights
This visa will allow the child to work and study in Australia without restrictions.
Travel Rights
Travel in and out of Australia for the first 5 years upon visa approval
Healthcare Scheme
Gain access to Australia’s public health care Scheme - Medicare
Citizenship Pathway
After meeting residency requirements, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship
Subclass 101 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 101 visa, the following key requirements must be met:
Relationship
The child must be dependent on a parent who is:
- An Australian citizen
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
- An Australian permanent visa holder.
The child can be:
- A biological child
- An adopted child
- A stepchild (only from a former parent).
The child does not meet the dependency requirement if the stepparent is the current spouse or de facto partner of the child’s biological or adopted parent.
Sponsorship
The child's sponsoring parent must be either an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Age
The child must be under 18 years old, or between 18 and 25 if financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 years old with a disability that prevents them from working.
Marital Status
The child must not be
- married or in a de facto relationship
- engaged to be married
If child is aged over 18, they must never been married or in a de facto relationship
Financial Dependency
If the child is aged 18 to 25, they must demonstrate financial dependency on the sponsoring parent.
Current Location Requirement
The child must be outside Australia at the time of the visa application and while the visa is being processed.
Health and Character Requirement
The child must meet Australia's health and character requirements.
Parental Responsibility
In cases of separated parents, evidence of legal responsibility or custody must be provided.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 101 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
Submit Application
Lodge the visa application online or by post while the child is outside Australia.
3
Health Examinations
Complete health checks as requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
4
Character Checks
If the child is 16 years or older, provide police clearances.
5
Visa Decision
Stay outside Australia before a decision is made on the Subclass 101 visa.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 101 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 |
|---|---|
| 19 Months | 26 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
-
No, the Subclass 101 visa is an offshore visa, meaning the child must be outside Australia when the application is lodged and while the decision is made.
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Yes, the child may apply for a visitor visa to travel to Australia while waiting for the Subclass 101 visa to be processed, but the child must leave Australia for the visa decision to be finalized.
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Yes, once the visa is granted, the child can live and work in Australia permanently, with the same rights as Australian residents.
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No, this visa is specifically for the child. Other family members, such as siblings, would need to apply for separate visas.
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As a permanent resident, the child will have access to certain social security benefits after meeting waiting periods for eligibility.