Offshore Orphan Relative (subclass 117)
The Subclass 117 Offshore Orphan Relative Visa is a permanent visa that allows a child outside Australia whose parents are either deceased, unable to care for them, or whose whereabouts are unknown, to be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative. This visa is designed to reunite orphaned children with relatives in Australia and provides a pathway for the child to live permanently with their sponsoring family member.
Benefits of the Subclass 117 Visa
Permanent Residency
The child is granted permanent residency in Australia, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country 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 117 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 117 visa, the following criteria must be met:
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.
Parental Care
The child must prove that his/her parents are either:
- Deceased
- Permanently incapable of caring for the child
- Whereabouts are unknown
Consent to Migrate
For children under 18:
- Written consent is needed from everyone with legal rights over where the child lives.
- The home country's laws must allow the child to leave.
- It must follow any Australian court orders about the child.
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.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 117 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 Grant
If approved, the child will receive permanent residency and can live in Australia indefinitely.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 117 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 |
|---|---|
| 45 Months | 85 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
-
A close relative of the child, such as a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin, can sponsor the child if they are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
-
Yes, the child must be outside Australia at the time of applying and when the visa decision is made.
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Yes, once the child has fulfilled the residency requirements, they can apply for Australian citizenship.
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Yes, a relative can sponsor more than one child, provided they meet the financial and care requirements to support all sponsored children.
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If the parents are permanently incapacitated or otherwise unable to care for the child, the child may still qualify for the Subclass 117 visa.