What the Remaining Relative Visa Grants
The Remaining Relative visa grants permanent residence to people who are genuinely the remaining relatives outside Australia — their family is already in Australia and they are the last to join. Both subclass 115 (for applicants offshore at time of grant) and subclass 835 (for applicants already in Australia) are permanent visas with full work rights and Medicare access.
Permanent residence
Indefinite right to live in Australia with full work rights and Medicare access from the date of grant.
Offshore or onshore
Subclass 115 is for applicants outside Australia; subclass 835 is for applicants already in Australia. Eligibility criteria are the same.
Pathway to citizenship
On grant, the holder begins accruing the residence required for citizenship — eligible after 4 years of lawful residence including 12 months as a permanent resident.
The Near-Relative Test
The defining characteristic of the Remaining Relative visa is the near-relative test. This test is strict and applied precisely.
"Near relatives" means: the applicant's parents (including step-parents and adoptive parents) and the applicant's siblings (including step-siblings, adoptive siblings, and half-siblings).
ALL living near relatives of the applicant must be settled in Australia as Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. If even one living near relative is outside Australia — or is not a citizen or permanent resident — the applicant does not pass the test.
Full Eligibility Requirements
1. Near-relative test (primary criterion)
All living near relatives must be settled in Australia as Australian citizens, PRs, or eligible New Zealand citizens. See the section above for the full definition and examples.
2. Australian sponsor
The applicant must have an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen relative settled in Australia who is willing to act as sponsor. The sponsor lodges a sponsorship form with the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Assurance of Support
The sponsor (or another eligible assurer) must be willing and able to provide an Assurance of Support — a legally binding undertaking to repay any recoverable welfare payments made to the visa holder during the AoS period. The AoS is arranged prior to grant, not at lodgement.
4. Health and character requirements
All applicants must meet Australian health requirements (medical examination at a Department-approved panel physician) and character requirements (police clearances). These will need to be refreshed given the length of the processing queue.
Queue Reality — Set Expectations Carefully
The Remaining Relative visa is subject to a very small annual cap on the number of places. The queue of applications waiting to be processed is correspondingly long. New applications lodged today realistically face a multi-decade wait before a decision. Even applicants who clearly satisfy all eligibility criteria may wait 20, 30, or more years for a grant. Confirm current processing time estimates on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Why the cap exists
The Department of Home Affairs caps the number of Remaining Relative visas granted each year as part of its overall migration program planning. The cap has historically been small, and applications have accumulated over many years. The result is a processing queue that significantly exceeds what most families anticipate when they lodge.
What families can do while in the queue
Applicants in the onshore queue (835) can generally remain in Australia on a bridging visa while their application is processed, provided they were in Australia on a substantive visa when they applied and continue to meet bridging visa conditions. Applicants in the offshore queue (115) would need to visit Australia on visitor visas during the wait. The long wait may make this practically difficult, particularly if the applicant's personal or family circumstances change significantly.
Is lodging worth it?
Whether lodging a Remaining Relative application is worthwhile depends heavily on the applicant's circumstances, age, and whether there are other visa pathways available. For some applicants, lodging as early as possible to secure a queue position may make sense as a long-term strategy. For others, pursuing a different pathway — partner visa, skilled visa, or employer sponsorship — may produce a result in a far shorter timeframe. A registered migration agent can help assess the realistic options.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Given the very long processing queue, many families who are eligible for the Remaining Relative visa also explore parallel or alternative pathways. Even if the Remaining Relative visa is eventually the right outcome, pursuing a faster alternative in parallel may be worthwhile.
The Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.