Child Migration

There are four main types of child migration that can be lodged in Australia:

1. Child Visa – Permanent (Subclass 802 or Subclass 101)
   This type of visa is for children, under 18 (or a full-time student between 18 and 25 years of age), who want to remain permanently in Australia with their Australian citizen or permanent resident parent. This category includes stepchildren and adopted children. The child must be sponsored by their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen parent.
2. Dependent Child Visa – Temporary (Subclass 445)
   This is a temporary visa application for a child whose parent has applied for migration in one of the spouse visa categories and who has not yet been granted permanent residence. Once the child has been granted a Dependent Child visa, they can then lodge a separate application in the same category as their parent’s permanent application. This application must be lodged before a decision is made on their parent’s application.
3. Orphan Relative Visa – Permanent (Subclass 837 or Subclass 117)
   This visa if for children, under 18 years of age, from overseas, whose parents are unable to care for them because they are deceased, permanently incapacitated or their whereabouts are unknown. The orphan relative child must be the brother, sister, grandchild, niece, nephew or step equivalent of their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen sponsor.
4. Adoption Visa – Permanent (Subclass 102)
   This category is for children, aged less than 18 years, born overseas, who have been or are about to be adopted by their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen sponsor.

Split Family – Child, Partner or Parent

This category is for dependent children, partners or parents of people who hold permanent humanitarian visas (including Permanent Protection visas) in Australia. It enables permanent humanitarian visa holders to propose their immediate family for entry to Australia through the offshore humanitarian program, under the Split Family provisions. Visas are generally granted in the same category as the proposer’s visa.