Family Structure Review
Assess your family and your partner’s family against the Remaining Relative test.
Remaining Relative Visa · Subclass 835
Remaining Relative Visa 835
The Remaining Relative Visa 835 is a permanent onshore visa for people whose qualifying close family members are settled in Australia.
Your complete family structure is central
Your own near relatives and those of your spouse or de facto partner can affect eligibility depending on where they live and what immigration status they hold.
How We Can Help
Subclass 835 Application Support
Sponsor Assessment
Check the proposed sponsor’s relationship, status, settlement and previous sponsorship history.
Onshore Visa Review
Identify whether your current or previous visa affects your ability to lodge a valid application.
Application Preparation
Assist with forms, family evidence, paper lodgement and later Home Affairs requirements.
At a Glance
Subclass 835 Overview
| Requirement | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent onshore Other Family visa |
| Core test | Complete family structure and the Remaining Relative test |
| Qualifying relative | Generally a parent, brother, sister, step-brother or step-sister |
| Sponsor status | Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen |
| Application location | Applied for from inside Australia |
| Application method | Paper application with supporting evidence |
| Assurance of Support | Required before grant, current period 2 years |
| Queue | Capped and queued |
| Estimated processing time | Around 22 years for new applications, as at 31 May 2026 |
| Primary applicant age | No general age limit |
| Visa stay | Permanent residence |
The Family Test Behind Subclass 835
Eligibility Is About the Whole Family Picture
Eligibility does not simply mean that most of your family lives in Australia.
Qualifying relative
- Parent
- Brother or sister
- Step-brother or step-sister
Near Relatives Beyond the Sponsor
- Parents
- Brothers and sisters
- Step-siblings
- Your partner’s parents and siblings
- Certain children and stepchildren
ChildrenWhether a child counts can depend on age, dependency and care arrangements.
A Partner Can Change the Test
You do not need to be single. However, if you have a spouse or de facto partner, their near relatives are also considered.
ExampleYou may have only one sibling living permanently in Australia. If your partner has a parent or sibling living overseas, you may not meet the Remaining Relative test.
Australian presence aloneA relevant near relative generally needs to be usually resident in Australia and hold Australian citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizen status. A relative living in Australia only temporarily can still create an eligibility issue.
Can a child sponsor a parent?
Not simply because the child is the parent’s only close family member in Australia. For this visa, the qualifying Australian relative must generally be the applicant’s parent, brother, sister, step-brother or step-sister.
Subclass 835 should therefore not be treated as an alternative Parent visa solely because an applicant’s child lives in Australia.
Sponsor Requirements
Who Can Sponsor?
Age
The qualifying relative may sponsor where they are at least 18.
Settled in Australia
The sponsor must be settled and usually resident in Australia.
Australian Status
They must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Partner as Sponsor
In some circumstances, the qualifying relative’s spouse or de facto partner may act as sponsor.
Previous Sponsorship History
Sponsor history also matters. Restrictions can apply where the proposed sponsor previously obtained certain Remaining Relative visas or has already successfully sponsored another person under specified Remaining Relative arrangements.
Applying From Inside Australia
Your Australian Visa Position Matters
Being in Australia does not automatically mean you can lodge a valid application.
01
Current & Previous Visas
Current & Previous VisasThe applicant generally needs to hold an eligible substantive visa. Additional rules can apply where they no longer hold one.
02
Visa History
Visa HistoryReview visa expiry history, previous refusals or cancellations, and any restriction on making another visa application.
03
Bridging Visa
Bridging VisaA bridging visa can become relevant after a valid onshore application if the existing visa expires before a decision is made.
Conditions varyWork, travel and other conditions depend on the actual bridging visa granted and should be checked individually.
Government Charges
Remaining Relative Visa 835 Cost
Current charges applying from 1 July 2026Government charges can change and should be checked before lodgement.
| Charge | Current Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant first instalment | AUD 6,600 |
| Additional applicant aged 18+ | AUD 3,300 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 1,655 |
| Second instalment | AUD 2,065 per applicable applicant |
Remaining Relative Visa 835 Processing TimeApproximate acknowledgement time5 weeks Queue dates released for final processing30 June 2013 Estimated processing time for new applicationsAround 22 years
Subclass 835 Is Capped and Queued
Home Affairs first assesses whether the core criteria are met. Eligible applications can then receive a queue date and wait for visa places to become available.
Figures shown are as at 31 May 2026.
Eligibility Can Change While You Wait
Your Circumstances Are Not Frozen
This is particularly important because applications can remain pending for many years.
How to Apply
Subclass 835 Application Process
Map the Family Structure
Identify all relevant near relatives for both you and your spouse or de facto partner.
Check the Qualifying Relative and Sponsor
Confirm their relationship, residence, immigration status and sponsorship history.
Review Your Onshore Visa Position
Check whether your current or previous visa allows a valid application.
Prepare and Lodge
Complete the required Other Family visa and sponsorship forms and lodge the paper application with supporting evidence.
Queue and Final Processing
Eligible paper applications can later be imported into ImmiAccount. If the core criteria are satisfied, Home Affairs may assign a queue date. Updated documents, health or character information, Assurance of Support and the second instalment may be requested later.
Document Checklist
Evidence for the Whole Family Picture
The evidence should establish the whole family picture, not only the applicant and sponsor.
Family and Near Relative Evidence
- Birth and relationship records
- Marriage records where applicable
- Death or adoption records where relevant
- Evidence identifying relevant parents, siblings, step-siblings and children
- Evidence showing where each near relative lives
- Citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizen evidence
Sponsor and Visa Evidence
- Sponsor identity and immigration status
- Residence and settlement evidence
- Sponsorship form
- Current and previous visa details
- Relevant refusal or cancellation records
Later Requirements
- Health examinations
- Character documents
- Assurance of Support
- Updated information requested by Home Affairs
For this visa, family evidence is central because eligibility depends on all relevant near relatives, not simply the person sponsoring the application.
After Grant
What Does the Visa Provide?
Permanent Residence
If granted, the visa provides Australian permanent residence and allows the holder to remain in Australia indefinitely.
Five-Year Travel Facility
The holder initially receives a 5-year travel facility.
Permanent Residence Continues
The permanent residence itself does not end when that initial travel facility expires.
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Professional Support for a Family-Test-Heavy Visa
The hardest part of this visa is usually not the form, it is establishing that your complete family circumstances satisfy the Remaining Relative test.
Registered Migration Agent
Your circumstances can be reviewed by Aneel Khowaja, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1571699.
Family-Structure Assessment
Receive professional assistance with assessing the complete family structure against the Remaining Relative test.
Sponsor & Visa Review
Review sponsor eligibility, sponsorship history and onshore visa issues before lodgement.
Application Support
Receive assistance with application preparation, family evidence and later Home Affairs requirements.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Queue Date Mean?
A queue date records an eligible application’s position within the capped Other Family visa queue. It should not be used to calculate your individual waiting period because future processing depends on available visa places and other program factors.
Is There an Age Limit?
There is no general age limit for the primary applicant. Adults can apply if they meet the other requirements. Additional criteria apply where an applicant or included family member is under 18.
Can family members be included in the application?
Yes. Eligible members of the applicant’s family unit can be included and may also be added before Home Affairs makes a decision, provided the applicable requirements are met.
Can an adult dependent child be included?
Potentially. A dependent child aged 18 to under 23 may qualify where they remain dependent on the applicant or their partner. Different provisions can apply to an older dependent child who cannot support themselves because of physical or cognitive limitations.
Can the sponsor change while the application is waiting?
Yes. A change of sponsor can be requested before a decision, provided the replacement sponsor satisfies the applicable sponsorship requirements.
Can non-migrating family members need health examinations?
Yes, in some circumstances. Home Affairs can require certain non-migrating family members to meet health requirements even where they are not included as migrating applicants.
What happens if the application is refused?
Home Affairs provides the refusal decision in writing and advises whether review rights are available. The visa application charge is generally not refunded simply because the application is refused.
Subclass 835 Consultation
Get Help With Your Application
Think Higher Consultants can review your family structure, visa status and proposed sponsor before assisting with the application.
Family structureQualifying relativeSponsor eligibilityOnshore visa positionPaper applicationQueue requirements
Reviewed by Aneel Khowaja, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1571699
Last reviewed: August 2026. Visa criteria, government charges, Assurance of Support settings, queue dates and processing estimates can change. Check current official information before lodging.