The remaining relative visa is a visa for people whose near relatives are permanent residents in Australia and have no other close relatives outside Australia, This visa enables persons in these circumstances to move and live in Australia permanently, provided your near relative is willing to sponsor you and all your family members that are included in your application.
The difference between the subclass 115 (offshore) and the 835 (onshore) is the location at the time of application.
Entitlements
This visa provides the holder with Australian permanent residency with no conditions. The holder can live and work wherever they like in Australia.
With this visa, you can
- stay in Australia permanently
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- apply for Australia Citizenship, if eligible


In order to qualify for either visa, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
Applicants must be related to an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or an eligible New Zealand Citizen.
The following relatives are eligible to sponsor for the Remaining Relative Visa:
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- Parent
- Brothers and Sisters
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This includes half and step-relatives and relatives that have been adopted. In order to sponsor for a Remaining Relative visa.
The sponsor must be over 18 and “settled” in Australia (this generally means having lived here for at least the last 2 years).
The applicant must not have any other near relative living outside of Australia.
Moreover, to be eligible for this Visa, applicant must:
- have a commitment by a person or organisation prepared to provide you with an Assurance of Support (a legal document that assures the Australian Government that you will not rely on the government for two years, after you enter Australia on the visa)
- Meet the health and character requirements
- If you are over the age of 18, you will be required to sign an Australian Values Statement