Subclass 115 Visa:
Remaining Relative Visa

Welcome to Stepping Stones Career Solutions, your trusted immigration assistance partner in Melbourne. If you're looking to reunite with your only remaining close relatives in Australia, the Subclass 115 Remaining Relative Visa is the ideal pathway for permanent residency. This comprehensive guide will provide insights into the visa, its eligibility criteria, and how we can support you throughout the application process.

Overview of Subclass 115 Visa

The visa subclass 115 is an Australian visa designed for individuals who have no relatives outside of Australia and wish to join their only remaining close family members in Australia permanently.

Required Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the Australian Visa Subclass 115, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Sponsorship Requirement

You must be sponsored by an eligible close relative who is:

  • An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Willing and able to support you financially and provide accommodation for at least two years after your arrival in Australia.
 

2. No Near Relatives Outside Australia

  • You must not have any close relatives (parents, siblings, or non-dependent children) living outside Australia.
  • Your only near relatives must reside in Australia.

3. Assurance of Support (AoS)

Your sponsor must provide an Assurance of Support, which is a financial commitment to ensure you don’t rely on government welfare after arriving in Australia.

4. Health and Character Requirements

You must meet Australian health and character standards, including:

  • A medical examination to assess your health.
  • A police clearance certificate from any country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

5. Location Requirement

You must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.

6. No Previous Visa Cancellations or Refusals

You should not have had a visa canceled or refused in the past, as this may affect your eligibility.

Key Features of Subclass 115 Visa

  • Permanent Residency – Allows you to live in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work & Study Rights – You can work and study in Australia without restrictions.
  • Pathway to Citizenship – You may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once you meet residency requirements.
  • Sponsor Support – Requires a close relative in Australia to sponsor you and provide financial assurance.
  • Access to Medicare – Once granted, you can enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system.
  • Travel Flexibility – Travel in and out of Australia freely for five years; after that, you may need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter.
  • Family Inclusion – Eligible dependent family members can be included in the application.

Subclass 115 Processing Time

The Subclass 115 visa processing time can vary significantly due to the limited number of places available in the Other Family Visa category.

The current estimated subclass 115 waiting time is several years often up to 24+ years due to high demand and low allocation of visas

Subclass 115 Cost

The Subclass 115 Visa Australian cost can vary, depending on the specific circumstances and the applicant’s situation. As of the latest available information, the base application fee for the Subclass 115 visa is approximately AUD 4,845.

Application Process for Subclass 115 Visa

The application process for the Subclass 115 Remaining Relative Visa involves several key steps. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Application Process for Subclass 115 Visa

Before applying, make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • You have no close relatives living outside of Australia.
  • You have an eligible sponsor (a relative in Australia who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen).
  • You meet the health and character requirements.
  • You have a valid Assurance of Support (AoS) from your sponsor.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Prepare the following documents for your application:

  • Identity documents (e.g., passport, birth certificate).
  • Proof of your relationship with the sponsor (e.g., family documents, photos, communication).
  • Health assessment results (conducted through a panel doctor).
  • Police clearance certificates for each country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
  • Assurance of Support from your sponsor.
  • Sponsor’s documents (proof of citizenship or permanent residency, proof of financial capability).

Step 3: Submit Your Application

  • Online Application: Submit your application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
  • Paper Application: Alternatively, if you’re unable to apply online, you can submit a paper application to the relevant address.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision

  • The processing time for the Subclass 115 visa can take several years due to high demand and limited places.
  • During the wait, ensure that you respond to any additional requests for information from the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 5: Visa Decision

  • Once your visa is processed, you will be notified of the decision.
  • If granted, you’ll receive permanent residency status in Australia.
  • If refused, you will be given the reasons for the refusal and may have the option to appeal the decision.

Step 6: Travel to Australia

  • If your visa is granted, you can travel to Australia within the visa validity period.
  • Upon arrival, you’ll be able to live and work in Australia permanently.

Would you like to begin the application process or need help with any specific step?

Ways in Which Stepping Stones Career Solution Can Help

Here is how we help you through the process of subclass visa 115 application form:

FAQs on Visa Subclass 115

The Subclass 115 Remaining Relative Visa allows individuals with no close relatives outside Australia to join their only remaining close family members in Australia permanently.
The Subclass 115 is for applicants outside Australia, while the Subclass 835 is for applicants already in Australia. Both are for joining remaining relatives.
The Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa allows Australian permanent residents to re-enter Australia after traveling abroad.
No, cousins are not eligible to be sponsored under family migration visas for permanent residence.
Yes, you can bring your parents to Australia permanently through Parent Visas, such as Subclass 103 or 143.
Generally, no. Unless exceptional circumstances apply, the sibling relationship is not eligible for sponsorship under most family migration visa categories.