Home>
Remaining Relative Visa>
Onshore 835
The Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835) is an onshore permanent visa for people whose only close family (“near relatives”) are settled in Australia. It’s often called the “last remaining relative visa” because you must show you have no near relatives who usually live outside Australia.
A key advantage is that many applicants can remain in Australia lawfully while waiting (often via a bridging visa pathway). The downside is that this visa is capped and queued, so timeframes can be long and vary case-by-case.
Requirement | Detail |
You are the “remaining relative” | You must have no near relatives who usually live outside Australia. |
All near relatives are settled in Australia | Your near relatives must be Australian citizens / PR / eligible NZ and settled here. |
On-shore status | You must be inside Australia (and remain on-shore) at lodgement and decision |
Eligible sponsor | Sponsor is typically a parent or sibling (including step equivalents) or their partner. |
Assurance of Support | 10-year AoS bond usually required before grant |
Health & character | Medicals and police checks for every country lived ≥ 12 months |
Home Affairs looks at whether you (and any included family members) have any near relatives who usually live outside Australia.“Near relatives” commonly includes parents, children, and siblings (including certain step/half relationships), depending on your circumstances.
Your sponsor must generally:
Step | Key actions |
Prepare | List all near relatives, their location, and their visa/citizenship status. |
Lodge in Australia | Lodge your application with supporting documents and pay VAC. |
Receive BVA | Bridging Visa A activates when current substantive visa expires. |
Queue date | If core requirements are accepted, the application is placed in the queue and a queue date is recorded. |
Long wait | You stay compliant onshore, keep records current, and avoid travel mistakes. |
Final processing | Health checks, police checks, and AoS steps are commonly requested close to the end. |
Decision | Decision is made while you are in Australia; if granted, you become a permanent resident from the grant date. |
|
Item |
Amount (AUD) |
|
Visa application charge (primary) |
5,280 (as of July 2025) |
|
Assurance of Support bond |
10,000 first adult / 4,000 each additional adult (refundable) |
Applicant Profile | Why 835 Suits Them |
Adult migrants who migrated years ago, brought parents & siblings to Australia, and are the last family member still on a temporary visa | They now meet the “no near relatives overseas” rule and wish to remain permanently with immediate family in Australia. |
Older single or partnered adults caring for their parents in Australia | They live onshore on temporary visas (e.g., 600 Visitor repeat stays) and want stability & Medicare while waiting. |
Former international students whose entire immediate family later migrated | All parents/siblings became PR/citizens, leaving the student as the only non-PR relative. |
People who cannot afford Contributory Parent fees | 835 is fee-efficient (but long queue) compared with subclass 143’s ~$50k second instalment. |
Book a 30-minute consultation with Jade Immigration Lawyers for $250. If you proceed with us, your consultation fee will be credited towards your legal fees. We assist clients Australia-wide and internationally.
Let us handle the paperwork — so you can focus on your future.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about our immigration services and processes. For additional assistance, please reach out to us.
A parent, brother or sister (or their partner) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
Yes—if your Bridging Visa A already has work rights, or you request them in ImmiAccount and show financial hardship.
You can enrol in Medicare once your 835 application is lodged and valid, but many applicants keep extras cover for things Medicare doesn’t pay.
Only with a Bridging Visa B.