Subclass 115 and 835

The Remaining Relative Visa (115 and 835): When Your Only Close Family Is in Australia.

If almost everyone close to you already lives here, this visa is meant for you. The 115 is for applicants overseas, the 835 for those already in Australia, and both lead to permanent residence. The test is strict, it counts your partner's relatives too, and the queue runs into many years.

Long capped queue - plan aheadPermanent on grantOffshore 115 or onshore 835

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What the 115 and 835 Are

One of the harder family visas to qualify for - and one of the slowest to be granted.

The remaining relative visa is for a person whose only near relatives are in Australia. The idea is humane: if your whole close family has moved here and you're left behind, the visa lets you join them. But the rules around who counts as a near relative are tight, and the program is capped, so the wait is long.

The honest headline is the queue. Because the remaining relative program is capped, processing runs into many years - often a very long time. If your reason for coming is urgent, this visa on its own won't solve it. Plan for the long wait, and if you simply cannot wait, look at a visitor visa to spend time here in the meantime.

What You'll Need

The near-relative test is the one that catches people out.

A sponsoring relative in Australia - citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
That relative (or their partner) to be your parent, sibling or child - including step equivalents
You and your partner to have no near relatives other than those who are Australian-based
An assurance of support from the sponsor, backing your settlement here
The usual health and character requirements

Near relative is defined narrowly - broadly a parent, sibling or child, including step versions. It doesn't stretch to aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents. And it's not just about you: the test looks at your partner's near relatives too. A sibling of your spouse living overseas can be enough to put this visa out of reach. We check this carefully before you spend money on an application.

115 vs 835

Same visa, two doors - offshore or onshore.

The Subclass 115 [Remaining Relative] visa and the Subclass 835 [Remaining Relative] visa share the same near-relative test and both lead to permanent residence. The difference is where you are when you apply. The 115 is for applicants outside Australia, the 835 for those already here on a substantive visa. Which one applies to you usually comes down to your location and current visa status, not a choice you get to make freely.

	Subclass 115 (offshore)	Subclass 835 (onshore)
Where you apply from	Outside Australia at the time you lodge	In Australia, generally on a substantive visa, when you lodge
Near-relative test	Identical - counts you and your partner's near relatives	Identical - counts you and your partner's near relatives
Outcome on grant	Permanent residence	Permanent residence
While you wait	You stay overseas; a visitor visa can bring you here for periods	A bridging visa generally keeps you lawful here; conditions depend on your case
The queue	Very long - the program is capped	Very long - the same cap applies

On cost, we don't publish a fixed price. A remaining relative application carries a government application charge and, where you engage us, a professional fee - both depend on your circumstances, your family makeup and whether dependants are included. We quote in writing before you commit. See how we quote, and explore all family visa options if you're weighing this against another pathway.

Common Questions

Remaining relative questions answered.

What counts as a 'near relative' for this test?

Near relative is defined narrowly - broadly, it means a parent, sibling or child, including step versions of each. It doesn't stretch to aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents. Importantly, the test counts your partner's near relatives too. If your spouse has a sibling living overseas, that can be enough to fail the test even if all your own relatives are in Australia.

How long is the actual queue?

Long - often many years - because the remaining relative program is capped and processes slowly. We won't pretend otherwise. If your reason for coming is urgent, this visa on its own won't solve it. A visitor visa can let you spend time here while the queue runs, and we'll map out how to use both together.

What is the assurance of support?

The sponsoring relative commits in writing to provide financial support if needed. It's a formal undertaking, not just a letter. In some cases it involves a financial bond. We explain what this means practically before your sponsor commits, so there are no surprises about the obligation.

Can I apply for the 835 if I'm already in Australia on a visitor visa?

Generally, yes - if you're onshore on a substantive visa you can apply for the 835. The 115 is for applicants offshore. We confirm which subclass applies to your situation based on your current visa and location, and we check whether your current visa allows you to apply onshore without triggering complications.

What is the current processing time for the 115 and 835?

There is no quick answer, and that is the point. Because the remaining relative program is capped, both the 115 and the 835 typically run for many years - far longer than most other family visas, where partner or child cases generally move in months rather than years. Times change with program settings, so check the current estimate on the Home Affairs page before you plan around it. If you'd like, we'll map out what the realistic queue looks like for your situation and how a visitor visa might let you spend time here in the meantime.

If I have a sibling, or my partner has one, overseas, am I automatically ineligible?

Not automatically, but it is the issue most likely to stop a case. The test is strict, and it does count your partner's near relatives as well as your own. A sibling living overseas is a serious obstacle, though the detail matters - how the relationship is defined, where that person actually resides, and the full picture of your family. This is exactly why we assess the near-relative test for both of you in full before you lodge, rather than assuming a single overseas relative ends it.

Can I work while my remaining relative visa is being processed?

It depends on the subclass and the visa you actually hold while you wait. With the offshore 115, you remain overseas during processing, so Australian work rights aren't the question. With the onshore 835, you usually move onto a bridging visa, and whether that bridging visa carries work rights depends on its conditions and your circumstances. We check what your specific bridging visa allows rather than assuming, because getting this wrong can have serious consequences.

What happens if my sponsoring relative dies during processing?

This is a real worry on a visa that runs for years, and you're right to ask. The death of a sponsor doesn't automatically end every case - in some situations another eligible relative may be able to step in, and the assurance of support position can sometimes be reworked. But it is genuinely case-specific and there is no guarantee. If this happens, contact us as early as you can so we can look at where the application stands and what options remain. Explore all family visa options if you need to weigh an alternative.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Other family optionsOther Family VisasChild, carer and other family visa categories.While you waitVisitor Visa 600Visit Australia during the long queue.Parent pathwaysParent Visas OverviewIf a parent visa might suit your situation.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Think you might qualify?

We check the near-relative test for both you and your partner before you commit to anything - because getting it wrong here is the single most common reason these cases fail.