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Home » Partner & Family Visas » Child Visas » Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa

Permanent Residency for Orphaned Children

The Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa allows orphaned children to live with their eligible relative in Australia, offering a permanent solution for family reunification.

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Visa Snapshot

Visa Type: Permanent Residency

Pathway to PR: Direct permanent residency upon grant

Eligibility: Orphaned child sponsored by an eligible Australian relative

Age Requirement: Under 18 years old at the time of application

Work Rights: Full work rights upon visa grant

Study Rights: Full rights to study in Australia

Healthcare: Access to Medicare

Family Inclusion: Eligible relative must be a settled Australian citizen, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident

Visa Fee: AUD 1,980 - subject to changes, check DHA for current fee

🔍 Visa Overview

The Subclass 117 – Orphan Relative Visa allows orphaned children to live permanently with their eligible relative in Australia. This visa is designed for children who are under the care of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, offering them the opportunity for a permanent solution to family reunification.

Key Benefits:

Permanent Residency: The child can live in Australia indefinitely.

Work & Study Rights: Full rights to work and study in Australia.

Healthcare: Access to Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.

Family Sponsorship: The child can sponsor other eligible relatives to migrate to Australia.

Citizenship: Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

English Classes: Opportunity to attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible.

Why Apply for the Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa?

Reunite with family: Live permanently with your eligible relative in Australia.

Permanent residency: Secure long-term stability and a future in Australia.

Work and study rights: Full access to work and study opportunities.

Healthcare access: Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.

Pathway to citizenship: Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

Family sponsorship: Potential to sponsor other relatives to join you in Australia.

Eligibility for Subclass 117 - Orphan Relative Visa

To apply for the Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa, the following criteria must be met:

Age: The child must be under 18 years of age at the time of application.

Single: The child must be unmarried.

No Parent: The child must have no parent to care for them.

Parental Consent: The child must have consent from the parent(s) if applicable to migrate to Australia.

Relative Sponsorship: The child must have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident.

Location: The child must be outside of Australia when the application is made.

Health Requirements: The child must meet Australia's health requirements.

Character Requirements: The child must meet Australia's character requirements.

🔍 Application Step-by-Step for Subclass 117 - Orphan Relative Visa

1
Check eligibility
2
Gather documents
3
Complete the application
4
Health & character checks
5
Pay visa fee
6
Wait for processing
7
Decision & visa grant

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Common Mistakes to Avoid ​​

Incomplete or missing documents proving orphan status

Failure to provide evidence of the sponsor's eligibility |Australian citizenship or permanent residency

Missing health checks or police clearances

Tips for Strong Application

Double-check the relationship proof |birth certificates, adoption papers

Ensure all health and character documents are up-to-date

Confirm the sponsor’s eligibility and ensure financial support documents are clear

After Visa Grant Benefits

The Subclass 117 Orphan Relative Visa is designed for children, but other family members may be eligible for separate visa applications

Permanent Residency: Stay in Australia permanently.

Work Rights: Full rights to work.

Study Rights: Full rights to study.

Medicare Access: Access to healthcare.

Citizenship Eligibility: Can apply for Australian citizenship.

Required Documents – What You’ll Need

For the Applicant - Child

Passport

Birth Certificate

Health Examination

Police Clearance - if applicable

Evidence of Orphan Status

Relative’s Australian Status

Evidence of Relationship

Sponsor - Relative

Proof of Australian Citizenship

Proof of Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship

Proof of Relationship to Applicant

Evidence of Sponsorship Capacity

Police Clearance if applicable

Health Examination if applicable

Proof of Financial Capacity if requested

📥 Download Full Subclass 117 Checklist

Visa Fees & Processing Time

TypeDetails & Fee (AUD)
🧾 Government Visa FeeApprox. AUD 1,980
👥 Addtional Applicant 18+AUD 990
👥 Addtional Applicant below 18AUD 500
⏳ Processing TimeTypically 3–7 months (post-invitation)
Check Visa Fees With Official Estimator

🧰 Tools & Downloads

✅ Visa Checklist Subclass 117
✅ Visa Checklist Subclass 117
Discover
📥 Eligbility checklist
📥 Eligbility checklist
Discover

❓Frequently Asked Questions

The Subclass 117 visa is for orphaned children who are under the care of an eligible relative in Australia. It allows them to live permanently in Australia. 

The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is a relative of the child. 

Yes, the child can apply for the Subclass 117 visa from outside Australia. 

Once granted, the child will be able to live permanently in Australia with the sponsor and have access to healthcare, work rights, and other social benefits. 

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.