Overview
Subclass 115 (offshore) and 835 (onshore) are the Remaining Relative visas — for the person genuinely left behind: all near relatives are settled in Australia, none remain overseas.
Defining features:
- A narrow definition: near relatives are parents, siblings and non-dependent children — yours and your partner’s, counted worldwide.
- Very long capped queue — many years.
- Assurance of support applies.
- Permanent residence on grant.
Detailed legal content (definitions, queue status) needs verification against current rules. Book a consultation to test the definition precisely — this category trips up more applicants than any other family stream.
Key eligibility
- You (and your partner) have no near relatives outside Australia — only in Australia
- Your Australian relative (parent, sibling or step-equivalent) is a settled citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen and sponsors you
- Assurance of support; health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Map the whole family tree
Every parent, sibling, child and their locations — the definition turns on having no near relatives outside Australia.
- 02
Lodge 115 (offshore) or 835 (onshore)
With sponsorship and assurance of support.
- 03
Wait in the capped queue
Grants come at the front of a queue measured in many years. Grant confers permanent residence.
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 6,600 first instalment |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.