An aged dependent visa is a family permit that is issued to aged relatives of Australian residents or citizens so they can come to Australia. To get an aged dependent visa, you must be truly dependent on your family member in Australia, either financially, physically or mentally.
Eligibility Requirements for an Aged Dependent Visa
The eligibility requirements for an aged dependent visa are as follows:
- You must have an acceptable sponsor.
- You must be of pension age (between 65-67).
- You must be genuinely dependent on your sponsor.
- You must be single.
- You must have assurance of support.
If you are applying for subclass 883, in addition to the eligibility requirements your previous visa must not have a “no further stay” condition.
Assurance of Support
Assurance of support is a type of agreement between your sponsor and the Australian government. The point of this agreement is to make it easier for you to get a visa. For example, the Australian government agrees to help you financially with income support and your sponsor agrees to pay back the government on your behalf.
To get legitimate assurance of support, your sponsor must first apply to become an assurer, your sponsor will also be required to sit for an interview and discuss the details of what it means to be an assurer. The Department of Home Affairs will let you know when you need the assurance of support.
Who Can Sponsor Me for an Aged Dependent Visa?
You can be sponsored by your relative or your partner who is already settled in Australia as long as your sponsor is:
- Over the age of 18.
- An Australian citizen.
- An Australian permanent resident.
- An eligible New Zealand citizen.
Your sponsor must agree to house, and financially support you for the first two years you live in Australia.
Alternative Sponsorship
Your sponsor can still support you for an aged dependent visa on behalf of someone under 18 if they are:
- Married or related to the person under 18, and one of the following:
- An Australian citizen.
- An Australian permanent resident.
- An eligible New Zealand citizen.
Document Checklist for an Aged Dependent Visa
These are the documents you need for your aged dependant visa:
- Your passport. You must have a valid copy of your passport’s information pages, and any other identification documents that may be required, such as your ID card or a certificate of name change (if applicable).
- Visa application form. You must fill in the application form and send it with the rest of your application.
- Sponsor documents. Your sponsor must fill in form 40 so you can provide it with your visa application. You may also be required to submit documents that prove your sponsor’s residency status in Australia.
- Proof of your relationship with your sponsor. You have to provide evidence that shows you are truly related to your sponsor. You can submit a marriage certificate, a birth certificate, adoption papers, or an official family book.
- Proof of dependency. To get this visa, you must also submit proof that you are dependent on your sponsor- proof of dependency can be bank statements, money transfers, or rent receipts.
- Proof you meet the character requirements. The Department of Home Affairs will let you know when and if you need character documents, don’t submit them unless specifically requested.
- Documents for dependents under 18. If you apply with family members under 18, please provide their identity documents, birth certificates, marriage certificate, and character documents (if applicable). You must also get parental consent from the child’s parents or guardians, provide either form 1229, statutory declaration or a legal certificate.
- Documents for dependents over 18. You have to provide your dependent’s identity documents, character documents and proof of relationship with you. If they are dependent on you, provide a dependency form47, and other proof of dependency.
How to Apply for an Aged Dependent Visa?
The application process for an aged dependent visa consists of three important parts:
- The application
- The first assessment.
- The second assessment.
The Application
For this visa, you have to be out of the country at the time of application and submit a paper application. You have to complete the visa application form, and attach the rest of the required documents and send your application by courier at the address stated in the application form. For paper applications, your civil status documents have to be certified- see how to certify your documents.
To have your application processed, you must submit the first instalment fee. Even though you are applying with a paper application, the fee must be paid online via ImmiAccount. If you don’t have an account, open one, find the online platform’s payment option, and submit the first instalment.
The First Assessment
Once you have sent all the required documents, your application will undergo the first assessment by the Immigration office. At this point, your visa request will be put in a queue and you have to wait until there is an available place in the migration program.
The Second Assessment
After your application finishes the first assessment, the Department will review your application once more and they will let you know when and how much you have to pay the second instalment fee.
Without the second fee, you won’t receive a visa, so make sure you pay the complete required fee.
Application Fee for an Aged Dependent Visa
The application fee for an aged dependent visa is AUD6,490. This fee has to be paid in two instalments; you pay the first instalment (AUD4,425) when you apply and you will be notified when to pay the second instalment after your application has been assessed.
Don’t forget that you are required to pay another fee for every family member that applies with you. You can also use the visa price estimator here, to see what the first instalment is.
Aged Dependent Visa Processing Time
This visa will take up to 50 years to finish processing. When your application finishes the first assessment, it is put into a queue and this waiting period may last up to 50 years.
As of February 2021, the Department of Home Affairs has begun to finalize applications that were submitted up to August 2 of 2011.
Applying with Other Family Members
You can apply with other family members if they are your child or step-child. You can add your family members at any time of the application as long as a final decision hasn’t been made by the Department of Home Affairs.
Your family members have to meet the health requirements and character requirements, sometimes even family members who don’t apply with you may be required to meet these requirements.
What Is the Difference Between an Aged Dependent Relative Visa 114 and 883?
The difference between visa 114 and subclass 883 is that when you apply for subclass 114 you have to be outside Australia. If you apply for subclass 883, you have to be in Australia at the time of application and when a decision is made on your application. However, you still have to submit a paper application even for subclass 883.
Is Aged Dependent Visa Permanent?
Yes, if you get the visa, you can stay in Australia indefinitely. You will also be able to access Australia’s MediCare, study and work according to your wishes.
Can I Bring My Parents to Australia With an Aged Dependent Visa?
Your parents can come to Australia under an aged dependent visa if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, you may want to explore parent visa types to see which one might work best for you and your parents.