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Subclass 117
Orphan Relative Visa
The Orphan Relative Visa (subclass 117), an orphan visa Australia option, grants permanent residency to single children under 18 whose parents cannot care for them, allowing them to join eligible relatives. Applications must be lodged outside Australia.
Why Choose Edvise Hub?
The Orphan Relative Visa, commonly known as the subclass 117 visa or orphan visa Australia, provides a humanitarian pathway for vulnerable children to find stability with family. This permanent visa allows single children under 18 to migrate to Australia if their parents are deceased, permanently incapacitated, or cannot be located. Administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the 117 visa emphasizes family unity and child welfare, ensuring the move is in the child's best interests.
As of December 2025, the visa remains active with no major changes since the July 2025 update allowing paper applications to be imported into ImmiAccount (except those lodged before April 2020). If you're exploring orphan visa Australia options, this guide covers 117 visa requirements and the 117 visa application process to help you navigate the system effectively. For personalized advice, consult a registered migration agent early to avoid delays.
Key Benefits and Features of the Subclass 117 Visa
Securing the subclass 117 visa unlocks lifelong opportunities in Australia. Holders can stay indefinitely, work and study without restrictions, access Medicare for healthcare, and enroll in free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) if eligible. After meeting residency requirements, pathways to Australian citizenship open up, allowing sponsorship of other relatives.
This orphan visa Australia is offshore-only, meaning the child must apply and receive the decision outside Australia. Historically, the program supports around 100-200 grants annually (based on Department estimates), prioritizing cases where no parental care is possible. Here's a quick overview:
These figures underscore the visa's role in Australia's family migration framework, contributing to community diversity.
Fahad Shamim
Migration & Education Consultant
MARA Registered
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G12906
As a Migration & Education Consultant, I provide expert guidance on Australian visas and international education, helping clients navigate both with ease.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting 117 Visa Requirements
To qualify for the subclass 117 visa, strict 117 visa requirements must be met for both the child and sponsor. The child must be single (not married or in a de facto relationship), under 18, and have no parent capable of care—evidenced by death certificates, medical reports on incapacity, or proof of search efforts for missing parents.
The sponsor, a close relative like a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or step-equivalent, must be a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. They need to have resided in Australia for at least two years and demonstrate financial capacity through tax notices, payslips, or bank statements. Health and character checks are mandatory, including police certificates from countries where the sponsor lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
Additional 117 visa requirements include:
- Consent from the child's home country or legal guardians via Form 1229 or court orders.
- Proof the arrangement serves the child's best interests.
- No outstanding debts to the Australian government.
Failure to meet these can lead to refusal, so thorough documentation is crucial.
Sponsor Obligations Under Orphan Visa Australia Rules
Sponsors commit to providing accommodation, financial support, and settlement assistance until the child turns 18 (or for two years post-arrival if shorter). An Assurance of Support (AoS) may be required if welfare reliance is anticipated, repayable to Services Australia. Sponsors must sign undertakings in Form 40CH, acknowledging potential interviews and information sharing with agencies.
Step-by-Step 117 Visa Application Process
The 117 visa application process is paper-based and detailed, requiring coordination between the child and sponsor. Start by confirming eligibility on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Prepare Forms and Documents: Complete Form 47CH (application by child) and Form 40CH (sponsorship). Gather certified copies of passports, birth/death certificates, relationship proofs, financial evidence, police checks, and translations for non-English documents.
- Health and Character Assessments: Arrange medical exams and obtain police certificates early.
- Pay Fees: The base Visa Application Charge (VAC) is AUD 1,920 for the main applicant (as of 2025 updates). Use ImmiAccount for payment; attach receipts.
- Lodge the Application: Submit via post or courier to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Western Australia. Include all forms and evidence—applications lodged elsewhere are invalid.
- Biometrics and Interviews: Provide biometrics if requested; attend interviews if needed.
- Await Outcome: Decisions are in writing. If approved, the child can enter Australia; if refused, review rights apply.
Processing times for the subclass 117 visa are not officially published but often span 6-9 years due to queues and demand, per migration agent insights. Monitor via ImmiAccount for updates.
Costs, Processing Times, and Challenges in 2025
The primary cost is the AUD 1,920 VAC, with extras for health (AUD 500-1,000), police checks (AUD 50-200), and biometrics (AUD 20). No refunds for refusals, but withdrawals may qualify.
Long waits are a key challenge—Department priorities list the 117 visa in family streams, but backlogs persist. In 2024-2025, family visa queues released applications up to May 2025 for similar categories, indicating delays. Factors like incomplete documents or complex cases extend times.
To mitigate delays, ensure "decision-ready" applications with all evidence upfront.
Required Documents for a Successful Orphan Visa Australia Application
Documentation is the backbone of 117 visa requirements. Essential items include:
- Identity: Child's passport, birth certificate showing parents' names.
- Orphan Status: Death certificates, medical reports on incapacity, or search evidence for missing parents.
- Relationship: Birth certificates linking child to sponsor.
- Sponsor Proof: Citizenship/PR evidence, residence history, financial docs (e.g., tax assessments for two years).
- Consents: Form 1229, statutory declarations, or court orders.
- Health/Character: Exam results, police checks.
Use NAATI-accredited translations and certified copies—originals only if requested.
Why the Subclass 117 Visa Matters for Family Migration
This orphan visa Australia addresses humanitarian needs, reuniting over 5,000 children historically (Department figures). It fosters integration, with visa holders contributing to society through education and work. In 2025, amid global uncertainties, it remains vital for protecting minors.
If ineligible, consider related visas like Child (subclass 101) or Adoption (subclass 102), but subclass 117 is tailored for orphans.
Start Your 117 Visa Journey Today
Ready to apply? Review 117 visa requirements on the Department site and gather documents. For expert help with the 117 visa application process, book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent. Submit your application promptly to join the queue—your family's future in Australia awaits!
FAQs
What is the subclass 117 visa?
The subclass 117 visa is a permanent orphan visa Australia for single children under 18 to live with relatives if parents are deceased, incapacitated, or missing.
Who can apply for the 117 visa?
Eligible applicants are children under 18, single, outside Australia, with no caring parents, sponsored by a settled Australian relative.
What are the 117 visa requirements for the sponsor?
Sponsors must be relatives (e.g., siblings, grandparents), Australian citizens/PR/eligible NZ citizens, resident for at least 2 years, and able to provide financial support until the child turns 18.
How much does the 117 visa cost?
The base application fee for the subclass 117 visa is AUD 1,920 for the main applicant, plus additional costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
What is the 117 visa application process?
Complete Forms 47CH and 40CH, gather documents, pay fees, and lodge by post to the Child and Other Family Processing Centre in Western Australia.
How long are subclass 117 processing times?
Processing times for the 117 visa are not officially published but typically take several years (6-9+ years) due to queues and demand.
What documents are needed for 117 visa requirements?
Required documents include birth/death certificates, proof of relationship, sponsor's financial evidence, police checks, health assessments, and consent forms like 1229.
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