Australia’s Subclass 101 Visa: Offshore Pathway for Children to Join Their Parents
The Child Offshore Visa enables children living outside Australia to join their parents who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa is designed for dependent children, orphaned relatives, or adopted children, offering them a pathway to permanent residence in Australia and ensuring family reunification. Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible parent, and the visa allows the child to access education and healthcare in Australia, just like any other resident.
Eligibility for the Child
- Sponsored by their parent or the parent’s partner
- Single
- Under 18 years of age, or
- Full-time student aged 18 to 25, or
- 18 years or older, unable to work due to a disability, and dependent on the sponsoring parent
The child can also include their own dependent children in the application.
Who Can Sponsor the Child?
- A parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The spouse or de facto partner of the child’s parent
- Step-parents with legal responsibility for the child under 18 years
- Adoptive parents who adopted the child before becoming an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsorship is valid even if the parent is outside Australia at the time of application, or has been granted a permanent visa but has not yet entered the country. For adoptions after gaining citizenship or permanent residence, a separate Adoption visa (Subclass 102) must be applied for.
Parental Responsibility
For children under 18 years, the visa can only be granted if:
- Written consent is obtained from all persons legally responsible for the child
- The child’s home country permits removal of the child
- It aligns with any Australian child order
Applicants should follow the document checklist carefully to ensure all required evidence is submitted.
Other Key Requirements
- Assurance of support may be requested to prevent welfare costs from falling on the Australian community
- Children must meet health requirements, valid for 12 months, including dependent family members
- Children over 16 must meet character requirements, providing police certificates from countries lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
- No outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or arrangements made to repay any debts
- Biometrics may be required as part of the application
Benefits of the Child Offshore Visa
This permanent residence visa allows the child to:
- Travel to and reside in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Travel in and out of Australia for five years from the visa grant date
At Apical Immigration Experts, we handle child visas with care and attention. Our team ensures a thorough, smooth application process while preparing children and families for a successful transition to life in Australia.
Contact us today, and let our specialists guide you through every step of the Child Offshore Visa application process.
Application Process for Child Offshore Visa (Subclass 101)
1. Initial Consultation
- Discuss your eligibility and the child’s circumstances with our licensed migration experts.
- Identify the correct visa subclass and understand the required documents.
2. Sponsorship Confirmation
- Ensure the sponsoring parent or guardian meets the eligibility criteria.
- Gather evidence of relationship, guardianship, or legal responsibility for the child.
3. Document Preparation
- Collect essential documents such as birth certificates, adoption papers, consent letters, identity proofs, and health and character certificates.
- Apical Immigration Experts help review and organize all documents to meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements.
4. Lodge Visa Application
- Submit the Child Offshore Visa application online or via paper application as required.
- Pay the applicable visa fees and provide biometrics if requested.
5. Health & Character Checks
- Arrange medical examinations and police certificates for the child and any dependent family members included in the application.
6. Application Tracking
- Monitor the progress of the visa application and respond promptly to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
7. Visa Grant & Post-Grant Support
- Receive visa approval and guidance on traveling to Australia.
- Assistance with settling the child in Australia, including access to education and healthcare services.
Why Apical Immigration Experts?
Apical Immigration Experts offer complete support for the Child Offshore Visa (Subclass 101), ensuring a seamless process from eligibility assessment to visa grant. Our team helps families unite in Australia by handling documentation meticulously and providing expert guidance every step of the way.
- Specialized Visa Knowledge – We have in-depth expertise in managing Child Offshore Visa applications, ensuring your child’s eligibility and sponsorship requirements are fully met.
- Personalized Guidance – Our consultants create tailored strategies for presenting relationship, guardianship, and adoption documents effectively.
- Comprehensive Documentation Support – From birth certificates to legal consents and health checks, we help compile a complete, error-free application.
- Updated with Policy Changes – We keep track of changes in immigration laws and Department of Home Affairs policies, ensuring your application meets the latest requirements.
- End-to-End Assistance – From initial consultation to post-visa guidance, we support families in making the child’s relocation to Australia smooth, secure, and stress-free.
FAQs – Child Offshore Visa (Subclass 101)
The Child Offshore Visa allows children living outside Australia to join their parents who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It provides permanent residency, access to healthcare, and education in Australia.
A child can be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, their parent’s spouse or de facto partner, a step-parent with legal responsibility, or an adoptive parent.
The child must be single, dependent, under 18 years of age (or a full-time student aged 18–25, or unable to work due to a disability), and have a sponsoring parent who meets eligibility criteria. Health, character, and financial requirements must also be met.
Yes, dependent children of the child applicant can be included. All family members must meet health and character requirements, and provide any requested documents or biometrics.
Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances, including completeness of documents, health and character checks, and Department of Home Affairs workload. On average, the visa may take several months to be finalized.
Sumit Katyal
