The Subclass 101 Child Visa (Offshore)
The subclass 101 Child visa is a permanent residence visa for a dependent child of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The visa is designed for situations where the child is outside Australia and the parent wants the child to join them in Australia permanently.
On grant of the 101 visa, the child becomes a permanent resident of Australia. They gain the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, and — after meeting the citizenship residence requirement — apply for Australian citizenship.
The 101 visa is the offshore counterpart to the subclass 802 (Child — onshore). The choice between 101 and 802 depends entirely on where the child is located when the application is lodged — not on which is faster or preferable.
Eligibility for the Subclass 101
- Under 18 and not married or in a de facto relationship (most common)
- Aged 18–25, enrolled full-time in a recognised educational institution, and financially dependent on the sponsoring parent or their partner
- Any age, incapacitated for work due to total or partial incapacity that existed before the child turned 18, and financially dependent on the parent
Who Sponsors the Child?
The child must be sponsored by a parent or a relative of the child. For the 101 visa, the sponsor is typically:
Adopted Children — Is the 101 Correct?
For children who were legally adopted before the sponsoring parent became an Australian citizen or PR, and where the adoption was finalised under applicable law, the child may be eligible for the 101 if they otherwise meet the dependent child criteria. However, the specific circumstances of each adoption case must be assessed. Nanak Migration Group (MARN 2619467) can advise on which visa is appropriate for adopted children.
Processing Times and What to Expect
The subclass 101 is a permanent visa with variable processing times. In many cases, processing takes many months to over a year. Processing time depends on the complexity of the application, the completeness of evidence lodged, whether health examinations are required, and the Department's current workload.
While the application is being processed, the child can travel to Australia (on a visitor or other temporary visa) and, if the application has been lodged, may be entitled to a Bridging Visa E (BVE) that allows them to stay in Australia while awaiting the decision. However, the BVE conditions must be monitored carefully — seek advice on travel while the application is pending.
Visa Application Charges
The base application charge for the subclass 101 is several thousand Australian dollars for the primary applicant (the child). The exact charge should be confirmed on the DoHA website. There is no second visa application charge (VAC2) instalment — the 101 is a permanent visa with a single application charge.
Subclass 101 (Offshore) vs Subclass 802 (Onshore)
The core difference is simple: where is the child when the application is lodged?
| Feature | Subclass 101 (Offshore) | Subclass 802 (Onshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Child's location at lodgement | Outside Australia | In Australia |
| Outcome | Permanent residence | Permanent residence |
| Bridging visa during processing | BVE if child enters Australia after lodging | BVA or BVB while waiting in Australia |
| Travel to Australia after lodging | Permitted on a visitor or other visa | Not applicable — already in Australia |
| Core eligibility requirements | Same as 802 | Same as 101 |
| Processing times | Similar | Similar |
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.