Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117)

The Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117) is a permanent visa for children who are under 18 years of age and are orphaned or abandoned and have no parents to care for them overseas. Here are some key points about the subclass 117 visa:

1. Purpose: The subclass 117 visa allows the child to live in Australia permanently with their eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
2. Eligibility: To be eligible for the subclass 117 visa, the child must be:
   • Sponsored by their eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
   • Under the age of 18 years.
   • Orphaned or abandoned and have no parents to care for them overseas.
3. Application Process:
   • The application for the subclass 117 visa is usually lodged by the sponsoring relative on behalf of the child.
   • The sponsoring relative must be able to provide evidence of their relationship with the child and demonstrate that they can provide adequate support and care for the child in Australia.
4. Health and Character Requirements: The child and the sponsoring relative must meet the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. This includes undergoing medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates.
5. Permanent Residency:
   • The subclass 117 visa is a permanent visa, allowing the child to live, study, and work in Australia indefinitely.
   • Once granted, the child becomes a permanent resident of Australia and has access to Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system.
6. Cost: There is a visa application charge for the subclass 117 visa, which must be paid at the time of application.
7. Processing Time: Processing times for the subclass 117 visa can vary depending on various factors such as the completeness of the application, the complexity of the case, and the workload of the processing office.