Child Visa Subclass 101 is a permanent visa in Australia. Children outside Australia can come and live with their parents in the country under this visa. The important condition for this visa is that the parents must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Child Visa 101 allows the child to live in the country permanently. However, the child must be outside the country at the time of application.
The child can apply for citizenship once they have this visa and are eligible. They are entitled to enroll in Medicare and take benefits of Australia’s Public Healthcare Scheme. Lastly, the child can study in the country and also sponsor relatives to come to Australia.
The main applicant has to pay AUD 3,140 for this visa subclass. Please note that there is an extra charge for each of the child’s dependent children who apply for this visa. For each child above the age of 18, the cost is AUD 1,570, and for the child under the age of 18, the cost is AUD 790. Additionally, there are other costs as well, like health exams, police verification, and biometrics.
The Department of Home Affairs processes 50% of the visa applications within 20 months. Similarly, 90% of applicants get a decision within 28 months. The time may seem long but the department checks every document thoroughly and you have to keep up patiently.
Fill in the details carefully and accurately
Include all the supporting documents that the department may require
The child can travel to and from the country as many times as they want for the period of initial 5 years. They may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter the country after 5 years.
This visa comes with immense benefits. This visa subclass is permanent and thus the child can stay in the country permanently. Once you have this visa you can work in Australia. At the same time, you can study in the country to make a career.
You become eligible for Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme. Additionally, you can sponsor relatives to come to the country. Lastly, if you are eligible you can apply for Australian Citizenship.
To be eligible for visa subclass 101 the child must have been adopted before the age of 18 years. The parent must not be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident. Nor could be an eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of adoption.
For a child adopted by an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you may check Adoption Visa Subclass 102.
The first prerequisite for Child Visa 101 is that the child must be dependent on their parent. The parent must be an Australian Citizen, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia. The child can be a biological or adopted child of their parent. Any stepchild is also eligible however they must be from a former partner.
The adopted child must be adopted before the age of 18 years. Additionally, the parent must not be an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident visa holder. Any child who is adopted by an Australian Citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen or permanent resident visa holder might be eligible for Adoption Visa Subclass 102.
The stepchildren must be under the age of 18 years and the child of a step-parent’s former partner. The step-parent must be legally eligible for parenting or guardianship.
The sponsor must be an eligible parent as per Australian law. The parent’s spouse or de facto partner can also sponsor the child. The department might disapprove the sponsorship if the parent or the partner has been charged or convicted of crimes against children.
The child must be under the age of 18 years, or between 18 years and 25 years, and studying full-time. The child over 18 years and under 25 years old must be enrolled in a full-time course of study. Additionally, they must be financially dependent on their parents.
Any child applicant with a disability must have lost their bodily or mental functions, totally or partially. At the same time, they must not be working full-time.
The applicant child must not be married or engaged to be married. They should not be in a de facto relationship either.
The child or any member of their family must pay back any debts to the Australian Government. Alternatively, a formal arrangement must be made for the payment plan.
The child and the dependent must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian Government. Dependent children or other family members may be asked to go through health checkups and character requirements.
Any child above the age of 18 years must sign the Australian Value Statement. It clearly states that the applicant will adhere to the Australian way of life and obey the law.
The first step before you apply for a visa subclass is to check the passport details of the child. You can seek help from a registered migration agent or a legal practitioner. Alternatively, you can get help from an exempt person as well. You can also appoint someone to receive visa-related documents on your behalf.
Prepare your documents: You must prepare all the documents that the department may require for the processing of your visa application. Below is a list of the documents:
Identification: You must provide the pages of the passport that show photo, personal details, passport issue, and expiry dates. Other documents include any national identification documents and proof of change of name if applicable. If the child has been adopted, certified adoption documents are required.
Photographs: You have to provide 4 passport-size photographs of the child and any other dependent child who applies for the visa subclass 101. The dimensions of the photograph must be 45mm x 35mm and it should give a clear view of the face and shoulders of the child. The background should be light coloured and the photograph should not be older than 6 months.
The child can wear untinted prescription glasses and if they wear a head covering they have to show only their face.
Current/Old Passport: You need to provide copies of the current passport and earlier passports the child has ever held.
Child’s relationship to the parent: A birth certificate, adoption certificate, and marriage certificate to establish the relationship of the child with the parent.
Financial documents: Bank statements, money transfers, and rent receipts are pieces of evidence that you have to submit. These essential documents establish that the child over the age of 18 years is dependent on the parents for financial support. The financial support is to meet basic requirements like food, shelter, and clothing.
Character Documents: Every child over the age of 16 years must provide police certificates from the country they have lived in for 12 months in the last 10 years.
Apply on Paper
You cannot apply for this visa online. Therefore, you have to apply on paper for the visa subclass 101.
You need to fill these two forms correctly and essentially:
Send these two fully completed forms to the Child and Other Family Processing Center in Perth. You can send them by post or by courier. Please note that the addresses for both are different and we have mentioned both here for your reference:
By post:
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Locked Bag 7
Northbridge WA 6865
By Courier:
Department of Home Affairs
Child and Other Family Processing Centre
Wellington Central
836 Wellington Street
West Perth WA 6005
Wait patiently after you apply
The Department of Home Affairs can take some time to process your application. In the meantime, you can add more family members to your application. You may be asked for further information and documents. Additionally, the department informs the applicants about the health checks and biometrics.
Get your Visa
The Department of Home Affairs informs the applicants about the decision in writing. If the visa is granted you will be given the visa grant number, date the visa starts and any conditions. The department also updates the reason for rejection and if you can contest the decision.
That was all about the Child Visa Subclass 101. If you have any questions you can get in touch with our experienced immigration agent. We are MARA registered immigration agents well-versed in Australia’s immigration law. The process of Child Visa 101 is complex and it is better to hire professional help like ImmigrationBuddy.
