Apply for
Adoption Visa
Allows adopted children from overseas to join their Australian citizen or permanent resident parents, providing permanent residency in Australia.
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Adoption Visa – Subclass 102
Permanent residency for adopted children
The Adoption visa (Subclass 102) allows adopted children to permanently live in Australia with their Australian citizen or permanent resident parent(s). It’s designed for families who have completed an overseas adoption and now wish to bring their child to Australia to settle with their family. Once granted, this visa gives the child the same rights as any Australian permanent resident, including access to Medicare, education and a potential pathway to Australian citizenship.
Reunite with your child
This visa allows parents to reunite with their child and offer them a stable life in Australia. It applies to children who have been formally adopted under the laws of their home country and have a legal right to be adopted. Once granted, the child is recognised as a permanent resident of Australia, just like any biological child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Pathway to family settlement
This visa ensures the child can grow up in Australia, enjoying the benefits of the Australian lifestyle, including free schooling, healthcare, and the opportunity to eventually apply for citizenship when they meet the requirements. At Knowbal Migration, we assist families in navigating the adoption process and visa application, ensuring the child’s future in Australia is secure and bright.
Adoption Visa – Subclass 102
The sponsoring parent must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is living in Australia.
The child must be under 18 years of age at all three stages — when the adoption took place, when the visa application is lodged, and when the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision. The child must also have been legally adopted under the laws of their home country, and the adoption must be valid and recognised under Australian law.
The sponsor must have the legal right to adopt the child, and the child must be living with the sponsor or have been legally adopted by the sponsor. If the child is outside Australia, the parent must have the legal right to remove the child from their home country.
The child must be outside Australia when the adoption visa is lodged (offshore application). If the child is in Australia, they may need to apply for a different visa if the adoption is finalised onshore.
The child must be outside Australia when the adoption visa is granted.
The child must be adopted before they turn 18, and they must be single, unmarried, and not in a de facto relationship.
The child must meet health and character requirements, including any necessary medical examinations and police clearances for relevant countries.
The sponsor must provide evidence of the adoption process, such as adoption certificates, court orders, and any relevant documentation to prove the parent-child relationship.
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The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption visa now, or do I need to wait until I have permanent residency?You can apply for the Adoption visa (Subclass 102) as long as you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of lodging the application. but you’ll need to ensure all adoption documents are finalised and legally recognised in both your home country and Australia. In some cases, we can help speed up your permanent residency through an associated partner visa or skilled migration pathway if you’re still on a temporary visa.
If your child is already in Australia, they must remain on a valid visa while the Adoption visa is processed. The Adoption visa (Subclass 102) requires the child to be outside Australia when the application is lodged, but if they are in Australia, a different visa (such as a bridging visa) may be needed to maintain lawful status. We’ll help you navigate these visa transitions and ensure the child’s status is maintained throughout the application process.
The child must meet the health requirements to be granted the Adoption visa, which means they must undergo a health examination. If the child has pre-existing health conditions, it might affect the application in some cases. Before lodging the visa, we recommend getting a health assessment to understand any possible implications. If needed, we can help manage this process by providing the right documentation and supporting evidence for the Department’s decision.
Name discrepancies or mismatched documents are common and can cause delays or complications. We help you handle this by:
- Correcting documents where possible (new birth certificates or amended legal documents),
Providing statutory declarations or other supporting documentation to explain the discrepancies.
It’s possible, but careful planning is needed. If your child is on a bridging visa or a visitor visa, their ability to travel will depend on the visa conditions and whether they can get a Bridging Visa B (BVB) to leave and re-enter Australia. Frequent travel during processing could raise concerns about their long-term intention to settle in Australia. We can assist you in managing travel plans while ensuring your child’s visa status remains intact.
- To ensure a smooth, timely processing, it’s essential to submit complete and accurate documents. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Adoption order and legal documents from your home country,
- Proof of parent-child relationship (birth/adoption certificates, court orders),
- Health and character documents (if required),
- Evidence of Australian citizenship or PR of the sponsor.
By preparing these documents ahead of time and ensuring everything is in order, we can help you avoid unnecessary delays and keep the process moving forward.
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