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Child Onshore Visa
A permanent visa for children already in Australia, allowing them to stay long-term with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen parent.
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Child Onshore Visa – Subclass 802
Permanent residency for children already in Australia
The Child Onshore visa (Subclass 802) is a permanent visa for eligible children who are already in Australia on another valid visa and want to remain here to live with a parent who is an Aus
Stay, study and grow up in Australia with your family
Once granted, this visa lets your child live in Australia indefinitely, enrol in school or further study, access Medicare, and later apply for Australian citizenship if they meet the residency requirements – giving them the same long-term security as any other permanent resident child.
Suitable for biological, adopted and step-children
The Subclass 802 pathway can be used for biological, adopted or step-children who are dependent on their sponsoring parent, are not married or in a de facto relationship, and meet age and dependency rules. It’s commonly used when a child has joined a parent in Australia on a temporary visa and the family wants to make that arrangement permanent.
Child Onshore Visa – Subclass 802
Child’s sponsoring parent must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is usually living in Australia and willing to sponsor the child.
The child must be in Australia (not in immigration clearance) and hold a valid substantive or bridging visa when the Subclass 802 application is lodged.
The child must also be in Australia when the visa is decided. If they leave Australia during processing, travel plans and bridging visa conditions need to be managed carefully.
Applicant must be the biological, adopted or eligible step-child of the sponsoring parent (or their partner) and be formally sponsored for the visa
Child is generally under 18, or 18–25 and a full-time student financially dependent on the parent, or over 18 with a disability that prevents full-time work and causes ongoing financial dependence. The child must be single (not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship).
Where parents are separated/divorced, the sponsoring parent must have legal right to decide where the child lives, or obtain written consent from all other people with legal parental responsibility, supported by court orders or guardianship documents.
The child cannot hold a visa with a “no further stay” condition (e.g. 8503/8534/8535) at the time of application, unless that condition has been successfully waived.
Child (and any dependent applicants) must meet health and any relevant character requirements. If under 18, the grant of the visa must also be assessed as being in the best interests of the child.
We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts
Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.
Aleeha and Nirav at Knowbal Migration demonstrated outstanding guidance, persistence, and professionalism in securing a Visitor Visa Family Stream for a sister, successfully navigating earlier difficulties to achieve the outcome. Their dedication and genuine care throughout the process were truly appreciated.
Very good experience with Knowbal Migration. Nirav and Aleeha provided great support throughout my visa process and helped achieve a positive outcome. Thank you to the team for their assistance.
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you already hold PR or citizenship, it’s usually smart to move to a 802 as soon as your child’s situation is stable (schooling, address, custody). If you’re still on a temporary visa and waiting for PR, we normally:
- map your expected PR grant window,
- plan how your child will stay lawful until then (Visitor, Student, dependent visa etc.), and
- line up documents so the 802 can be lodged quickly after PR.
That avoids gaps in status and reduces the risk of last-minute Visitor refusals or rushed applications.
A “no further stay” condition normally blocks onshore applications, including the 802, unless it is successfully waived. In practice this means:
- preparing a strong waiver request showing a genuine change in circumstances (not just a change of mind), and
- keeping your child lawful while the waiver is considered.
This is a complex, high-risk step, so it’s worth getting tailored advice before you let a current visa expire or assume a waiver will be granted.
The Department will look closely at parental responsibility and consent. If there are court orders giving you sole responsibility, that can be enough. If not, you’ll usually need:
- a properly drafted consent letter from the other parent, or
- evidence you’ve tried to obtain consent and any relevant family court proceedings.
We’ll review your custody situation first, then help you decide whether to seek new court orders, obtain consent, or wait before lodging.
Yes, but it has to be carefully planned. If your child is on a Bridging Visa A, they’ll usually need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia. Too many or very long trips can also make it harder to show their real base is now Australia. We normally plan travel around school holidays and important events, so your child can visit family overseas without risking their onshore application.
The key questions are:
- what visa your child will be on between lodgement and grant, and
- whether that visa (or bridging visa) gives access to Medicare and domestic school fees.
Sometimes it’s worth timing the 802 so your child moves from an expensive international-fee Student visa onto a bridging visa with better conditions. In a consult we look at the exact visa trail and your state school rules so you can budget properly.
Name and date mismatches are a very common reason for extra questions. Before lodgement we usually:
- correct details where possible (new passport or amended birth certificate),
- prepare change-of-name evidence or statutory declarations, and
- make sure your own Australian records (student visas, PR grant, Medicare, tax) line up with your current legal name.
Cleaning this up early makes it much easier for the case officer to link you, your child and your sponsorship history.
Both structures are possible, but they work differently:
- Including the child in a Partner visa can simplify things if the Australian sponsor is your partner and everyone will move through the system together.
- A separate Child 802 can give more flexibility when the child’s other parent is involved, or when you want the child’s status to be independent of the relationship timeline.
We usually map out: who is sponsoring whom, any custody issues, and desired travel plans before deciding which option gives your child the fastest, safest path to PR.
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