Australia’s Dependent Visa program allows international students and professionals to bring their families to Australia. If you want to bring your spouse, partner, or children to Australian shores, Best Consultancy Nepal can help you create a winning application package.
Australia is one of the top destinations for international students from Nepal. While pursuing their studies, many Nepalese students wish to bring their family members to Australia as dependents. In this article, we will discuss the requirements for obtaining a dependent visa in Australia for Nepalese citizens. We will also provide an overview of the processing time for the visa application and the cost associated with it.
Subclass 309 Visa (Partner Provisional Visa)
This visa enables Australian citizens, permanent residents, or qualified New Zealand citizens to stay temporarily in Australia as a de facto partner or spouse. The first step towards a permanent Partner Visa (subclass 100) is to get this visa.
To qualify for the Subclass 309 visa, the applicant must be in a genuine relationship with their spouse or de facto partner in Australia at the time of application.
Features of the Subclass 309 Visa:
- It is a temporary visa.
- Getting this visa leads to the permanent partner visa.
- The applicant must be outside Australia when applying for the visa.
Advantages of Subclass 309 Visa:
- The visa holder can work and study in Australia.
- The visa holder can travel to and from Australia as many times as needed.
- The visa holder can attend unlimited hours of English classes until they reach vocational English, regardless of the 510-hour limit that was previously in place.
- The visa holder can use Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare.
- Dependent children and other family members can be included in the application, and their visas will be approved provided they meet health and character requirements.
Duration of Stay:
The visa is temporary until a decision is reached on the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) application or if the application is withdrawn. The duration of stay is usually between 15 and 24 months.
Australia Partner Visa (Subclass 100)
The applicant and their spouse or de facto partner must be in a genuine relationship to be eligible for this visa. This is a temporary visa, and the candidate must apply for it while outside Australia.
This visa is only available to those who have a Subclass 309 visa. This visa allows bearers to stay in the country permanently, after which they can apply for citizenship. To do so, the visa holder must maintain a genuine and enduring relationship with their Australian partner.
The processing time for the Partner Visa 309 and Visa 100 is difficult to predict because it is dependent on several factors. The following factors affect the processing time:
- Filling out the application form with the required information.
- Time required to answer a query.
- Verifying the information provided by you.
Processing Timelines:
- 25% of applications: 5 months
- 50% of applications: 9 months
- 75% of applications: 18 months
- 90% of applications: 29 months
For Student Dependents
If you are coming to Australia to study, you are eligible to bring your family members with you. You can either include them on your original student visa application, or you can apply for their visas once you have started your course in Australia so that they can join you. Spouses, partners, and unmarried children under the age of 18 are eligible for dependent visas.
If you are including your dependent family members in your original student visa application, then you must include their details on your original Form 157A. The main student visa holder must have a minimum of 12 months validity on the visa and necessary funds and insurance to cover all expenses for this period.
Requirements for Australia Dependent Visa for Nepali Students
If you are applying for the visa after you have started your course, then you must submit the following documents:
- Form 919, Nomination of student dependents
- Form 157A, Application for a student visa
- A letter from one of your teachers stating:
- Name of your course
- Length of the course and your expected completion date
- If you are satisfying all the course requirements
- Proof that you can financially support your dependent family members
- Proof of family ties such as marriage certificate or birth certificate
- Proof of school enrollment of school-aged children
- Proof of health insurance for dependents.
For Work Visa Dependents
If you’re an immigrant who holds a work visa, Australia offers different child visa categories to bring your biological, adopted, or stepchild to the country. To be eligible, the parent must be either an Australian citizen or a permanent resident visa holder.
If the child is born in Australia, they automatically receive Australian citizenship if one of the parents is an Australian citizen or holds an Australian PR.
To be eligible for a dependent visa for your child, you must be:
- An Australian citizen
- A holder of a permanent resident visa for Australia
- A citizen of New Zealand
Benefits of the Australia Child Visa
- The child can travel indefinitely to Australia
- The child earns the right to study and complete their education in Australia
- The child is eligible for Australian citizenship
The Dependent Child Visa in Australia has four subclasses, which are as follows:
- Child Visa 101
- Child Visa 102
- Child Visa 802
- Child Visa 445
Child Visa 101: This visa is for children outside Australia who are dependent on their parent(s) who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The child must be under 18 years of age, or under 25 if they are a full-time student, or have a disability that makes them unable to work. The visa allows the child to live in Australia permanently and work, study or access healthcare.
Child Visa 102: This visa is for children outside Australia who are dependent on their parent(s) who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, but who have applied for an Australian visa. The child must be under 18 years of age, or under 25 if they are a full-time student, or have a disability that makes them unable to work. The visa allows the child to live in Australia permanently and work, study or access healthcare.
Child Visa 802: This visa is for children in Australia who are dependent on their parent(s) who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. The child must be under 18 years of age, or under 25 if they are a full-time student, or have a disability that makes them unable to work. The visa allows the child to stay in Australia permanently and work, study or access healthcare.
Child Visa 445: This visa is for children who are dependent on a parent who holds a temporary Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) or a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) and are in Australia. The child must be under 18 years of age, or under 25 if they are a full-time student, or have a disability that makes them unable to work. The visa allows the child to stay in Australia temporarily until their parent’s permanent partner visa application is finalized. Once the parent’s visa is approved, the child can apply for the corresponding subclass of Child Visa (101 or 802) to stay in Australia permanently.
Australia Parent Visas
If you’re a parent looking to join your child in Australia, there are several visa options available. In this section, we’ll provide you with a detailed overview of the three categories of parent visas, their requirements, and benefits.
Parent Category Visa
The Parent Category visa is for those who have a child living in Australia and wish to join them. To apply for this visa, your child must sponsor you. With this type of visa, you’ll have several benefits, including:
- As a Permanent Resident (PR) visa holder, you’ll have the right to stay or move to Australia.
- You can assist in sponsoring eligible family members to come to Australia.
- You can apply for citizenship.
- You’ll have access to Australia’s subsidized healthcare plans through Medicare.
- You’ll be eligible to obtain some social security benefits.
Contributory Parent Category Visa
Introduced in 2003, the Contributory Parent Category visa aims to make the parent migration program more accessible. Applicants are required to pay a higher visa application fee for this category, and they must also provide an Assurance of Support and a bond for the Assurance of Support when applying for this visa (held for ten years). Benefits of this visa include:
- You can stay in Australia indefinitely.
- You can join Australia’s public healthcare system.
- You can sponsor a relative’s visit to Australia.
- You’ll be eligible to apply for citizenship.
- From the date the visa is granted, you can travel to and from Australia for five years.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) was introduced in 2019 to allow parents to live in Australia for a limited period. With this visa, you’ll be able to:
- Spend three or five years in Australia on a temporary basis.
- Seek additional visas to extend your stay for up to ten years.
- Note that working in Australia is not permitted under this visa.
Eligibility Criteria for Parent Visas:
To be eligible for any of the three parent visa categories, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your child must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You must have a child who has legally lived in Australia for at least two years before filing the visa application.
- You must have a sponsor for your application.
- You must pass the Balance of Family Test criteria.
- You must be in good health and have a good character.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, if you are a Nepalese student planning to study in Australia and would like to bring your family with you, the dependent visa can be a great option. As discussed, the requirements for the dependent visa include sufficient funds to support your family, proof of family ties, and health insurance for dependents. It is important to carefully follow the application process and ensure all necessary documents are submitted. The processing time and cost for the dependent visa can vary, so it is recommended to plan accordingly. With proper preparation and guidance, the process of obtaining a dependent visa for Australia can be successful, allowing you and your family to enjoy the benefits of studying and living in Australia together.
