102 Offshore Adoption Visa
102 Offshore Adoption Visa Overview
The Subclass 102 Offshore Adoption Visa is a permanent residency visa that allows Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor a child living overseas who is in the process of being adopted or has already been adopted, enabling them to settle in Australia. The child must be outside Australia at both the time of application and visa grant.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 102 Adoption Visa
- Study & Work: The child can legally study and work in Australia.
- Social Welfare: Access to Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) and other social benefits.
- Travel Freedom: Unlimited travel to and from Australia during the visa’s validity.
- Citizenship Eligibility: The child may apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
- Visa-Free Entry to New Zealand: Holders of this visa can travel to New Zealand without a visa.
Eligibility Criteria
For the Child Applicant:
- Age Requirement: Must be under 18 years old at the time of application and visa grant.
- Residency Requirement: Must be residing outside Australia.
- Adoption Status: Must be in the process of adoption or already adopted by the sponsor.
- Health & Character: Must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
For the Sponsor (Adoptive Parent):
- Citizenship/Residency Requirement: Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen with no criminal record.
- Adoption Process Compliance: The adoption must meet one of the following conditions:
- Arranged through an adoption agency approved by an Australian state or territory government.
- Conducted under the regulations of The Hague Adoption Convention.
- If adopted overseas, the process must comply with the laws of the child’s country of origin, and the sponsor must have resided overseas continuously for at least 12 months before submitting the visa application.
- For sponsors who live abroad long-term, adoption must comply with the laws of the country where they reside or another country’s adoption laws.
Visa Application Process
- Assessment Stage: Preliminary evaluation of the eligibility of the child and sponsor.
- Preparation Stage: Gather necessary documents and complete the visa application.
- Lodgement Stage: Submit the Subclass 102 visa application.
- Approval Stage: Await processing and visa approval.
Visa Fees
- Main Applicant: AU $2,665
- Additional Applicant (18 years and older): AU $1,330
- Additional Applicant (Under 18 years old): AU $670
Note: All policies and fees are subject to change based on the latest updates from the Australian immigration authorities.