838 Aged Dependent Relative Visa
838 Aged Dependent Relative Visa Overview
The 838 Aged Dependent Relative Visa is a permanent residency visa for aged applicants who are unmarried, widowed, divorced, or formally separated. Applicants must meet the age requirement, pass health and character tests, and be sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident. They must be in Australia both at the time of application and when the visa is granted.
Key Benefits of the 838 Visa
- No requirements for education, English proficiency, assets, or work experience.
- No Balance of Family Test is required.
- Allows study and work in Australia.
- Unlimited travel to and from Australia while holding the visa.
- Access to Medicare and social welfare benefits.
- Eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met.
- Visa-free entry to New Zealand.
Eligibility Criteria
For the Applicant:
- Must be unmarried, widowed, divorced, or formally separated.
- Must be sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and genuinely residing in Australia.
- Must have been financially dependent on the sponsor for at least 3 years prior to the application.
- Must meet the age requirement:
- Male applicants must be 65 years or older.
- Female applicants must have reached the retirement age set by Australia’s Services Australia.
- Must meet health and character requirements.
- Must not have outstanding debts to the Australian government.
- Must sign the Australian Values Statement.
For the Sponsor:
- Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Must meet the financial requirements set by Services Australia.
- Can be the applicant’s child, another relative, or an organization.
- Up to three sponsors can jointly provide financial support.
Financial Assurance Requirement
- The sponsor must provide financial support to ensure the applicant does not rely on government aid.
- A bond payment is required:
- Primary applicant: AU $5,000
- Each additional adult dependent: AU $2,000
- The bond will be refunded after two years, minus any government assistance received by the visa holder.
Visa Application Process
- Preliminary assessment of eligibility for both the applicant and sponsor.
- Preparation of visa application documents.
- Visa application submission and receipt of a reference number.
- Financial assurance review and approval.
- Health and character checks.
- Visa approval and grant.
Visa Fees
Application Fees:
- Primary applicant: AU $4,350
- Additional applicant (18 years and above): AU $2,175
- Additional applicant (under 18 years): AU $1,090
Second Installment Fee (Payable before visa grant):
- AU $2,065
Important Notes
- Policies and fees are subject to updates by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
- The financial dependency period (3 years) is a key requirement for eligibility.
- The visa is only available for onshore applicants—applicants must be physically present in Australia at the time of both application and visa grant.