101Permanent
Child visa (subclass 101)
Child visa (subclass 101)
Visa Cost
AUD 3,235
2025-26 financial year (from 2025-07-01) primary applicant base VAC. Accompanying dependent children (the applicant's children) are charged a surcharge each. Health examination, police clearance and biometric collection are also at your own expense. The second instalment generally does not apply to child visas.
Processing Time
About 20-28 months (75% about 18-21 months, 90% about 27-34 months; varies by case and completeness of the file)
Eligibility
- The applicant is the child (biological, adopted or stepchild) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- At application and grant, the child must be outside Australia
- Under 18; or 18-25 in full-time study and financially dependent on the parents; or unable to be self-supporting due to disability
- Unmarried (not married, not engaged, with no de facto/cohabiting partner relationship)
- Sponsored by the parent's sponsor (an Australian citizen/PR/eligible New Zealand citizen)
- If the child is applied for by a stepparent or adoptive parent, the relevant guardianship/adoption law requirements must be met
- Pass the health examination and character requirements (for those of the relevant age)
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Permanent residence, allowing indefinite residence in Australia; the first grant usually includes a 5-year travel facility, after which you need a Resident Return visa (155/157) to travel again.
Eligible Dependants
The applicant (the child) is the primary applicant; siblings who meet the age/dependency requirements must each lodge separately.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
This visa is permanent residence (PR). The child becomes a permanent resident on the day of grant, and can apply for citizenship once residence and other conditions are met.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Application Steps
1
Confirm parent-child relationship and eligibility
Confirm parent-child relationship and eligibility
Check the parents' status, the parent-child relationship, and whether the child meets the age/dependency requirements.
- Confirm the parent is an Australian citizen/PR/eligible New Zealand citizen
- Confirm the child is unmarried and meets the age or dependency (study/disability) requirements
- If it involves adoption or stepchildren, check guardianship and legal documents
2
Prepare identity and relationship documents
Prepare identity and relationship documents
Organise evidence such as the birth certificate, parent-child relationship, custody and the parents' status.
- Notarial birth certificate (showing parents' names) and passport of the child
- Proof of the parent's Australian citizenship/PR
- If the parents are divorced, provide custody/consent letters or court documents
3
Complete application and sponsorship forms
Complete application and sponsorship forms
Lodge the child visa application online, with the parent submitting the sponsorship form as sponsor.
- Complete Form 47CH (Application to migrate to Australia by a child)
- The parent completes Form 40CH (sponsorship for a child to migrate)
- Upload and lodge online in ImmiAccount
4
Pay charge and lodge
Pay charge and lodge
Lodge formally after paying the base VAC and accompanying children surcharges.
- Pay the AUD 3,235 base VAC (credit cards about 1.4% surcharge)
- Upload all materials and NAATI translations
- Keep the TRN to track progress
5
Complete health and character checks
Complete health and character checks
Complete the health examination, submit police clearances (for those of the relevant age) and biometrics as notified.
- Have the health examination at a panel clinic via eMedical
- Applicants aged 16 and over provide police clearances from relevant countries
- Provide biometrics as notified
6
Await decision and settle in Australia
Await decision and settle in Australia
You are outside Australia during processing; after grant, enter Australia to settle permanently.
- From application to grant the child must be outside Australia
- Arrive within the first-entry deadline after grant
- Permanent residence allows study and work in Australia and a future citizenship application
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application for migration to Australia by a child (Form 47CH) | Application for migration to Australia by a child (Form 47CH) | The official main form for a child to apply to migrate to Australia, covering the child's identity and dependency information. | Completed and signed by the parent on behalf of the minor child. | |
| Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia (Form 40CH) | Sponsorship for a child to migrate to Australia (Form 40CH) | The official form by which the parent's sponsor undertakes the sponsorship obligations. | The sponsor must be an Australian citizen/PR/eligible New Zealand citizen and provide proof of identity. | |
| Child's birth certificate (showing both parents) | Child's birth certificate (showing both parents) | A birth certificate showing the parents' names, proving the parent-child relationship. | The Chinese birth certificate must be notarised and NAATI-translated; the name must match the passport. | |
| Parent's Australian citizenship or PR evidence | Parent's Australian citizenship or PR evidence | The parent's Australian citizenship certificate/passport or PR visa evidence, confirming sponsor eligibility. | For PR, you can provide a VEVO record or the visa grant notice. | |
| Child's passport and identity documents | Child's passport and identity documents | The child's valid passport, household register and other identity documents. | Passport validity should cover the processing period; the household register must be notarised and translated. | |
| Custody / parental consent evidence | Custody / parental consent evidence | If the parents are divorced or one is not accompanying, provide custody documents or the other parent's written consent for the child to migrate. | Especially critical when a single parent is migrating with children; missing it leads to the application being returned or refused. | |
| Evidence of dependency (if 18-25) | Evidence of dependency (if 18-25) | Children aged 18-25 must prove full-time study and financial dependence on the parents. | Provide enrolment evidence, transcripts, and parental remittance/support records. | |
| Evidence of incapacity for work (if applicable) | Evidence of incapacity for work (if applicable) | An adult child unable to be self-supporting due to disability must provide a medical assessment. | A medical assessment report from a qualified doctor is required. | |
| Evidence the child is single | Evidence the child is single | Prove the child is not married, not engaged, and has no de facto partner relationship. | Can be a declaration by the parent/child; the case officer may request further explanation. | |
| Adoption or step-child legal documents | Adoption or step-child legal documents | Adopted children or stepchildren must provide a lawful adoption order, remarriage certificate, etc. | Overseas adoption must comply with Australian adoption law requirements. | |
| Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearances from relevant countries for children aged 16 and over, meeting character requirements. | The Chinese clearance must be notarised and authenticated; determine which countries' clearances are needed based on your residence history. | |
| Health examination (eMedical) | Health examination (eMedical) | The child completes the health examination at a designated panel clinic, meeting health requirements. | Book after receiving the HAP ID; the results are uploaded directly by the clinic. | |
| NAATI-certified English translations | NAATI-certified English translations | All Chinese documents (birth, household register, guardianship, notarial certificates) must have a certified English translation. | Ensure the translation matches the original and the passport spelling. |
FAQ
Can you still apply for the 101 child visa once the child is over 18?
Yes, with conditions: those aged 18-25 must be in full-time study and financially dependent on the parents; or unable to be self-supporting due to disability. Ordinary adult, financially independent children generally do not meet the dependency requirement.
I am divorced and the child's other parent does not consent to migration; what should I do?
You must provide custody documents or the other parent's written consent (allowing the child to migrate to Australia). Missing consent or custody evidence leads to the application being returned or refused; this is the most common sticking point for single parents with children.
What is the difference between 101 and 802? Which should I choose?
Both are child permanent visas. 101 is for a child outside Australia (must be offshore at application and grant); 802 is for a child holding a valid visa inside Australia. Choose by where the child is.
Is the child a permanent resident once they get the 101 visa?
Yes. 101 is a permanent visa; once granted, the child is an Australian permanent resident who can study, work and use Medicare in Australia, and apply for citizenship once eligible.
Can you still apply if the child has married or become engaged?
No. The child visa requires the applicant to be unmarried, that is, not married, not engaged, and not in a de facto/cohabiting partner relationship. Where a partner relationship exists, a partner visa rather than a child visa is usually required.
Common Refusal Reasons
- Not meeting the 'dependent child' definition (aged 18 or over but not in full-time study, or not unable to work due to disability, or married/in a de facto relationship)
- Insufficient evidence of the parent-child relationship (birth certificate, DNA, or lawful adoption/stepchild documents missing or doubtful)
- A child under 18 lacks written migration consent from the other legal guardian, or does not meet the local law's migration conditions
- Being in Australia at application/grant (101 is an offshore visa and you must always be offshore)
- Health or character (for those 16 and over) requirements not met, or the sponsoring parent is implicated in child-harm allegations/convictions
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.