Child visa (subclass 802)
Child visa (subclass 802)
Visa Cost
AUD 3,235
2025-26 financial year (from 2025-07-01) primary applicant base VAC, the same as 101. Accompanying dependent children are charged a surcharge each. The child must lodge while holding a valid visa within Australia; after lodgement a bridging visa (BVA) is usually granted for lawful residence. Health examination, police clearance and biometrics are also at your own expense.
Processing Time
About 14-29 months (50% about 14-16 months, 90% about 23-29 months; varies by case)
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 in Australia
- Hold a valid visa at lodgement, with no 'No Further Stay' (8503, etc.) restriction
- 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)
- Pass the health examination and character requirements (for those of the relevant age)
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Permanent residence, allowing indefinite residence, work and study in Australia; the travel facility is usually 5 years, with travel rights renewed via 155/157 on expiry.
Eligible Dependants
The applicant (the child) is the primary applicant; siblings must each apply separately.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
This visa is permanent residence (PR). On grant you become a permanent resident who can use Medicare, and can apply for citizenship once eligible.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Application Steps
Confirm onshore status and visa condition
Confirm onshore status and visa condition
Check that the child is in Australia, holds a valid visa, and has no 'No Further Stay' restriction.
- Use VEVO to check the child's current visa and conditions
- If there are restrictions such as 8503, first assess whether a waiver is possible
- Confirm the child meets the age/dependency and unmarried requirements
Prepare identity and relationship documents
Prepare identity and relationship documents
Organise evidence such as the birth certificate, custody and the parents' status.
- Notarial birth certificate (showing parents), passport and household register of the child
- Proof of the parent's Australian citizenship/PR
- If the parents are divorced, provide custody or the other parent's consent letter
Complete application and sponsorship forms
Complete application and sponsorship forms
Lodge the 802 application online, with the parent submitting Form 40CH sponsorship.
- Complete Form 47CH (Application to migrate to Australia by a child)
- The parent completes Form 40CH (sponsorship for a child to migrate)
- Lodge online in ImmiAccount
Pay, lodge and obtain bridging visa
Pay, lodge and obtain bridging visa
Lodge after paying the VAC; a valid onshore lodgement usually receives a Bridging Visa A (BVA) automatically.
- Pay the AUD 3,235 base VAC (credit cards about 1.4% surcharge)
- Upload all materials and NAATI translations
- The BVA takes effect after the original visa expires, securing lawful onshore residence
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
Await decision and grant of PR
Await decision and grant of PR
Reside onshore on a bridging visa during processing; permanent residence is obtained on grant.
- At grant the child must be in Australia
- Permanent residence allows study, work and Medicare in Australia
- You can apply for citizenship once eligible
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. | 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. | |
| Evidence of current substantive visa (VEVO) | Evidence of current substantive visa (VEVO) | Prove the child is in Australia holding a valid visa with no 'No Further Stay' restriction. | Use VEVO to export the visa status; if there is an 8503 restriction it must be dealt with first, otherwise you cannot validly lodge. | |
| 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. | |
| Parent's Australian citizenship or PR evidence | Parent's Australian citizenship or PR evidence | The parent's citizenship certificate/passport or PR evidence, confirming sponsorship eligibility. | PR can be evidenced by VEVO or the 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. | The household register must be notarised and translated; the name spelling must match the passport. | |
| Custody / parental consent evidence | Custody / parental consent evidence | Where the parents are divorced or one is not accompanying, provide custody documents or written consent. | A frequent sticking point for single parents applying with children; missing it leads to the application being returned. | |
| Evidence of dependency (if 18-25) | Evidence of dependency (if 18-25) | Children aged 18-25 prove full-time study and financial dependence on the parents. | Enrolment evidence, transcripts, and parental support/remittance 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 needs a medical assessment. | An assessment report issued by a qualified doctor. | |
| 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. | Being in a partner relationship means you do not meet the child visa requirement. | |
| Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearance (if 16 or older) | Police clearances from relevant countries (including the Australian AFP) for children aged 16 and over. | Living in Australia for a cumulative 12 months usually requires an AFP police clearance; the Chinese clearance must be notarised and authenticated. | |
| Health examination (eMedical) | Health examination (eMedical) | The child completes the health examination at a panel clinic, meeting health requirements. | Book after receiving the HAP ID; the results are uploaded by the clinic. | |
| NAATI-certified English translations | NAATI-certified English translations | All Chinese documents must have a certified English translation. | Onshore, a NAATI-certified translator is recommended. |
FAQ
The child is now in Australia on a tourist visa; can they apply for 802 directly?
If the visa expires after 802 is lodged, will the child become unlawful?
Can the child leave and re-enter Australia while 802 is being processed?
Which is faster, 802 or 101?
Can the child use Medicare and attend public school immediately after getting 802?
Common Refusal Reasons
- Not being in Australia at application or grant (802 is an onshore visa and you must always be onshore)
- Not meeting the dependent child age/study/disability or single-and-unmarried requirements
- Insufficient evidence of the parent-child relationship or the lawful adoption/stepchild relationship
- A child under 18 lacks the other guardian's migration consent
- Health or character (for those 16 and over) not met; the sponsoring parent has child-harm-related records
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.