Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 837)

The Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 837) is a permanent visa for children already in Australia who have no parents capable of caring for them. It allows eligible orphaned children to remain in Australia indefinitely with a sponsoring relative — a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or step-relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

This is an onshore visa only. The child must be physically present in Australia both when the application is lodged and when the Department makes its decision. If you need a visa for an orphaned child outside Australia, the equivalent pathway is the Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 117).

The Subclass 837 visa is currently active and accepting applications with no announced closure date.

ImmiAccount Integration (July 2025)

From 23 July 2025, applicants for Subclass 837 can import their paper applications into ImmiAccount after the Department acknowledges receipt. This applies to:

• All onshore applications (regardless of when they were lodged)
• Offshore applications lodged on or after 1 April 2020

Once imported, you can:

• Upload supporting documents
• View correspondence from the Department
• Update your details
• Check your application status
• Apply for a bridging visa (if eligible)
• Withdraw your application

This is a significant change that brings greater transparency and online management to what was previously a paper-only process.

Permanent Residence

• Stay in Australia indefinitely — this is a permanent visa with no expiry date
• You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted (for citizenship purposes)

Work and Study

• Work in Australia in line with Australian law — no restrictions on employment
• Study in Australia — you can enrol in schools, universities, and other educational institutions

Healthcare and Services

• Enrol in Medicare — Australia's public healthcare scheme — and access subsidised medical treatment
• Attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible)

Family and Sponsorship

• Sponsor relatives to come to Australia — once you are a permanent resident, you can sponsor family members through other visa pathways
• Include dependent children on your application before the Department makes a decision (dependent children who apply must meet the health requirement)

Travel

• Travel to and from Australia freely for 5 years from the date the visa is granted, as long as the travel facility remains valid
• After the initial 5-year travel facility expires, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, OR you can apply for Australian citizenship — if you become a citizen, you won't need a visa to re-enter Australia
• Check when your travel facility expires using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online)

Citizenship

• Apply for Australian citizenship (if you meet the eligibility requirements, including residence period and character requirements)

Visa Conditions

Your visa is digitally linked to your passport — you will not receive a label in your passport. The Department will send you a grant notification letter containing your visa grant number to access your digital record.

Standard conditions include:

• Condition 8502: You must not enter Australia before the person specified in the visa has entered Australia
• Condition 8515: You must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entering Australia

You and any dependent family members granted the visa must obey all Australian laws.

Dependent Children

• Dependent children who are granted the visa with you receive the same rights and benefits
• You cannot add dependants to this visa after the Department has made a decision
• If you have siblings who also want to apply, each must submit a separate application

Notification Requirements

You must notify the Department of:

• Changes to your passport
• The birth of a child
• A change of name