Australia•Oceania

Open

838 — Aged Dependent Relative Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

500-667 months

Application Fee

7,345 AUD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

1% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryA$67,200

Quality of Life

190/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

An onshore permanent visa for single older people who are financially dependent on a relative in Australia.

The Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 838) is an Australian permanent visa for single individuals who have reached Age Pension age (67) and are financially dependent on a relative already living in Australia. It is lodged onshore and must be applied for while the applicant is in Australia.

Once granted, it confers permanent residence with full work and study rights. The visa is subject to capping and queuing, and wait times are extremely long — places are allocated annually but demand far exceeds supply. The base charge is AUD 5,280, plus a second instalment of AUD 2,065.

This visa is ideal for single elderly relatives of Australian citizens or permanent residents already in Australia and financially dependent on a close relative for at least three years.

Fee Breakdown

Base application charge	5,280 AUD
Second instalment	2,065 AUD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

Subject to capping and queuing

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

155/157 — Resident Return visa (subclass 155/157)

Australia

155/157 — Resident Return visa (subclass 155/157)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1-84 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be of age to qualify for the Australian Age Pension (currently 67)

Must be single

Financially dependent on a relative in Australia for at least 3 years

Must be in Australia when applying and when the decision is made

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Evidence of financial dependency for 3 years

Proof of age

Proof of relationship to sponsor

Character and health assessments

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Permanent residency status
Allows family reunification for elderly relatives

Worth Knowing

Extremely long wait times due to annual capping
Strict financial dependency requirements
Having a spouse or de facto partner
Not meeting the age requirement
Not being in Australia at time of application

Application Process

Prepare evidence of dependency

Lodge application onshore

Enter queue for visa allocation

Finalize health and character checks

Application Forms

47OF Application for migration to Australia by other family members	Fill online
40	Fill online
47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over	Fill online
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)	—
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)	—
40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)	—

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Prepare evidence of dependency; Lodge application onshore; Enter queue for visa allocation; Finalize…	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Dependent Visa	Can include family members in the application	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fee Breakdown	Base application charge: 5280 AUD; Second instalment: 2065 AUD	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fees	AUD 5,280	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms	Form 47OF; Form 40; Form 47A	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 40 · description	Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 47A · description	Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 47OF · description	Application for migration to Australia by other family members	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Ready to see if the 838 — Aged Dependent Relative Visa is your path?

Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Check Eligibility

Overview

An onshore permanent visa for single older people who are financially dependent on a relative in Australia.

This visa is ideal for single elderly relatives of Australian citizens or permanent residents already in Australia and financially dependent on a close relative for at least three years.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be of age to qualify for the Australian Age Pension (currently 67)

Must be single

Financially dependent on a relative in Australia for at least 3 years

Must be in Australia when applying and when the decision is made

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Evidence of financial dependency for 3 years

Proof of age

Proof of relationship to sponsor

Character and health assessments

Application Forms

47OF

Application for migration to Australia by other family members

Fill online

47A

Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over

Fill online

Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)

—

Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)

—

Sponsorship for migration to Australia (parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative, carer)

—