Who is Eligible for a Family Visa?
Eligibility depends on the specific visa subclass you are applying for. Generally, you must:
Applications for family visas are lodged online through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs' application portal.
Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility and identify the correct visa subclass for your circumstances.
Step 2 — Gather your documents, including identity documents, evidence of your relationship to your sponsor, and any required health or character documents.
Step 3 — Lodge your application online and pay the applicable government fee.
Step 4 — Complete health checks through an approved panel physician as required by the Department.
Step 5 — Respond to any requests for further information from the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 6 — Receive a decision and confirm your visa conditions.
Who is Eligible for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa?
To be eligible to apply, you must generally meet all of the following:
If you are in an arranged marriage and have not yet met your prospective spouse in person, you will not meet the requirements. Australia recognises cultural differences but maintains the in-person meeting requirement without exception.
Applications for family visas are lodged online through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs' application portal.
Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility and identify the correct visa subclass for your circumstances.
Step 2 — Gather your documents, including identity documents, evidence of your relationship to your sponsor, and any required health or character documents.
Step 3 — Lodge your application online and pay the applicable government fee.
Step 4 — Complete health checks through an approved panel physician as required by the Department.
Step 5 — Respond to any requests for further information from the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 6 — Receive a decision and confirm your visa conditions.
Each category carries its own requirements. Some visas are subject to strict caps and can take many years to be finalised.
Temporary Family Visa → Permanent Family Visa → Permanent Residency
Some family visa subclasses are granted on a temporary basis initially, with permanent residency following after a further period of assessment. Others are granted as permanent visas directly.
Parent visas, in particular, exist across several streams with different processing times and costs. The contributory parent visa pathway offers significantly faster processing in exchange for a substantially higher application fee. Non-contributory parent visas carry much lower fees but can involve waiting periods that extend over many years.
Understanding which pathway suits your circumstances requires a clear assessment of your priorities and situation before you apply.
Processing Times
Processing times vary considerably across family visa subclasses. Some child and carer visas may be processed within months, though processing times vary. Parent and remaining relative visas can involve waits measured in years. The completeness of your application and the quality of your supporting documentation will influence how efficiently your case is assessed.
Applications for family visas are lodged online through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs' application portal.
Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility and identify the correct visa subclass for your circumstances.
Step 2 — Gather your documents, including identity documents, evidence of your relationship to your sponsor, and any required health or character documents.
Step 3 — Lodge your application online and pay the applicable government fee.
Step 4 — Complete health checks through an approved panel physician as required by the Department.
Step 5 — Respond to any requests for further information from the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 6 — Receive a decision and confirm your visa conditions.
Application Fees
Family visa fees vary widely depending on the subclass. Contributory parent visas carry some of the highest application fees in the Australian migration system, payable in two instalments across the temporary and permanent stages. Where the temporary visa pathway is taken, fees are payable in two instalments. Fees are set by the Department of Home Affairs, are subject to change, and are generally non-refundable.
Good Character Requirement
All applicants aged 18 and over must meet Australia's good character requirement. This includes assessment of criminal history in Australia and overseas, compliance with immigration conditions, and general conduct. If you have concerns about your history, seek advice before lodging.
Caps and Queues
Several family visa subclasses are subject to annual caps. Once the cap is reached for a given year, applications are placed in a queue and assessed as places become available in subsequent years. This is particularly relevant for parent and remaining relative visa applicants.
Children
Whether dependent children can be included or added later depends on the visa subclass and stage of processing. Seek advice on whether secondary applicants can be added at a later stage.
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Family visa applications require careful assessment before lodgement. Choosing the wrong subclass, misunderstanding the eligibility requirements, or lodging an incomplete application can result in delays, refusal, or unnecessary cost.
At Australian Citizenship, we assess your eligibility across the available family visa pathways, explain the realistic costs and timelines involved, and prepare a complete application on your behalf. Where your circumstances are complex, such as cases involving adoption, blended families, or prior visa refusals, we provide clear, practical guidance before you commit to lodging.
Our aim is to ensure you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your eligibility.