Subclass 838 — Aged Dependent Relative Visa — Australia — immi.wiki

The Subclass 838 Aged Dependent Relative visa is a permanent visa for older persons who are in Australia and who have been wholly or substantially financially dependent on their Australian relative (the sponsor) for a substantial period, are of pensionable age, and are single (without a spouse or de facto partner to provide support).

The Subclass 838 is the onshore counterpart to the Subclass 114 Aged Dependent Relative visa (offshore). The eligibility criteria are substantively identical — the applicant must be in Australia at the time of application for the Subclass 838, whereas the Subclass 114 applicant applies from outside Australia.

Aged Dependent Relative visas are subject to capping and queueing. As at 31 March 2026, applications with a queue date of up to 30 June 2013 had been released for final processing. Applicants should expect multi-year waiting times. For current processing information, refer to the DHA other family visa queue release page.

Core eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be in Australia at the time of application and at the time the visa is granted
• The applicant must be of pensionable age — the relevant age is determined by the Australian Government's pension eligibility age at the time of decision
• The applicant must be single — not married to or in a de facto relationship with another person (or the spouse/partner must have died). The rationale is that the applicant has no partner to provide the financial support and care ordinarily associated with a partnership
• The applicant must have been wholly or substantially financially dependent on the sponsoring Australian relative for a substantial period prior to the application
• The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been usually resident in Australia for at least 2 years preceding the application
• Health and character requirements must be met. An assurance of support may be required

Financial dependence: The financial dependence requirement is assessed over a substantial period (typically at least 3 years). The applicant must demonstrate reliance on the sponsor for regular financial support — not merely occasional financial assistance. Documentary evidence (bank transfers, tax records, statutory declarations) is required to establish the dependence.

Applications for the Subclass 838 are lodged using Form 40 (Sponsorship for Migration to Australia) together with the applicant's own application form. Applications are allocated a queue date.

Applicants who are in Australia during the queue period should maintain a valid bridging visa. For current application guidance and forms, refer to the DHA Subclass 838 page.

The Subclass 838 is a permanent visa. Holders become permanent residents of Australia on grant, with unlimited work and study rights. Holders may apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the residence requirements under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

As elderly migrants, Subclass 838 holders may be subject to an assurance of support for a period after grant — the assurance period requires the sponsor to provide financial support and reduces the risk of the holder accessing certain government payments.