# Orphan Relative > visa-837 — as in force on 2026-06-01 — F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026C00497/latest/text Subclass 837—Orphan Relative 837.1—Interpretation 837.111 In this Part: Australian relative means a relative of the applicant who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Note: dependent child, eligible New Zealand citizen, relative and settled are defined in regulation 1.03, orphan relative is defined in regulation 1.14, de facto partner is defined in section 5CB of the Act (also see regulation 1.09A), and spouse is defined in section 5F of the Act (also see regulation 1.15A). 837.2—Primary criteria Note: The primary criteria must be satisfied by at least one member of a family unit. The other members of the family unit who are applicants for a visa of this subclass need only satisfy the secondary criteria. 837.21—Criteria to be satisfied at time of application 837.211 If the applicant is a person to whom section 48 of the Act applies, the applicant: (a) has not been refused a visa or had a visa cancelled under section 501 of the Act; and (b) since last applying for a substantive visa: (i) has become an orphan relative of an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen; or (ii) became an orphan relative of the person mentioned in subparagraph (i) and is no longer an orphan relative only because the applicant has been adopted by that person. 837.212 The applicant is: (a) the holder of a substantive visa (other than a Subclass 771 (Transit) visa); or (b) a person who: (i) is not the holder of a substantive visa; and (ii) immediately before ceasing to hold a substantive visa, was not the holder of a Subclass 771 (Transit) visa; and (iii) satisfies Schedule 3 criterion 3002. 837.213 The applicant: (a) is an orphan relative of an Australian relative of the applicant; or (b) is not an orphan relative only because the applicant has been adopted by the Australian relative mentioned in paragraph (a). 837.214 The applicant is sponsored: (a) by the Australian relative, if the relative: (i) has turned 18; and (ii) is a settled Australian citizen, a settled Australian permanent resident, or a settled eligible New Zealand citizen; or (b) by the spouse or de facto partner of the Australian relative, if the spouse or de facto partner: (i) has turned 18; and (ii) is a settled Australian citizen, a settled Australian permanent resident or a settled eligible New Zealand citizen; and (iii) cohabits with the Australian relative. 837.22—Criteria to be satisfied at time of decision 837.221 The applicant: (a) continues to satisfy the criterion in clause 837.213; or (b) does not continue to satisfy that criterion only because the applicant has turned 18. 837.222 If the Minister has requested an assurance of support in relation to the applicant, the Minister is satisfied that the assurance has been accepted by the Secretary of Social Services. 837.223 The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4009, 4010, 4020 and 4021. 837.224 (1) Each member of the family unit of the applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 837 visa satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4009, 4010 and 4020. (2) Each member of the family unit of the applicant who is not an applicant for a Subclass 837 visa: (a) satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003 and 4004; and (b) satisfies public interest criterion 4005, unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to that criterion. 837.225 If the applicant has not turned 18, public interest criteria 4017 and 4018 are satisfied in relation to the applicant. 837.226 The sponsorship mentioned in clause 837.214 has been approved by the Minister and is still in force. Note: Regulation 1.20KB limits the Minister’s discretion to approve sponsorships. 837.3—Secondary criteria Note: If any member of a family unit satisfies the primary criteria, the other members of the family unit are eligible for the grant of the visa if they satisfy the secondary criteria and their applications are made before the Minister has decided to grant or refuse to grant the visa to the first person. 837.31—Criteria to be satisfied at time of application 837.311 The applicant is a member of the family unit of a person who: (a) has applied for a Child (Residence) (Class BT) visa; and (b) on the basis of the information provided in the application, appears to satisfy the criteria in Subdivision 837.21; and the Minister has not decided to grant or refuse to grant the visa to that other person. 837.312 The sponsorship mentioned in clause 837.214 of the person who satisfies the primary criteria includes sponsorship of the applicant. 837.32—Criteria to be satisfied at time of decision 837.321 The applicant continues to be a member of the family unit of a person who, having satisfied the primary criteria, is the holder of a Subclass 837 visa. 837.322 The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4009, 4010, 4020 and 4021. 837.323 If the Minister has requested an assurance of support in relation to the person who satisfies the primary criteria, the Minister is satisfied that: (a) the applicant is included in the assurance of support given in relation to that person, and that assurance has been accepted by the Secretary of Social Services; or (b) an assurance of support in relation to the applicant has been accepted by the Secretary of Social Services. 837.324 If the applicant has not turned 18, public interest criteria 4017 and 4018 are satisfied in relation to the applicant. 837.325 The sponsorship mentioned in clause 837.312 has been approved by the Minister and is still in force. 837.4—Circumstances applicable to grant 837.411 The applicant must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when the visa is granted. Note: The second instalment of the visa application charge must be paid before the visa can be granted. 837.5—When visa is in effect 837.511 Permanent visa permitting the holder to travel to and enter Australia for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. 837.6—Conditions: Nil.