Eligibility Criteria:

• The child must be adopted or in the process of being adopted through:

• Intercountry adoption with Australian state or territory central authority involvement.

• Intercountry adoption between two countries (excluding Australia) under the Hague Adoption Convention.

• Expatriate adoption by an Australian citizen, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent visa holder residing outside Australia for over 12 months.

Children Adopted under the Hague Adoption Convention:

• May be eligible for Australian Citizenship if the adoption is finalized outside Australia under the Hague Convention or a recognized bilateral arrangement.

• Citizenship grants allow entry on an Australian passport without requiring a visa.

Expatriate Adoptions:

• The Australian Government has no role in overseas expatriate adoption processes.

• No support documents are provided, and the Department only assesses and decides on Adoption visa applications.

Eligibility Requirements for Expatriate Adoptees Entering Australia:

• Adoptive parent(s) must have resided outside Australia for over 12 months.

• Adoptive parent(s) must not have resided overseas to avoid Australia’s intercountry adoption laws.

• Full and permanent parental rights are required, adhering to the adoption laws of the home country.

• Seek legal advice to ensure the overseas adoption meets Adoption (Subclass 102) visa requirements.

Application Requirements:

• The child must be under 18 at the time of adoption and during the application process.

• Meet health and character requirements; if the child is 16 or older, character requirements apply.

• Repay any debt owed to the Australian Government.

Visa Privileges:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely with the adoptive parent.

• Work and study in Australia.

• Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.

• Sponsor relatives to come to Australia.

• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

Duration and Travel:

• Initial travel validity of 5 years for unlimited travel to and from Australia.

• To travel after the initial 5-year period, apply for a Resident Return (RRV) or consider Australian citizenship.

Including Other Children:

• Separate applications for siblings.

• Dependent children can be included in the application.

Cost:

• Main applicant: AUD3,055.00.

• Additional charge for each dependent child applying for the visa.