Subsequent Entrant Visa 500 allows eligible family members and relatives wishing to come to Australia in order to be with an international student who has already been issued a visa. However, on 2 October 2026, there are major rule updates announced for Australian Student Visa. According to the latest entrant 500 visa update, a partner or dependent child of 500 visa applicants can not apply for a subsequent entrant visa 500 Australia to join the visa holder after the visa has been obtained.
If you or any of your family members are planning to apply for Subsequent Entrant 500 Visa for Australia, here is a full guide along with requirements, eligibility, updates and more. It will help you smooth the visa processing with everything in hand.
What Is Subsequent Entrant Visa 500?
A 500 subsequent entrant visa is a stream of Australian visa 500. It refers to an eligible family member who was not added in the original visa 500 but now wish to visit the primary 500 visa holder. The 500 visa subsequent entrants are requested by a student living and studying in Australia, and is already a student visa 500 holder.
What changed on 2 October 2026?
The most important subsequent entrant update to the 500 visa occurred on 2 October 2026 that includes;
- Primary student visa 500 holders cannot add their family members after their visa has been granted.
- Most visa 500 applicants no longer can include family members in their application.
- Family members cannot apply for subsequent entrants visa 500, separately.
- Limited exemptions are allowed for eligible 500 visa applicants to include their family members when applying.
The exemptions in subsequent entrant visa 500 include certain students, PhD holders, foreign government scholarship recipients, DFAT (Defence-sponsored students), and eligible nationals from Pacific Island and ASEAN countries. However, the actual eligibility is subject to the specific requirements.
Also Read: Australia Student Visa Subclass 500 Processing Time
Who can include family members while applying for a 500 Student visa?
Under the current subclass 500 subsequent entrant rules, eligibility depends on whether an exemption applies.
For example, a person applying to get a doctoral degree (PhD) from Australia, may be able to include their partner or dependent children. For most other 500 visa applicants, family members can neither be added to the application nor they can apply later as a subsequent entrant. The Department lists the current Student visa charge as from AUD $2,500, with concessions available in limited circumstances.
What are the Australia Subsequent Entrant Visa 500 requirements?
The new application for 500 subsequent entrants is no longer in existence. Also, now the family members fall under the relevant criteria under the exemption.
The visa 500 applicants who want to have their family members included, they need to provide the following documents for smooth visa processing:
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Evidence of marriage and other relationship
- Birth certificate of dependent children
- Proof of financial capacity
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Health and character documents when necessary
- Documents supporting the exemption.
According to the Department, family members included in the Student visa application must comply with health and character requirements.
Always confirm the amount using the official Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
What is the 500 subsequent entrant processing time?
Previously published articles may provide specific information regarding 500 student subsequent entrant visa processing time but this information should not be relied upon when it comes to making current Student visa family applications since the processes for making a subsequent entrant application have changed.
A student visa subsequent entrant 500 processing time varies according to a wide range of factors such as where a particular application is lodged, government priorities in processing, completeness and specific personal situation of the applicant. According to the Department, the median student subsequent entrant visa 500 processing time was estimated to be 21 days as of July 2026, but this is a general subsequent visa 500 processing time and cannot guarantee exact processing time for a particular application.
What documents should families prepare?
If you are eligible to include family members for subsequent entrant visa 500, you need to prepare the supporting evidence early including the followings:
- Passport and identity documents
- Evidence of a genuine relationship
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Birth certificates for children
- Financial capacity evidence, where required
- OSHC details
- Health and character documents
- Evidence supporting any exemption
- The primary student’s course and enrolment information.
The Department can request financial evidence during processing, and applicants should be able to demonstrate genuine access to the funds they rely on. However, consulting an experienced immigration Agent in Perth can ease documentation and subclass 500 subsequent entrant visa processing.
Also Read: Australia Student Visa Evidence Levels – Update 2026
How To Apply For Subsequent Entrant Visa 500?
Eligible families have a process that differs from the traditional method used for applying for a subclass 500 visa.
Step 1: Find out if the primary applicant is eligible for a family exemption while applying for student visa 500 subsequent entrants.
Step 2: Prepare relationship, identity, financial, health, and insurance documents.
Step 3: Submit a Student visa application along with eligible family members at the same time and from the specified location.
Step 4: Keep track of the ImmiAccount and respond promptly to requests by the Department.
Step 5: Await the approval and pay attention to the specific conditions of the granted visa.
What about health insurance and financial requirements?
Financial capacity is also important for Student visa 500 applications where evidence is required.
In certain cases, the Department may ask for proof regarding travel, tuition fees, day-to-day expenses and other expenses related to the education of children accompanying the visa holder. OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) insurance should also be taken out by a student and their dependents, with minor exceptions.
Conclusion
As per the recent update available at the Australia Department of Immigration, if you need to include a family member whether he/she is adult or under 18, you must submit the application together with family members and that from the same place and time.
The October 2026 changes have made family planning more complicated for international students. If you are unsure whether an exemption applies, speaking with the best Migration Agent Perth can help you assess your options before lodging an application.
FAQs
1. What is the student subsequent entrant visa fee?
The current student visa subsequent entrant fee starts at AUD 2,500, subject to applicable concessions. Further, there would be AUD 1,530 for an adult and AUD 500 for U18 500 subsequent entrant fee.
2. How long does a student’s subsequent entrant visa take?
A separate Student visa subsequent entrant application is no longer available under the current rules. For eligible Student visa applications generally, processing times vary according to location, priorities and individual circumstances.
3. Can a dependent child join a Student visa holder later?
A dependent child cannot apply as a subsequent entrant after the Student visa has been granted. Different arrangements can apply to children born during the visa or application process.
4. Where can I check the latest Student visa rules?
Use the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for current requirements, fees and processing information. Rules can change, so avoid relying solely on older third-party articles.
