First Entry to Australia on a 117 Visa: Documents, Deadline and Border Steps (2026)

What a child needs for first entry to Australia on a 117 visa: documents, the first entry date, and what happens if it has passed.

Published: 10 July 2026 Reading time 12 min

A child granted an Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117) can still travel to Australia after the first entry date in the grant letter has passed, provided the visa itself is still valid — but the visa may still be cancelled before arrival or at the border. That is the position published on the Australian Department of Home Affairs Orphan Relative visa (subclass 117) official page as at August 2026. What follows is general information about that published position, not advice on any individual case; the current official page, and a professional opinion where the consequences of cancellation matter, should be treated as authoritative.

What documents does the child need before travelling?

Two things must be in order before the child flies: a valid visa to enter Australia, and a valid passport or other travel document. There is no visa label — the visa is digitally linked to the passport, and the grant notification letter carries the visa grant number used to access the digital visa record. That same letter is what sets out the visa grant number, the date the visa starts, the visa conditions, and the date by which the child must have entered Australia.

Travel should not be arranged until the Department has advised in writing that the visa has been granted. For a trip that has already been booked, the practical pre-departure check is: passport still valid, visa still valid, and the grant letter to hand.

What is the first entry arrival date?

The child must enter Australia before the date specified in the grant letter. The Department states that the first entry date is generally set at 12 months from the date of visa grant, but the binding figure is the one printed in the letter rather than any general expectation.

What happens if the first entry date has already passed?

This is the point that is most often misunderstood, and it cuts both ways. On the one hand, the child can travel to Australia with an expired first entry arrival date if their visa is still valid. On the other hand, the visa may still be subject to cancellation before arrival or at the border, so an expired first entry date is a live risk rather than a mere administrative lapse.

Because of that, the sensible sequence is to confirm the visa is still in effect through VEVO before tickets are issued or the child boards, and to treat any expiry as a reason to resolve the situation before travel rather than after arrival.

How do the three different dates fit together?

Item	What it controls	Where it is recorded
First entry arrival date	The date by which the child must enter Australia; generally 12 months from the date of grant	Grant letter
Visa validity	Whether the visa is still in effect, including whether travel on an expired first entry date is possible	VEVO
Travel facility	Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted, after which a Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157) is needed	VEVO

The travel facility runs from the date of grant, not from the date of arrival, so a late first entry leaves less of the five-year travel window available.

What has to be done at the border?

All people arriving into Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. Separately, children aged 16 or over might be able to leave the airport using SmartGate, which is an automated process using facial recognition technology and an ePassport; availability is described as an option rather than an entitlement, so a staffed counter remains the fallback.

What starts on the day the child arrives?

The 117 is a permanent visa, so the child can stay in Australia indefinitely. For citizenship purposes, though, permanent residence starts on the day the child enters Australia on this visa — the grant date governs the visa, but the arrival date governs the citizenship clock. From the date the visa is granted, the child may also be able to work or study in Australia, and is protected by Australian workplace law.

What has to be reported after arrival?

The child and their family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws. The Department also needs to be told about changes to the child's passport, the birth of a child, and a change of name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 117 visa get a sticker in the passport?

No. The visa is digitally linked to the passport and no label is issued. The grant notification letter contains the visa grant number, which is used to access the digital visa record.

Can the child enter Australia after the first entry date has passed?

Yes, the child can travel to Australia with an expired first entry arrival date if the visa is still valid. The visa may still be cancelled before arrival or at the border, so validity should be confirmed in VEVO before travelling.

How long is the first entry date usually set for?

The Department states the first entry date is generally set at 12 months from the date of visa grant. The date that governs is the one specified in the child's grant letter.

Does every arriving person need an Incoming Passenger Card?

Yes. All people arriving into Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card, including a child arriving on a 117 visa for the first time.

Can a 16-year-old use SmartGate on arrival?

Children aged 16 or over might be able to leave the airport using SmartGate, which relies on facial recognition technology and an ePassport. It is an available option rather than a guaranteed one, so counter processing should still be expected.

When does permanent residence start for citizenship purposes?

For citizenship purposes, the child's permanent residence starts on the day they enter Australia on this visa. The visa itself is permanent and allows the child to stay indefinitely.

How long can the child travel in and out of Australia?

The child can travel to and from Australia as many times as they want for 5 years from the date the visa is granted, as long as the travel facility stays valid. After that, a Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157) is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident, unless the child has become an Australian citizen.