Parent permanent visa options
There are a range of temporary and permanent Australian visas options for parents of eligible sponsors.
Eligible sponsors of parent visas applicants must be:
- a child of the parent who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and ordinarily resides in Australia; or
- in certain exceptional cases where the child is less than 18, another eligible relative or a community organisation.
The core criteria for the grant of a permanent parent visa include:
- the parent must meet the balance of family test;
- if applying for an onshore parent visa, be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia;
- meet health and character requirements; and
- arrange for an eligible Australian to lodge a refundable bond.
There are also parent visas that involve two stages, with a temporary visa being granted first and, provided a further visa application charge is paid within 2 years, the parent may then apply for a permanent visa.
Depending on the visa pathway, processing times and visa application charges can be significant.
The following table summarises key aspects of the parent visa options leading to permanent residency:
| Parent has eligible sponsor and meets balance of family test | Visa subclasses | Two stage process | Assurance of support required | Second instalment charge | Estimated Processing Timelines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent is old enough to receive aged pension in Australia and applying onshore | 804 | N/A | Yes | $2,065 per applicant | More than 30 years |
| 864 | N/A | Yes | $43,600 per applicant | 3-5 years | |
| 884 | Yes. Must apply for 864 within 2 years after 884 approval | No. Required at 864 application stage | Two-thirds of $43,600 at 884 stage. Balance at 864 stage | 2-4 years | |
| Other parents | 103 | N/A | Yes | $2,065 per applicant | More than 30 years |
| 143 | N/A | Yes | $43,600 per applicant | 3-5 years | |
| 173 | Yes. Must apply for 143 (inside Australia) within 2 years after 173 approval | No. Required at 143 application stage | Two-thirds of $43,600 at 173 stage. Balance at 143 stage | 2-4 years |
In some cases, persons who held a subclass 405 Investor Retirement visa or a subclass 410 Retirement visa on 8 May 2018 (and no other visa since that date), may be able to apply for a permanent parent visa.
They do not need:
- An eligible sponsor;
- To meet the balance of family test;
- To have an assurance of support.
How we can help
We have assisted many parent visa applications.
Our professional services include:
- Assessing risk and determining the appropriate visa pathway
- Advising on criteria to be met for the grant of the visa
- Assisting with the identification and collection of supporting documents
- Preparing and submitting the visa and sponsorship applications
- Communicating with the applicant and eligible sponsor until a decision is received
To discuss how we can assist you with advice, as well as in preparing and lodging your parent visa application, please click here to contact Visa Lawyers Australia.
Parent Temporary visas
The subclass 870 Sponsored Parent temporary visa allows for parents to remain in Australia for a period 3 or 5 years. This pathway requires the payment of a second instalment charge of $5,000 or $10,000, depending on whether the parent is applying for a 3 or 5 year visa respectively.
Unlike the permanent visa options, the parent does not need to meet the balance of family test
An eligible parent must meet the following core requirements:
- Be sponsored by a “settled” Australian citizen or permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, living in Australia permanently;
- Meet health, character, other public interest and special return requirements;
- Not have any outstanding public health debt in Australia;
- Hold, and maintain, health insurance, from an Australian provider, valid for their intended period of stay in Australia.
An eligible sponsor must meet a number of criteria, including:
- Be preapproved by the Immigration Department;
- Accept legal liability for any outstanding public health debt the parent may accrue in Australia;
- Meet the income test prescribed by the government;
- Meet other sponsorship obligations, including providing information to the Immigration Department when certain events occur.
An eligible sponsor can sponsor no more than 2 parents per household at any one time.
A parent may apply for multiple subclass 870 visas to remain in Australia for a maximum period of 10 years.
Please note that this visa does not provide parents with work rights or access to Medicare.
There are a range of other inexpensive temporary visas which parents may be eligible for, such as:
- the subclass 600 visa, which allows for stays of up to 12 months
- subclasses 601 (ETA) and 651 (eVisitor) visas, which allow for stays of up to 3 months.
The most appropriate visa option will depend on the parent’s circumstances and intentions.
How we can help
To discuss how we can assist you with advice, as well as in preparing and lodging your temporary parent visa application, please click here to contact Visa Lawyers Australia.