Parent Visas
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Parent Visas
Take the Next Step in Reuniting with Your Family
Australia offers a range of Parent Visas that allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live with their children in Australia. These visas offer both temporary and permanent residency options, catering to the needs of parents who wish to reunite with their families.
Parent Visa Options in Australia
Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to three or five years, depending on the stream chosen. It requires sponsorship from their child who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The sponsor must also meet certain income requirements. This visa doesn’t lead to permanent residency and can’t be extended beyond the maximum stay period.
Permanent – Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143/173)
The Contributory Parent Visa includes both temporary and permanent options. The Subclass 173 (Temporary) allows parents to live in Australia for up to two years. Afterward, they can apply for the Subclass 143 (Permanent).
These visas are known as “contributory” because of the higher application fees and assurance of support requirements. They provide a direct pathway to permanent residency.
Permanent – Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 884/864)
The Aged Parent Visa similarly has temporary and permanent options. The Subclass 884 (Temporary) lets parents remain in Australia while the Subclass 864 (Permanent) can be applied for after a certain period of residing on the temporary visa.
This pathway is available for parents who meet age requirements and have a sponsoring child living in Australia.
Permanent – Parent Visa (Subclass 103 / 143 / 173/ 804/ 864)
Who Needs to Lodge a Family Sponsorship?
You must lodge a sponsorship if you are:
- Applying for a Partner visa (Subclass 309/100, 820/801)
- Applying for a Parent visa (Subclass 103, 143, 804, 870)
- Applying for a Child visa (Subclass 101, 802, 117, 837)
- Sponsoring another eligible family member under a family migration program
Eligibility Criteria for Family Sponsorship
To be eligible as a sponsor, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be aged 18 years or over (unless an exemption applies)
- Have a genuine and ongoing relationship with the applicant (for partner visas) or meet family relationship requirements for parent/child visas
- Meet any financial and character requirements
- Not be barred from sponsorship due to previous sponsorship breaches
Required Documents for Family Sponsorship
- Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Evidence of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.)
- Identity documents for both sponsor and applicant
- Police clearances and character checks (where applicable)
- Evidence of financial capacity to support the applicant (if required)
Processing Time and Validity
- Processing time: Varies significantly by visa type (from months to several years)
- Validity: Sponsorship is valid for the duration of the linked visa processing
- Sponsorship approval must be obtained before the applicant can be granted the visa
The non-contributory Parent Visa is another permanent option but with significantly longer processing times compared to the contributory options.
Applicants often face substantial waiting periods before being granted these visas.
What you should know about Parent Visas
It’s important to note that the Parent Visas, especially the permanent ones, can have long processing times due to high demand. Some of these visas also have Balance of Family Test requirements, meaning that at least half of the parent’s children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or they must have more children living in Australia than in any other single country.
While these Parent Visas offer a chance for family reunification, they require careful planning due to their associated costs, waiting periods, and eligibility criteria. The choice between temporary and permanent options should be based on the parent’s goals, family circumstances, and financial considerations.
These Parent Visas acknowledge the significance of family unity and offer a means for parents to be with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen children. The range of options allows parents to choose a pathway that best aligns with their needs and circumstances, whether they prioritize a temporary stay or seek permanent residency in Australia.
Processing Times For Parent Visas
The processing time for a Parent Visa varies considerably, depending on the type of visa and the amount of documentation and circumstances. To get an indication of the timeframe, we suggested visiting the Department of Home Affairs website.