Ruqayyah Snyder
Australian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents to migrate to Australia. To do this, they must apply for a Parent Visa. There are several subclasses of Parent Visas, including the subclass 173 visa, subclass 143 visa, subclass 870 visa, subclass 884 visa, subclass 864 visa, subclass 103 visa, and subclass 870 visa. The type of visa you apply for will depend on your individual circumstances and priorities. For example, if speed is a priority, a contributory parent visa may be preferred due to its faster processing times, but it comes with a significantly higher upfront cost. Non-contributory Parent Visas, on the other hand, have limited spots available each year and can take much longer to process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Parent Migration Visa, Visitor Visa (Temporary), Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa, Contributory Parent Visa, Non-contributory Parent Visa |
| Applicant Requirements | Must be biological, adoptive, stepparent, or parent-in-law of a child who lives in Australia, have sufficient funds, health insurance, meet health and character standards, and pass the balance of family test |
| Sponsor Requirements | Must be an Australian permanent resident, citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen, have resided in Australia for at least 2 years, and provide financial support for the first 2 years |
| Visa Options | Subclass 173, Subclass 870, Subclass 884, Subclass 864, Subclass 143, Subclass 103 |
| Visa Duration | Temporary residence for up to 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years, with options for permanent residency |
| Visa Costs | AUD 5,895 for 3 years, AUD 11,785 for 5 years, contributory visas have higher upfront costs |
| Application Location | Can apply from inside or outside Australia |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Parent visa requirements
To apply for a Parent Visa in Australia, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Balance of Family Test
The Balance of Family Test requires that at least half of the applicant's children should be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia. Alternatively, the applicant must have more children living in Australia than in any other country.
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants must meet the health and character requirements, which include being free from any medical condition that would likely require healthcare or community services, and the provision of that care should not result in a significant cost to the Australian community or prejudice access to that care by Australian citizens.
Sponsorship
The applicant must have a sponsor to apply for a parent category visa. The sponsor can be the applicant's child, step-child, or their spouse or partner, who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and has resided in Australia legally for at least two years prior to the parent lodging their visa application. The sponsoring child has certain responsibilities for the first two years since the date of entry into Australia, including providing financial assistance, accommodation, and support to attend English language courses.
Financial Stability
Applicants must demonstrate financial stability during their initial stay in Australia and have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay. They must also have health insurance for the duration of their visit.
Other Requirements
Other requirements include being the biological, adoptive, stepparent, or parent-in-law of a child who lives in Australia and has resided there for at least two years. Applicants must also have followed the terms of any previous Australian visas they have held and intend to stay in Australia for only a short time.
It is important to note that the Parent Visa is temporary and is valid for two years, after which steps can be taken to apply for a permanent Parent Visa (Subclass 103).
Australian Citizenship: Steps to Apply and Acquire
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sponsorship
To apply for a Parent Visa, you must have a sponsor. The sponsor must be an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has resided in Australia legally for at least two years before the parent lodges their visa application. If the sponsor is under 18, someone else may act as a sponsor as long as they are 18 or older and are a settled Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This could be the live-in partner or spouse of the child or step-child, a relative or guardian of the child or step-child, or a relative or guardian of the live-in partner or spouse of the child or step-child.
The sponsor must also pass the "balance of family" test, which specifies that at least half of the sponsor's children must live permanently in Australia, or the sponsor must have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country. The sponsor must also provide an assurance of support during the first two years in Australia. This is a legal commitment from the sponsor to give their financial support.
There are several different types of Parent Visas available, including the subclass 173 visa, which lets parents who are outside Australia live in Australia for up to two years, and the subclass 143 visa, which lets parents live permanently in Australia. There is also the subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa, which allows those eligible to reside in Australia for three or five years. Up to 15,000 of these visas are granted each year, and parents who enter Australia on this visa will be able to reapply and, if approved, stay in Australia for a total of ten years. However, they are unable to work while on this visa.
In addition to having a sponsor, the applicant must be the biological, adoptive, stepparent, or parent-in-law of a child who lives in Australia and has been living there lawfully for at least two years before submitting the visa application. The applicant must also meet health and character requirements and have health insurance for the duration of their visit. They must also have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay and intend to stay in Australia for a short time.
Foundation Courses in Australia: Application Essentials
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Temporary visas
Visitor Visa (Temporary)
The Visitor Visa is a cost-effective alternative to the permanent contributory or non-contributory parent visas. It allows parents to visit their family members in Australia and can be valid for up to 12 months within an 18-month period.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa allows parents to reside in Australia for three or five years. Up to 15,000 of these visas are granted each year, making it a viable option for families who want to reunite in Australia for a substantial amount of time. To be eligible, the applicant must be sponsored by their child, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and have lived in Australia for at least two years. The sponsor must also provide an assurance of support, which is a legal commitment to provide financial support during the parent's stay in Australia.
Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
The Subclass 173 visa allows parents who are outside Australia to live in the country for up to two years. To be eligible, the applicant must be sponsored by their child, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and have lived in Australia for at least two years. The sponsor must also pay an additional ('contributory') charge to the Australian government before the visa is granted.
Subclass 884 Visa
The Subclass 884 visa is for older parents who want to live in Australia for up to two years. The applicant must be the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. To be eligible, the applicant must be old enough to receive the Australian aged pension and must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying for the visa and when a decision is being made.
It is important to note that temporary visas may have different requirements and restrictions, such as age limits or medical assessments. Additionally, some visas may require applicants to meet the "balance of family" test, which considers the number of the applicant's children living in Australia compared to other countries.
Applying for Jobs in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Permanent visas
The permanent Parent Visa enables parents of children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents to be sponsored for permanent residence in Australia.
Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
This visa lets parents live in Australia for up to two years. It requires the applicant to be sponsored by an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It also requires the applicant to meet the 'balance of family' test, which means that at least half of the applicant's children and stepchildren must be citizens or permanent residents in Australia, or the applicant must have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Subclass 143 Visa
This visa lets parents live permanently in Australia if they have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. The applicant must meet the 'balance of family' test, which is the same as for the subclass 173 visa.
Subclass 864 Visa
The subclass 864 visa, also known as the Permanent Contributory Aged Parent Visa, lets older parents live permanently in Australia if their child is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. An assurance of support is required for applicants applying for this visa, which is a legal commitment from an individual or organization stating that they will provide financial support.
Subclass 103 Visa
The subclass 103 visa lets parents live permanently in Australia if they have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia. Applicants must also pass the 'balance of family' test. An assurance of support must be provided during the first two years in Australia.
Subclass 100 Visa
The subclass 100 visa is mentioned in relation to permanent residency in Australia, but it is unclear what the specific requirements are for this visa.
Applying to Oxford University: A Guide for Australians
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Health and character requirements
To apply for a Parent Visa to immigrate to Australia, parents must meet certain health and character requirements. These requirements are in place to ensure that applicants are in good health and do not pose a risk to the Australian community.
Health Requirements
As part of the visa application process, applicants may be required to undergo a medical examination, which may include a chest x-ray and an HIV test. This is to ensure that applicants do not have any health conditions that could pose a significant cost or burden on the Australian healthcare system.
It is important to note that the health requirements may vary depending on the subclass of visa being applied for. For example, those applying for a non-contributory parent visa may be required to undergo a medical assessment before the visa is granted, while those applying for a contributory parent visa may not have to meet the same level of health requirements.
Character Requirements
In addition to meeting the health requirements, applicants must also satisfy character requirements. This includes providing a police clearance certificate to ensure that applicants do not pose a risk to the Australian community. Applicants must also demonstrate that they do not have any outstanding public health debts, unless appropriate arrangements have been made to repay the debt.
Additional Requirements
Depending on the specific circumstances and subclass of visa, there may be additional requirements that applicants must meet. For example, applicants for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa must have a sponsor who has been a resident in Australia for at least four years and has a taxable income of at least $83,454.80.
It is important to note that the processing times for parent visas can vary significantly, with non-contributory parent visas taking up to 10-30 years to process. As such, applicants should carefully consider their circumstances and seek guidance from a migration expert or immigration lawyer to determine the most suitable visa option.
Modeling in Australia: Application Process and Requirements
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The purpose of a Parent Visa is to allow the parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate permanently to Australia.
To be eligible for a Parent Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The child must have been living lawfully in Australia for at least 2 years before submitting the visa application
- Meet the "balance of family" test, which requires that at least half of the applicant's children reside permanently in Australia, or that the applicant has more children living in Australia than in any other single country
- Meet health and character requirements, which may include a medical assessment, chest x-ray, and HIV test
- Have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay
- Have health insurance for the duration of their visit
There are several different types of Parent Visas, including:
- Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870): Allows parents to live in Australia for up to 10 years without meeting the "balance of family" test
- Contributory Parent Visa: Comes with a higher upfront cost but offers faster processing and a more predictable pathway
- Non-contributory Parent Visa: Has limited places available each year and longer processing times
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa: Allows parents to reside in Australia for 3 or 5 years, with up to 15,000 visas granted each year
- Subclass 173 Visa: For parents outside Australia, this visa allows them to live in Australia for up to two years
- Subclass 143 Visa: Allows parents to live permanently in Australia if they have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
The cost of a Parent Visa varies depending on the type of visa. For example, a three-year Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa costs AUD 5,895, while a five-year visa costs AUD 11,785. The Contributory Parent Visa also has a significantly higher upfront cost compared to the Non-contributory Parent Visa.
Applicants can apply for a Parent Visa from inside or outside Australia, depending on the specific visa type. For example, the Subclass 143 Visa can be applied for from both inside and outside Australia, while the Aged Parent Visa 103 requires applicants to be in Australia when applying.
