Parent Visa

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Australia offers a range of Parent Visas that allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their families in Australia. These visas are categorized into temporary and permanent options, each with its own set of requirements and processing times.

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Permanent Parent Visas

  • Subclass 103 Parent Visa:
    This visa allows parents to live permanently in Australia and potentially apply for citizenship. However, due to capping and queuing, the processing time is significantly long, often extending up to 30 years.
  • Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 173 and Subclass 143):
    1. Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that permits parents to live in Australia for up to two years. It cannot be renewed but provides a pathway to apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa during this period.
    2. Subclass 143 grants permanent residency, allowing parents to live indefinitely in Australia with access to benefits similar to those available to Australian residents.
  • Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 884 and Subclass 864):
    1. Subclass 884 is a temporary visa allowing aged parents to live in Australia for up to two years. During this time, it offers a pathway to apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa.
    2. Subclass 864 grants permanent residency, enabling aged parents to live in Australia indefinitely with full work rights and access to Medicare.
  • Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/864):
    These visas offer a faster pathway to permanent residency compared to non-contributory options but require a substantial financial contribution. The processing time typically ranges from 6 to 12 years.
  • Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804):
    This visa is available to parents over 67 years old who are already in Australia. However, it comes with a long processing time, often several years.

Temporary Parent Visas

  • The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years without the need to meet the balance of family test. This visa offers a more flexible option for parents who prefer not to migrate permanently but still wish to spend extended time with their family in Australia.
  • Balance of Family Test:
    Most permanent parent visas require that at least half of the applicant’s children reside in Australia.
  • Sponsorship:
    Applicants must be sponsored by their child, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must have legally resided in Australia for at least two years.
  • Financial Assurance:
    Some visas require an Assurance of Support, which is a commitment to repay any social security benefits claimed by the visa holder during their stay in Australia.

These visa options cater to various needs and circumstances, providing pathways for parents to join their families in Australia either temporarily or permanently.