Sponsor a Parent
Overview of Parent Visas.
Australia offers several types of parent visas for individuals wishing to join their children who are settled in Australia. Each visa subclass comes with its own set of requirements, processing times, and benefits. It is essential to understand the eligibility criteria and application process before proceeding.
- You have a child who is a settled Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Your child is usually resident in Australia.
- You have a sponsor (typically your child over 18 years of age, or if under 18, their guardian or welfare organisation).
- You meet the criteria for the Balance of Family Test (excluding Subclass 870).
- You satisfy health and character requirements.
- Assurance of Support is approved by the Department of Community Services (excluding Subclass 870).
If you are a retiree, you may apply for certain parent visas under the following conditions:
- On 8 May 2018, you held or previously held an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or Retirement (subclass 410).
- You have not held any other substantive visa between 8 May 2018 and the date you apply for the Parent visa.
Retiree applicants benefit from relaxed requirements:
- No need to meet the Balance of Family Test.
- No requirement for Assurance of Support.
- No sponsor needed.
You can include your partner (provided they are also retired) as part of your application, but children cannot be included. All family members, whether migrating or not, must be listed in your application and may need to meet health and character requirements.
|
Visa Subclass |
Description |
Key Features |
|
Parent (Migrant) Subclass 103 |
Permanent visa for parents of settled Australian citizens or residents. |
Long queueing time; lower fees. |
|
Contributory Parent Subclass 143 (or 173/143 two-stage) |
Permanent visa with higher fees, faster processing. |
Significantly reduced waiting period; substantial contribution required. |
|
Sponsored Parent Subclass 870 |
Temporary visa allowing up to 10 years stay in Australia. |
No Balance of Family Test or Assurance of Support required; temporary residence only. |
|
Aged Parent (Residence) Subclass 804 |
Permanent visa for older parents meeting age requirements. |
Long queueing time; must be onshore at time of application. |
|
Contributory Aged Parent Subclass 864 (or 884/864 two-stage) |
Permanent visa for older parents; two-stage process available. |
Faster processing than non-contributory; higher application fees. |
- Capping and Queueing: Parent visas are subject to annual limits and queueing. This means wait times can be extensive, especially for non-contributory visas.
- Fees and Processing Times:
- Contributory Parent Visas have much higher fees but reduced waiting periods. Current estimates are at least 64 months for final processing once queued.
- Non-contributory Parent and Aged Parent visas may take up to 30 years for final processing.
Including Family Members: All family members must be detailed in your application, regardless of whether they are migrating. Health and character requirements apply to all included family members, and sometimes to those not migrating.
Next Steps
If you are considering applying for a parent visa, it is highly recommended to review your options carefully, taking into account eligibility, costs, waiting periods, and whether you qualify as a retiree. Aus Visa Solutions offers professional immigration assistance and helps guide you through the process and ensure your application is complete and accurate. Please book your appointment with us today!