Parent Visa
Parent Visa
Australia offers several types of parent visas, allowing parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to join their families in Australia. These visas are divided into temporary and permanent categories, each with specific requirements and processing times.
Permanent Parent Visas
- Subclass 103 Parent Visa: This visa allows parents to live in Australia permanently and potentially apply for citizenship. However, it has a long processing time, often up to 30 years, due to capping and queuing.
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 173 and Subclass143): Subclass 173 is a temporary visa that allows parents to live in Australia for up to two years; it cannot be renewed, but it provides a pathway to apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa within this period. Subclass 143 grants permanent residency, allowing parents to live indefinitely in Australia and access benefits similar to those of Australian residents.
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 884 and Subclass 864) Subclass 884 is a temporary visa allowing aged parents to live in Australia for up to two years, providing a pathway to apply for the permanent Subclass 864 visa within this period. Subclass 864 grants permanent residency, enabling aged parents to live indefinitely in Australia with full work rights and access to Medicare
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/864): These visas provide a faster pathway to permanent residency but require a substantial financial contribution. The processing time is typically around 6 to 12 years.
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804): Available for parents over 67 years old who are already in Australia. This visa also has a lengthy processing time.
Temporary Parent Visas
- Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa: This temporary visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years without meeting the balance of family test. It provides a more flexible option for parents who do not wish to migrate permanently.
Key Requirements
- Balance of Family Test: Most permanent parent visas require at least half of the applicant’s children to reside in Australia.
- Sponsorship: Applicants must be sponsored by their child, who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must have lived in Australia legally 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.
These visa options cater to various needs and circumstances, providing pathways for parents to join their families in Australia either temporarily or permanently.