Australia provides various visa options for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens seeking to reunite with their families in Australia, whether permanently or temporarily. These visas enable parents to live with their children who have already settled in Australia.
Visa options under the parent category:
1. Subclass 103 (Parent Visa): Designed for parents living outside Australia who wish to permanently join their child, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
2. Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent Visa): This permanent visa option involves a higher application fee but offers expedited processing compared to Subclass 103.
3. Subclass 173 (Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa): A temporary visa allowing parents to reside in Australia for up to two years, with the option to apply for Subclass 143 thereafter.
4. Subclass 804 (Aged Parent Visa): Intended for parents already in Australia who meet the age requirement for an aged pension.
5. Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent Visa): Similar to Subclass 804 but with quicker processing times and higher fees.
6. Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa): Enables Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their parents for stays of up to 3 or 5 years per visa, extendable once for a total of 10 years.
7. Subclass 884 (Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa): A temporary visa for aged parents to live in Australia for up to two years, with eligibility to apply for Subclass 864 afterward.
Parent Visas several Key Stages:
Assessing Eligibility: Determine the appropriate subclass of parent visa based on your circumstances, whether applying domestically or internationally.
Gathering Documentation: Collect required documents, including identity proofs, evidence of relationship with the sponsoring child, financial records, health assessments, and character references.
Submitting the Application: Complete the application online or using paper forms, ensuring compliance with specific instructions and subclass requirements.
Processing Time: Processing times vary by subclass and individual circumstances. Contributory parent visas typically have shorter processing times due to higher fees.
Outcome Notification: Applicants receive notification of the decision. Successful applicants are issued a visa grant notice.
Eligibility Requirements for Parent Visas
To qualify for any of these parent visas in Australia, applicants typically need to meet the following criteria:
Balance-of-Family Test: At least half of their children must be settled permanently in Australia as Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Sponsorship: Must be sponsored by their child, who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and who undertakes financial support obligations.
Health and Character Standards: Applicants must meet Australian government health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police clearance certificates.
Age Requirements:
Subclass | |
103 (Parent Visa) | No specific age requirement. |
143 (Contributory Parent Visa) | No specific age requirement. |
173 (Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa) | No specific age requirement |
804 (Aged Parent Visa) | Must be of pension age, which is currently 66 years and older for men and women in Australia (age may vary based on changes to the Australian pension age) |
864 (Contributory Aged Parent Visa) | Must be of pension age, which is currently 66 years and older for men and women in Australia (age may vary based on changes to the Australian pension age). |
870 (Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa) | No specific age requirement |
884(Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa | Must be of pension age, which is currently 66 years and older for men and women in Australia (age may vary based on changes to the Australian pension age). |
Financial Support: Must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and ensure they won't rely on Australian government welfare.
Compliance with Immigration Laws: Applicants must adhere to all Australian immigration laws and subclass-specific requirements.
Obtaining a parent visa in Australia demands understanding visa options and strict eligibility criteria. By compiling documentation meticulously and following guidelines closely, applicants enhance approval prospects for a new family life phase. Expert guidance from Australian Portal Immigration helps you understand visa requirements for your smooth transition to living in Australia.
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