Parent Visa

Parent Visas to Australia – Reunite with Your Family

Australia offers several visa options for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents, allowing them to either visit or permanently join their family members in the country. Depending on eligibility, there are various pathways to help parents reunite with their children in Australia, either temporarily or permanently.

Visa Options for Parents

There are different visa options for parents who wish to join their children in Australia. These include Temporary Visas for short stays and Permanent Visas for long-term residence.

Temporary Parent Visa Options:

1. Visitor Visa (Temporary):

   • This visa allows parents to visit their family members in Australia.

   • It provides a more cost-effective alternative for those unable to meet the financial requirements or facing long processing times associated with other visas.

   • The visa allows stays of up to 12 months within an 18-month period.

2. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870):

   • This visa is designed for parents who wish to live in Australia for 3 or 5 years.

   • A total of 15,000 Sponsored Parent Visas are granted each year.

   • Unlike other visas, this visa does not allow the parent to apply for a bridging visa and requires sponsorship by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Permanent Parent Visa Options:

If you prefer your parents to have the ability to stay permanently, there are several parent visa options available.

• Parent Visa (Subclass 103):

  • This visa allows parents to live in Australia permanently but has long waiting times.

  • Applicants must be the parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

• Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143):

  • A faster option for parents who can contribute a higher visa fee, reducing the waiting time significantly.

• Contributory Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 173):

  • A temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia temporarily before applying for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).

• Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804):

  • This visa is for parents who are aged and eligible to stay permanently.

  • Applicants must meet certain criteria, including the balance of family test.

• Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864):

  • This is a faster option for aged parents, allowing them to live in Australia permanently with a higher application fee.

• Contributory Aged Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 884):

  • A temporary visa that allows aged parents to live in Australia until they can apply for the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864).

Key Requirements for Parent Visas

To be eligible for any parent visa, certain requirements must be met:

• Parent of an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident:

  • The applicant must be the parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Australia for at least 2 years.

• Family Balance Test:

  • At least half of the applicant’s children (including step-children) must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

  • Alternatively, the applicant must have more children settled in Australia than in any other country.

• Age Requirements for Contributory Aged Parent Visa:

  • Applicants must be over 67 years old. However, if their partner is under 67, they can be included as a secondary applicant.

• Health and Character Requirements:

  • All applicants must meet health and character requirements, which usually include medical assessments, chest X-rays, and a HIV test.

Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870)

If you do not meet the balance of family test, you could consider the Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870). This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for an extended period, typically 3 to 5 years. It is an excellent option for parents who want to visit their family members but do not yet meet the requirements for a permanent visa.

Important Notes:

• Processing Time: Permanent parent visas generally have longer waiting times due to high demand. Temporary visas can be processed more quickly.

• No Bridging Visa for Some Parent Visas: For certain parent visa applications (e.g., Parent Visa (Subclass 103)), applicants will not be granted a bridging visa if applying while in Australia.

Conclusion

If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident and want to bring your parents to join you in Australia, there are several visa options to consider. Whether it’s a temporary visa for extended visits or a permanent visa to reunite your family long-term, the Australian government offers pathways for parents to live with their children.