Bringing Your Parents to Australia: Exploring Visa Options
Have you made the move to Australia and now want your parents to join you? The parent visa offers a pathway for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to either visit temporarily or migrate permanently.
Understanding Your Visa Options
Several visa options are available for parents with eligible sponsors, potentially leading to permanent residency. However, for those facing financial constraints or lengthy processing times, there are alternative solutions:
– Visitor Visa (Temporary): A cost-effective option allowing parents to visit family in Australia for up to 12 months within an 18-month period.
– Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa: Enables eligible parents to live in Australia for 3 or 5 years, with up to 15,000 visas granted annually.
These options can help families reunite in Australia for an extended period.
Contributory Parent Visa: A Pathway to Australian Residency
Are you a parent looking to join your child in Australia? The Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173 and 143) offers a solution. This visa allows parents to live in Australia if their child is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173 and 143) allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.
Subclass 173 Visa (Temporary)
– Allows parents to live in Australia for up to 2 years
– Cannot be renewed or extended
– Parents can apply for the subclass 143 visa within 2 years to transition to permanent residency
Subclass 143 Visa (Permanent)
– Allows parents to live in Australia permanently
– Requires parents to hold a subclass 173 visa for at least 2 years before applying
– Parents can work, study, and access Medicare in Australia
Eligibility Requirements
– Child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
– Child must have lived in Australia for at least 2 years
– Parents must pass the balance of family test
– Parents must meet health and character requirements
Sponsorship Requirements
– Child must sponsor the parent's visa application
– Sponsor must be at least 18 years old
– Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Application Process
– Apply for the subclass 173 visa
– Hold the subclass 173 visa for at least 2 years
– Apply for the subclass 143 visa
Costs
– Subclass 173 visa: AUD 3,945 (base application charge) + AUD 1,945 (additional applicant charge over 18)
– Subclass 143 visa: AUD 3,695 (base application charge) + AUD 1,245 (additional applicant charge over 18)
Documents Required
– Birth certificates
– Marriage certificates
– Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
– Passports
– Health insurance documents
– Police certificates
Processing Time
– Subclass 173 visa: up to 2 years
– Subclass 143 visa: up to 2-3 years
Please note that these details are subject to change, and it's always best to check with the Australian Department of Home Affairs for the most up-to-date information.
Documentation for Relationship Verification
When applying for a Subclass 143 or 173 visa, you'll need to provide certified copies of documents that verify your relationship with your sponsor. These documents may include:
– Birth certificates
– Family registers
– Marriage certificates (if applicable)
– Guardianship documents (if applicable)
– Other valid documents that confirm your relationship with your sponsor
Community Organization Sponsors
If your sponsor is a community organization, you'll need to provide:
– Registration certificate of the organization
– Proof of authorization for a representative to act on the organization's behalf
– Proof of financial capability to support you upon your arrival in Australia
Including Family Members in Your Visa Application
You can include the following family members in your visa application:
– Your spouse
– Children or stepchildren of you or your spouse
Health and Background Checks
All applicants and their dependent family members must:
– Undergo medical examinations within a year before submitting the visa application
– Obtain a police clearance certificate from every country where you've resided for over 12 months during the last decade
Australian Values Statement
If you're over 18, you'll need to sign an Australian values statement, confirming your commitment to adhering to Australian laws.
Outstanding Debts to the Australian Government
You must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government, or you must have made arrangements to repay them before your visa can be granted.
Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
Are you looking to bring your parents to Australia? The Sponsored Parent Visa could be the perfect solution. This temporary visa allows your parents to stay in Australia for a set period, without the need to pass the balance of family test.
Benefits of the Sponsored Parent Visa
– Faster application process compared to permanent parent visas
– No need to pass the balance of family test
– Temporary visa allowing parents to stay in Australia for 3-5 years
Application Process: Step 1 – Parent Sponsorship
Before your parents can apply for the Sponsored Parent Visa, you'll need to apply for and be approved as a Parent Sponsor. This involves:
– Lodging an online application
– Agreeing to provide financial support and accommodation for your parents
– Committing to pay back any public health debts incurred by your parents
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible as a Parent Sponsor, you must:
– Be at least 18 years old
– Be the child of the prospective visa applicant
– Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
– Have been resident in Australia for at least 4 years
Additional Sponsor Requirements
– Meet previous sponsorship obligations
– Have paid back any debts owed to the Australian Government
– Meet character requirements
– Pass the income test ( AUD83,454.80 or combined income with partner)
Parental Sponsorship Cost and Processing Time
– Cost: $420
– Processing time: 75% of applications processed within 75 days
Application Process: Step 2 – Sponsored Parent Visa
Once your sponsorship is approved, your parents can apply for the Sponsored Parent Visa online. The application must be made within:
– 6 months of sponsorship approval (if lodging from offshore)
– 60 days of sponsorship approval (if lodging from onshore)
Visa Details
– Duration: 3 or 5 years
– Multiple entry visa
– Length of stay: Up to 3-5 years, with option to re-apply for further visas
Cost and Processing Time
– 3-year visa: $5,090
– 5-year visa: $10,180
– Processing time: 75% of visas processed within 5 months
