Navigate the complexities of parent visa applications with confidence and clarity. Our registered Migration Agent, Silvana Lakic, explains the different options for your parents when it comes to applying for an Australian Visa.
You are now well settled into your new life in Australia, but wishing you could have your parents join you on your new adventure here? You’d love for your parents to be with you and maybe even to spend time with their grandchildren.
There are several different options for parents to apply for an Australian visa and dependent on your individual circumstances will determine the best option for you.
At the same time, it may seem daunting or somewhat confusing around the different subclasses for parent visas that are available.
We have many clients reach out to Migration Downunder after they started researching the parent visa options. They often let us know they are in despair as words such as contributory; non-contributory; balance of family; aged parent; onshore; offshore; sponsored; settled Australian citizen or permanent resident have left them confused as which parent visa pathway is the best option for their individual circumstance.
One must consider other important factors such as processing time and cost of visa application.
Contributory Vs Non-Contributory Visas
Permanent visa options for parents can be largely categorised under contributory or non-contributory visas.
Just as the term suggests, contributory visas refer to a contribution to a significantly larger fee, payable prior to the grant of your application (currently $43,600 per parent). Parent visas under the Contributory category are quicker to process than non-contributory visas; however, they are not significantly quicker. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the visa processing time currently stands at around 12 years for any applications lodged from now. Our current experience is between 6-7 years for those already with applications in the pipeline.
In contrast, a non-contributory parent visa doesn’t have a second visa application charge of $43,600. Whilst the fee is less, the processing time frames are significantly longer – anywhere from 15-20 years.
As the demand continues to outweigh the availability, we expect processing time frames for parent visas will gradually increase.
Parent visas are capped to a set number each year, hence the drawn-out processing time.
To lodge an application whilst your parent is in Australia, to allow them to remain with you in Australia on a Bridging Visa A throughout the lengthy processing time, one of your parents must be 67 years of age or older to be eligible to lodge an application whilst onshore.
If your parents do not meet the criteria for a permanent visa or you wish to have your parent/s with you whilst waiting for an offshore contributory visa to be finalised, you may want to consider the Sponsored Temporary Subclass 870 visa.
Sponsored Parent Visa (Temp) (Subclass 870)
This visa is a two-step process where you (as the child) will submit a Sponsorship Application. Once the sponsorship application has been approved there is a six month window to for your parent/s to apply for their visa when they are offshore. As it is a temporary visa you can choose either up to three or five year visa.
Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
For many people, a permanent contributory parent visa may be out of the reach, financially, and the non-contributory visa not practical due to the lengthy processing times. A visitor visa may be a fast and inexpensive alternative to bring parents to spend time with family in Australia.
Longer validity visitor visas are available for parents of Australian permanent residents and citizens. Parents of Australian permanent residents and citizens currently have the option of using the Visitor (subclass 600) visa stream to spend time with their children, which enables longer stays in Australia of up to 12 months in any 18-month period.
Do your Parents Meet the Key Eligibility Criteria for Permanent Residency?
• Balance of Family: At least half of your parents’ living children, including stepchildren, need to be living in Australia to be eligible for this criteria.
(Note: this is not a requirement for Sponsored Parent Visa (Temp) (Subclass 870))
• Health requirements: There are no health waivers available for applicants so your parents would have to pass the health criteria both at the time of assessing the application and again at the time of finalising the application. It would be important to note that if one of them fails the health criteria, then both of them would not meet the health requirements.
• Character Requirements: Your parents would also need to declare criminal conduct, where applicable, from all the countries they have lived in in the past 10 years and meet character requirements.
• Assurance of Support: Generally, the applicant’s child would provide the assurance of support by showing that he or she is in full-time employment.
Some of the things we do when handling your Parent’s Visa
At Migration Downunder, we’re dedicated to facilitating your seamless journey to ensure you can have your parents here in Australia with minimum fuss. Our seasoned team provides:
• Expert Guidance: Navigate parent visa requirements and processes with confidence, guided by our experienced professionals. Develop a strategy for the best visa for you and your parents
• Tailored Solutions: Receive personalised assistance customised to your unique circumstances and needs, ensuring a tailored approach to your visa journey.
• Application Assistance: From initial eligibility assessment to final application submission, we’re committed to supporting you at every stage of the process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Let us help you with choosing the right visa for you and your parents.
Before any advice is provided, you will need to book a consultation with one of our experienced Migration Agents.
