If you are a parent (or parents) of a child who is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a permanent Parent visa.
There are a number of different Parent visa options available.
All Parent visas must be applied for offshore, unless you hold another visa which allows you to remain in Australia whilst the application is processing. The only exception to this is the “Aged Parent” visa options, which allow for the grant of a Bridging visa associated with the application whilst it is pending.
Parent visas comprise of the following subclasses:
1. Non-Contribury Options
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
Aged Parent (Subclass 804)
2. Contributory Parent Visas Options
Contributory Parent (Migrant) (Subclass 143)
Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173)
Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) (Subclass 864)
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 884)
What are the difference between the non-contributory and contributory visa options?
Non-contributory Parent visas are significantly cheaper, however they take longer to process (new applications are likely to take approximately 30 years for final processing).
Contributory Parent visas are significantly more expensive (approximately $50,000) but are likely to take approximately 52 months to be released for final processing. In addition, the contributory options allow a parent to apply to become a permanent resident straight away, or to apply for a temporary visa first and then a permanent residency visa to enable them to spread the costs of this visa across a number of years.
In order to apply for a Parent visa, you must be able satisfy certain criteria.
1. Be outside Australia
You must be outside Australia in order to apply for this visa, with the exception of the “Aged Parent” visas, unless you hold a qualifying visa. You must also be outside Australia at the time of visa grant.
2. Be sponsored
In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by your child.
As a sponsor, your child will need to give a written undertaking to support you during your first years that you live in Australia, including support with accommodation and financial assistance.
In addition, your child (or someone else) will need to provide a written assurance of support, rendering them liable to repay to the Australian Government any social security payments you may access after the grant of your visa in Australia.
In some circumstances, a substantial bond will be required prior to the grant of the visa.
3. Meet certain age requirements
If you are under 65 years of age, you will need to consider the Parent visa options.
If you are over 65 years of age, you will need to consider the Aged Parent visa options.
4. Meet the balance-of-family test
The balance-of-family test requires that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or that more of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other country. In order to count as living permanently in Australia, your children must be:
• Australian citizens or
• Australian permanent residents who are usually resident in Australia; or
• Eligible New Zealand citizens who are normally resident in Australia.
For the purposes of the balance of family test, your partner’s children are considered to be your children.
5. Additional Factors
You and your spouse / partner will need to satisfy relevant public interest criteria, including health and character checks.
