Parent Visas
There are a number of things to consider when applying for a Parent Visa, such as;
- Temporary or permanent visa options
- Applying inside or outside Australia
- Cost (visa application charges can be significant in the Parent visa categories)
- Processing time
- The age of the parent
- Health of the applicant
- Who will act as a Sponsor
- And generally, can the parent visa applicant meet the legal and policy requirements
The main requirements for the Permanent Parent visa include:
- the parent must meet the balance of family test;
- if applying in Australia the parent must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia;
- meet health and character requirements; and
- an eligible Australian must lodge a bond that is refundable.
Eligible Sponsors for parent visas must be:
- a child of the parent who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident
- in certain cases – another eligible relative or a community organisation.
Balance of family test
This measures a Parent visa applicant’s family ties to Australia.
A parent meets the balance of family test if:
- at least half of their children (includes step children) are “eligible children”, or
- there are more “eligible children” than children living in any other single country
An eligible child is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
This test is applied to the following parent visa categories; such as;
- 103 – Parent
- 143 – Contributory Parent
- 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary)
- 804 – Aged Parent
- 864 – Contributory Aged Parent
- 884 – Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary)
The balance of family test is not applied to the Temporary 870 Sponsored Parent visa which can be granted for a period of 3-5 years.
Temporary to Permanent Residence
Many of the Parent visa categories require that you apply for a temporary parent visa and then pay an additional application charge within 2 years and then apply for the permanent Parent visa.
Below you will see outlined the various aspects of the temporary to permanent Parent Visa categories leading to Australian Permanent Residence.
As processing times can be long in the Parent visa category it is always important to consider more immediate options like the short-term visitor visas and long-term visitor specifically for parents and any possible bridging visas to keep a parent visa applicant lawfully in Australia while the parent visa application is processing.
The most appropriate visa option will depend on the parent’s intentions in Australia and their circumstances.
We assist both the children of Parent Visa applicants and the visa applicants directly themselves should they wish.
To discuss your circumstances please contact us
