Bringing parents to Australia to settle with you
Bringing your parents to settle with you in Australia can be an emotional and challenging process, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to reunite with your loved ones and create new memories together.
Australia offers a range of visa options for parents who wish to join their children who are permanent residents, citizens of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow parents to live in Australia with their children, and potentially even gain permanent residency in the country.
The process of bringing parents to Australia can involve navigating a range of requirements, including meeting health and character requirements, and satisfying financial and sponsorship obligations. Depending on the parent visa Australia option chosen, there may also be specific eligibility criteria that need to be met, such as age limits and English language proficiency.
It is important to carefully consider the various parent visa options available in Australia, and to seek expert advice where necessary, to ensure that the process is successful and that all legal requirements are met. Bringing your parents to Australia can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with the right support and guidance from us, it can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both you and your parents.
Who is eligible to bring parents to Australia?
Parent visa Australia categories
Australia offers a range of visa options for parents who wish to join their children.
| Visa | Description |
|---|---|
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Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804) |
The Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804) is a permanent visa that allows elderly parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to join their children in Australia. This visa is designed for parents who are old and have been financially dependent on their children for a long time. To be eligible for this visa, the parent must be over 65 years old and be sponsored by their child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The sponsoring child must have been living in Australia for at least two years, and must meet certain financial and character requirements. The subclass 804 visa is a non-contributory visa, which means that there is no requirement to make a significant financial contribution to the Australian government. However, the processing time for this visa is quite long due to the high demand and limited number of places available. Once granted, the Aged Parent Visa allows the parent to live and work in Australia indefinitely. It also provides access to Medicare and other social services, and allows the parent to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the eligibility requirements. |
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Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884): |
The Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884) is a temporary visa that allows elderly parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Australia for up to two years. This visa is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for parents who are unable to meet the requirements for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet certain age and health requirements, as well as meet the balance of family test, which requires at least half of their children to be Australian citizens or permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Applicants must also meet the financial requirements and pay a significant visa application fee, which can be paid in two instalments. Once the visa is granted, the parents can live, work, and study in Australia for up to two years. However, you will not receive government support. After the two-year period, parents can apply for the permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) if they meet the eligibility requirements. Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864): The Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) is a permanent visa that allows elderly parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia permanently. This visa is available to parents who are not eligible for the temporary Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 884) due to their financial circumstances. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet certain age and health requirements, as well as pass the balance of family test, which requires at least half of their children to be Australian citizens or permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Applicants must also meet the financial requirements and pay a significant visa application fee, which can be paid in two instalments. Once the visa is granted, the parents can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. The Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864) also provides access to Medicare, the Australian healthcare system, and social security payments, subject to certain conditions. It can be a lengthy and complex process to obtain this visa, but it offers a pathway for parents to reunite with their children and enjoy a new life in Australia. |
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Parent Visa (subclass 103) |
The Parent Visa (subclass 103) is designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who wish to live in Australia permanently. The visa allows parents to live, work, and study in Australia and to access Medicare benefits. To be eligible for a Parent Visa (subclass 103), the applicant must meet several criteria, including having a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen; meeting the balance-of-family test, which requires at least half of the applicant's children to live in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other country; and meeting health and character requirements. The processing time for the Parent Visa (subclass 103) can be lengthy, often taking several years due to high demand and limited places. However, once granted, the visa provides permanent residency in Australia and the opportunity to apply for citizenship after meeting certain requirements. |
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Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) |
The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) is a temporary Australian visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for up to two years. The visa is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia, as it provides the option to apply for the Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa (Subclass 143) during the two-year validity period. To be eligible for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173), the applicant must meet several criteria, including having a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen; meeting the balance-of-family test, which requires at least half of the applicant's children to live in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other country; and meeting health and character requirements. Additionally, the applicant must pay a substantial visa application charge and assurance of support bond. The Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) is an expensive option, but it provides a faster processing time compared to the standard Parent Visa (Subclass 103). It also provides parents with the opportunity to live with their family in Australia and to become permanent residents. |
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Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143) |
The Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143) is a permanent Australian visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. The visa is a pathway to permanent residency, as it provides the option to apply for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 173) before being granted the Subclass 143 visa. To be eligible for the Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143), the applicant must meet several criteria, including having a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen; meeting the balance-of-family test, which requires at least half of the applicant's children to live in Australia or more children in Australia than in any other country; and meeting health and character requirements. Additionally, the applicant must pay a substantial visa application charge and assurance of support bond. The Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143) provides permanent residency in Australia and access to Medicare benefits. It also offers the opportunity to work, study, and travel in and out of Australia as a permanent resident. However, it is a costly option, and the processing time can be lengthy. |
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Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) |
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) is a temporary Australian visa that allows parents to visit their children and grandchildren in Australia for up to three or five years, depending on the selected visa duration. The visa provides an alternative option for parents not qualifying for permanent residency in Australia. To be eligible for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870), the applicant must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has sponsored the applicant. The sponsor must meet certain financial requirements and provide a bond to cover any potential health or welfare costs incurred by the sponsored parent during their stay in Australia. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) does not provide work rights and is not a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. However, it allows parents to visit and stay with their family in Australia for an extended period, providing a greater opportunity for family bonding. Overall, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870) offers a flexible and temporary solution for parents to visit and spend time with their family in Australia. |
It is recommended that you seek professional advice from a registered migration agent like us or the Australian Department of Home Affairs to determine the most appropriate visa option for your situation and to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements.
Contact EEM Migration & Education to get more information about the Parent Visa and other relevant data.
We will be glad to assist you.
FAQ
Yes, it is possible to bring your parents to Australia permanently through the Parent Visa Program. There are different types of parent visa options available, each with different eligibility criteria and application requirements.
One option is the Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103), which allows parents to migrate to Australia permanently if they have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Another option is the Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143), which has a faster processing time but higher fees.
It’s difficult to name a single “best” visa for parents in Australia as each visa option has its own advantages and eligibility criteria. However, the Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143) is a popular choice for parents who want to migrate to Australia permanently as it has a faster processing time than the Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103) and offers a greater chance of success. This visa does come with higher fees, but it allows parents to live and work in Australia indefinitely and access Medicare and other benefits. Seek professional advice from a registered migration agent like us or the Australian Department of Home Affairs to determine the most appropriate visa option for your situation.
The processing time for a parent visa in Australia can vary depending on the type of visa and the number of applications in the queue. The Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103) has a longer processing time, which can take up to 30 years due to the high demand and limited number of visas available each year.
The Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143), on the other hand, has a faster processing time than the Parent (Migrant) Visa. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the current processing time for this visa is approximately 2.5 to 3 years.
The processing times can change depending on a variety of factors, including changes to immigration policies, the number of applications in the queue, and the complexity of individual cases.
The cost of a parent visa to Australia can vary depending on the type of visa.
Below are the current fees for some of the most common parent visa types as of February 2023:
Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103): The base application charge for this visa is $6,415. Additional fees may apply for each additional family member included in the application.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173): The base application charge for this visa is $ 4,155. Additional fees may apply for each additional family member included in the application.
Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143): The base application charge for this visa is $49,285. Additional fees may apply for each additional family member included in the application.
Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804): The base application charge for this visa is $6,415. Additional fees may apply for each additional family member included in the application.
The above fees are subject to change and do not include other costs that may be associated with the visa application process, such as medical examinations, police checks, and translation fees.
The processing time for the temporary visa (subclass 173) can take several months to be granted, and it can be longer if additional information is required or if there are delays in processing. However, the temporary visa allows parents to enter Australia and live there for up to two years while their permanent visa application is being processed. Once the permanent visa is granted, they can live and work in Australia indefinitely.
The processing times can change depending on a variety of factors, including changes to immigration policies, the number of applications in the queue, and the complexity of individual cases.
There are several types of parent visas available for individuals who wish to bring their parents to live with them in Australia. The main types of parent visas are:
Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103): This visa allows parents to migrate to Australia permanently to live with their children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173): This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to two years while they apply for the permanent Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143).
Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143): This visa allows parents to migrate to Australia permanently to live with their children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa has a higher application fee but offers a faster processing time than the Parent (Migrant) Visa.
Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804): This visa is for parents who meet the age requirements and are dependent on their children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Yes, as an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to sponsor your parents to migrate to Australia. However, sponsoring your parents involves more than just submitting a sponsorship application. You will need to meet certain eligibility criteria and fulfil obligations as a sponsor.
To sponsor your parents for a parent visa, you will need to demonstrate that you are able to provide financial support to your parents during their stay in Australia and that you will be able to provide adequate accommodation and support for them. You will also need to meet certain income requirements and provide an Assurance of Support.
Additionally, you will be required to provide certain documents, such as your birth certificate or proof of citizenship or permanent residency, as well as documents demonstrating your financial capacity and relationship with your parents.
The duration of stay for parents in Australia depends on the type of visa they hold.
For Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103) and Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143), parents can stay in Australia permanently as they are granted permanent residency.
For Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173), parents can stay in Australia for up to two years while they apply for the permanent Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143).
For Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804), parents can stay in Australia permanently if they meet the eligibility requirements.
If parents are in Australia on a temporary visa, such as a visitor visa, their stay will be limited to the duration of their visa.
There is no specific “5-year parent visa” available in Australia. However, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa allows parents to visit their children and grandchildren in Australia for up to three or five years, depending on the selected visa duration. The visa provides an alternative option for parents who do not qualify for permanent residency in Australia.
The cost is $5,240 for up to 3 years and $10,480 for up to 5 years.
Whether or not you can stay in Australia while waiting for a parent visa depends on the visa you hold and your individual circumstances.
If you are in Australia on a valid visa that allows you to stay in the country while your parent visa application is being processed, you may be able to remain in Australia during this time. However, if your current visa is about to expire or does not allow you to stay in Australia for the entire processing time of the parent visa application, you may need to leave Australia and wait for a decision outside of the country.
If you are in Australia on a visitor visa, you will not be able to stay in Australia while your parent visa application is being processed, as visitor visas have a limited stay period.
The time it takes for parents to get Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia depends on the type of parent visa and the processing times of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
The processing time for the Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 103) and Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804) can vary depending on the number of applications being processed but can take between 30 to 50 months on average.
The processing time for the Contributory Parent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 143) can also vary but is generally faster than the non-contributory parent visas, taking around 12 to 18 months on average.
The processing times are subject to change and may be affected by a range of factors, including the completeness and accuracy of the application, the complexity of the case, and the number of applications being processed.