Have you migrated to Australia and would like your parents to join you? The parent visa provides parents of Australian permanent residents and citizens with an opportunity to either move to Australia temporarily to permanently, depending on your eligibility and circumstances.
There are various visa options for parents of eligible sponsors that may lead to permanent residency. But for those who might be facing financial constraints or are deterred by lengthy processing times associated with permanent contributary or non-contributary parent visa, the Visitor Visa (Temporary) is a great cost-effective alternative. It allows parents to visit their family members in Australia, with the option of obtaining longer validity visas that permit stays of up to 12 months within an 18month period.
Alternatively, you could apply for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa which allows those eligible to reside in Australia for 3 or 5 years. Up to 15,000 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa are granted each year, making it more possible for families to reunite in Australia for a substantial amount of time.
There are several different visa options that may lead to Australian permanent residency
Can apply onshore, but No bridging visa is granted
Can apply onshore and be granted a bridging visa
Before getting any further it is important to understand some of the main requirements.
The Applicant must be the parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has spent at least 2 years living in Australia
You must pass the balance of family test (at least half of the applicants children and step-children must be citizens or permanent Residents in Australia, or more of the main applicants children must be settled permanent citizen or residents of Australia than any other single country).
There are some additional requirements that may apply depending on the visa you’re applying for.
The main applicant of this visa must be over 67 years of age, however if they have a partner aged younger than 67, they can be included as a secondary applicant.
Your parents will need to meet health and character requirements and will need to undertake a medical assessment, chest x-ray and HIV test. Please note that if you go the non contributory parent visa route then your parent would be required to undertake a medical assessment before the visa is granted.
Upon application for an onshore aged parent visa 103, the applicant would be granted a bridging visa allowing him to remain in Australia lawfully until the visa is granted. If the parent is from an RHCA country they may be able to enroll in Medicare, however I would always recommend that you check with Centrelink or Medicare about this. When applying for a parents visa 103 (for applicants under 66), there is no bridging visa granted. However parents may be eligible to obtain a long length sponsored visitor visa.
The other option is the contributory Aged Parent temporary visa. The benefit of this visa is that the second visa application charge is divided into two payments. This visa would grant you temporary residence in Australia for up to 2 years before you apply for the permanent contributory Aged Parent visa.
It's important to note that contributory parent visas come with a significantly higher upfront cost due to the substantial contribution required. However, for families who prioritize faster processing and a more predictable visa pathway, these visas can be a preferred choice.
Non-contributory Parent Visas have limited places available each year, and the processing times can be significantly longer than contributory parent visas (approximately 10 -30 years). As a result, applicants should plan well in advance and consider their individual circumstances and priorities when choosing the most suitable parent visa option for their family. Consulting with a migration expert or an immigration lawyer can provide valuable guidance in navigating the visa application process successfully.
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