From 17 April 2019, the Department of Home Affairs will begin accepting Sponsorship applications from Australian citizens/permanent residents and eligible New Zealand Citizens to sponsor their parent(s) to come to Australia for up to 10 years on the new Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa. As the visa will be capped to only 15,000 people per year, those that are interested may wish to apply without delay.
Details of how the Department will govern the new visa option have also been released in the Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa and Other Measures) Regulations 2019. Here is our summary of the implications:
The new Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa
- Capped to 15,000 visas per year
- Provides an initial stay of 5 years, which can be extended to a 10 year maximum, with multiple entries back into Australia during the visa period
- Visa conditions apply to prevent sponsored parents from working in Australia
- The sponsored parent must:
- Have access to funds to meet the costs and expenses of their stay
- Have health insurance for the length of their stay
- Meet character requirements and disclose any records of criminal history or family violence offences
Compared to Australia’s existing Visitor Visa options, the main advantage of the new Temporary Parent Visa Option is that parents will be able to stay for 5 years without departing. This reduces the hassle of departing and re-applying for Visitor Visas, which provide a shorter stay.
Another major advantage is that the Balance of Family Test is not applied to this visa, opening it up to many migrants whose parents can not apply for permanent Parent Visas.
While the new Parent Visa option only allows for a temporary stay, it could also provide a long-term visa alternative to Australia’s current permanent Parent Visa options, which typically require either lengthy waiting times or very high Government costs.
How much will the Temporary Parent Visa cost in Government fees?
- From AUD $5,000 for a 3 year Parent Visa
- From AUD $10,000 for a 5 year Parent Visa
- From AUD $420 for the Sponsorship application
Compare the new Temporary Parent Visa’s fees against Australia’s Permanent Residence Parent Visa options.
How can my parent stay for the maximum 10 years?
A new Sponsorship application and Temporary Parent Visa application will be required for parents wanting to stay a further 5 years in Australia after the first visa.
The sponsored parent will need to leave Australia for 90 consecutive days before making the second visa application. Exceptions to lodge the application while the sponsored parent is in Australia may apply.
Does the Temporary Parent Visa provide a pathway to permanent residence?
Parents are not permitted to apply for Australia’s permanent Parent Visa options while holding the new Temporary Parent Visa, therefore it will not provide a direct pathway to permanent residence.
Am I eligible to sponsor my parents?
This depends on a number of factors including, but not limited to:
- Your age
- Whether you are the biological, adoptive, or step child of the parent (this may include the parent of a deceased spouse or de-facto parent)
- Whether you are an Australian citizen/permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The number of parents you wish to sponsor
- Your minimum household taxable income
- Whether you have any debts to the Commonwealth government or any outstanding public health debts
The sponsor will be required to support the parent financially, provide accommodation and comply with several sponsorship obligations, such as liability for any outstanding public debts incurred by the parent before they depart Australia. Sponsors must also agree to information regarding family violence being shared with the sponsored parent.
Over 30 years of visa experience | How Interstaff can assist you
For further information, read our previous article announcing the changes. As the Temporary Parent Visa is capped to 15,000 people per year, you may wish to contact our Registered Migration Agents to advise on your eligibility to sponsor your parents and to discuss how we can assist with the sponsorship and visa process. Simply contact our Registered Migration Agents on visa@interstaff.com or +61 8 9221 3388 (or National Free Call 1800 449 858).
Source:
Interstaff Migration Agents
Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa and Other Measures) Regulations 2019
Migration Institute of Australia
