The Parents Visa subclass is a series of visas that allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their children in Australia. These visas offer different pathways for parents to live in Australia either temporarily or permanently, depending on their specific situation.

There are several visa subclasses within the Parents Visa category, each designed to suit different circumstances:

1. Parent Visa (subclass 103): This permanent visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia permanently. Applicants must meet specific balance of family tests, proving that their children are mostly living in Australia.
2. Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143): This permanent visa allows parents to migrate to Australia to join their children. Applicants must meet health and character requirements and pay a higher application fee compared to the Parent Visa (subclass 103), which fast-tracks the processing of the visa.
3. Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 173): This temporary visa enables parents to stay in Australia while awaiting the approval of the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa. The subclass 173 visa is a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 143 visa.
4. Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804): This permanent visa is available to parents who are of retirement age and wish to live in Australia with their children. Applicants must meet health and character requirements and pass the balance of family test.
5. Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864): This is a permanent visa designed for aged parents who wish to join their children in Australia. This visa offers a quicker processing time than the standard aged parent visa (subclass 804) but requires a higher application fee.
6. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 884): This temporary visa allows aged parents to live in Australia while their application for the Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa is being processed. It provides a temporary stay and can lead to permanent residency.
7. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 870): This temporary visa allows parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years. Unlike other parent visas, the subclass 870 visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residency. It is ideal for parents who wish to visit their children in Australia but do not wish to apply for permanent migration.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Balance of Family Test: To qualify for most Parent Visa subclasses, you must meet the balance of family test, which ensures that more of your children are residing in Australia than in any other country.
• Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet health and character requirements.
• Sponsorship: For some subclasses, you may need to be sponsored by your child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

 

Benefits:

• The Parent Visa subclasses offer the opportunity to live with your children in Australia, and in the case of permanent visas, a pathway to permanent residency and eventual Australian citizenship.

If you are considering applying for a Parent Visa, it is recommended to consult a registered migration agent to guide you through the process, as the application requirements can be complex. They will help assess your eligibility and improve your chances of successfully obtaining the visa.