Parent Migration Visas for Permanent Residency to Australia:
Parent Migration
Overview of Parent Migration Visas
In March 2003, legislation was passed in Parliament that allowed for the introduction of new arrangements for parent visas. These new arrangements allow entry of additional parents willing to make a higher contribution to their future health and welfare costs. As a result, there are 6 classes of visas available for parents who wish to reside in Australia. These visa classes fall into 2 broad groups: the parent category and the contributory parent category, known collectively as 'parent visas'.
Applicants for the contributory parent category visas are required to make a higher contribution towards their future health costs.
If a visa place is available, applicants who meet all other requirements for the contributory parent category visas can choose to pay the entire second installment of the visa application charge (2nd visa application charge) at one time. They will then be granted a permanent visa, subject to a visa place being available.
Alternatively, subject again to a visa place being available, applicants who meet all other requirements for the contributory parent category visas can choose initially to pay 60% of their 2nd visa application charge. They will then be granted a temporary visa valid for 2 years. To be granted a permanent visa, temporary visa holders must apply for the corresponding permanent visa before their temporary visa expires. If all requirements for grant are met, the remaining 40% of their contribution towards health costs must be paid before a visa can be granted.
There are more than 3 times the number of visa places available each year in the contributory parent category than are available in the parent category. Applicants for a visa in the parent category can expect a substantial wait in the queue before being granted a visa. Applicants for a visa in the contributory parent category can anticipate being processed more quickly.
Basic Requirements
Generally, the following are requirements for all parent visas:
You must be a parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen;
Your child must be settled in Australia (in most cases, resident for at least 2 years) and must sponsor you;
You must pass the balance of family test - at least half of your children must live permanently in Australia or you must have more children living permanently in Australia than in any other single country;
You must meet health and character requirements;
In addition to paying a charge when you lodge your application (known as the first installment of the visa application charge or 1st visa application charge) and meeting the requirements listed above, you will need to pay a second installment of the visa application charge (known as 2nd visa application charge);
If you are applying for any permanent parent visa, you will also be required to provide an acceptable Assurance of Support and provide evidence of payment of an Assurance of Support Bond;
If you are applying for any parent visa that has the word 'aged' in its title, you must be an Aged Parent. The term 'Aged Parent' is defined in the 'Age Requirements' section.
Parents can apply for permanent migration to Australia under one of the 4 permanent parent visa classes:
Contributory Parent
Class CA (Contributory Parent-Migrant (subclass 143))
Contributory Aged Parent
Class DG (Contributory Aged Parent-Residence (subclass 864))
Parent
Class AX (Parent-Migrant (subclass 804))
Aged Parent
Class BP (Aged Parent-Residence (subclass 804))
For permanent parent visa classes, the following additional requirement applies:
An Assurance of Support is required.
Parents can also apply under 2 temporary parent visa classes:
Contributory Parent (Temporary)
Class UT (Contributory Parent-Temporary (subclass 173))
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary)
Class UU (Contributory Aged Parent-Temporary (subclass 884))
Applicants are required to pay a portion of the second visa application charge (60% of the second visa application charge for the permanent contributory parent visas) before grant of the temporary visa. The remaining portion (40% of the second visa application charge for the permanent contributory parent visas) must be paid before grant of the permanent visa. Where a charge is levied by DIMA, you can check the amount of the charge listed on form 990i Charges. This form is available from the Forms section of DIMA's website here.
Applicants will be granted a temporary visa valid for 2 years once all the legislative requirements are met. The visa provides access to full work rights and Medicare, but the visa cannot be extended of renewed.
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Disclaimer: Visa criteria constantly changes, please ensure you click the DIMA button to view the latest official migration booklets. This page is for guidance purposes only. |