A Complete Guide to Parent Visas for Australian Permanent Residents and Citizens

There are various Visa alternatives available to you if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and wish to bring your parents to Australia. Choosing the appropriate visa depends on several factors, including your parents’ age, available income, and whether they want to live there permanently or just temporarily.

This blog post examines eligibility requirements and processing periods to assist you in making a wise choice.

Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870): Extended Family Visits

For a maximum stay of three or five years, parents may visit Australia with the sponsored Parent Temporary Visa (Subclass 870). When a grandchild is born, for example, and parents want to spend more time with their family, this is ideal. This visa, in contrast to ordinary visitor visas, allows for a longer stay without the need for frequent renewals.

Eligibility Criteria for Parent Visas

You need to meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for a parent visa.

• The candidate must be the parent of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of Australia.
• The applicant needs to clear the family balance exam. Consequently, their children must reside in Australia for at least half of them.
• When a qualified individual pledges to provide the parents with financial support, an assurance of support is necessary.
• The candidate must fulfill requirements for character and health.

Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103 and 804)

The Parent Visa Subclass 103 and the Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804 are choices for individuals who would rather pay less for their visa application. However, because of the protracted (up to 30 years) processing periods, these visas are less appropriate for many families.

Contributory Parent Visas: Faster Permanent Residency (Subclass 173, 143, 884, and 864)

The Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 173, 143, and Contributory Aged Parent Visas Subclass 884, 864, offer a faster road to permanent residency with processing times of roughly 12 years. Although these visas have greater government costs than non-contributory ones, the results are obtained more quickly.

The conditions of your family, including your parents’ age, intended length of stay, and financial status, will determine which parent visa is best. Knowing the requirements for eligibility and the length of time it takes to process requests can help you make an informed decision, about whether you choose a temporary or permanent visa. It is always advised to seek professional guidance to guarantee a seamless application process.

Australia Parent Visa Problems & Solutions 2024

In March 2023, a three-person independent group appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs released an assessment of Australia’s immigration laws. Dr. Martine Parkes, Professor Howe, and Mr. John Azaria made up the panel of four.

Major barriers to family migration were identified in their report, particularly those about parent visas. The supply was constrained and the demand was rising. The demand for family migration, especially parent visas, is far higher than the supply of available spaces.

For instance, in the 2022–2023 migration program, just 8,500 parent visa slots were reserved, compared to 52,500 family visa slots. The backlog for parent visas grew from about 35,000 in 2010 to roughly 120,000 by 2022, with some applications having to wait up to 50 years.

Economic Concerns and Government Policy

Governments restrict the number of Parent Visas granted because they worry about the impact of an aging population on the country. According to Australia’s Treasurer, the government bears the expense of each immigrant parent’s lifetime at roughly AED 393,000. This has influenced laws and led to the tight visa regulations that exist today.

Alternative Perspectives

The Federation of Indian organizations in Victoria, on the other hand, contends that the parent visa ought to be viewed as a safety net that eases the financial strain on childcare providers and permits parents to advance their careers.

By allowing their children to enter the workforce, about 24% of parent Visa holders assist in the care of their grandkids, which has a knock-on effect on the economy.

Suggested Reforms

These changes that the commission recommended were;

• The use of a lottery to clear the backlog of Visa applications
• Also, enhancement of the Sponsored Parent Visitor Visa (SPVV)
• In addition, provide parents with temporary migration alternatives rather than permanent ones

The reality of parent visas in Australia entails a complex discussion between expectations from family and the economy. Serious adjustments are needed to address the system’s overwhelming backlog and protracted waiting times to effectively address these issues.

Australia or Canada – The Parent Visa Dilemma for Skilled Migrants

Some skilled immigrants in Australia are perhaps reconsidering their choice of country. When it comes to ensuring their parents’ permanent status, they are considering Canada as a possible superior choice.

The application process for an Australian parent visa can take up to six years. Australian skilled migrants believe that Canada might have made a better choice for their parents to obtain long-term residency.

Many immigrants find it quite discouraging that parent visas in Australia take so long to process. Consider the possibility of a six-year application processing lag.

Reports from Skilled Migrants in Australia

A Melbourne-based professional claimed that she filed for a parent visa back in 2021 and remains dissatisfied with the exorbitant wait time. She revealed that her parents had chosen Canada even if she and her brother had not. There, obtaining parent residence is easier and quicker.

Another Adelaide-based engineer recommends those who are the go-to person for their parents to give Canada considerable consideration. This man, who arrived in Australia from the US roughly 20 years ago, is now regretting not doing more research into the visa status. What we are witnessing now is a demand for legislative changes.

Besides that, even a migration specialist has emphasized how important it is for Australia to add more slots for parent visas. He issues a warning that tougher immigration regulations for these visas may cause skilled immigrants to put off moving to Australia.

What to Consider

Particularly it involves your family, always do your research (learn the ins and outs of immigration regulations). The place you go can drastically affect the experience.