Obtaining parents visa can be a wonderful and life-changing experience, allowing your parents to reside with you in Australia be a part of your journey and spend quality time with your family.
At Walker Pender Group, our skilled immigration lawyers bring a wealth of knowledge and regularly help clients achieve parent visas for Australia.
Recently, we had a client named John, an Australian citizen, who wanted his parents to live with him in Australia.
John wasn’t sure where to start, so he reached out to our team who assisted him with the visa application process which involved lengthy forms, collating evidence and required documents, and meeting application deadlines.
John was thrilled when his parents were granted a parental visa, permitting them to relocate to Australia and live with John on a permanent basis.
John is one of many clients we have assisted.
In this article, we’ll give you the information you need to better understand parent visas, and the options available to you and your family.
What Is a Parent Visa?
Parent visas make it possible for qualified parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible citizens of New Zealand to immigrate to Australia and live with their kids. These visas give families the chance to reunite and enable parents to participate in Australian society.
Types of Parent Visa Australia
There are several visas which are available for assisting parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to relocate to Australia, and these include the following:
- Contributory Parents Visa for Australia: To qualify for this visa the parent must meet the balance-of-family test, unless they are applying for the Retirement Pathway or hold a Subclass 173 visa. The Parent is also required to have an Assurance of Support (unless applying under the retirement pathway). It is important to note that this visa is more expensive than the Parents Visa, however processing time is much faster allowing for quicker reunification of families.
- Parents Visa for Australia: In order to apply for this visa the parent must meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law. This visa option is cheaper, however processing times may be longer than for the Contributory Parents visas.
- Aged Parents Visa for Australia: This visa is for parents old enough to receive the Age Pension in Australia.
- Contributory Aged Parents Visa for Australia: To apply for this visa, the parent needs to be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia. The difference between this visa and the ‘Aged Parents Visa for Australia’, is that this visa has more expensive, however it does offer faster processing times.
In order to be eligible to apply for any of these visas, it is important that the parent has not already applied for, or holds, a Sponsored Parent (Temporary)(Subclass 870) visa when applying.
Also read: Subclass 8101: Definition, Eligibility, and Process
How to Be Eligible: Parent Visa Australia
Depending on the visa subclass, you may need to fulfil several requirements to be eligible for an Australian parent visa. Here are the general requirements:
- Balance of Family Test: You must meet the “balance of family” test, which means at least half of your children are eligible Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by your child who is an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsoring child must meet specific criteria, such as meeting the income threshold and providing an Assurance of Support.
- Health and Character: You and any family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements. This may involve medical examinations and police clearances.
Need a Lawyer?
How to Apply for a Parent Visa for Australia:
It is essential to assess your eligibility before proceeding with the visa application, here’s what you should consider:
- Gather Required Documents for Parents Visa: Collecting the necessary documents is an essential first step. These documents may include your parents’ birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, and proof of your relationship with them, such as family photos or a statutory declaration. You may also need to provide health and character documents, including medical examinations and police clearance certificates.
- Complete the Application Form for Parents Visa: The application form is a comprehensive document that asks for information about you, your parents, and your relationship with them. It’s important to complete the form accurately and provide all the requested details. Be sure to check for any additional documents or attachments required for specific visa categories.
- Submit your parents visa to the Department of Home Affairs: Once you have completed the application form and gathered the necessary documents, you must submit your application to the Department of Home Affairs. This can be done online or by mail. Along with the application, you will need to pay the required visa application fee, which can vary depending on the type of parent visa you are applying for.
- Provide Additional Information for Parents Visa for Australia (if required): In some cases, the immigration authorities for parents visa for Australia may request additional information or documents to support your application. This may include more evidence of your relationship with your parents or further clarification on certain aspects. Responding promptly to these requests and providing the requested information within the given timeframe is crucial.
- Attend Interviews or Medical Examinations (if necessary): Depending visa you are applying for, you and your parents may be required to attend an interview or undergo medical examinations. Interviews are conducted to verify the application’s authenticity and assess the relationship’s genuineness. Medical tests are carried out to ensure that your parents meet the health requirements set by the Australian government.
- Receive Parents Visa for Australia Outcome: Once the immigration authorities have reviewed your application and supporting documents, you will receive a notification of the visa outcome. If your application is approved, you will be granted the parent visa, allowing your parents to join you in Australia. If there are any issues or your application is denied, you will be provided with the reasons for the decision and any available options for review or appeal. If your parent visa application is successful, you can start preparing for your parents’ arrival in Australia.
Other considerations
It is important that you fully understand the financial obligations tied to the parents visa for Australia and that you make the correct preparations for their arrival. Furthermore, it’s essential to keep up with any policy revisions or modifications that may have a consequence on the visa application process.
Applying for these visas can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Having a lawyer assist you can help to ensure a smoother application process and will give you a greater likelihood of success.
Closing Thoughts
Bringing parents to Australia through a parents visa is a big decision that requires intense planning and understanding of the visa options and the associated costs; you can make an informed choice that best suits your parents’ needs and circumstances.
Our Immigration lawyers at Walker Pender are skilled in the area of parents visas.
We work closely with our clients to help them achieve parents visa for Australia, and have a consistent record of achieving great results. Contact us today for expert guidance on your visa process.
