Last updated: 1st July 2024
TEMPORARY SPONSORED PARENT VISAS
A fact sheet from Emergico Migration. A Temporary Parent Visa is available to parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
A Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa is available to parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Introducing Temporary Parent Visas
The Temporary Sponsored Parent visa stream allows qualifying parents to apply for a three- or five-year validity Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 870), which permits them to enter and remain in Australia for that timeframe. The parent applicant is sponsored by their Australian child, who must have an appropriate income (combined with their spouse if necessary) to provide support. Up to two parents can be sponsored at a time.
The visa is temporary and has no pathway to permanent residency.
The maximum time that a person can spend in Australia on a Temporary Parent Visa is 10 years. There is a reasonably high fee for the visa, and a requirement for visa holders to have their own health insurance.
Is this visa subject to the ‘Balance of Family’ test?
One of the best things about this visa is that the Balance of Family test does not need to be met.
If you have more than 2 children, but only one who is a permanent resident or citizen of Australia, you would be precluded from applying for a Permanent Parent Visa, but you may still be eligible for the Temporary Parent Visa.
Who is the Temporary Parent Visa for?
The Temporary Parent Visa can be useful for people who have applied for a permanent parent visa (such as a Subclass 143) and are waiting for processing. It would allow you to remain in Australia for extended periods of time with your children, during the expected long wait time for the permanent visa.
It is also useful for people who cannot meet the Balance of Family Test for a permanent parent visa, and who wish to spend extended periods of time with their Australian children and grandchildren.
While holding a Temporary Parent Visa, you would be unable to apply for any other kind of Parent Visa. If you are eligible for a Permanent Parent Visa, it is worth exploring whether you can lodge such an application before applying for the Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa.
What are the processing times?
The processing time for the Temporary Parent Visa is usually a matter of weeks or months for both the sponsorship and visa. The sponsorship must be approved first, and then the visa applications can be lodged. You must ordinarily be outside Australia at the time of lodgement of the visa.
The quick processing time is attractive if you wish to be in Australia soon.
Comparing Temporary and Permanent Parent Visas
Below is a comparison between the Temporary and Permanent Parent Visas
|
Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870) |
Permanent Parent Visas (Subclass 804, 864, 103, 143) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Renewal | Up to 10 years in Australia | N/A | |
| Can both parents be included on the visa? | No, each parent must apply individually for this visa | Yes | |
| Balance of Family Test | Does not have to be met | Must be met | |
| Who can sponsor? | Must be sponsored by a child who is an Australian permanent resident or citizen | Must be sponsored by a child who is an Australian permanent resident or citizen | |
| How many people can be sponsored? | Maximum of 2 at a time | Unlimited, but income requirement for Assurance of Support needs to be considered | |
| Residency requirement for sponsor | 4 years settled in Australia | 2 years settled in Australia | |
| Income requirement for sponsor | Minimum of $83,454.80 per annum (current July 2024) | No specified income requirement for the sponsor | |
| Assurance of Support and Bond | Not required | Required in all cases. The amount of income will vary depending on Assurer's circumstances and number of people being assured. | |
| Work Rights while holding the visa | No work rights | Full work rights | |
| Location at time of lodgement | Must be outside Australia unless special permission is given | Either inside or outside Australia depending on the subclass of visa | |
|
Expected processing time (Sponsorship) |
Check here for current processing times | Not applicable - sponsorship is part of the visa application | |
|
Expected processing time (Visa) |
Check here for current processing times |
Contributory: lodged from 2021, expected to take 10 years or more Non-contributory: expected to take 30 years or more |
|
| Health Insurance | You must hold health insurance while on this visa | When the visa is granted, you are entitled to Medicare | |
| Do I have to pass a visa medical? | Yes, a medical is required and any costs of existing conditions would be assessed across the term of the visa (i.e. 3 or 5 years) | Yes, a medical is required and any costs of existing conditions would be assessed across a maximum term of 10 years | |
| Does a Bridging Visa apply? | No - as this is primarily an offshore visa application. If application is lodged while onshore, a Bridging Visa would be possible. |
For the Aged Parent Visas (subclass 804 and 864), a Bridging Visa is available. For the Parent Visas (subclass 103 and 143) no Bridging Visa |
|
| Restrictions on Further Visa Applications | While holding a subclass 870 visa, a person cannot apply for any other kind of Parent Visa | Nil | |
| Can I purchase property while on this visa? | You would be considered a 'Foreign Investor', and therefore need to apply for permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board | As a permanent resident, you are able to purchase property in Australia |
If you’re unsure of some of the terminology used here, check the main Parent Visa page for further explanation
Why should I choose Emergico Migration?
At Emergico, we specialize in taking the stress out of the Migration Process, to help our clients achieve their aims.
- We have several Registered Migration Agents who are highly experienced and knowledgeable about Parent and Family Visas, and who have obtained excellent results for their clients.
- We work with our clients to determine the best visa strategy for the family.
- We offer a fixed price service so you know what it will cost you, upfront. Our fees are competitive and reflect the time, professionalism and individualized care which we will put into your case.
- All our Agents are members of the Migration Institute of Australia and keep up to date with law changes and events which might impact on our clients. We communicate regularly so you are always fully informed about matters that will affect you.
Applying for a Parent Visa is a life-changing opportunity. A full consultation is recommended, so you can ask questions about anything that may concern you.
Emergico Migration is an Australian based Registered Migration Agency which provides advice and visa assistance for people wishing to move to, or remain in, Australia. We specialise in Employer Sponsored, Skilled, Global Talent, Parent, Partner, Family, Student and Graduate Visas.
You can contact us by emailing: migrate@emergico.com, calling us on (7) 3861 0726, or visiting our website at www.emergico.com
