Sponsorship for a family member
(subclass 870)
This temporary 870 visa allows a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to visit Australia for a duration of up to 3 or 5 years.
Starting from July 1, 2024, adjustments to Australian citizenship eligibility will be implemented for certain New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa. For details regarding the direct pathway to Australian citizenship for New Zealand citizens, please refer to the relevant information provided.
With 870 visa you can
870 visa allows parents to reunite with their children in Australia and permits visits for up to 3 or 5 years per visa. Additionally, individuals can reapply for further Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas, extending their total stay to a maximum of 10 years in Australia. However, it’s important to note that holders of this visa are not allowed to work in Australia during their stay.
How long you can stay on 870 visa
870 visa is temporary and does not lead to permanent residency. You cannot apply for any other parent visa, permanent or temporary, while holding this visa.
You can apply to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, as specified on your visa grant letter. The length of your visa will be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as your desired length of stay and the sponsorship cessation date. Please note that you may not be granted the exact length of stay that you request.
If you have been granted a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, the other parent sponsored by the same child cannot be granted a visa with a later end date. For example, if Parent A is sponsored and granted a visa for 3 years, Parent B, applying later, can only be granted a visa for the remaining period of Parent A’s visa validity (e.g., 12 months).
Your visa will end on the date specified on the visa grant letter if canceled by the authorities if your sponsorship is withdrawn without finding a new Parent Sponsor, or if the sponsorship itself is canceled.
 See related: Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Stay longer
You are permitted to stay in Australia for a cumulative maximum period of 10 years under this visa category.
Extending this visa to prolong your stay in Australia is not possible. To remain in Australia beyond the maximum 10-year period, you must apply for and be granted a different type of visa.
If you wish to apply for another Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you must spend at least 90 days outside Australia before being eligible, unless you have Permission to Apply in Australia.
Once you have reached the cumulative maximum 10-year period of holding Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas, you must either leave Australia or apply for and obtain another visa category that permits you to stay. Further Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas will not be granted beyond this limit.
With 870 visa you
Include family
Family members cannot be included in your visa application for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
Sponsorship
To apply for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you must have an approved Parent Sponsor. It’s important to note the following conditions regarding sponsorship:
1. Each sponsor’s household is limited to one sponsorship at a time.
2. A sponsor’s sponsorship can cover up to 2 parents per household concurrently.
3. A sponsor cannot lodge a new sponsorship application until their current approved sponsorship ends.
These conditions ensure that sponsorship resources are managed effectively and responsibly.
Cost of 870 visa Australia
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa has the following total costs:
– AUD $420 for sponsorship approval to sponsor parent.
– AUD $5,895 for a sponsored parent visa up to 3 years; or
– AUD $11,785 for a sponsored parent visa up to 5 years.
Payment for 870 visa is divided into two instalments:
1. The first instalment is paid when you submit your application AUD $1,180
2. The second instalment is paid when requested by the authorities AUD $4,715 (3 years) or AUD $10,605 (5 years)
Additional costs include expenses for health insurance, health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Apply from
To apply for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you must generally be outside Australia. However, there are exceptional circumstances where Permission to Apply in Australia may be granted. This could include situations such as:
1. The parent experiencing an accident or serious illness, supported by medical evidence.
2. Natural disasters preventing travel to the parent’s home country.
If you are approved to apply within Australia, you can only then proceed with applying for the parent visa onshore. The parent visa must be lodged within 60 days of sponsorship approval if approved to apply within Australia. However, if the Department does not approve the sponsorship permission to apply in Australia request, you will have to:
- apply for the parent visa from outside Australia within 6 months of sponsorship approval, orÂ
- apply for and be granted a different kind of visa to remain in Australia.
Processing times of 870 visa
To get an estimate of the processing time for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you can refer to the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides information on the processing times of recently decided applications. However, please note that it serves as a general guide and may not precisely match the timeline for your specific application.
Several factors can contribute to longer processing times, including:
– Incomplete application forms
– Missing documents or information required by the authorities
– Time required for verification of provided information
Ensuring that your application is completed accurately and includes all necessary documents can help expedite the processing of your visa application.
Travel
You have the flexibility to travel to and from Australia multiple times while your Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa remains valid.
Your obligations
You must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
Eligibility
Be eligible to apply
To qualify for 870 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Relationship: You must be the biological, legal (including adoptive) parent, step-parent, or parent in-law of the Parent Sponsor.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Unlike some other visas, there is no balance of family test or Assurance of Support requirements for this visa category.
Have a sponsor
You must have an approved Parent Sponsor to apply for 870 visa.
Have met any previous visa obligations
You must have met and complied with any previous visa obligations.
Meet the health requirement
You must meet our health requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You must meet our character requirement.
Have enough money
You must have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while you are in Australia.
Have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily
When applying for this visa, you must demonstrate the following intentions:
- Temporary Stay: Your intention must be to stay in Australia only temporarily.
- Adherence to Visa Conditions: You must only engage in activities permitted by the visa.
It’s important to note that if you have already submitted an application for a permanent parent visa, you are allowed to visit Australia while the application is being processed. However, you cannot permanently reside in Australia during this time. This visa solely grants temporary residency and does not confer the right to permanent residence. Additionally, you are ineligible to apply for any permanent or temporary parent visa while holding or having applied for this visa.
Health insurance
As a requirement, you must possess and continuously maintain adequate health insurance coverage from an Australian Health Insurance provider. This coverage should sufficiently address any unexpected medical treatment needs you may encounter while staying in Australia.
To ensure compliance, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes adequate health insurance coverage. Further information regarding this requirement can be found through the provided resources. Additionally, you can learn more about health insurance options tailored for overseas visitors to Australia.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Certain countries have established reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. To obtain more detailed information regarding these agreements, you can refer to Services Australia. They can provide comprehensive insights into the reciprocal healthcare arrangements between Australia and specific countries.
Have no debt to the Australian government
If you have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government or if you owe a public health debt, it is imperative that you either repay the amount owed
Visa Conditions
8103 - No paid work
Under the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you are not permitted to engage in any work in Australia without prior written permission from the Minister. Such permission may be granted for specific types of work or for a designated period. For a comprehensive list of conditions pertaining to your visa, please refer to the Federal Register of Legislation.
8303 - Not be disruptive
It is strictly prohibited to engage in activities that disrupt or threaten harm to the Australian community or any group within the Australian community while holding the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. This includes involvement in activities such as promoting extremist views or interfering with the functioning of the Australian community. Such behavior is not tolerated and may result in serious consequences.
8501 - Maintain adequate health insurance
It is a requirement to have and uphold adequate health insurance coverage for the entirety of your stay in Australia under the terms of the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. For further details on how this condition applies to your specific situation, please refer to your visa details.
8531 - Must leave before visa expiry
The condition 8531 stipulates that the visa holder must depart Australia before the expiration of the visa’s permitted stay period. It is imperative to adhere to this condition and depart from Australia accordingly to avoid any violations of visa regulations.
8550 - Notify change of details
This condition specifically applies to visas granted before February 28, 2020.
Additionally, it is your responsibility to promptly inform us of any changes to your personal details, including your name, address, phone number, or email address. Failure to notify us of such changes could result in communication issues or other complications. For further information regarding the conditions relevant to your visa, please consult the Federal Register of Legislation.
8564 - Must not engage in criminal conduct
It is strictly prohibited to engage in criminal conduct while holding the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. Any involvement in criminal activities is against Australian law and may result in serious consequences, including visa cancellation and deportation. It is essential to abide by all laws and regulations during your stay in Australia.
8609 - Notify new details
This condition is applicable to visas granted after February 28, 2020.
Additionally, you are required to notify us within 14 days of any changes to your personal details, including your name, address, phone number, email address, or passport details. It is crucial to promptly update this information to ensure effective communication and compliance with visa regulations. For a comprehensive list of conditions relevant to your visa, please refer to the Federal Register of Legislation.