Contributory aged parent visa
(subclass 864)
To be eligible for a Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864), you must meet the following criteria:
- Stay in Australia as a permanent resident.
- Have the right to work and study in Australia.
- Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
- Not have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa when applying for this visa.
With this visa you can
To be eligible for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident.
- Have the right to work and study in Australia.
- Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Be eligible to sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
You have the freedom to travel to and from Australia as frequently as you wish within a 5-year period from the date your visa is granted. However, if you plan to travel beyond this initial 5-year period, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Apply for and obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident if your initial 5-year travel facility expires.
- Alternatively, consider applying for Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you won’t need a visa to enter Australia. Instead, you’ll need to apply for an Australian passport and use it for travel purposes. You can find more information about the eligibility requirements and processing times for Australian citizenship on the relevant government website.
- Use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service to determine the expiration date of your travel facility.
If you hold a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa
You have the option to pursue the subclass 864 visa through a two-step process. Initially, you can apply for a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) (subclass 884) visa. This approach enables you to manage the cost of the visas by spreading them over multiple years. Additionally, it’s noted that you have already satisfied the balance of family test requirement.
How long you can stay
Include family
When submitting your application, you have the option to include members of your family unit. It is mandatory to provide details of all family members, regardless of whether they are migrating with you. Even if your partner is not applying for the visa alongside you, their information should still be included in your application.
It’s important to note that family members applying for the visa must satisfy the health and character requirements set by Australian immigration authorities. Additionally, non-migrating family members might also need to meet these health and character standards.
Newborn child
If your child is born after you have submitted your visa application, you will need to inform the relevant authorities and follow the necessary procedures outlined by the immigration department. Additionally, please be aware that there may be an additional charge for including your newborn child in your visa application, as each family member included in the application incurs a separate fee.
Cost
The Parent visa (subclass 143) has a cost of AUD48,365, and there is an additional charge for each family member included in the application. The payment for this visa is divided into two installments. The first instalment is paid at the time of application, while the second instalment is paid upon request from the immigration authorities.
In addition to the visa fees, applicants may also incur other costs such as health checks, police certificates, and biometrics for each applicant. These additional costs should be factored into your overall budget when planning your visa application.
It’s recommended to use the Visa Pricing Estimator provided by the Australian government to determine the exact cost of your visa application. However, please note that the estimator may not include the second instalment or other associated costs, so it’s essential to consider these factors as well.
Apply from
To apply for the visa, you and any family members included in the application must be physically present in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, at the time of application. This means you should be physically present within the borders of Australia, but not currently undergoing immigration procedures, such as at an immigration office or border checkpoint. Similarly, any family members applying with you must also meet this requirement.
Processing times
Due to the high demand for these visas, processing times can be extensive. Factors such as incomplete applications, missing documents, or the need for additional information can further delay the process. Additionally, the visa application charge must be paid correctly for the application to be processed. It’s important to note that application processing times provided are general estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances. For more specific information on processing times, applicants can use the visa processing time guide tool.
Assessment
Applications for the Parent visa are evaluated in two stages. Initially, the eligibility of the applicant is assessed, and the application is either added to the queue for processing or refused if eligibility criteria are not met. Once a place becomes available, the application is further evaluated, and a decision is made. It’s important not to plan for permanent residency in Australia until the visa is granted, as the outcome is uncertain until confirmed in writing by the authorities. More information about the Parent visa queue and processing priorities can be found on the relevant government resources.
Consider another visa
Other Parent visas available include:
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884), followed by a permanent Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). This two-step visa process involves higher costs compared to the subclass 804 visa. However, the expenses are spread across two visas over a longer duration.
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870), which is a temporary visa enabling parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years at a time, with a cumulative maximum period of 10 years.
You can find more details about these visa options on the Visa list page provided by the relevant immigration authorities.
Your obligations
Visa label
Eligibility
Not have this visa
You cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.
Have a sponsor
To be eligible for the Parent visa (subclass 804), you need to be sponsored by an eligible sponsor. Typically, this sponsor would be your adult child who is settled in Australia. However, if your child is under 18 years old, you can be sponsored by another eligible relative or a community organization. It’s essential that the sponsorship is approved by the Australian authorities.
If your sponsor dies
If you hold a Temporary Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 884) visa and your sponsor passes away, you may still be eligible for the Parent visa (subclass 804). In such a situation, it’s advisable to review your circumstances and consult with the relevant authorities to understand the necessary steps to proceed with your visa application or any changes that may be required due to your sponsor’s passing.
Be this age
You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
Meet the health requirement
You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet the health requirement set by the Australian authorities. Additionally, we may also request that other family members who are not migrating meet this health requirement.
Meet the character requirement
You and any family members included in your visa application must meet the character requirement set by Australian authorities. Additionally, other non-migrating family members may also be asked to meet this requirement.
Have assurance of support
Obtaining an assurance of support is a requirement for the Parent visa (subclass 804). This assurance ensures that you and any accompanying family members will not need to rely on government assistance upon entering Australia. The assurance is a commitment from an individual or organization to provide financial support if necessary.
When the assurance of support is needed, the immigration authorities will inform you accordingly. It’s important to understand the obligations associated with the assurance of support and to ensure that you fulfill these requirements as part of your visa application process.
For more detailed information on assurances of support and how they work, you can refer to the resources provided by the immigration department or seek assistance from relevant authorities.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must comply with the following requirements:
- You must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book.
- You must sign an Australian Values Statement confirming that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any member of your family owe money to the Australian Government, you or they must have either paid it back or have a formal arrangement in place to repay it.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
Your immigration history will be taken into account when evaluating your application for this visa. If you’ve had a visa cancelled or refused, you may not be eligible. However, in certain situations, you might still be able to apply for a permanent visa despite past issues. For detailed guidance on limitations regarding applications in Australia, you can refer to the relevant document. If you’re applying for a visa from outside Australia, consult “Can I go to Australia” for further information. If you require assistance with your visa application, refer to resources on who can provide immigration assistance.
Best interests of the child
The issuance of this visa is contingent upon its alignment with the best interests of any applicants under 18 years old. If granting the visa is deemed contrary to their best interests, it will not be approved.
Upon being granted the visa, you are bestowed with permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to reside in the country indefinitely. This status serves as the foundation for potential future citizenship applications, with your permanent residency commencing from the date of visa approval.