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Family Visa
Overview of Family Visas
Navigating the Family Visa options
Australia offers various family visa options to help reunite families and allow parents and children to join their loved ones. These visas cater to different circumstances and provide pathways for individuals who wish to migrate to Australia to be with their families. Below is an overview of the available visa options, including details for parents and children.
Parent Visa Options
1. The Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) allows parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years. Unlike permanent parent visas, this is a temporary visa but offers parents a pathway to stay in Australia for an extended period.
Key Features:
- Temporary residency status
- Allows parents to stay for up to three or five years, up to a maximum of 10 years stay
- Can be extended but is not a permanent residency visa
- The parent must be sponsored by their child in Australia
2. The Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) allows aged parents to join their Australian children, with the added benefit of a faster processing time compared to the standard Aged Parent Visa. However, it also involves a higher financial cost.
Key Features:
- Faster processing time compared to Subclass 804
- Permanent residency status
- Requires a higher financial contribution
3. The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is another permanent residency option for parents, but it is processed much faster than the standard Parent Visa. However, it requires a significant financial contribution, which makes the application more expensive.
Key Features:
- Faster processing times than Subclass 103
- Permanent residency status
- Requires a higher financial contribution
4. The Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) is for parents who are of retirement age (the age at which you qualify for an aged pension in Australia). Like the Parent Visa (Subclass 103), it can take a long time to process due to limited annual places.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- Specifically for older parents meeting the age requirement
- Long processing times
5. The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is a permanent visa option for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa allows you to live in Australia permanently, but it has a long processing time due to a limited number of places available each year.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- The processing time can be several years (up to 30 years)
- Must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
5. The Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115) is for people who do not have any other close family members living outside Australia. If you are a parent who has no living children or siblings outside Australia and have an Australian relative willing to sponsor you, this visa allows you to stay in Australia permanently.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- You must be sponsored by an Australian relative
- You cannot have other close relatives living outside Australia
Child Visa Options
1. The Child Visa (Subclass 101) is a permanent visa that allows children outside Australia to join their Australian citizen or permanent resident parent(s). To be eligible, the child must be under 18 years of age and meet health and character requirements.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- Available to children under 18 years of age
- Must be sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident parent
2. The Adoption Visa (Subclass 102) allows adopted children to migrate to Australia and join their adoptive parents who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa requires the child to be under 18 years of age at the time of application.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- Specifically for adopted children
- Must be sponsored by the adoptive parent(s) who are Australian citizens or permanent residents
3. The Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 117) is for children who are orphaned or whose parents are unable to care for them. The visa allows them to join a relative in Australia, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle, who is willing to care for them.
Key Features:
- Permanent residency status
- For children who have lost both parents or have parents unable to care for them
- The child must be under 18 years of age at the time of application
4. The Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445) allows a child to remain in Australia while their parent’s permanent visa application is processed. This visa is typically used when the child is already in Australia and is dependent on the parent during the waiting period for their permanent residency application.
Key Features:
- Temporary visa status
- Allows children of visa applicants to remain in Australia while the parent’s permanent visa application is processed
- Available to dependent children under the age of 18
Key Considerations for Family Visa Applications:
Health and Character Requirements: All applicants, whether for a parent or child visa, must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, ensuring they do not pose a risk to public health or safety.
Financial Costs: Some of the family visas, particularly the contributory options, require higher financial contributions. It’s essential to understand the costs involved when applying for visas like the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) or the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864).
Processing Times: Processing times can vary significantly for parent visas, with some taking many years (e.g., Subclass 103 and Subclass 804). Temporary visas like the Subclass 870 offer quicker processing but are not permanent.
Eligibility Criteria: It is essential to meet specific eligibility requirements for each visa, such as age, relationship status, and sponsorship from a relative.
Conclusion
Australia provides a range of family visa options to help parents and children reunite. Whether applying for a Parent Visa, Remaining Relative Visa, or Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa, there are multiple pathways available depending on your situation.
Similarly, there are various options for children who wish to migrate to Australia, including the Child Visa and Orphan Relative Visa. Understanding these options will help you choose the best visa for your family’s needs and ensure a smooth migration process.