In November of this year, the Australian government will officially introduce the temporary sponsored parent visa.
This new visa aims to allow Australian citizens and permanent residents, as well as eligible New Zealanders, to bring their parents to Australia to live with them for up to five years at a time.
The announcement of this visa has been met with considerable enthusiasm from Australians, as leaving parents behind is often one of the most challenging aspects of emigrating.
Concerns around Existing Parent Visas Prompted the New Visa
Currently, Australia offers six parent visas under the Family category. However, the costs associated with these visas are exorbitant, with prices reaching up to AU$32,900. Such high costs act as a major barrier for average individuals aspiring to move to Australia.
Furthermore, the waiting times for parent visas can be extremely long, sometimes spanning up to 30 years.
This extended wait makes the dream of moving to Australia seem unattainable, even when the visa becomes more affordable.
The Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa Offers Greater Accessibility
The introduction of the temporary sponsored parent visa brings living in Australia within reach for a significantly larger number of parents. This visa allows the parents of Australians to join their children for a period of up to five years.
The cost of a five-year visa is AU$10,000, while a three-year visa is priced at AU$5,000. Compared to the existing parent visas, this represents a significant reduction in fees.
As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding the processing time for the temporary sponsored parent visa. However, considering the Australian government’s intention to address concerns around lengthy timelines, it is safe to assume that applicants won’t have to wait for years to receive an outcome.
Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa Renewal
It’s essential to mention that the temporary sponsored parent visa can be renewed. Renewal options will likely be available closer to the visa’s expiry date. The Australian government will provide more details on the renewal process as the introduction of the visa approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to five of the most frequently asked questions about the new temporary sponsored parent visa:
1. Who is eligible to apply?
Parents (biological or adoptive) and step-parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens are eligible to apply. However, step-parents can only apply if they are still in a married or de facto relationship with a biological parent of the sponsoring Australian child. Additionally, only one set of parents per household can be sponsored at a time.
2. What requirements must a parent meet to qualify for the visa?
Parents must meet several requirements to qualify for the temporary sponsored parent visa, including:
- Their child must be approved as a sponsor.
- Meeting the identity, health, and character requirements.
- Not having any outstanding public health debt in Australia.
- Holding and maintaining health insurance from an Australian provider valid for their intended period of stay in Australia.
3. What requirements must a sponsor (the child) meet?
The sponsor for a temporary parent visa must fulfill certain requirements for their sponsorship to be approved. These requirements include:
- Being a biological, adoptive, or step-child of the parent.
- Providing valid evidence of their identity.
- Being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Being 18 years or older.
- Having lived in Australia for at least four years.
- Meeting a household income requirement.
- Meeting character requirements.
- Accepting legal liability for any outstanding public health debt incurred by their sponsored parent. This requirement aims to reduce the cost to the Australian government for health services provided to temporary parent migrants
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