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Sponsored Parent 870 Visa

Sponsored Parent 870 Visa

The 870 Temporary Visa allows a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years.

Process:

Once the sponsorship application is approved, a sponsored parent can apply for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. The visa application must be submitted within 6 months of sponsorship approval.

Goal:

This visa provides parents with a temporary pathway to reunite with their children and grandchildren in Australia while ensuring taxpayers are not burdened with additional costs. It addresses community concerns about limited Parent visa places in the migration program and the associated long waiting periods.

Eligibility:

To be eligible, the parent must be:

  • A biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor.
  • The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Benefits of the Visa:

This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to five years without needing to leave. It provides an alternative to Visitor visas, which offer shorter stays. Parents can still apply for Visitor or permanent Parent visas.

Number of Places Available:

Up to 15,000 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas may be granted each program year (from July 1 to June 30). The 15,000 cap reflects the government’s priority on managing an aging population and limiting the budget impact of older migrants. It also emphasizes visa pathways for children, partners of Australians, and skilled young migrants. If the cap is reached, no further visas will be granted until the next program year begins.

Visa and Existing Pathways:

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa replaces the longer-stay Visitor visa concession for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. While it allows for a longer stay, it is still temporary and does not grant permanent residency like the Parent visa. The visa also offers a pathway for Parent visa applicants to visit their children and grandchildren while waiting for their permanent Parent visa application to be processed.

COVID-19 Updates:

  • SC 870 Visa – Automatic Extensions: Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa holders outside Australia on July 1, 2021, had their visas extended for 18 months due to travel restrictions. Sponsorship obligations were also extended.
  • SC 870 Visa – Onshore Applications: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, requests to apply for the Subclass 870 visa onshore are being considered with leniency.

870 Visa Sponsorship:

This section applies specifically to sponsors of Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas. Only two parents per household can be sponsored at one time, allowing more households to participate and reflecting the potential costs sponsors will need to cover.

Sponsor Eligibility:

Sponsors must meet these criteria:

  • Have a taxable income of at least $83,454.80 (combined income with a partner is allowed).
  • Be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor. Step-parents can only apply if they are in a married or de facto relationship with the biological parent.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, usually residing in Australia for at least 4 years.
  • Have no adverse information or debts to the Commonwealth unless resolved.
  • Provide police clearances for countries lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years.
  • Authorize the sharing of information with the visa applicant.

Sponsors must also agree to meet specific sponsorship obligations, including financial support and accommodation, record-keeping, and paying any public health debts incurred by the parent in Australia.

Sponsorship Obligations:

  • Financial Support: Sponsors must provide financial support and accommodation for their parents.
  • Reporting: Sponsors must report certain events, such as being charged with a crime, to the Department.
  • Health Debts: Sponsors must pay any public health debts incurred by their parent. If the debts are not repaid, the sponsor may be pursued in court.
  • Breaching Obligations: If obligations are breached, sponsorship may be canceled, barring the sponsor from sponsoring another parent.

Sponsorship Validity:

Sponsorship will cease if:

  • The sponsor’s permanent visa is canceled.
  • The sponsor dies or withdraws sponsorship.
  • The parent does not apply for a visa within 6 months of approval. Some sponsorship obligations, like paying outstanding health debts, will continue even after the sponsorship ends.

Sponsorship Cost:

The sponsorship application fee is $420.

Sponsoring Other Visas:

Sponsors may also sponsor other types of visas if eligible. They can apply to vary their sponsorship to sponsor a different parent, but the new parent must also meet the relationship criteria.

870 Parent Visa Assessment:

  • Applicants must be sponsored by an approved parent sponsor.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Meet health, character, and national security requirements.

Unlike permanent Parent visas, there is no Balance of Family Test required.

Duration of Stay:

The visa allows a stay of up to 5 years. Parents must be outside Australia for at least 90 days before applying for another Sponsored Parent visa, with a maximum stay of 10 years.

Visa Costs:

  • Professional fees: $3,000 to $4,000 + GST.
  • Sponsorship application fee: $420.
  • Visa fees for 3-year and 5-year visas: $4,190 to $9,430 per parent.
  • Health assessments: Approx. $350-$400.
  • Police clearances: Costs vary.

Processing Times:

Processing times depend on the number of applications and whether all required documents are submitted.

Work Rights:

Visa holders are generally subject to a “no work” condition.

For more information or assistance with your visa application, contact us at 03 9521 7577