Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870

The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa which allows a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to three (3) or five (5) years.

What is the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870?

The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 is a temporary visa designed specifically for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.

It allows parents to live in Australia for a duration of either three or five years, without the need for the usual balance of family test.

This visa can be renewed, allowing parents to stay for up to a total of ten years, ensuring that families have ample time to spend together.

The Application Process

Obtaining a Subclass 870 visa is a two-step process.

Firstly, the Australian-based child must apply and be approved as a Parent Sponsor.

Following this, the parent has six months to lodge their visa application.

This structured approach ensures that the sponsor can support the visiting parent, which is crucial for the visa’s approval.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Subclass 870 visa, applicants must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
There is no balance of family test or Assurance of Support requirements, which often pose significant hurdles in other parent visa categories.

Sponsorship Requirements

Sponsors must meet certain criteria, including a minimum taxable income, which currently stands at $83,454.80.
They must also fulfill relationship requirements, be at least 18 years old, and have been permanent residents in Australia for four years or Australian citizen.
Additionally, sponsors are responsible for meeting any prior sponsorship obligations and must not have any debts to the Commonwealth or outstanding public health debts.
Sponsorship can cover up to 2 parents per household at a time.

Visa Applicant Requirements

Applicants for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa must be sponsored by an approved parent sponsor, be at least 18 years old, and
Provide evidence of funds and health insurance.
They must also satisfy health, character, and national security requirements and not have any outstanding public health debt.

Sponsorship Validity and Obligations

A parent sponsorship will cease under certain conditions such as the sponsor’s death, visa cancellation, or withdrawal of sponsorship. However, obligations related to any health debts incurred by the visa holder in Australia will persist even after the visa ceases.
Provide financial support and accommodation for the sponsored parent while they are in Australia.

Subclass 870 Processing Times

Processing times for the Subclass 870 visa vary based on application volumes and completeness of the application. 90% of the applications are finalised in 244 days.

Subclass 870 cost

The visa cost is $5,735 for a three-year visa and $11,470 for a five-year visa. The sponsorship application cost $420.

For a smooth visa application, consulting a best migration agent in Perth experienced in immigration legislation is recommended.