Bringing parents to Australia is a significant goal for many Australian residents as it signifies reunion and a sense of family for children who are away from home. The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa provides a pathway for this dream to become a reality.
This visa allows parents to stay in Australia for up to five years. You also have the opportunity to re-apply for a further visa to visit for up to a maximum period of 10 years in Australia. Here’s an overview of the sponsorship and visa process for the subclass 870 visa.
What is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) Visa?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa (‘870 visa’) is designed to enable parents to live temporarily in Australia for a longer period than a regular visitor visa. It allows parents to stay for up to three or five years per visa grant, with the possibility of renewing the visa for up to a cumulative total of ten years.
This visa is a two-step process: firstly, you must apply to be an approved parent sponsor. Only after you receive the sponsorship approval confirmation that you can lodge the 870 visa for your parents. Your sponsorship can cover up to 2 parents per household at a time. However, sponsored parents on this visa cannot work while in Australia.
Who Can Sponsor?
To sponsor a parent for the 870 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Meet the income requirements, proving you have a taxable income of at least AUD 83,454.80.
- Have a clean record with no substantial criminal history.
- Provide evidence of the relationship with the parent i.e. birth certificate or adoption papers.
- Agree to support your parents and ensure they do not become a burden on the Australian health system.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
There are also requirements that your sponsored parents must satisfy for the purpose of this visa:
- Be sponsored by an approved parent sponsor.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have met and complied with any previous visa obligations.
- Have, or have access to, sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia.
- Have and maintain adequate health insurance.
- Have a genuine intention to remain in Australia temporarily.
- Have no debt to the Australian Government.
Work Limitations
While in Australia, the sponsored parent(s) are not allowed to work while they hold the 870 visa.
They may undertake the following unpaid work:
- Providing care for grandchildren or other minor relatives in a domestic environment
- Undertaking volunteer work in a non-commercial capacity such as assisting a charitable organisation
- Assisting at a local school where the sponsor’s children or other minor relatives attend
However, they cannot undertake any unpaid work in a commercial environment or in a family business.
The 870 Application Process
The 870 visa application process involves several steps:
- Submit a Sponsorship Application: The sponsor must first apply for approval from the Department of Home Affairs to become a family sponsor. This application can be lodged online and includes providing evidence of income, relationship, and other eligibility criteria.
- Await Sponsorship Approval: The Department of Home Affairs will assess the application. Once approved, the sponsorship remains valid for six months or 60 days if you are granted permission to apply in Australia.
- Lodge the Visa Application: After receiving sponsorship approval, parents can then apply for the subclass 870 visa. This application can be lodged from within Australia or overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I work while on the subclass 870 visa?
A: No, the subclass 870 visa does not permit any form of employment while in Australia.
Q: Is there an age limit for the parent applicant?
A: No, there is no specific age limit for parents applying for the subclass 870 visa.
Q: How many persons can be included in the visa application?
A: You can sponsor up to 2 parents per household at a time.
Q: How long can my parents stay in Australia on this visa?
A: Parents can stay for up to three or five years per visa grant, with the possibility of renewing the visa for a total stay of up to ten years.
Q: Does this visa lead to Permanent Residency?
A: No. Additionally, if you have applied for this visa subclass, you are not allowed to apply for Parent visa (subclass 103) or a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). These two visas are permanent visas for parents.
Q. What is the income test and how can it be satisfied?
To satisfy the income test, the parent sponsor must have a taxable income that meets or exceeds a certain amount outlined in the legislative instrument (currently $83,854.80). This income should be from the most recent financial year prior to submitting the sponsorship application.
If the parent sponsor alone does not meet the income test, they have the option to combine their taxable income with that of their partner and/or another child of the prospective parent(s) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. In such cases, the parent sponsor’s taxable income must be at least 50% of the taxable income threshold prescribed.
Concluding thoughts
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa offers a valuable opportunity for families to reunite and spend extended periods together in Australia. It was a pathway introduced to temporarily reunite parents with their children in Australia while ensuring that Australian taxpayers are not required to cover costs associated with a parent’s stay. It was also introduced in response to concerns about the limited number of parent places in the migration program and associated lengthy waiting periods.
By understanding the sponsorship and application processes, and meeting all requirements, we can ensure a smooth journey towards bringing your parents closer to you
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our immigration experts for tailored advice on the circumstances and eligibility.
