Parent Visa Migration
Overview
Australia’s Parent visa program enables parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite with their children and establish their lives closer to family. Depending on the visa subclass and individual circumstances, these visas can provide either a temporary stay or a direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
At Futai Migration, we assist families with every step of the Parent visa process — from assessing eligibility and advising on the best pathway (contributory vs non-contributory, onshore vs offshore) to preparing and lodging complete applications, guiding sponsors through the Assurance of Support process, and advising on bridging visa rights where applicable. We help gather and present strong supporting documents, provide clear strategies to avoid unnecessary delays, and keep you informed of progress and policy updates throughout. Our goal is to make this complex and often emotional journey as smooth as possible, so you can focus on reuniting with your loved ones in Australia.
Main Visa Options
1. Subclass 103 – Parent Visa (Offshore, Permanent)
- Allows parents to migrate permanently to Australia.
- Lower government charges but extremely long processing times
- Must be lodged while the applicant is outside Australia.
2. Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa (Onshore, Permanent)
- Designed for parents who are old enough to receive the Australian age pension.
- Applicants must be in Australia at the time of lodgement and decision.
- Very long processing times (decades).
- Often used to remain lawfully in Australia on a bridging visa while waiting for a place to become available.
3. Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa (Offshore, Permanent)
- Permanent residence for parents applying outside or inside Australia.
- Much faster processing than the 103/804 visas.
- Requires a significantly higher government application charge and an Assurance of Support.
4. Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent Visa (Offshore, Temporary)
- A 2-year temporary visa that allows parents to enter and live in Australia.
- Can later be converted to the permanent subclass 143 visa by paying the second instalment of the government charge.
- Spreads the cost of the contributory visa over time.
5. Subclass 864 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Onshore, Permanent)
- Permanent residence for parents old enough to receive the Australian age pension.
- Must be lodged in Australia.
- Faster processing compared to the 804 visa but requires higher government fees and Assurance of Support.
6. Subclass 884 – Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Onshore, Temporary)
- A 2-year temporary visa for aged parents, lodged while in Australia.
- Can be transitioned to the permanent subclass 864 visa later.
- Spreads the cost of the contributory visa over time.
7. Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
- Allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to stay in Australia temporarily for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum stay of 10 years in total.
- Does not require the balance of family test or Assurance of Support.
- Provides a more flexible and faster option compared to permanent parent visas, though it does not lead to permanent residency.
- Requires sponsorship approval from the child (or their partner) in Australia before the visa application can be lodged.
Visa & Migration
- (TSS) Visa - Subclass 482
- Regional and Agriculture Visas
- Protection Visas
- Skilled Nominated Visa
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From the Blog
Latest Case Studies
Stay informed with real stories, expert insights, and practical guidance on Australian immigration law.
At Futai Migration, we share recent case studies to help you understand visa pathways, common challenges, and how our strategic approach achieves successful outcomes.
