An option for parents of Australian Citizens and permanent residents for an extended visit, the Subclass 870 does not have the ‘balance of family’ test requirement of other Parent visa types.
There are two parts to the application process:
- Family Sponsorship
- Visa Application
Let’s take a closer look at the key requirements.
The first step in the application process, the Family Sponsorship must be lodged and approved before a 870 Visa application can be submitted.
The sponsor must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen who is at least 18 years of age, a child of the applicant/s or the spouse/partner of a child, and resident in Australia for at least 4 years.
The sponsor must also meet income requirements of at least AU$83,454.80, though it is possible to combine income with another member of the household.
The Visa Application must be lodged within 6 months after the Family Sponsorship has been approved. Generally, they must be outside Australia at the time of lodgement.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay, that they meet health and character requirements, and obtain private health insurance to be granted the visa.
Visas can be valid for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum of 10 years in total.
There are no work rights on the Subclass 870 visa.
The Subclass 870 visa has proven popular with offshore Parent visa applicants to ‘bridge the gap’ while waiting for their main visa to process.
It is also a good option for families who would not otherwise be eligible for a Parent visa to spend an extended period of time in Australia with their family.
Contact AVIE for advice and assistance.