What's on the horizon for Parent Visas?
The Department of Home Affairs updated its information on current parent visa scheme framework. Home Affairs confirmed that the following numbers of visas are available under contributory and non-contributory parent visa scheme:
In the 2018–19 Migration Programme year:
1,500 places have been allocated to Parent (non-contributory) visas (subclasses 103 and 804)
7,175 places have been allocated to Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173/143 and subclasses 884/864).
In the current Migration Programme year, 1,500 Parent (non-contributory) visa places are available for applicants applying from in and outside Australia. These types of visas are assessed in order of lodgement, assigned a queue date and then placed in the queue for the relevant visa subclass. The queue date is the date that the application was assessed as meeting the initial criteria for a Parent (non-contributory) visa. When a queue date has been assigned it is fixed and the application cannot be given priority ahead of other applications. Applications are finalised in order of their queue date as places become available. Based on current planning levels, applicants for a Parent (non-contributory) visa can expect an approximate 30 year wait before visa grant.
Contributory Parent Visas
In the 2018-19 Migration Programme year, 7,175 Contributory Parent visa places are available for applicants applying from in and outside Australia.
Home Affairs process applications for this visa in date of lodgement order and according to the planning levels set in the Migration Programme each year. Unlike standard parent visa, the Contributory Parent visa is currently not subject to queuing arrangements, therefore an applicant will not be provided with a queue date.
If an applicant is applying for Contributory Parent visa, you should note that processing times can vary. It is important that you ensure you have funds available for the second visa application charge at all times during the application process, as payment might be required at an earlier date than was anticipated at the time of visa application lodgement.
Temporary Parent Visa
The new visa will allow Australians to sponsor their parents to stay in Australia for up to five years at a time.
This new visa arrangement does not replace the existing Parent category visas and there will be approximately 15,000 places available per year. The visa was due to be introduced in May 2017, however the legislation is yet to pass the Senate.
SCA Connect will provide a further update on the rollout of the temporary parent visa framework as it becomes available.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case specific information or advice, please contact SCA Connect.
