Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa - Subclass 870

Overview

The Visa 870, known as the Sponsored Parent Visa, is a temporary Australian visa that provides an opportunity for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to visit and stay in Australia for extended periods, typically ranging from 3 to 5 years. It’s a popular choice for family reunification and spending quality time with loved ones in Australia.  

Who can apply for an 870 Visa Australia?   

The Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) in Australia is designed for parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who wish to visit and spend time with their children and families in Australia. To be eligible to apply for this visa, you must be:  

• the parent of an eligible sponsor in Australia. Your eligible sponsor in Australia can be your child, child in law or stepchild who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.  
• Age requirements: you must be 18 years old or older to be eligible for this visa.   

Are you wondering if you are eligible for this visa? Contact our experienced Registered Migration Agents today to have free eligibility check!   

Who can be a sponsor for a Sponsored Parent Visa 870?   

• Residential requirements: A sponsor for the Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) in Australia must be one of the following:  

1. An Australian Citizen or,   
2. An Australian Permanent Resident for at least 4 years, or   
3. An Eligible New Zealand Citizen usually resident for at least 4 years in Australia.  

• Previous visa requirement: You have not held a bridging visa (other than a visa A, B or C) or stayed illegally in Australia in the past 4 years.   

Please note that if you wish to sponsor for your Partner’s parents, you can do it. However, your Partner must also be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen.   

• Income test: To meet the income requirement, your taxable earnings from the last completed taxable income year before submitting the sponsorship application must be at least AUD 83,454.80.  

If you’re unable to meet this income criterion on your own, you have the option to combine your taxable income with that of your partner or another child of the prospective visa applicant who holds Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship. In such instances, your taxable income must amount to a minimum of 50 percent of the income threshold needed to pass the income test.  

• No Outstanding Debts: The sponsor should not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government, or these debts must be paid or have arrangements to pay it back.  
• Character Requirements: You need to have police clearances in each country you have resided in for 12 months in the past 10 years.  

If you have any questions about the visa 870 sponsorship, call us on 07 3003 1899 or fill in the enquiry form. Our experienced Registered Migration Agents are here to help!   

What are the 870 sponsored parent visa requirements?   

The requirements for the Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) in Australia may vary depending on individual circumstances. However, here are the general eligibility requirements for the Subclass 870 visa:  

• Eligible Sponsor: To apply for the Subclass 870 visa, you must have an eligible sponsor in Australia. The sponsor should be your child, child in law or stepchild who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.  
• No Outstanding Debts: Both the applicant and the sponsor should not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government, or these debts must be paid or have arrangements to pay it back before the visa is granted.  
• Meet Health and Character Requirements: You must meet specific health and character requirements. This may involve undergoing health examinations and obtaining police clearances.  
• Have Sufficient Money: You must have or have access to enough money for your stay in Australia.   
• Health Insurance Requirement: The applicant must obtain and maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia, as they are not eligible for Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system).  
• Demonstrate your genuine intention to temporarily stay in Australia: You must provide evidence that your primary purpose for visiting Australia is to spend time with your child, your child in law or stepchild who is the sponsor and to have a genuine family reunion. You should be able to show that you intend to stay in Australia for a specified period and that your visit is not for other purposes, such as seeking employment or permanent residency.  

To demonstrate your genuine intention, you may need to provide supporting documents, including a well-prepared statement, to clarify your reasons for the visit, your plans while in Australia, and your ties to your home country, indicating your intention to return after your visa expires.  

• Meet previous visa conditions: If you have previously held a visa for Australia, you should have adhered to the conditions and requirements of that visa.   

How to apply for an 870 visa?   

The process of applying for a contributory parent visa involves both the applicant’s and the sponsor’s responsibility.    

Step 1: Your child applies for a visa 870 sponsorship  

Your child needs to apply for a sponsorship online via ImmiAccount. She/he must attach the following documents to the application:    

• Residence and Citizenship documents (her/his passport, citizenship certificate (or valid visa), and evidence that he/she already settled in Australia).   
• Relationship documents: to prove the parent/child relationship, your child needs to submit such documents as birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption certificates and family status certificates.  
• Character documents (police certificates for every country where your partner spent for 1 year or more)   
• Financial documents: Your child must meet the income test to be eligible to become the sponsor for this visa. He/she, thus, needs to attach the Notice of Assessment issued by the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) for the most recent taxable income.   

Step 2: You apply for a Visa 870  

You must apply for a visa 870 online, and from outside Australia within 6 months of the Sponsorship approval. You must fill out all forms and submit the below documentation:   

• Your identity document: For example, passport, national ID card, etc.   
• Sponsorship documents: It means your sponsor needs to apply for a sponsorship before you apply for this visa.   
• Character documents: police certificates for every country where you spent 1 year or more.  

The case officer starts processing your application only when the first visa instalment fee is paid.    

Step 3: You wait for a Visa 870  

• You will be asked for organising health examinations and biometrics. The Department of Home Affairs will inform you when you need to organise.   
• You can also add family members to your application before your visa outcome is released.   
• You must pay the 2nd instalment fee and the Department of Home Affair will send you an invoice.   

How much does it cost to apply for an 870 visa?   

The cost for applying for a Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) in Australia can vary based on the length of the visa.   

• 3-Year Visa: AUD 5,735  

• 5-Year Visa: AUD 11,470  

The visa fee will be paid into 2 times called instalments. The first instalment is when you lodge the visa application. The 2nd instalment is when the Department of Home Affairs ask you to do so.  

FAQs