Parent visas which run for five years instead of just one will be available for application from 17 April. That is the launch date for the new Temporary Sponsored Parent visa which will allow sponsored parents or grandparents to stay in Australia for a continuous five-year period rather than the current usual one year. There is also an option for a second visa for another five years after a short period outside Australia. This would allows parents and grandparents to spend up to 10 years in Australia
Parent Visas to Boost Reunions
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman announced that the new visa demonstrated the Government’s commitment to supporting migrant communities.
“Up to 15,000 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas may be granted each year, ensuring reunions are possible for many families,” Mr Coleman said.
If that cap is reached, no further visas will be granted until 1 July next year.
Australian sponsors are required to give financial guarantees and will have to take out private health insurance for their parents or grandparents.
This is because Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa holders are not entitled to Medicare benefits.
It will also mean savings to families because instead of paying for tickets every time their parents would come to Australia to visit, they will now be able to stay here for a continuous period of five years.
Eligibility
Sponsors must meet the following criteria:
- the sponsor/parent relationship requirements (ie: a parent must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor and a step-parent can only apply if they are still in a married/de facto relationship with a biological parent of the sponsor)
- be aged at least 18 years of age
- be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been usually resident in Australia for four years
- have met any prior sponsorship obligations
- have no adverse information unless it is reasonable to disregard the information
- have no debts to the Commonwealth or public health debts unless appropriate arrangements have been made for payment
- a minimum household income threshold (based on the income of the sponsor, or the combined income of the sponsor and their spouse/partner and/or another child of the parent)
- provide police clearances for any country they have spent more than 12 months cumulatively in during the past 10 years
- authorise information to be shared with the visa applicant.
Sponsors must also agree to comply with sponsorship obligations in relation to the parent(s) they are sponsoring.
Contact us – http://www.ozmigrationaction.com.au/contact.
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