Let Your Parents Stay with You Longer in Australia
Do you like your parents to live with you in Australia? The Australian Government allows your parents to visit and stay with you for a maximum of 10 years through the special visa, a Sponsored Parent Visa, under Subclass 870. A visa for both parents and the child to spend time together and create memories in Australia.
Let’s walk through everything easily.
✨ What Is This Visa?
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 870 is for parents of:
- Australian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Eligible New Zealand citizens
It allows parents to:
- Stay for 3 or 5 years each time
- Stay up to 10 years in total
- Visit family without applying for a permanent visa
✅ Who Can Apply?
👨👩👧 sponsor (the child living in Australia):
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Must have lived in Australia for at least 4 years
- Must earn at least AUD 83,454.80 a year (this can change)
- Must get sponsorship approved before the parent applies
👵 Parent (the person applying for a visa):
- Must be a biological, adoptive, or step-parent
- Must be outside Australia when applying
- Must have health insurance
- Must pass health and character checks
- Must not have stayed on this visa for more than 10 years
📌 How Is It Decided?
To get this visa:
- The sponsor must be approved first
- The parent must show they will stay temporarily
- The sponsor must meet income and support rules
- Both must have a good visa and a legal history
🪜 Step-by-Step Process
1️⃣ Sponsor applies first
The child (you) applies online to sponsor your parent.
2️⃣ Wait for approval
It can take a few months.
3️⃣ Parent prepares documents
Collect ID, insurance, and proof of relationship.
4️⃣ Parent applies for a visa
You must apply from outside Australia. Pay the 1st visa fee.
5️⃣ Wait for a decision
They may request additional documents from both the sponsor and the parents, as well as further medical checkups.
6️⃣ Visa is granted!
The parent gets to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years.
🧾 What Documents Are Needed?
For the Sponsor:
- Passport or citizenship papers
- Tax return or payslips to prove income
- Police check (Australia and other countries)
- A birth certificate to show the relationship
For the Parent:
- Passport
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate, etc.)
- Health insurance
- Police clearance
- A statement saying you’ll follow visa rules
💰 Visa Fees
| Stay Period | Total Cost | Paid in 2 Parts |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | AUD 5,735 | AUD 1,145 at start + AUD 4,590 before grant |
| 5 years | AUD 11,470 | AUD 1,145 at start + AUD 10,325 before grant |
🕒 Processing Time: Usually, it takes between 3 and 12 months
💡 Tip: Fees may change periodically, so it’s essential to check for new updates regularly.
💵 How Much Money Do You Need?
The sponsor (child) must earn at least AUD 84,000 per year.
Also:
- The parent must have health insurance
- The parent must be able to support themselves or be supported by the sponsor
🎁 Why Choose This Visa?
✅ Long stay (3 or 5 years)
✅ Can visit and live with your kids and grandkids
✅ No English test or work skills needed
✅ No balance-of-family test
✅ Can reapply to stay longer (up to 10 years total)
⚠️ Things You Can’t Do
🚫 No work is allowed
🚫 You can’t get Medicare (you need private insurance)
🚫 No permanent residency from this visa
🚫 Can’t apply while inside Australia
🚫 Can’t stay longer than 10 years total on this visa
🌐 Where to Get Help or Apply
- 🔗 Visa info and application:
- immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/sponsored-parent-870
- 🌍 Connect with a Trusted Immigration Consultancy Services: Visas Adviser
- 📞Contact Details: +91 8744852245; info@VisasAdviser.com
📂 Document Samples
| Document Type | Format Needed |
|---|---|
| Passport | Clear scan (PDF) |
| Income Proof | Tax return, payslips |
| Relationship Proof | Birth certificate |
| Health Insurance | Certificate (PDF) |
| Police Certificate | From the government (PDF) |
❓ Common Questions
Q: Can my parent work on this visa?
A: ❌ No, this visa does not allow work.
Q: Can I apply from inside Australia?
A: ❌ No, the parent must apply from outside the country.
Q: Can my parent stay permanently later?
A: ❌ This visa is temporary only. You need another visa for a permanent stay.
Q: Can I sponsor both my parents?
A: ✅ Yes, but usually, only two parents at a time can hold this visa per sponsor.
Q: Can my parent stay more than 5 years?
A: ✅ Yes, they can reapply after the first visa, but not more than 10 years total.
💡 Easy Expert Tips
✔ Apply early – sponsorship approval takes time
✔ Show all income documents clearly
✔ Health insurance is a must – don’t skip it
✔ Double-check all documents before submitting
✔ Talk to a registered migration agent if unsure
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Subclass 870 visa is an excellent option for spending more time with your parents in Australia. It is simpler to apply than relying on permanent visas, and parents can easily visit their child’s home.
As a sponsor to your parents, it is your responsibility to help them to board the flight to connect with you physically and enjoy every bit of the moments together in Australia.