The demand for family migration places is now much greater which is capped at 8,500 applicants per year. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of parent applications awaiting assessment increased from around 35,000 to 120,000. Accordingly, the processing timetable has increased significantly which for Contributory parents is estimated at approximately 14 years and for non-Contributory Parent applicants, 31 years'.
Parents do, however, have a number of visa options to choose from and the pathway selected will be determined by factors such as your age, your timetable for moving to Australia and whether you meet the Balance of Family test.
For example, Parents can apply for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870). This visa is suitable for applicants who do not satisfy the balance of family test or who have applied for an offshore Contributory parent visa but would like to spend time in Australia with their family whilst waiting for their application to be decided. You can apply to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, with a cumulative maximum stay of 10 years'.
If you are 67 years of age (only one parent needs to be this age) you can apply in Australia for an aged parent (non-contributory subclass 804) or Contributory Parent (subclass 864) permanent onshore visa application.
There is still a long wait to be granted a parent visa but, parents who are eligible to apply onshore will on lodgement of their visa application be granted a Bridging A visa which will allow them to lawfully remain in Australia until their application is decided.
If you would like to find out more about parent visa options for Australia, please telephone Concept Australia on 0208 315 6700 or send an email to info@conceptaustralia.co.uk