CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENT (TEMPORARY) VISA (SUBCLASS 884)
This visa lets you:
- live in Australia for up to 2 years
- work and study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
- travel to and from Australia for 2 years
- apply for a permanent Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa
- You must be at the age where you are eligible for an Age Pension in Australia (65 years old)
Main criteria
The Australian Department of Home Affairs operates a Parent Visa that is for people who have children living in Australia as permanent residents or citizens who are “settled” in Australia. “Settled” means a person must have been a resident in Australia for a reasonable period, which under policy is usually two years.
In order to qualify for this visa the applicant must meet what is referred to as the balance of family test. This test states that the applicant must have at least half of their children living in Australia as an Australian citizen or permanent resident or that more of your children live in Australia than any other country. All children, including step children and adopted children of both parents are included in the balance of family test.
In addition to the balance of family test you must be sponsored by an eligible person, usually your child and you must meet the health and character requirements.
Visa types
Subclass 864 (Permanent) – This is a permanent visa referred to as a “Contributory” visa. This is because the initial application fee is $3,945 for the first applicant and $1,975 for additional applicant over 18 and $990 for additional applicant under 18. However the second instalment for each applicant is $43,600. This visa takes approximately 1.5 to 2 years to process and is a permanent visa from approval.
The large “Contribution” of money that is called for upon the second instalment is in order to offset the rights that are awarded to the visa holder under permanent residency such as health care that they have not contributed towards throughout their lives as ordinary Australians have throughout their life by way of tax.
Subclass 884 (Temporary) – This is a temporary visa with an initial Australian government fee of $3,945 and $1,975 for any additional applicant. Before the visa is granted the second instalment of $29,130 is required to be paid. This visa takes approximately 1.5 to 2 years to process. The applicants are granted a 2 year temporary visa. Before this visa expires they must pay an additional $19,420 and apply for the permanent visa subclass 864.
Bridging Visas
If you are in Australia as the holder of a valid visa (e.g. Visitor visa) and you make an application for a Contributory parent visa (subclass 884/864) visa, you can be granted what is called a Bridging Visa “A” (BVA). The BVA enables you to remain lawfully in Australia while your visa application is being processed.
If you travel outside Australia your BVA may cease (depending on your situation), so you may have no ‘right of re-entry’ into Australia. Therefore, if you need to travel during the processing of your visa you may first need to obtain what is called a Bridging Visa “B” (BVB). The BVB will allow limited travel during the processing of your application in Australia. The standard period of time allowed for travel during the processing of an application is three (3) months. You have full work rights while your bridging visa is in effect.
