Parent visas
Australia offers several migration pathways for parents of citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealanders. Families can choose between permanent non-contributory routes (Subclasses 103 and 804) or faster, higher-cost contributory visas (Subclasses 143, 173, and 864). Options are further split into offshore applications and onshore streams tailored for older applicants who meet age pension requirements. Alternatively, the temporary Sponsored Parent visa (Subclass 870) allows long-term family stays without a permanent residency pathway.
The Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa is a permanent residency pathway for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are already in Australia and meet the age pension requirements. Unlike the standard Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), the contributory stream offers significantly faster processing times in exchange for a higher application fee, allowing families to reunite sooner. This visa grants full permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible — making it the preferred onshore pathway for parents seeking to spend their retirement years with family in Australia without the lengthy wait.
The Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa is a permanent residency pathway for aged parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are already in Australia and meet the age pension requirements. Unlike the contributory stream (Subclass 864), the 804 visa has a significantly lower application fee, though it comes with a substantially longer processing time — making it the most cost-effective onshore option for parents who are not in a hurry. This visa grants full permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible — reuniting aged parents with their children in Australia without the premium price tag.K
The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia for up to three or five years at a time, with the option to reapply for a cumulative stay of up to ten years. Unlike permanent parent visas, the 870 bypasses the balance-of-family test and offers significantly faster processing, making it an attractive alternative for families who want their parents close without the lengthy permanent visa queues. This visa does not grant permanent residency or work rights, but it provides long-term stability, multiple-entry travel, and the freedom to spend extended periods with children and grandchildren in Australia — bridging the gap between short visitor stays and permanent migration.
The Subclass 103 Parent Visa is a permanent residency pathway that allows parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to join their children in Australia. Unlike the contributory parent visas, the 103 visa has a significantly lower application fee, though it comes with a substantially longer processing time — making it the most cost-effective option for parents who are not in a hurry. This visa grants full permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible — reuniting families for the long term without the premium price tag.
The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa is a permanent residency pathway for parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens applying from outside Australia. Unlike the standard Parent Visa (Subclass 103), the contributory stream offers significantly faster processing times in exchange for a higher application fee — allowing families to reunite in years rather than decades. This visa grants full permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible — making it the preferred offshore pathway for parents seeking to join their children in Australia without the lengthy wait.
The Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa is a two-year temporary visa that allows parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia while progressing toward permanent residency. Unlike the permanent Subclass 143 visa, the 173 splits the contributory fee into two instalments — making it a more financially manageable pathway for families who prefer to spread the cost over time. This visa grants full work and study rights and access to Medicare, and holders can apply onshore for the permanent Subclass 143 visa at any time within the two-year validity period — offering a flexible, staged approach to reuniting parents with their children in Australia.
What Our Clients Are Saying
John Doe, Business Owner
"Skybridge Migration made the complex visa application process straightforward and manageable. Their expertise was crucial in helping me secure my Subclass 482 Visa!"