Sponsored Parent Visa
(Subclass 870)
Spend extended time with your family in Australia. This temporary visa allows parents to stay for up to 5 years at a time without the need for the complex 'balance of family' test.
Stay Duration
3 or 5 Years
Renewable up to 10 yrs
Test Required
No Balance Test
Simpler eligibility
Work Rights
No Work Rights
Strict visitation only
Application Fee
From $5,895
Plus sponsor fee
Understanding the 870 Visa
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Subclass 870 Visa was introduced to provide a more accessible pathway for families to reunite. It fills a critical gap for those whose parents don't qualify for permanent residency due to the 'balance of family' test.
While this is not a permanent residency visa, it offers a very stable long term stay. Parents can live in Australia for a continuous period of 3 or 5 years. There's no need to constantly travel in and out of the country on visitor visas, making it a much more comfortable experience for aging parents.
The process is unique because it requires the Australian child to be approved as a sponsor first before the parent can even lodge their visa application. We manage both sides of this process, ensuring the sponsor meets the income threshold and the parent's health and character checks are handled with care.
Sponsorship Obligations
As the sponsoring child, you take on significant responsibilities to support your parents.
Financial Threshold
The sponsor must demonstrate a minimum household income. This ensures you have the means to support your parents' living costs and potential medical needs without relying on the Australian welfare system.
Support Commitment
- Health Insurance: You must ensure your parents maintain adequate private health insurance for the entire duration of their stay.
- Legal Responsibility: Sponsors are responsible for any public health costs incurred by the parent during their stay.
Visa Highlights
Key Features of the 870 Visa
Explore why the Subclass 870 is a popular alternative to PR parent visas.
No Balance Test
Unlike permanent parent visas, the 870 doesn't care how many of your children live outside Australia. It's the ideal choice for families who can't pass the standard test.
Outcome
Temporary Stay
Key Detail
Must be sponsored by a child who meets income requirements.
Main Benefit
Focused on family visitation rather than permanent migration.
Eligibility Benchmarks
Both the parent and the child must meet these criteria for a successful application.
Sponsor Child
Child must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident with 4+ years of history.
Income Proof
Sponsor must meet a specific household income to support parents.
Health Insurance
Parents must maintain private, comprehensive insurance for their entire stay.
Character
Parents must pass mandatory medical exams and provide clean police records.
Roadmap
The Application Lifecycle
A step by step horizontal guide to reuniting on an 870 visa.
Sponsor Lodgement
The child applies to become an approved sponsor first.
Visa Lodgement
Once sponsorship is approved, parents apply for their visa from offshore.
Checks
Parents complete their medical exams and provide police clearances.
Visa Grant
Receive the 3 or 5-year grant and travel to Australia.
Critical Advice
The 870 visa has strict timing and stay rules:
- Sponsorship Window: The parent's visa must be lodged within 6 months of the child's sponsorship being approved.
- Maximum Stay: You cannot stay on an 870 visa for more than 10 years in total. It is not a permanent pathway.
- Private Health: Since parents won't have Medicare, choosing a robust health insurance policy is vital.
Application Costs
*Excludes medicals, police clearances, and translation fees. The visa fee can be paid in two installments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Want your parents to visit long term?
The 870 visa is the perfect bridge for families. Our experts will manage the sponsorship and visa lodgement for a stress free reunion.