VISA FOR CONTRIBUTORY AGED PARENTS (TEMPORARY) (SUBCLASS 884)

Overview

This visa allows you to do the following:

• for a period of up to two years in Australia
• In Australia, you can work and study (you will not receive government support)
• For two years, I traveled to and from Australia.
• Submit an application for a Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa that is permanent.
• You must be of retirement age in Australia to be eligible for an Age Pension (65 years old)

The most important criteria

The Australian Department of Home Affairs administers a Parent Visa for parents with children who are permanent residents or citizens of Australia who have “settled” in Australia. A person must have been a settled resident in Australia for a reasonable period of time, which is normally two years under policy.

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must pass a test known as the balance of family test. This requirement specifies that at least half of the applicant’s children must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, or that more of their children live in Australia than in any other country.

The balance of family test includes both parents’ children, including stepchildren and adopted children.

You must be sponsored by a qualified individual, generally your child, and complete the health and character standards in addition to the balance of family test.

Types of Visas

Subclass 864 (Permanent) — Also known as a “Contributory” visa, this is a permanent visa. Because the first application fee is $3,945 for the first applicant, $1,975 for additional applicants over the age of 18, and $990 for further applicants under the age of 18, this is the case. The second installment for each application, however, is $43,600. The processing time for this visa is approximately 1.5 to 2 years, and if approved, it is a permanent visa.

The significant “Contribution” of money required for the second instalment is to compensate for the advantages granted to visa holders under permanent residency, like as health care, which they have not contributed to as ordinary Australians have throughout their lives through taxation.

Subclass 884 (Temporary) – This is a temporary visa that costs $3,945 for the first application and $1,975 for each additional applicant. The second instalment of $29,130 must be paid before the visa will be granted.  The processing time for this visa is approximately 1.5 to 2 years. A two-year temporary visa is issued to the applicants. They must pay an extra $19,420 and apply for the permanent visa subclass 864 before this visa expires.

In all situations, the second installment of funds is only required when each applicant has passed health and character examinations and the AoS (Assurance of Support) has been filed with the Australian government (see below for AoS details). A second instalment will never be paid, and a visa will never be granted. In all situations, second instalments are non-refundable.

Fees

The following are the fees for Permanent Parent Visas; please note that all payments are in Australian dollars and that Global Vision Migrationa fees must be paid in full prior to the submission of your visa application.

*There is a 1.4 percent credit card surcharge.

As previously said, if you want to stagger the process, you can apply for a Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 884) for two years and then apply for a Permanent Visa. The benefit is a $29,130 cheaper 2nd VAC charge. A second payment of $19,420 is due two years later at the permanent stage. The initial stage takes 1.5 to 2 years, and the permanent stage requires another 12 to 18 months. The visa holder, however, can live in Australia as a category 884 visa holder once the first stage is accepted.

The following are the fees for the subclass 884 > subclass 864 pathway:

*There is a 1.4 percent credit card surcharge.

Assurance of Assistance (AoS)

There is also an AoS that must be paid at the time of decision. This is presently $14,000 for two applications. Ten years after you visit Australia as a contributing parent visa holder, the bond is reimbursed, less any obligations owed to the Australian government.

Visas to bridge the gap

*There is a 1.4 percent credit card surcharge.

Assurance of Assistance (AoS)

There is also an AoS that must be paid at the time of decision. This is presently $14,000 for two applications. Ten years after you visit Australia as a contributing parent visa holder, the bond is reimbursed, less any obligations owed to the Australian government.

Visas to bridge the gap

If you are in Australia on a valid visa (for example, a visitor visa) and apply for a Contributory parent visa (subclass 884/864), you may be awarded a Bridging Visa “A.” (BVA). While your visa application is being processed, the BVA allows you to remain legally in Australia.

If you travel outside of Australia, your BVA may expire (depending on your circumstances), and you may lose your ‘right of re-entry’. As a result, if you need to travel while your visa is being processed, you may need to first acquire a Bridging Visa “B.” (BVB). During the processing of your application in Australia, the BVB will allow you to travel on a restricted basis.

Health Care Coverage

Both Subclass 864 (Permanent) and Subclass 884 (Temporary) visa holders are eligible for Medicare, which is a national health insurance program. You may be eligible for a Medicare card if you have applied for a Contributory parent visa. If you apply for a permanent Contributory visa without first obtaining a temporary Contributory visa, you will be ineligible until your permanent Contributory visa is approved. Please see this link for more details.

Duration of stay

a period of two years

Cost

Fees for visas 864 and 884