Introducing a five year temporary sponsored visa for parents
On Friday 5 May 2017, the Government confirmed that, subject to the passage of relevant legislation, the temporary sponsored parent visa will be introduced during the 2017-18 Migration Programme year.
Purpose
The temporary sponsored parent visa is designed to allow the parents of Australians to spend longer periods of time with their children in Australia without placing additional burden on Australia’s health care system.
How the visa would work
The new visa will allow Australians to sponsor their parents to stay in Australia for up to five years at a time. The visa can be applied for for more than once but the maximum stay is 10 years in total.
The visa applicant must be sponsored but there is no Balance of Family test. The visa application charge for a 3-year visa is $5,000 while that for a 5-year visa is $10,000!
Commencement date
The introduction of the temporary sponsored parent visa is subject to passage of the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and other Measures) Bill 2016 (the Bill) through Parliament. The Bill is currently before the Senate and if it passes in the Spring sittings the new visa will be introduced in late 2017.