Subclass 870 Parent Visa Australia 2025
Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary Visa
Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring your parents to live with you in Australia? The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa might be exactly what your family needs. This special visa lets your parents stay with you for up to 10 years, giving you precious time together without the long wait times of permanent parent visas.
Why the Subclass 870 matters ?
It’s the fastest way to reunite with your parents in Australia, offering flexibility and extended stays that visitor visas simply can’t match.
What is the Subclass 870 Visa?
The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Temporary visa is a special family visa designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. Unlike permanent parent visas, this visa offers a quicker pathway to family reunion.
Purpose: This visa was created to help families stay together while avoiding the extremely long waiting times of permanent parent visas. It benefits families who want immediate reunion and are willing to cover the costs of temporary stays.
Key Features:
- Type: Temporary visa (not permanent)
- Duration: You can choose a 3-year or 5-year stay per grant
- Maximum stay: Up to 10 years total across multiple applications
- Multiple entries: Your parents can travel in and out of Australia freely
- Study rights: Parents can study for up to 3 months
- Work rights: No work permission included
- Healthcare: Private health insurance required (no Medicare access)
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply?
Basic Criteria
Your parents must meet these basic criteria to apply for this parent visa:
- Age requirements:
- No specific age limit
- Location:
Must apply from outside Australia (unless invited otherwise)
- Health and Character Requirements:
Pass medical examinations
Provide police clearances from all countries lived in
- Relationship:
Must be your biological, adoptive, or step-parent
Important note about step-parents: If your step-parent wants to apply, they must still be married to your biological parent.
Financial Requirements for Parents
Your parents need to show they can support themselves financially:
- Prove they have enough money for their stay
- Maintain private health insurance throughout their visit
- Cover all living expenses during their time in Australia
Requirements for You (The Sponsor)
As the sponsor, you must meet strict criteria:
- Citizenship Requirements: Australian permanent resident, OR Eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia
- Residency: You must have lived in Australia for at least 4 years before applying.
Income Requirements
- Minimum annual income of $83,454.80
- You can combine income with your spouse or partner
- You can also combine with a sibling's income if needed
Sponsorship Limits
- A maximum of two parents per household at one time
- You're responsible for your parents' living costs
- You must ensure they follow all visa conditions
Application Process for Parent Visa 870
Step-by-Step Overview
Getting your parent visa approved involves two main steps:
1
Sponsorship Application
- Submit your sponsorship application first
- Pay the sponsorship fee of $420
- Wait for approval (usually takes a few weeks)
- Your parents have 6 months to apply after your sponsorship is approved
2
Parent Visa Application
- Your parents apply within 6 months of sponsorship approval
- Submit all required documents
- Complete health examinations
- Provide biometrics if requested • Wait for the decision
- Wait for the decision
What to Expect During Processing
- Processing time: Usually 6-12 months
- You’ll receive updates through your ImmiAccount
- Additional documents may be requested
- Health exams must be completed at approved centres
Pro tip : Start gathering documents early. Complete the application process much faster than those missing paperwork.
Required Documents
General Documents:
- Valid passport
- Identity documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Police clearances from all countries lived in for 12+ months
- Health examination results
- Passport-style photographs
Subclass-Specific Documents:
- Family relationship proof: Birth certificates showing the parent-child relationship
- Financial Support Documents: Bank statements, income proof
- Health Insurance: Private health insurance policy
- Sponsorship documents: Your approved sponsorship application
Documents You Need as Sponsor:
- Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
- Income evidence (tax returns, payslips, employment letters)
- Relationship evidence linking you to your parents to identity documents
Processing Time & Costs
Additional Costs to Consider:
Document translations
$50-100 per document
Health examinations
$300-500 per person
Private health insurance
$2,000-4,000 per year
Police clearances
Country-specific fees
Visa Application Fees:
Current processing times for parent visa subclass 870 applications:
3-year visa
$5,000
(paid in two instalments)
5-year visa
$10,000
(paid in two instalments)
Sponsorship fee
$420
(separate from visa fee)
Processing time: Currently 6-12 months, much faster than permanent parent visas, which can take 12+ years.
Money-saving tip: The 5-year visa offers better value per year compared to applying for multiple 3-year visas.
How This Visa Helps Your Family
The Subclass 870 visa offers unique benefits for families:
- Immediate reunion: No need to wait decades like permanent parent visas
- Extended stays: Much longer than tourist visas
- Flexibility: Parents can visit multiple times during the validity period
- Peace of mind: Legal status in Australia with proper documentation
- Family support: Parents can help with childcare and household support
- Cultural connection: Children can build relationships with their grandparents
Subclass 870 vs Other Parent Visa Options - Comparison Table
| Feature | Subclass 870 Temporary | Permanent Parent Visas (103, 804, 143, 864) | Visitor Visas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | 6-12 months | 12+ years | 2-4 weeks |
| Maximum Stay | Up to 10 years total (across multiple grants) | Permanent | Usually 3-12 months |
| Single Grant Duration | 3 or 5 years | Unlimited | 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Cost | $5,000 (3-year) / $10,000 (5-year) + $420 sponsorship | $4,000-$47,000+ | $145-$365 |
| Work Rights | ❌ No work permitted | ✅ Full work rights | ❌ No work (tourist activities only) |
| Study Rights | ✅ Up to 3 months | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ Limited tourist courses only |
| Healthcare | Private insurance required | ✅ Medicare access | Private insurance recommended |
Comparing Your Options: Subclass 870 vs Other Parent Visas
Subclass 870 vs Permanent Parent Visas (103, 804, 143, 864):
Subclass 870 Advantages:
- Much faster processing (months vs years)
- No Balance of Family Test required
- Annual quota of 15,000 (rarely filled)
- Multiple entry and exit flexibility
Permanent Visa Advantages
- Work rights included
- Medicare access
- Path to Australian citizenship
- No time limits on stay
Subclass 870 vs Visitor Visas:
-
Longer stay periods :
(up to 5 years vs usually 3-12 months)
-
Multiple grants possible :
(up to 10 years total)
- More secure legal status
- Better for elderly parents needing stability
Your Next Steps
The Subclass 870 visa offers an excellent opportunity for family reunion without the decade-long waits of permanent parent visas. With proper planning and complete documentation, most families can successfully bring their parents to Australia within 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Australian citizens, residents and qualified nationals of New Zealand who live in Australia for at least 4 years and meet income requirements can sponsor their parents.
You can appeal a decision to the administrative appeal court within 28 days. It is important to carefully address the reasons for refusing professional help.
No, each parent must apply separately. However, both parents can apply at the same time if both meet the requirements.
No, parents cannot work on this visa. However, they can study for up to 3 months during their stay.
No, the underclass 870 is purely temporary and does not provide a permanent stay route. A total of 10 years later, parents must leave Australia or apply for their visa.
Ready to start your application?
Contact an SBS consultant and our experienced migration team today. We’ll guide you through every step, from sponsorship to visa grant, ensuring your family’s reunion happens as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Don’t let distance keep your family apart. Begin your parent visa journey today and create the memories that matter most.