The Complete Guide to Parent Visa Subclass 103: Secure Permanent Residency in Australia
The Parent Visa (Subclass 103) is a permanent residency visa that allows parents to join their children who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. While this visa offers a cost-effective option compared to contributory visas, it comes with lengthy processing times. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Subclass 103 visa, including eligibility criteria, benefits, and key requirements.
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Key Features of the Subclass 103 Visa
Permanent Residency
Stay in Australia indefinitely and enjoy the rights and benefits of permanent residents.
Work and Study Rights
Engage in employment and enroll in educational programs.
Access to Medicare
Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system for medical care and support.
Sponsor Family Members
Once granted, you can sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
Path to Citizenship
Apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the residency requirements.
Travel Flexibility
Travel in and out of Australia freely for five years, with options to extend through a Resident Return Visa.
Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 103 Visa
To apply for the Parent Visa Subclass 103, you must meet the following criteria:
Eligible Child Sponsor
- Your child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- They must be settled in Australia (living lawfully for at least two years).
Balance of Family Test
- At least half of your children must live permanently in Australia.
- Alternatively, more children must reside in Australia than in any other single country.
Health and Character Requirements
- Meet Australia’s health standards, including medical checks.
- Satisfy the character requirements for you and any accompanying family members.
Assurance of Support
- Provide a financial guarantee from an eligible sponsor to cover public welfare costs.
Benefits of the Subclass 103 Visa
Cost-Effective
Starting from AUD 5,125, the Subclass 103 is one of the more affordable parent visa options.
Family Reunification
Reunite with your children permanently while enjoying full residency rights.
Include Family Members
Add eligible family members to your application, provided they meet health and character requirements.
Healthcare Access
Benefit from Australia’s Medicare system, ensuring affordable healthcare services.
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Costs and Processing Times
| Cost (AUD) | Processing Times |
|---|---|
| From AUD 5,125 (plus additional fees for family members) | Can exceed 20-30 years due to high demand and limited spots. |
Assurance of Support (AoS) for Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial commitment required for the Parent Visa (Subclass 103). It ensures that the visa holder does not become reliant on government welfare payments during their initial years in Australia. The AoS covers all applicants included in the visa application and requires the assurer to lodge a refundable bond with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The bond amount depends on the number of applicants and is held for a specific period.
For the Parent Visa (Subclass 103), the AoS period is typically up to 4 years. This period begins either from the date the visa holder arrives in Australia, if applying offshore, or from the visa grant date, if applying onshore. Services Australia, through Centrelink, assesses the AoS application. Providing accurate details promptly, including the assurer’s full name, date of birth, and Customer Reference Number (CRN), is crucial to avoid processing delays.
At the end of the AoS period, the bond can be refunded if the visa holder has not accessed recoverable government welfare payments. The AoS plays a vital role in ensuring financial security for both the visa holder and the Australian government. For personalized assistance with the Assurance of Support process, Sleek Migration is here to help streamline your Parent Visa application.
Application Process
1. Prepare Documents
- Identity and relationship evidence.
- Sponsorship documents (Form 40).
- Assurance of Support documents (unless exempt as a retiree).
2. Submit Application
- Apply online or via paper form if specified.
- Pay the initial installment fee.
3. Queue Placement
- Applications are queued based on the date of submission.
4. Final Assessment
- When a spot becomes available, your application undergoes a final assessment.
5. Decision Notification
- You will receive a written notification of the visa decision.
Potential Challenges
Lengthy Processing Times
Due to high demand and capping, the wait time can exceed 20 years.
Eligibility Complexities
Ensuring compliance with the balance-of-family test and sponsorship requirements.
Health and Character Checks
Failing these requirements can delay or deny your application.
Alternative Visa Options
If the Subclass 103 Visa’s lengthy processing time isn’t feasible, consider these alternatives:
Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
Faster processing but higher cost.
Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
Temporary visa allowing stays of up to five years without permanent residency rights.
Let Sleek Migration Help You Reunite with Your Family!
Navigating the complexities of the Parent Visa Subclass 103 can be daunting. At Sleek Migration, we specialize in guiding families through the visa process with precision and care.
Why Choose Sleek Migration?
- Ensure you meet all criteria before applying.
- We’ll help you compile and verify all necessary paperwork.
- From submission to queue updates, we handle it all.
- If Subclass 103 isn’t the best fit, we’ll recommend suitable alternatives like Subclass 143 or Subclass 870.
- In case of a refusal, our team can assist with the appeals process.
Contact Sleek Migration today to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward family reunification in Australia. Let us help you every step of the way!
FAQs
Which Parent Visa is Right for Me?
Choosing the right visa depends on your parents’ age, whether they want permanent or temporary residency, and how quickly they need to move to Australia. The main types include:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Higher fees, but generally shorter processing times (around 10 years).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Lower fees, but very long waiting periods (up to 30 years).
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Temporary stay for up to 3 or 5 years, with fewer requirements but no direct pathway to permanent residence. Processing can be a few months.
Example Scenario:
Alice wants her 70-year-old mother to move permanently to Australia as soon as possible. She looks into a Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) because even though the cost is higher, the wait time (about 10 years) is still much shorter than the 30-year queue for a non-contributory visa.
What Are the Costs of These Parent Visas?
Costs vary significantly depending on the visa type:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173, 864/884): Approx. AUD 50,000 (paid in stages for temporary-to-permanent pathways).
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103, 804): Approx. AUD 5,000, but with very long wait times.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): Around AUD 6,000 for a 3-year visa and AUD 11,000 for a 5-year visa.
Example Scenario:
John’s parents are relatively young and are not in a rush to move. They choose the Subclass 103 (Parent Visa), paying lower fees of around AUD 5,000, knowing they might have to wait up to 30 years.
How Long Does It Take to Process Each Visa?
Processing times are one of the biggest factors in choosing a parent visa:
- Contributory Parent Visas (143, 864): Around 10 years.
- Non-Contributory Parent Visas (103, 804): Up to 30 years.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (870): Usually a few months.
Example Scenario:
Amelia’s father wants to visit and stay in Australia within a year. Amelia opts for the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa because it can be granted in a few months.
What Is the Balance-of-Family Test?
The Balance-of-Family (BoF) test requires that at least half of the applicant’s children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, or that more children live in Australia than any other single country.
- Contributory Parent and Non-Contributory Parent Visas: Must satisfy the BoF test.
- Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870): No BoF test required.
Example Scenario:
David has three children: two live in Australia, one lives in Canada. He meets the BoF test because two out of three children are in Australia, so he can apply for a Contributory Parent Visa.
What is an Assurance of Support and Who Can Provide It?
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a financial commitment designed to ensure that certain visa applicants (and their family members) do not become a burden on Australia’s social security system. If the assuree accesses select welfare benefits, the assurer is liable to repay these costs to the government.
- Who can be an assurer?
- Typically, a family member living in Australia, but anyone meeting the required income threshold can be an assurer.
- Organizations (companies or unincorporated bodies) can also act as assurers.
- Joint Assurers (up to three people) can combine incomes to meet AoS income requirements.
Example:
If Emily sponsors her parents for a Parent Visa, she may need to provide an AoS as part of the visa application. She (and possibly her spouse) must demonstrate sufficient taxable income to meet the AoS requirements.
When is Assurance of Support Mandatory and How Does the Bond Work?
Certain visa subclasses—particularly Parent Visas, Remaining Relative Visas, and Aged Dependent Relative Visas—require a Mandatory (Bonded) Assurance of Support:
- Bond Lodgement:
- For most parent/relative visas, a bond is held for 2 years.
- For Contributory Parent Visas, the bond is held for 10 years.
- Welfare Repayments:
- If the visa holder receives specific Centrelink payments, these are deducted from the bond first.
- If the payments exceed the bond amount, the assurer must cover the difference.
Example:
When Vijay applies for a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) for his mother, the 10-year bond requirement means that if she claims certain social security benefits, Vijay’s bond is used first to cover those costs.
What Are the Income Requirements and Current Bond Amounts for AoS?
- Income Requirements:
- The assurer must provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for the past two financial years.
- They must show current proof of income (payslips or a letter from their employer) at or above the required threshold.
- Assets are generally not considered unless it is a Discretionary AoS and the income is just under the statutory minimum.
- Bond Amounts:
| Visa Type | Bond Amount Before 1 Apr 2019 | Bond Amount On or After 1 Apr 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Contributory Parent & Contributory Aged Parent Visas |
Primary Applicant = $10,000 Secondary Applicant = $4,000 |
Primary Applicant = $15,000 Secondary Applicant = $6,000 |
| All Other Parent and Relative Visas |
Primary Applicant = $5,000 Secondary Applicant = $2,000 |
Primary Applicant = $7,500 Secondary Applicant = $3,000 |
If Noor sponsors both of her parents under a Contributory Parent Visa, she will need to lodge a $15,000 bond per parent (or $30,000 total) if both parents are primary applicants.
Can We Apply for the Visa Onshore or Offshore?
It depends on the visa subtype:
- Onshore Visas (Subclass 804, 864, 884): You must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Offshore Visas (Subclass 103, 143, 173): You must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.
- Sponsored Parent (Subclass 870): Apply offshore, but you can visit Australia on another visa if eligible before the decision.
Example Scenario:
Maria’s mother is already in Australia on a visitor visa. Because she’s over 65, they decide to apply onshore for the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804) so she can remain in Australia on a Bridging Visa while waiting.
How Does the Two-Step Parent Visa Pathway Work?
The two-step pathway involves first applying for a temporary Contributory Parent Visa and later transitioning to a permanent Contributory Parent Visa:
- Offshore Pathway: Subclass 173 (Temporary) → Subclass 143 (Permanent).
- Onshore Pathway: Subclass 884 (Temporary) → Subclass 864 (Permanent).
This approach spreads out the cost over two stages and allows parents to remain lawfully in Australia (for onshore) or outside Australia (for offshore) during processing.
Example Scenario:
Ethan chooses the Subclass 884 → 864 pathway for his elderly parents because they prefer to stay onshore in Australia while waiting for permanent residency. They pay part of the fee for Subclass 884 first and the rest later when applying for Subclass 864.
What Are the Requirements for the 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?
Key requirements include:
- Sponsorship by an approved Australian child who is a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
- Sponsorship application must be approved before the visa application.
- Health and character requirements.
- No Balance-of-Family test is required.
Example Scenario:
Grace’s son is an Australian permanent resident. He successfully becomes an approved sponsor, allowing Grace to apply for the Subclass 870 visa to stay with him for up to 5 years.
Is There a Pathway to Permanent Residency via the 870 Visa?
No, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. It allows parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years, renewable up to a maximum of 10 years in total, but does not itself lead to permanent residence. If you want a permanent visa, you’ll need to explore other Parent Visa options (e.g., 143, 864, 103, etc.).
Example Scenario:
Henry’s parents need to help with their grandchildren in Australia. They choose the 870 Visa for a shorter stay, knowing they’ll need to investigate a separate permanent visa pathway if they decide to settle permanently.
Where Should I Start If I Want to Apply?
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you (the sponsor) and your parents (the applicants) meet the basic requirements (age, sponsorship, health, character).
- Decide on Visa Type: Balance cost, processing time, and whether you want permanent or temporary residency.
- Gather Documentation: Proof of relationship, health checks, police checks, financials for AoS, etc.
- Consider Professional Advice: A migration agent or lawyer can help you navigate complex situations, especially for older parents or tight timelines.
Example Scenario:
Priya consults a migration agent to discuss her mother’s options. After an eligibility assessment, they decide that the Contributory Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 864) is the best fit.
If I Hold a Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent) Visa, Can I Apply for a Contributory Parent Visa?
No. However, it is possible to do the reverse (i.e., have applied for a Contributory Parent Visa and then later apply for a 870 if you meet the eligibility requirements).
