Temporary Sponsored Parent Subclass 870 Visa

Temporary sponsored parent visa planning depends on sponsor approval and stay goals

Decision points

• Sponsor approval and family goal
• Length of stay and insurance issues
• Future parent visa planning

Sponsor readiness

Check sponsor and applicant evidence together.

Stay planning

Choose the stay period with future options in mind.

Family timing

Avoid relying on the wrong parent pathway.

What is Temporary Sponsored Parent 870 Visa?

This visa enables parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to be sponsored for an extended temporary stay in Australia. This visa does not lead to permanent residency. The visa 870 allows parents to remain in Australia for a longer period of time, up to five years at a time without departing.

Who can get 870 Visa?

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must have an approved Parent Sponsor before they lodge the visa application.
• Applicants must show they can financially support themselves while in Australia and maintain adequate health insurance.
• If applying for another subclass 870 visa after holding one, timing and location rules should be checked before lodgement.
• Visa holders are not allowed to work in Australia while holding the visa, although limited unpaid activities may be permitted.
• Applicants usually apply online within 6 months of sponsorship approval, or within 60 days if Home Affairs gives permission to apply in Australia in limited circumstances.
• Program settings and available places can change, so families should check current Home Affairs guidance before lodging.

Who can Sponsor for 870 Visa?

Sponsor Eligibility requirements:

The Parent Sponsor must be at least 18 and be the parent’s child, or that child’s spouse or de facto partner, as well as meeting the sponsorship criteria.

• Australian citizen; or
• Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who has usually been resident in Australia for at least 4 years immediately before lodgement.
• be at least 18 years of age
• meet character requirements
• meet the Home Affairs income test, currently at least A$83,454.80 for the most recent completed taxable income year before the sponsorship application is lodged.

Income may be combined with a qualifying partner and/or another qualifying child of the prospective parent applicant. The sponsor must personally meet at least 50% of the specified income threshold.

Sponsorship obligations:

The sponsor must agree to comply with sponsorship obligations, including financial support and accommodation where required, public health debt obligations, no-work compliance and notifying Home Affairs of relevant changes.

Sponsorship validity:

A parent sponsorship will cease:

• if the sponsor’s permanent visa is cancelled
• if the sponsor dies
• if the sponsor withdraws their sponsorship
• An approved sponsorship can cease if the sponsored parent does not lodge a visa application within six months of sponsorship approval, or within 60 days where Permission to Apply in Australia has been given.

*Some sponsor obligations will continue after the sponsorship ceases, including the obligation to pay any outstanding public health debts incurred by the visa holder in Australia, even after their visa has ceased.

How long is 870 Visa valid for?

The Temporary Sponsored Parent visa allows parents to stay for a maximum of 10 years cumulatively. There are two different validity periods available:

• 5 year visa option, with the current Visa Application Charge checked against Home Affairs fees
• 3 year visa option, with the current Visa Application Charge checked against Home Affairs fees

Home Affairs usually collects part of the Visa Application Charge at lodgement and the balance before grant; current charges should be checked before lodging. Each parent must lodge their own visa application and pay their own fees.

How long to process 870 Visa?

Processing times vary by sponsorship approval, visa application quality, health and character checks and Home Affairs application volumes.