Australian Migration - Parent visas

There are two categories in which parents may apply for a visa, Parent Category and Contributory Parent Category.

Visa Requirements

Generally, the following are requirements for visas in both the parent category and contributory parent category :

The applicant must be a parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
The applicant’s child must be settled in Australia (in most cases, lawfully and permanently resident for at least 2 years) and generally must sponsor the applicant.
The applicant must meet health and character requirements.
The applicant must pass the balance of family test.
An Assurance of Support and an Assurance of Support bond must be provided. The bond is held for 2 years for applicants in the 'Parent' category and held for 10 years for applicants in the 'Contributory Parent' category. Lodgement of this bond is not required until just before grant of a visa.

Parent Category

To apply for migration to Australia as a parent, you must be sponsored. Generally you will be sponsored by your child, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The number of places available in the parent category in the 2003-2004 Migration Program Year is 1,500. There will be 1,000 places in the parent category in subsequent migration program years.

Contributory Parent Category

5,500 places are available for migration to Australia under the contributory parent category in the 2003-04 Migration Program Year. There will be 3,500 places in the contributory parent category in subsequent migration program years. Applicants for visas in the contributory parent category pay a significantly higher second visa application charge as a contribution to their ongoing health costs. To apply for migration to Australia as a contributory parent, you must be sponsored. Generally you will be sponsored by your child, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

For more information see :

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