Australian family migration pathway
Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)
The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 is a temporary parent visa that allows eligible parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to stay in Australia for an extended period.
This visa may be suitable for families who want a longer temporary parent visa option without immediately applying for a permanent parent visa.
- Temporary parent visa pathway
- Stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years
- No Balance of Family Test requirement
- No Assurance of Support requirement
- Maximum cumulative stay generally up to 10 years
- What is the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870?The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 is a temporary visa that allows eligible parents to visit and stay in Australia for a longer period tha…
- Eligibility, Sponsorship & Family RequirementsThe Subclass 870 visa requires careful review of the parent applicant, the approved parent sponsor and the family relationship before lodgement.
- Application Process, Benefits & Common IssuesThe Subclass 870 visa involves two main stages: sponsorship approval and the visa application itself.
- Related Parent & Family Visa OptionsParent visa planning should usually be considered within the broader family migration framework. Depending on age, family structure, budget, p…
Stage 1
What is the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870?
The Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 is a temporary visa that allows eligible parents to visit and stay in Australia for a longer period than a standard visitor visa.
This visa is designed for parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. It may allow a parent to stay in Australia for up to 3 years or up to 5 years, depending on the visa granted.
The Subclass 870 visa is different from permanent parent visas such as the Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143, Contributory Aged Parent Visa Subclass 864 and Aged Parent Visa Subclass 804. It is temporary and does not itself provide permanent residence in Australia.
Stage 2
Eligibility, Sponsorship & Family Requirements
The Subclass 870 visa requires careful review of the parent applicant, the approved parent sponsor and the family relationship before lodgement.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need to be the parent of an approved parent sponsor in Australia. The parent may be a biological parent, legal parent, adoptive parent, step-parent or parent-in-law, depending on the circumstances.
- Parent of an eligible sponsor
- Sponsor must be approved before the visa application
- Health and character requirements apply
- Adequate health insurance may be required
Approved Parent Sponsor Requirements
The sponsor must usually be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must first apply to become an approved parent sponsor before the parent can apply for the Subclass 870 visa.
- Approved parent sponsor required
- Usually the applicant’s child or eligible family sponsor
- Sponsorship approval must be in place before visa lodgement
- Sponsorship obligations should be understood before applying
Balance of Family Test
The Subclass 870 visa does not require the applicant to satisfy the Balance of Family Test. This is one of the important differences between the 870 visa and many permanent parent visa pathways.
This may make the Subclass 870 visa relevant for families where the parent does not meet the Balance of Family Test for permanent parent visas.
Health Insurance
Applicants may need to show that they have adequate health insurance arrangements for their stay in Australia. This is important because the Subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa and does not automatically provide the same benefits as permanent residence.
Families should plan health insurance carefully before applying.
Stage 3
Application Process, Benefits & Common Issues
The Subclass 870 visa involves two main stages: sponsorship approval and the visa application itself.
Application Process
- Assess whether the sponsor may be eligible
- Apply for parent sponsorship approval
- Wait for sponsorship approval before lodging the visa application
- Prepare parent identity, relationship and family evidence
- Prepare health insurance evidence if required
- Lodge the Subclass 870 visa application
- Respond to Department requests
- Complete health, character or biometrics requirements if requested
Key Benefits
- Longer stay than a standard visitor visa
- May allow a stay of up to 3 or 5 years
- No Balance of Family Test requirement
- No Assurance of Support requirement
- Can help families spend extended time together in Australia
- May be considered while permanent parent visa options are being reviewed
Common Challenges
- The sponsor has not obtained sponsorship approval before the visa application
- The family relationship is not properly documented
- Health insurance requirements are misunderstood
- Applicants assume the visa leads directly to permanent residence
- Families misunderstand the maximum cumulative stay period
- Previous visa refusals, cancellations or compliance issues require careful review
When Professional Advice May Help
Professional migration advice may be useful where sponsor eligibility is uncertain, the parent has previous visa issues, health concerns, complex family relationships or uncertainty about whether a temporary or permanent parent visa pathway is more suitable.
Advice may also help families compare the Subclass 870 visa with permanent parent visa options such as Subclass 143, Subclass 864 and Subclass 804.
Stage 5
Visa Charges & Processing Times
Visa application charges and processing times change regularly. Applicants should review the latest official information published by the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.
Stage 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870, eligibility, sponsorship, visa duration, health insurance and how this visa differs from permanent parent visa pathways.
Is the Sponsored Parent Visa Subclass 870 a permanent visa?
No. The Subclass 870 visa is a temporary parent visa. It allows eligible parents to stay in Australia for an extended temporary period, but it does not provide permanent residence and does not lead directly to Australian citizenship.
How long can a parent stay in Australia on a Subclass 870 visa?
The visa may allow a parent to stay in Australia for up to 3 years or up to 5 years, depending on the visa granted. The total cumulative stay under the Subclass 870 visa program is generally limited to 10 years.
Does the Subclass 870 visa require the Balance of Family Test?
No. The Subclass 870 visa does not require the Balance of Family Test. This is an important difference between the 870 visa and many permanent parent visas, including Subclass 143, Subclass 864 and Subclass 804.
Does the Subclass 870 visa require an Assurance of Support?
No. The Subclass 870 visa generally does not require an Assurance of Support. This can make it different from some permanent parent visa pathways where financial support requirements may be part of the process.
Who can sponsor a Subclass 870 visa applicant?
The sponsor must generally be an approved parent sponsor who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Sponsorship approval must usually be obtained before the parent lodges the visa application.
Can I apply for the 870 visa before sponsorship is approved?
No. The sponsorship stage is separate from the visa application stage. The sponsor usually needs to be approved as a parent sponsor before the parent can apply for the Subclass 870 visa.
Can a parent work in Australia on a Subclass 870 visa?
The Subclass 870 visa is intended as a temporary parent visa, not a work visa. Visa holders should carefully check the conditions attached to their visa grant before undertaking any activity in Australia.
Is health insurance required for the Sponsored Parent Visa?
Applicants may need to maintain adequate health insurance arrangements while in Australia. Families should review health insurance requirements carefully before applying and during the visa holder’s stay in Australia.
Can both parents apply for a Subclass 870 visa?
In some families, both parents may wish to apply. The correct approach depends on sponsor eligibility, sponsorship limits, family circumstances and timing. It is important to check whether the proposed sponsorship arrangement can support the intended applications.
Can I apply for a permanent parent visa while holding a Subclass 870 visa?
The Subclass 870 visa does not itself lead to permanent residence. Some families may still consider separate permanent parent visa pathways, but the timing, eligibility and visa strategy should be reviewed carefully before proceeding.
What is the difference between Subclass 870 and Subclass 143?
The Subclass 870 visa is temporary and allows an extended stay in Australia for eligible parents. The Subclass 143 visa is a permanent contributory parent visa. The two visas have different eligibility requirements, costs, processing considerations and long-term outcomes.
What is the difference between a Visitor Visa and the Subclass 870 visa?
A Visitor Visa is usually designed for shorter temporary visits. The Subclass 870 visa is specifically designed for eligible parents who wish to stay with family in Australia for a longer temporary period, subject to sponsorship and visa requirements.
What are common problems in Subclass 870 applications?
Common problems include lodging before sponsorship approval, weak relationship evidence, misunderstanding health insurance requirements, sponsor eligibility issues, previous visa compliance concerns and assuming the visa is a permanent migration pathway.
Which parent visa is best for my family?
There is no single best parent visa for every family. The most suitable pathway depends on the parent’s age, family structure, sponsor eligibility, budget, processing expectations, long-term migration goals and whether permanent residence is required.
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
Principal Registered Migration Agent at Shada Migration Services · MARN 0958292.
Next step
Get Advice About Your Family Visa Options
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