Temporary commencement of five-year Sponsored Parent Visa

Mga kababayans, in the recent times, the number of migrants around the world are increasing in number. The constant longing of these migrants to be with their families who are living overseas are inevitable.

In Australia, this outcry to be with their beloved parents will eventually be put to an end as the Australian government introduces the new temporary sponsored parent visa for the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. Good news for all of our Filipino kababayans. 

This year, Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to bring their parents from overseas to Australia as the Federal Senate passed the Migration Amendments (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 or the Migration Amendment Act of 2018. In summary, the Act tells us that this is basically done to establish a sponsorship framework for the sponsored family visa program.

This is great news for Australian migrants and citizens alike as this ensures that family reunions can now be realised for many migrant families across Australia while at the same time protect taxpayers with strict guidelines to ensure all public health debts including hospital and aged care fees are recovered by the Australian Government.

Like getting any kind of visa, the process is surely not a walk in the park. In fact, to be eligible, these parents must meet several requirements which basically includes having an eligible sponsor, meeting health and character requirements and passing the balance of family test.

Having an eligible sponsor means someone who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is 18 years of age or over and has lived in Australia lawfully for some time which is generally for two years before the parents lodge their visa application. This is specifically designed to determine the extent of the applicant’s links to Australia.

This is said to be available from 17 April 2019. Once approved, the parent visa will be valid for three or five years, costing $5,000 and $10,000 respectively. But, keep in mind that the nature of Australian migration policies is constantly changing, which include the fees for these visas. Only 15,000 visas will be granted each year and that these parent visas are renewable, but only up to a maximum of 10 years when combined. Although a lot of issues are still tagged with this new amendment, migrants are ultimately given a lot of hope to spend a longer time with their families.