Are you among those parents who want to stay longer in Australia with their children or grandchildren and are looking for suitable visa options? Look no further!

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) is an ideal option for you. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years, and you can also apply for further visas to visit your family for a maximum of ten years. 

But the question here is can you apply for an 870 visa Onshore? Let’s explore this in detail.

Can You Apply 870 Visa Onshore?

You must be outside of Australia (offshore) to apply for an 870 visa. However, under certain circumstances, this condition can be exempted. If you have Permission to Apply, you can apply for an 870 visa while in Australia (but not in immigration clearance).

What is Permission to Apply in Australia for an 870 Visa?

Permission to Apply in Australia allows candidates to apply for an 870 visa onshore. Your sponsor (child) will be asked to submit their sponsorship application form to get permission to apply in Australia. Your child can submit this application online via ImmiAccount website. 

If the Department of Home Affairs approves your sponsor’s application, you will be granted  Permission to Apply in Australia. After that, you must submit your visa application within 60 days of sponsorship approval.

When will the permission to apply for an 870 visa in Australia be granted?

Under exceptional circumstances, the Department of Home Affairs grants you permission to apply for an 870 visa onshore. These conditions include:

• If the parent is unable to depart from Australia due to an accident or serious illness, they can apply for an 870 visa onshore. However, they will be asked to provide authentic medical evidence to get this visa onshore. 
• If the parent is unable to depart Australia due to a natural disaster in the home country, they can apply for an onshore 870 visa.

When the Department of Home Affairs decides on your visa application, you can be inside or outside Australia. But you must not be in immigration clearance. 

What does the phrase “immigration clearance” mean?

Immigration clearance refers to a process that is conducted upon your arrival in Australia. As part of the immigration clearance procedure, a clearing authority will verify your identity and examine your travel documents.

Once the clearance authority verifies your identification and that your visa is legitimate, you are allowed to enter Australia. However,  if you don’t meet the conditions for immigration clearance, you might not be allowed to enter Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to 870 Visa

Here are some of the most common questions asked by the candidates when applying for an 870 visa in Australia. Have a look at them!

What is the Australian subclass 870 visa?

The Australian Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) is a temporary visa for the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. With this visa, the parents can reunite with their family members in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. However, they are not allowed to work during this time period.

How to Apply for an Australian Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870)?

Follow these steps to apply for an Australian Sponsored Parent visa (subclass 870):

Step 1: Find a Sponsor 

Make sure you have an eligible child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen willing to sponsor you.

Step 2: Sponsorship Application 

Ask your sponsor to submit a sponsorship application to become an approved sponsor before applying for the visa.

Step 3: Organize your Documents 

Gather all your required documents including your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), proof of health insurance, and other relevant records.

Step 4: Apply for the Visa 

Register yourself on the ImmiAccount website and download the 870 visa application form. Fill it correctly and attach all the required documents with it. Pay the visa fee and submit your application. 

Step 5: Wait for the Outcome

After submitting your application, wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. This may take several months. If approved, you will receive your visa grant notification. In case your application is refused, you will be notified about the reasons for rejection.

How much is the sponsorship fee for 870 visas?

The sponsorship cost for an 870 visa in Australia is $420.0. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa sponsors can also sponsor other types of visa holders. But for that, they are required to meet certain eligibility criteria.

What is the income requirement for visa 870?

The income requirement for the sponsors to invite their parents to Australia is $83,454.80 in taxable income.

What is the processing time for 870 visa applications?

The processing time for the 870 visa varies depending on individual circumstances, application complexity, and several other factors. Usually, seventy percent of applications are processed within 4 months, while  90% of all applications are processed within 6 months.

What is the eligibility criteria for 870 Sponsorship in Australia?

In order to sponsor your parent, sponsors must meet the following criteria:

• The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age.
• Sponsors must have a taxable income of at least $83,454.80.
• You must not owe any debts to the Commonwealth Australian Government.
• In order to sponsor your parents, you must have met any prior sponsorship obligations.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been living in Australia for four years.
• A Parent must be the sponsor’s biological, adoptive, or stepparent. If the sponsor is a stepparent, they are only eligible to apply if they are still married to or in a de facto relationship with the sponsor’s biological parent.

Does the 870 Visa Require the Balance of Family Test?

No, a balance of family test is not required in order to obtain an 870 Visa. It is required when you apply for permanent partner visas to assess a parent’s familial links to their children in Australia. However, in the case of an 870 visa, you are not asked to submit this test because the 870 Visa is a temporary visa.

Can my parents work under an 870 visa?

No, your parents are not allowed to work under a sponsored parent visa (subclass 870).

Can I get a 10-year parent visa in Australia?

The 870 Visa is not granted for 10 years at a time, but it can be “extended” in increments of three or five years, allowing your parents to stay in Australia for a maximum of ten years. Your parents need to apply for a new visa before their existing one expires, and you will need to apply for the sponsorship once again.

You will have to request in your sponsorship application for your parents to be able to apply from within Australia. Moreover, you will need to pay AUD 5,000 or AUD 10,000 for the visa once more.

Concluding Thoughts

In short,  while the 870 visa mandates you to apply from outside Australia, there are exceptional circumstances where you can apply onshore. If you have Permission to Apply, granted due to specific situations like a serious illness or a natural disaster, you can submit your application while in Australia.

With this visa, parents can visit Australia and spend quality time with their children and grandkids. By understanding the eligibility requirements and the application process, you can  improve your chances of a successful application.

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