How to Apply for an 804 Visa in Australia?

The Department of Home Affairs Australia offers various kinds of parent visas to the parents of children who are permanent residents or citizens of Australia. One of these visas is the Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804).

 

An aged parent visa is permanent visa that allows the parents to live in Australia for an indefinite period. To apply for this visa, you must understand the eligibility requirements, application process, visa cost and processing time. Continue reading to learn all about an 804 visa in Australia.

 

What is an Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)?

Subclass 804 is a permanent visa that allows an aged parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to stay in Australia. With this visa, you can travel as many times as you want during the first five years of your visa grant.

 

Additionally, this visa offers the following benefits:

• You can stay in Australia forever.
• You are allowed to work and study in Australia.
• You can enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
• You can sponsor your family members to come to Australia.
• You can apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

 

What are the Eligibility Requirements to Apply for an 804 Visa in Australia?

You must not have an application for a Sponsored Parent visa (subclass 870) in processing. In addition to this, you must follow these eligibility requirements to apply for the Aged Parent (subclass 804) visa:

 

• Age Requirements

You must be over the age of 67 years or old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.

 

• Sponsorship Requirements

You must have an eligible child who can sponsor you. Your child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

 

• Balance of Family Test

You must meet the Balance of Family Test requirements. It means that you must have at least half of your children living permanently in Australia. 

 

• Health and Character Requirements

You must meet health and character requirements. To demonstrate this, you are required to submit a proof of medical showing that you are not suffering from any contagious disease. Moreover, you must have not been involved in any criminal activity. For this purpose, you will have to submit a police clearance certificate.

 

• Assurance of Support

Your sponsor must provide an assurance of support. Your sponsor must demonstrate that they will financially support you during your stay so you do not rely on government assistance.

 

• Immigration History

You must not have had a previous visa application refused or a visa cancelled while you were in Australia.

 

What Documents are Required for an Aged Parent Visa in Australia?

Here is the list of documents that you are required to submit to apply for an aged parent visa in Australia:

• Identity documents, including passports, birth certificates, and any other identification documents.
• Birth certificates of all children, including those not living in Australia.
• Completed sponsorship form 40 (Sponsorship for Migration to Australia).
• Completed Form 47PA (Application for Parent Visa).
• Evidence of assurance of support or financial stability.
• Balance of family documents showing your relationship with your children living in Australia. 
• Police clearance certificate and medical examination certificate.

 

How to Apply for an 804 Visa in Australia?

Applying for an Aged Parent (subclass 804) visa involves several detailed steps. These steps include the following:

• Step 1: Check your eligibility
• Step 2: Prepare your documents
• Step 3: Apply for the 804 visa
• Step 4: Things to do after application submission
• Step 5: Wait for the visa outcome.

 

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

The first step is to verify whether you meet certain eligibility criteria or not. You must have a valid passport to apply for this visa. Moreover, you cannot apply for this visa if you have already submitted an application for a parent visa and the Department has not yet made a decision.

 

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Once you have checked the eligibility criteria, the next step is to gather all the required documents. These documents include a passport, an English language proficiency test, a police clearance certificate, Form 40 sponsorship, a balance of family test and an assurance of support. 

 

Step 3: Apply for the 804 Visa

You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa. Follow these steps to apply for the 804 visa on paper. 

 

• Complete and submit a Form 47PA Application to migrate to Australia.
• Your sponsor is required to complete Form 40 Sponsorship for migration to Australia. 
• All family members of age 18 are required to complete Form 47A. 
• All these forms must be completed in the English language. 
• Pay the first installment at the time of application submission. 
• Send your application by post or courier to the address on the form. 
• Attach all the required documents, forms and payment evidence with your application.
• Use the address on the application form to send your application by mail or courier. 

 

Important Note: 

Send only certified copies of the papers with your application; do not send originals. Save a copy of your completed application for your own records.

If you don’t follow all the steps above mentioned, the Department of Home Affairs will not accept your application.  The Department will let you know if your application is invalid on request. 

 

Step 4: Things to Do After Application Submission

You may be asked to provide the additional information after application submission. Notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to your circumstances, such as change of address or name. Moreover, you may be required to provide biometrics such as fingerprints and photos. 

 

Step 5: Wait for the Visa Outcome

The Department will notify you about their decision on your visa application through your ImmiAccount. If your visa is granted, you will receive details such as:

• Your visa grant number
• The date your visa starts
• Your visa conditions.

 

However, if your visa application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons for the refusal and whether you have the right to a review of the decision.

 

What is the Processing Time for an Aged Parent Visa in Australia?

The processing time for the 804 visa varies depending on several factors. Usually, it takes several years to be processed due to the high demand for this visa. Moreover, you can use the visa processing time guide tool to get an idea of how long it will take to process this visa. 

 

The processing of your application may take longer if:

• You don’t correctly fill it out.
• You don’t include all the required documents.
• You don’t provide additional information to the Department.

 

What is the Visa Cost of an 804 Visa in Australia?

The application fee for an 804 visa is AUD5,125.00. Pay this visa fee in two installments. Pay the first installment at the time of application submission and the second installment when the Department asks you to.

 

Moreover, if your family members are applying with you, they will have to pay additional charges. You might also have to pay additional charges for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. 

Other Parent Visa Options 

There are other parent visas that you can consider. These include:

1. Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)

This is a permanent visa and have faster processing time as compared to other visas. However, the visa cost is high. 

2. Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 884)

It is a temporary visa but provides a PR pathway via subclass 864. The processing time is fast; however, the cost is higher than subclass 804. 

3. Sponsored Parent visa (subclass 870)

It is a temporary visa and allows parents to visit their children in Australia for up to three or five years at a time and a cumulative maximum 10-year period.

 

Final Thoughts

To conclude, an aged parent visa provides the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents with an opportunity to migrate to Australia. By now, you have understood the eligibility criteria, document checklist, application process, visa cost and processing time. 

However, if you are still confused and want to explore other options, contact us at The Migration. 

 

Related Articles

What is the Balance of Family Test for Australian Parent Visas?

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the disadvantages of an 804 Visa?

The main disadvantage of an 804 visa is its lengthy processing time that can take up to 30 years. Other restrictions, such as age, no further stay conditions, and a balance of family test make it difficult for candidates to apply for this visa. 

What is an 804 visa in Australia?

The 804 visa is a permanent visa for older parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. You can also apply for Australian citizenship after meeting certain eligibility requirements.

How much is the 804 visa fee?

You will have to pay an application fee of AUD5,125.00 for an 804 visa in Australia.

Can you leave Australia on an 804 visa?

With an 804 visa, you can enter and leave Australia as often as you want for the first five years of your duration.