What’s The New Update On Visitor Visas For Parents After Covid-19?

Do you live in Australia and your parents plan to visit you? Well, you need to know all the related information because the COVID-19 pandemic is still there, with all its energy. Parent visa applications usually take a long time to process and also require high rates. On the other hand, visitor visas may be your alternative to bring your parents to Australia because they are cheaper and faster. Due to the pandemic, most parent visas and offshore visas are not approved now. However, you can still submit an SC600 or a parent visa outside Australia or inside Australia. Visitor visa lawyerscan guide you in this regard.

Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

This visa is now closed because of COVID-19. An ETA visa is relatively cheaper and also an efficient way by which you can bring your parents to Australia. If you open the Department of Home Affairs website now, you will not be allowed to apply. Instead, you will see this notice: “Strict travel restrictions are in place for all countries due to COVID-19.  It is better not to apply for any visa until checking the latest information.”

The general cost for this visa is $20 per application. You can access multiple entries. You cannot stay more than 3 months each time. Processing time is generally speedy, and you are bound to get an almost instant reply from the Department. However, citizens of only certain countries can access this visa. The countries include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei etc. You can get the entire list on the website.

Subclass 600 Visitor Visa Sponsored Family Stream

Don’t your parents hold a passport from the list of countries mentioned on the website? They can still apply for a visitor visa under this Subclass 600 Visa. And similarly, people holding passports from the above countries can apply for this visa if they wish to stay longer than 3 months.

This visa will enable you to stay for at most 12 months in Australia. The cost is naturally higher, which is $145 per application. At the same time, the processing time taken is 3 to 4 months. There should be a sponsor to be eligible for this visa. And this sponsor must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is settled and is the relative of the applicant. The term ‘settled’ refers to having lived legally in Australia for a minimum of 2 years. Additionally, if your parents have already completed the application for a parent visa and are now waiting, they will become eligible for a more extended stay. An immigration lawyer can help you in this regard.

Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa

This subclass 870 sponsored parent (temporary) visa is another alternative to a visitor visa. The duration of stay in Australia can be 3 to 5 years with this visa. You can also re-apply for subclass 870 visa if needed. Then, they can stay there for a maximum duration of 10 years. For 3 years, the application cost will be $5000, while for 5 years, the cost will be $10000.

How Is A Visitor Visa Different From A Parent Visa?

Parent visas usually allow parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents or even eligible New Zealand citizens to relocate themselves permanently to Australia. The main drawbacks of parent visas are that the waiting period is generally more prolonged, and the costs are also high. A subclass 143 or contributory parent visa may cost around $47755 for each parent. The applicants must qualify for the balance-of-family test, which refers to at least half of the children or more eligible children currently living in Australia than in any other country.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Visitor Visa For Parents:

Advantages of Visitor Visa

Here we discuss some advantages and disadvantages of a visitor visa used by parents.

• Advantages Of Visitor Visa At Cheaper Rate: This visa is relatively cheaper than other standard parent visas. Your parents can afford the visa and come to Australia for a maximum period of 10 years. That sounds exciting, isn’t so?
• Shorter Processing Period: Parent visas generally take a longer time to get processed. Sometimes, they may take a maximum of 30 years to get approved. This is utterly frustrating, right? But, visitor visas generally get processed early.
• No Need For A Balance-Of-Family Test: If you have siblings or half-siblings living in another country than Australia, your parents will not be eligible to apply for a parent visa.

Disadvantages of Visitor Visa

• No Work Rights: Your parents will not get any rights to work, as this is a temporary visa.
• No Medicare Access: Medicare is the national health insurance scheme. Unfortunately, your parents cannot get access to this scheme.

In the end Parent visas take an unusually long period to get processed and also cost higher. So, before they start with the application, they must consult with migration lawyers for proper guidelines and advice.