New Temporary Parent visa to be made available
A new temporary sponsored parent visa that will allow parents of migrants to stay in Australia for a period of up to five years will be made available during the first half of 2019. The visa was promised in June 2016, during the run-up to the last federal election but had been delayed as the legislation it was linked to couldn’t be passed until November last year.
Under the new visa, parents of migrants would be able to choose between a three-year visa that comes at a cost of $5,000 and a five-year visa with a $10,000 fee. There will be an opportunity for a single renewal with the number of visas subject to an annual cap of 15,000.
Sponsoring children of visa holders will have to ensure their parents have health insurance and do not incur any healthcare debt. They will act as financial guarantors and are legally required to any debt to taxpayers as a result of a medical emergency.
Migrant couples can sponsor only one set of parents for this visa.
John Young – 09 February, 2019