Parent visa applications can be time-consuming and costly. Even determining which visa is ideal for your parents’ travel to Australia can be difficult. If you’re wondering which visa to apply for to allow your parents to visit Australia, you have a few options based on your parents’ country of origin and how long they want to remain here.
A visitor visa for parents Australia may be an excellent option to bring them to Australia more cheaply and quickly. This article aims to help you decide which is the best option for you, by explaining all the visa jargon in detail.
Electronic Travel Authority
An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is a travel authorisation under the subclass 601 connected to your e-passport that permits you to enter Australia as many times as you like during a 12-month period and for up to three months each visit. There is no application fee for Electronic Travel Authority, however there may be a $20 administration fee.
ETAs are accessible to nationals of 33 countries as well as British citizens overseas. Please note that the majority of qualifying nationalities are European. Certain citizens of Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are ineligible to apply for an ETA. It is a viable option for parents who want to visit their children in Australia for up to three months and have citizenship from an approved nation.
To check your eligibility for an ETA, click here.
The ETA is a low-cost and simple-to-apply-for alternative. However, eligibility is restricted, and visitors are not permitted to stay for more than three months at a time. It will also allow them to study in Australia for up to three months; however, if your parents want to study in Australia, a student visa may be more suited.
eVisitor Visa
The eVisitor visa, that comes under the subclass 651 and is quite similar to an ETA. It permits you to visit Australia as many times as you like during a 12-month period, for up to three months every visit. The application for an eVisitor visa is free of charge. The only significant distinction between the eVisitor visa and the ETA is the list of eligible countries and the application process.
Citizens of 35 different countries can obtain eVisitor visas, however British nationals cannot, unlike an ETA. The eVistor visa, like the ETA, is available to most European nationals, with the exception of a few Central and Eastern European nations. If you have citizenship from a qualifying nation, an eVisitor visa is a fantastic alternative for parents who want to visit their children in Australia for up to 3 months.
Visitor Visa
A Australian visitor visa for parents (subclass 600) is an attractive alternative for parents who want to visit Australia but are not eligible for an ETA or an eVisitor visa. The visitor visa application fee is $380 and is accessible to all nations. The duration of your stay and the number of times you can visit Australia on this visa are subject to change. You can apply to stay in Australia for three, six, or twelve months with either single or several entries. If your parent want to stay with you for more than three months (up to a year), or if they are ineligible for the ETA or eVisitor visa, a visitor visa for parents is a viable choice.
Sponsored Parent Visa
A sponsored parent visa (subclass 103) is a permanent visa that permits the parents of an Australian citizen, legal resident of Australia, or eligible New Zealand Citizen to permanently relocate to Australia. The application fee for this visa is $6,625, and it is accessible to all nations. In most situations, this visa will necessitate parent sponsorship by the visa applicant’s kid(s).
A sponsored parent visa is an amazing addition for parents who want to relocate to Australia permanently. However, it is not the best choice for parents who are just visiting Australia for a short time.
Parent Visa
A parent visa (subclass 870) is a temporary visa that permits parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or eligible New Zealand Citizen to remain in Australia for up to three or five years. This visa is available to all nations and costs $5,090 for a 3-year visa or $10,180 for a 5-year visa. To apply for this visa, the child (an Australian citizen or permanent resident) must sponsor the application of their parents.
A parent visa is an excellent choice for parents who want to stay in Australia for up to 3-5 years but are not interested in permanently relocating. The primary advantage of this visa over the permanent parent visa is that it is processed considerably faster.
Things to Remember
If you want to apply for an Australian visitor visa for parents to visit Australia, you must first decide how long they will stay. The best parents visitor visa for Australia for them will depend on their place of origin and desired duration of stay. Processing times may also vary depending on all kinds of factors like whether all the documents have been submitted with no errors, among other things. The kind of visa you have applied for also impacts processing times. We have linked all the official webpages for every kind of visa we have mentioned above, so that it is easier to navigate for you.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will assess your application for the appropriate visa that you choose to apply for and make a decision on your eligibility. Even if you submit your application through a visa centre, it is still submitted to the DHA. The time it takes to verify your information and assess if all of your documents are in order impacts how soon your application is finalised.
Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa Template
Sponsoring a friend or family member to Australia? It’s important to get the invitation letter right.
If you need a bit of a hand, we have available a sample invitation letter available for purchase for just A$8.99:
It’s also important to note that an invitation letter is just one part of the visa application process. You’ll also need to gather other documents, such as your passport and proof of financial stability, and submit them with your application form to the Department.
