For many migrants living in Australia, the dream is not fulfilled until they can bring their parents to live with them – not only for a short journey, but also to spend quality time together as a family. The subclass 870 sponsored parents (temporary) visas make it possible by allowing the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Australia for 10 years, without long waiting time and permanent migration obstacles of the visa of other parents.
If you are hoping to bring your parents to Australia or you are a parent wishing to join your family, then this blog will run through everything you need to learn about 870 visa australia: what is, how to apply, how to apply, major needs and important ideas.
What is an 870 sponsored parent visa?
The subclass 870 visa is a temporary visa that allows parents to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years at a time, with a maximum maximum of 10 years of migration. This is a family-friendly solution for parents who want to spend an extended period with their children and grandchildren in Australia, without taking part in a permanent migration program.
Unlike permanent parents’ visas (which have long queues and limited quota), the 870 visa is sharp and does not require a balance of family testing, which means that the parents do not need most of their children living in Australia.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for 870 visa, there are two sides:
- The Sponsor
An Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible should be New Zealand citizen
Must be at least 18 years old
Used to live in Australia for at least 4 years
Must meet minimum income requirements (typically evidenced through a Notice of Assessment from the ATO)
Must not have any outstanding debts to the government
Can sponsor up to two parents at a time
- The Visa Applicant (Parent)
Must be outside Australia when applying for the visa (and when it is granted, unless they’ve been granted permission to lodge from within Australia)
Must have an approved sponsor before applying
Must not work while in Australia on this visa
Must meet health and character requirements
Must hold or have held a valid visa in the past if applying from within Australia (e.g., a visitor visa with no “No Further Stay” condition)
Visa Duration and Costs
The 870 visa is available in two streams:
3-year visa: Approximate base application charge is AUD $5,735
5-year visa: Approximate base application charge is AUD $11,470
After your first visa deadline ends, you can re -apply for another 870 visa, but the total migration may not exceed 10 years.
After reaching the maximum of 10-year, parents should leave Australia and re-apply for another 870 visa. However, they can apply for a separate visa if they are eligible (such as a permanent original visa).
How to apply: Step by step
The process for 870 visa has been done in two main stages:
1: Apply to become a sponsor
The child (sponsor) submits a sponsored application to a parents (Form 1502)
This application must be approved before the parent can lodge the visa application
The sponsor agrees to financial obligations including providing accommodation and support
Approval is generally valid for 6 months
2: Parent Applies for the 870 Visa
Once sponsorship is approved, the parent can apply for the visa
Must provide health checks, character clearances (e.g., police certificates), and evidence of relationship to the sponsor
Processing time varies but typically ranges from 4 to 9 months, depending on the case
Key Conditions and Limitations
No work rights: Parents on an 870 visa cannot work while in Australia, but they can volunteer or care for grandchildren.
Health insurance required: Parents must maintain adequate health insurance during their stay.
No pathway to permanent residency: The 870 visa is strictly temporary. It does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
Must depart after 10 years: Once the 10-year maximum stay has been reached, parents must leave Australia.
Pros and Cons of the 870 Visa
Advantages
Quicker processing than permanent parent visas
No balance of family test
Extended time with family — up to 10 years
Flexible re-entry options (multi-year stays)
Disadvantages
No work rights
High visa fees (especially for the 5-year visa)
Temporary stay only; no direct pathway to permanent residency
Must maintain private health insurance
Alternative Parent Visa Options
If you are looking for permanent options, you can consider:
Contributing parents Visa (subclass 143): provides permanent residence but comes with a high application cost and a long processing time.
Parent Visa (subclass 103): low cost but very long waiting time – up to 30 years in some cases.
The contributor age group’s original Visa (subcontinent 864): With more than 103 fast processing, for the parents enough to qualify for the Australian age pension.
Waiting for permanent original visa applications to be processed, 870 visas can be a great interim option.
final thoughts
Subclass 870 sponsored parents visa is a valuable solution for families looking to re -connecting and spend meaningful time together in Australia. Although it does not provide permanent residence, it offers a practical option for flexibility, generous living duration and long queues and complex requirements of other visa options.
