The Real Wait Time for a Parent Visa: Can Your Parents Wait 30 Years?
Bringing your parents to live with you in Australia is a heartfelt wish. However, the emotional toll of the long processing time required to obtain an Australian Parent Visa can be overwhelming. The reality is sobering, especially if you’re aiming for the subclass 103 or 804 visa, the processing time can exceed 31 years. Yes, three decades for a Parent Visa.
So, why does it take so long to obtain a Parent Visa? Is it worth your time and money? What does this mean for your family? Let’s break it down.
Why does it take so long to obtain a Parent Visa?
First, let’s discuss why the processing time for the Australian Parent Visa takes so long.
Each year, the Australian Government, in line with its migration planning, allocates a limited number of places for family migration visas, and only a small portion is available for Parent Visas. In the 2024-25 Migration Planning Levels, only 8,500 places were allocated for Parent visas. Meanwhile, the demand keeps rising, leading to the current processing time.
There are tens of thousands of applications already in the queue, with new ones being added every year. It creates a massive backlog for the non-contributory parent visas, pushing the estimated processing time beyond 30 years.
Read more: Parent Visa Processing Time – Latest Update
Can your parents wait that long?
Ask yourself:
- Will your parents be in good health in three decades?
- Will they still be able to travel or live independently?
- Would you prefer to have your children’s (or their grandchildren’s) lives without truly knowing them?
We understand the answer is painful. And we know that these visas are technically permanent and cheaper, but the reality is that your parents may not be granted the visa within their lifetime.
Is there any alternative?
Thankfully, it’s not a dead end. If your goal is to bring your parents to Australia sooner, here are some alternatives worth considering:
1. Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143 or 864)
Yes, this option is significantly more expensive, with a visa application charge of AUD 48,640 for one person. However, it offers a faster processing time, which is approximately 14 years, and your parents can stay permanently once the visa is approved.
2. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (subclass 870)
This visa allows your parents to stay in Australia for 3 or 5 years, and it’s renewable up to 10 years in total. Although this visa does not offer permanent residency or a pathway to it, it provides opportunities for meaningful family time and a significantly faster processing time (only up to 7 months).
3. Visitor Visa (subclass 600) – Family Sponsored stream
This specific stream allows your parents to visit for up to 12 months at a time, but this is not guaranteed. The Department of Home Affairs will grant a 12-month stay period only in limited circumstances. While you can reapply for the visa, it’s important to note that this is not a long-term solution for bringing your parents to Australia.
Find the latest update on the Parent Visa application here
Should you reassess your strategy now?
If you’ve already lodged an application for the subclass 103 or 804 Visa, and your parents are in good health and willing to wait, continuing the process can be reasonable. But if you decide to look for other options, these may be worth your consideration:
- Switch to Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 864 or 143) if financially possible.
- Apply for the 870 Visa or Visitor Visa to bring your parents sooner while you wait.
- Consult a Registered Migration Agent to review your options and long-term plan.
We understand how painful it is to wait such a long time for processing to bring your parents over on a Parent Visa. So, before making any decisions, ensure your family understands the real wait times and whether your parents can afford, physically, emotionally, and financially, to wait that long.
If you need expert advice, we are here to assess your eligibility and tailor a visa plan that 100% works for your family. You’re not alone in this journey, and we’re here to provide the support you need.
ONEderland Consulting is here to help you reunite with your family
Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will guide you through the process of getting the Parent Visa. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are committed to being open and honest with you, keeping you updated and involved at every stage. We will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your future in Australia, and you can rely on us to be your dependable partner and advocate.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are subject to regulation in our professional practice and bound by the MARA’s Code of Conduct.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are honest, accountable and professional. Contact us by email at visa@onederland.com.au, by phone at 1300 827 159, or via WhatsApp at +61494367258. Alternatively, you can book your consultation online. And remember, our services are backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program, which ensures that you receive a full refund if you’re not satisfied with our services.
