870 Visa: Temporary Parent Visa (Subclass 870)

The 870 Temporary Parent Visa allows parents to live in Australia for either three or five years without needing to leave during the visa period. Unlike other parent visas, it does not require the applicant to meet the Balance of Family test.

Child Sponsor Approval

The visa involves a two-step process. First, the child must be approved as a sponsor before the parent can apply for the 870 visa.

• Sponsors must:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet character requirements
• Show a minimum household income of $83,454.80 (combined with partner/sibling if necessary)
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Have no unresolved public health or Commonwealth debts
• Agree to share personal information with the visa applicant
• Provide police clearances if requested
• Not have serious adverse information on record (or provide reasons to disregard it)
• Have complied with any prior sponsor obligations

Sponsorship Obligations

• Approved sponsors are required to:
• Provide financial and housing support if needed
• Maintain records and provide them upon request (e.g. tax returns)
• Cover any public health debts incurred by the parent
• Report any criminal charges or incidents as outlined in policy

Failure to meet sponsorship obligations may result in being barred from sponsoring in the future or cancellation of current sponsorship approval.

Once a child is approved as a sponsor, the parent must apply for the 870 visa within six months.

Note: The visa period begins on the date it is granted—not on the date of arrival in Australia. Parents should be prepared to travel as soon as possible.

Does the 870 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

The 870 visa does not provide a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency. Parents can stay in Australia for up to 10 years on this visa, but must leave for at least 90 days between visa periods. There is no age limit for this visa.

If long-term residency is the goal, parents should consider other permanent parent visa options. Note that once a parent holds an 870 visa, they cannot apply for visas like the 143 or 173 unless those applications were submitted prior to the 870 visa introduction.

Additionally, the previous visitor visa concession for extended parental stays (12 out of 18 months) is no longer in effect.

Please note: The number of 870 visas granted is capped and subject to change annually.