No Changes in Assurance of Support for Australia Parent Visa!

Australian government recently announced decision to scrap much controversial order over steep fee hike of parent visa’s Assurance of Support (AoS). This decision comes into effect after it had earlier enforced stringent AoS restrictions on its citizens sponsoring their parents to come and settle in Australia.

In fact, citizens experienced sleepless nights over contentious issue of Assurance of Support denying their parents’ rights of a safe entry. But now, the contentious issue of AoS has been withdrawn thereby providing relief to citizens.

Taking us back to moot question – What Is AoS About?

The Assurance of Support is provided to parents entering Australia. A citizen who happens to be visa applicant on behalf of his/her parent is required to obtain an AoS prior to approval of visa application. Not only is it legally binding but also has unconditional commitment provisions wherein the applicant has to repay certain social security payments that were allotted to him during respective AoS period. The period can be of one year and based on visa subclass type, it can be of two years or 10 years. During the AoS period, he has to meet certain requirements wherein he assumes financial responsibility for supporting Australian government.

The reason why parent visa issue was subjected to lot of controversy can be established from the fact that many of the applicants felt that their parents can settle in the country, since majority of them are registered permanent residents and have been regularly paying taxes to the government. The AoS restrictions dashed their hopes and had a rippling effect on those applicants who could not afford to pay a sum almost double to the existing one.

Now, they are a relieved lot with plans underway to obtain temporary and permanent parent visas.

About parent visas –

Falling under category of family visa, the Australia Parent Visa accommodates elderly by providing them temporary and permanent visas. One of the visas is subclass 103 where under this provision, the applicant is allowed to sponsor his parents and bring them to Australia permanently. Parents, on the other hand, can be part of the larger family of siblings who are already permanent residents. All the more it is of interest to those applicants eligible to process their visa application on time.

The case works out to advantage of the applicant if he happens to be a citizen of Australia and has been residing in the country for at least a period of two years. Worth considering few points – 

• Application is processed on priority basis if the applicant as a sponsor submits proof of several of his family members who are permanent residents of the country.
• The rule of the thumb is the more number of applicant’s family members residing in Australia, the better the prospects are to sponsor.

Having said that, the visa for parents also provides relief to elderly on compassionate grounds. In case if the applicant is short of funds and has low sources of income, the community organisation he represents steps in. The organisation becomes a sponsor on behalf of the citizen. The moment any parent becomes permanent resident of Australia, he is entitled to avail social security and pension benefits. The Australian Medicare Plan is one of the medical covers received by the elderly who are permanent residents of the country.

Enlisted are different parent visa types. Let’s evaluate step by step –

1. Visas for elderly settled in Australia –

• Aged parent visas (subclass 804)
• Contributory aged (Residence) parent visa (subclass 864)
• Contributory aged (Temporary) parent visa (subclass 884)
• Contributory aged parent visa (Residence) (from subclass 884 to subclass 864)

2. For elderly settled outside Australia –

• Contributory parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 143)
• Contributory parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
• Contributory parent (Migrant) visa (from subclass 173 to subclass 143)

Breaking into two halves, the visas for aged is termed as the most important visa for applicants. Parents who happen to be aged can stay back without any hindrance and they won’t have to leave for their respective home country. An applicant can sponsor their further stay as the visa is an onshore permit provided he submits details regarding his income, source of funds etc.

Whereas, contributory aged (Residence) costs more and is processed faster. It comes into effect after completion of two years only if the applicant had a valid temporary parent visa Australia in hand. On the higher side, several applicants apply to the contributory aged parent visa (Residence) after they were once contributory aged parent visa (Temporary) holders.

Such a pattern also works to the advantage of contributory parent (Migrant) visa holders. The latter take advantage of visa cover that is valid for period of five years. These visas are applicable to those of whom who had earlier contributory parent (Temporary) visa that was valid for two years.

In fact, the applicant furnishes every detail before the administration in both temporary and permanent categories. Once he does it, his visa is processed in stipulated time. It is worth mentioning that the visa details can be within his reach if he has sufficient funds to manage or if there is scarcity of funds, he can willingly take help of community organisation he represents.

Exciting are they and of your interest, aren’t they? Avail each of these visa benefits. You are in for lots of surprises if you haven’t had a lion’s share yet.

For further assistance on any of the above mentioned skilled visas, feel free to get in touch with us today. You can also post your queries on our Immigration & Education forum and get solutions right away.