Parent visa processing priorities
The Standard Parent Visa applications have a lower processing priority than other pending family stream visa applications such as partners, children, and the contributory parent category.
In the 2010–11 Migration Program year:
- 1000 places will be allocated to the (non-contributory) Parent category, including approximately 700 places for Parent (subclass 103) visas and approximately 300 places for Aged Parent (subclass 804) visas.
- 7500 places have been allocated to the Contributory Parent category. This includes approximately 7000 places for Contributory Parent visas (subclass 173 or subclass 143) and approximately 500 places for Contributory Aged Parent visas (subclass 884 or subclass 864).
The final proportion of places allocated between applicants applying in and outside Australia in both Parent visa categories is dependent on a number of factors, including client response times. To ensure equity, all parent category visa applications are assessed in order of lodgement, assigned a queue date and then placed in the queue for the relevant visa subclass. Applicants are advised of their queue date when they reach this stage. The queue date is the date that the application was assessed as meeting the initial criteria for a parent category visa. When a queue date has been assigned it is a fixed date and the application cannot be given priority ahead of other applications. Applications are considered for grant in order of their queue date as places become available.
Parent category queue
In the 2010–11 Migration Program year, 1000 parent category visa places are available for applicants applying from in and outside Australia.
Based on current planning levels, parent category visa applicants can expect an approximate 20 year wait before visa grant consideration after being allocated a queue date.
Contributory parent category queue
In 2007–08, high demand for the contributory parent visa category meant that a queue formed for the first time.
In the 2010–11 Migration Program year, 7500 contributory parent category visa places are available for applicants applying from in and outside Australia.
Based on current planning levels new contributory parent category visa applicants can expect to wait up to two years before visa grant consideration.
Applicants for contributory parent category visas should note that processing times can vary. It is important that applicants ensure they have funds available for the second visa application charge at all times in the application process, as payment may be required at an earlier date than was originally anticipated at the time of visa application lodgement. Applicants can then estimate the approximate time it will take them to be considered for visa grant based on the number of visa grants available for their visa subclass in any one migration program year.
Special circumstances of a compelling or compassionate nature
The order of precedence for considering and finalising parent visa applications will not be affected by any special circumstances of a compelling or compassionate nature.
This means that once a queue date has been assigned it is a fixed date and the application cannot be given priority ahead of other applications even if such circumstances exist, as this may disadvantage other applicants whose circumstances are equally or more compelling or compassionate.
Do You Qualify for a Parent Visa?
If you would like to discuss your options for Parent migration, please contact us.