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Parent Visa Subclass 103

Move to Australia with your children and grandchildren

Often families are seeking to be reunited from across the world and make their home in Australia with friends and family who are already living there. However due to the limited visas provided each year, the process can be overwhelming and stressful. Enlisting the help of Australian Migration Lawyers can make the process much more bearable in accessing the help you need.

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The Australian Migration Lawyers difference

What is a Parent visa (subclass 103)?

The Parent visa Subclass 103 visa is a permanent visa allowing a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia. This type of visa enables the visa holders to gain permanent residency and sponsor their family members to come to Australia.

The primary distinction between Parent visa (subclass 103) and Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) is that subclass 103 has no age requirement, while subclass 804 requires the applicant to be at least 67 years old.

Eligibility requirements for a subclass 103

Some of the requirements to be an eligible subclass 103 visa sponsor or applicant include:

Sponsor

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia
  • Agree to provide support, housing and financial help for the applicant for the first 2 years they live in Australia
  • And more

Applicant

  • Be sponsored by an eligible sponsor
  • Have not already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa
  • Meet the balance of family test
  • And more

Benefits of the Parent visa (subclass 103)

For people who are wanting to relocate and live with their families, there are many benefits associated with the Parent visa subclass 103 to consider. First and foremost, if you are granted this visa you will be a Permanent resident of Australia. This will entitle you to:

  • Work and study without restrictions
  • Travel freely in and out of Australia
  • Apply to bring eligible family members to Australia by including them in your application or sponsor them under relevant programs
  • Access to Medicare and the Australian healthcare system
  • Apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible

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Subclass 103 Parent visa checklists

Subclass 103 Parent visa requires a significant amount of evidence and submissions to satisfy the Australian Government that the sponsor and applicant meet all of the criteria and will sustain the conditions of the visa once granted. Australian Migration Lawyers will provide you with a comprehensive checklist of all the relevance evidence and documentation to collate for a strong submission. Your lawyer will assess the compliance and completeness of the application to ensure it aligns with legislative requirements and meet the high threshold needed for consideration.

  • Personal documents - Identity and financial evidence
  • Relationship documents - Documentation demonstrating key family relationships 
  • Eligible community organisation documents (If a community organisation is eligible to sponsor  the applicant) - Registration, financial and compliance documentation

  • Personal documents - Identity and financial evidence
  • Sponsor documents - Documentation demonstrating key family relationships, Evidence that your child should not be included in the balance-of-family test (e.g., death certificate), Assurance of support
  • Character documents - Police and military certificates

How the subclass 103 visa works

Like any visa, the application process for the subclass 103 visa is a lengthy and complex one that requires careful consideration.

Our recommended stages involved in the process include:

Stage 1: Enlist a professional - Learn more about your specific circumstances by speaking with a migration lawyer. This will help you to understand what is required and what you can expect from the process ahead.

Stage 2: Gather evidence - A lawyer from Australian Migration Lawyers will work with you to check your eligibility carefully, gather required documents, prepare submissions and provide advice. 

Stage 3: Lodge your application - Once your application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Migration Lawyers will provide any further information required, make representations on your behalf and be a key contact point for the Department of Home Affairs and other agencies. AML can help you prepare a high-quality application to ensure you have the best possible chance of success.

Future visa pathways

In the event that you are granted the Parent visa subclass 103, you are considered a Permanent resident of Australia and you become eligible to access a range of benefits available to Australians relating to health, education and other government services.

You can choose to remain a permanent resident or you can choose to apply for citizenship if eligible. If you choose to remain a Permanent resident, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155) every 5 years in order to travel internationally.

Although it is not compulsory to become an Australian citizen, many people follow this pathway as it can provide some greater security and other benefits such as consular services whilst overseas.

These benefits include:

  • Consular services and support whilst overseas
  • Visa-free travel to over 100 countries on an Australian passport
  • Access to Australian government jobs- No issues relating to visa cancellations

Benefits of using Australian Migration Lawyers for your Parent visa application

Opting for Australian Migration Lawyers for your Parent visa application offers several key advantages. Our team of qualified lawyers with extensive experience in Australian migration law, ensuring you will have professional support at every stage of your application process.

Regardless of what stage you might be at, we are equipped to assist you with legal advice and assurance regarding the compliance of a Parent visa application with all legislative requirements. We provide comprehensive support, from application preparation to addressing any requests from the Department, all the way through to the successful visa grant. Our commitment is to work closely with you, ensuring a seamless and successful application experience.

  • The team at Australian Migration Lawyers is made up of qualified Australian lawyers who draw on their knowledge of relevant legislation and case law in advising you on your visa application, and other migration options and strategies available to you.
  • As lawyers, we have an obligation to advise you on your eligibility for the Subclass 103 Parent Visa costs and alignment with all legislative requirements.
  • We assist you with preparing your primary application and are available to assist you with advice and support at any stage whilst you want for your visa to be granted, including working with you to action any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs.

Subclass 103 Parent visa costs

There are two main costs associated with a subclass 103 visa

1. Professional fees payable to Australian Migration Lawyers to prepare your primary application

Our fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your application. Some applications will be more complex than others and our fees will be quoted accordingly. In many instances we offer a fixed-fee for our work rather than billing hourly to provide our clients with a clear up front view on what the total costs associated with their Parent visa applications will be. We also understand some people need flexibility and we offer payment plans based on financial need.

Book a consultation with one of our qualified lawyers to get a quote.

2. Department fees

There are no fees from the Department of Home Affairs for the sponsor of a Parent subclass 103 visa. However, sponsors must ensure they are aware of and commit to their financial responsibilities to support the applicant in their first 2 years in Australia.

As of 1 July 2023, the subclass 103 Parent visa application costs $4,990 for the first installment. This cost is payable at the time of lodgement. The second installment is currently $2,065 which must be paid once the Department asks for.

You can pay using debit/credit card, PayPal, UnionPay and BPAY.

Visa application process

Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.

1. Consultation and engagement

2. Preparation and support

3. Submission and communication

4. Representation and success

Book consultation

Visa processing times for Subclass 103 visa applications

The Australian Government offers a limited number of places each year for subclass 103 Parent visa. With the professional support from Australian Migration Lawyers we can make the process as streamlined and comprehensive as possible so you can take this important step.

As we guide you through the process, the team will keep you updated on the expected timeframe the Department of Home Affairs may take to consider the matter. Currently, the processing times for subclass 103 visas can take up to 29 years. Processing times are subject to your case completeness and complexity. Therefore, your application should be prepared properly at the first time to avoid unnecessary delays and losing your chances of getting a visa.

Considerations

Australian Migration Lawyers is made up of experts in the migration field with years long experience working with complex cases. We can provide the most up to date and knowledgeable advice to get you on the right path towards obtaining a visa.

It's important to acknowledge that there is no guarantee that a Parent visa will be granted, as the final decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs. However, as experienced lawyers, we are committed to supporting you to make a comprehensive visa application, ensuring full compliance with legislation. We genuinely care about your individual circumstances and are dedicated to providing you with the necessary support and tailored advice throughout this journey, aiming to optimize your experience.

We strive to make ourselves as accessible as possible to you:

  • Most initial consultations are free and recurring services will incur a fixed-fee that we will discuss with you
  • You can have a consultation with us from anywhere in Australia as our consultations are online
  • We can assist you regardless of where you are in the Partner visa process

Meet your Australian Migration Lawyer

We’re a diverse team of professionals with decades of combined experience. We care about your situation and will make sure you always get the support and advice you need.

Australia-wide services

We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.

Frequently asked questions

Read our most commonly asked questions about the subclass 103 Parent visa

Who can I include in my subclass 103 application?

You may be entitled to include other family members (i.e., your partner, your child or your partner’s child) in your application when you apply. There are certain conditions such as that they must also meet the health and character requirements. It is best to seek professional advice on eligibility from the Australian Migration Lawyers team.

Why do I have to wait to get a subclass 103 visa? Is there any way to get a parent visa more quickly?

There is a limited number of Parent subclass 103 visas granted each year and applications incur a much lower fee than other permanent parent visas. Given the demand to live in Australia, there is a queue which may take some time.

An alternative option you might consider is the Contributory Parent (subclass 173/143) visa. This pathway has different fees associated with it compared to a subclass 103 visa, but the processing times can be shorter.

When can I access Medicare?

Holders of the Parent Subclass 103 visa may have Medicare access. Once you received the subclass 103 visa grant, we recommend contacting Medicare to verify your eligibility. Additionally, your Australian Migration Lawyer will provide advice and support.

About the content author

Shereen El Ali
Special Counsel (Senior Lawyer)

Shereen is a highly experienced, Senior Australian Migration Lawyer who has more than a decade of experience practising exclusively in migration law.

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