Let’s be honest. If you’re living in Australia and your parents are still overseas, it can feel a bit like you’re enjoying a beautiful beach while they’re stuck watching reruns of your childhood on WhatsApp. You want them here—not just for the hugs and weekend meals, but maybe also for the babysitting (hey, no judgment).

Enter the 870 visa, Australia’s answer to families who want to be together without going full citizen mode (yet). This visa lets parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents live in Australia temporarily—without having to commit to a permanent parent visa right away.

Sounds like a dream, right? Let’s break it down.

What Is the 870 Visa?

The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) allows eligible parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years at a time, and up to 10 years in total. It’s a temporary visa, but a pretty generous one—no need to sell the family home just to get closer to your kids.

The government brought this visa in to ease the backlog of permanent parent visa applications (which, frankly, move slower than a koala on vacation).

What Are the Benefits?

Why would someone go for a temporary parent visa instead of applying for a permanent one straight away? Great question, imaginary friend.

• Long stays: Stay for up to 5 years per visa without leaving the country. (Try getting that on a visitor visa. Spoiler alert: you can’t.)
• Renewable: Apply for a second 870 visa, giving you a total of 10 years of parent-child bonding (or in-laws, if you’re the spouse dealing with extra opinions).
• No Balance of Family test: Unlike some permanent visas, you don’t need to prove that the majority of your kids are in Australia. (Balance of family test? Sounds like a reality show.)

The Catch? Sponsorship.

You can’t just apply and show up. First, your child (or their partner) has to become an approved sponsor. Think of it like becoming a guarantor but with fewer bank forms and more government scrutiny.

Sponsor requirements:

• Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Must have been in Australia for at least 4 years.
• Must meet income requirements—currently, the sponsor’s taxable income must be at least AUD 83,454.80 per year.

Oh, and they can only sponsor two parents at a time – so no need to choose between Mum and Dad… unless a third parent is lurking. Then, well, may the best parent win.

How Long Can You Stay?

The visa offers two durations:

• 3 years
• 5 years 

Bonus: While on an 870 visa, you don’t need to leave every 3 months or renew like you would with a regular visitor visa.

Visa Application Fees

• Sponsorship Application Fee: AUD 420.
• Visa Application Fee (payable in two installments):
  
  • 3-year visa: AUD 5,895
    
  • 5-year visa: AUD 11,785
    

Note: These fees are per applicant and are subject to change. It’s advisable to check the official website for the most current information.

Additional Costs

• Health Assessment: Approximately AUD 350–400
  
• Police Clearances: Costs vary depending on the country
• Professional Fees (if using a migration agent): Typically range from AUD 3,000–4,000

And yes, it’s pricey, especially compared to a tourist visa, but the length and flexibility make it a worthy investment for many families.

Current Capping for Subclass 870

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the number of subclass 870 visas is capped at 15,000 per program year (which runs from 1 July to 30 June).

This means:

• Even if you meet all eligibility criteria and your paperwork is on point…
• …if the annual cap has already been reached, your application may be delayed until the next program year.

Important Notes:

• This 15,000 cap includes both 3-year and 5-year visas.
• The visa operates on a first-come, first-served basis. So it’s wise to apply early in the financial year if possible.
• The cap can change each year based on government migration planning priorities.

Documents Required

1. For the Sponsor (Child or Child’s Partner)

Identity and Relationship

• Passport bio page (certified copy)
• Australian citizenship certificate OR permanent residency visa grant notice
• Proof of 4-year residence in Australia (utility bills, lease agreements, travel records, etc.)
• Birth certificate of the applicant (parent) showing relationship
• If sponsoring in-law: marriage certificate (to prove relationship through partner)

Financial Evidence

• Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) showing income of at least AUD 83,454.80 in the most recent financial year
• Payslips, employment letter, bank statements (optional but supportive)

Character Documents

• Police clearance certificates if requested
• Declaration of no criminal record (Form 80 or 1221 if asked)

Sponsorship Documents

• Completed Sponsorship Form submitted online
• Statement explaining your intention to sponsor, your ability to support the parent financially, and agreement to obligations (like accommodation, health, and return travel if needed)

2. Documents for the Visa Applicant (Parent)

Identity and Relationship

• Passport bio page (certified copy)
• Birth certificate of the child (sponsor)
• Marriage certificate (if applying with a spouse or linking name)
• National ID card (if applicable)

Health and Character

• Health examination (you’ll be referred for a medical check-up after applying)
• Police clearance certificates for every country you’ve lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years
• Health insurance policy that covers your full stay in Australia (mandatory)

Proof of Ties and Travel Intent

• Cover letter explaining your intention to stay temporarily
• Details of your stay: where you’ll live, how you’ll support yourself, family ties
• Travel history: previous visas, expired passports with visa stamps

3. Additional Documents (if applicable)

• Divorce/death certificates (if widowed or divorced)
• Translation of documents: All non-English documents must be translated by NAATI-accredited translators (or similar recognized services outside Australia)
• Form 956 or 956A if using a migration agent

What’s the Application Process Like?

Short answer: two steps. Long answer: two steps that may involve paperwork, patience, and possibly bribing your kid to submit things on time.

Step 1: Sponsorship Application

• Your child or their partner applies to sponsor you.
• You wait (processing times vary, but it’s usually within 8 months).
• If approved, you get an ID number that you’ll need for your visa application.

Step 2: Visa Application

• Once sponsorship is approved, you apply for the subclass 870 visa.
• You must be outside Australia when applying.
• No health waiver is available—so check all medical requirements ahead.

Pro tip: You can’t work on this visa. But hey, maybe that’s the point. Time to hit the beach, babysit the grandkids, or join that weekly Bollywood dance class at the local community center.

Can You Apply for Permanent Residency from This Visa?

Unfortunately, no. The 870 visa doesn’t lead directly to permanent residency. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be part of the bigger plan.

While you’re on the subclass 870 visa, you could consider transitioning to a contributory parent visa—but you’ll need to leave Australia before applying. It’s like musical chairs, but with immigration.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Health insurance is mandatory. Not just a nice-to-have. You’ll need to show proof of coverage.
• You must not owe money to the Australian Government.
• There’s a cooling-off period if you’ve already held an 870 visa for 10 years—you can’t apply again until you’ve spent time outside Australia for at least 4 years.

Basically, the government wants to give families quality time together… but not too much time.

Processing Time

The 870 visa (subclass 870) usually takes around 6 to 8 months to process. But hey, it’s not instant noodles—there’s a bit of waiting involved.

Estimated Processing Times:

Sponsorship

• 5% of applications: Processed in approximately 4 months
  
• 90% of applications: Finalised in around 5 months

Visa Application:

• 50% of applications: Processed in approximately 5 months
  
• 90% of applications: Finalised in around 7 months

Who Should Apply for the 870 Visa?

This visa is a solid option if:

• You want to live in Australia with your kids/grandkids but aren’t ready for a permanent visa.
• You don’t meet the Balance of Family test required for permanent parent visas.
• You’re tired of constantly reapplying for visitor visas like it’s a part-time job.

Also, let’s face it—being able to say, “I’ve got a 5-year visa to live in Australia,” sounds a lot cooler than “I’m here on a 3-month tourist pass again.”

Any Risks?

Well, this is a temporary visa, so if your end goal is PR (permanent residency), this isn’t a direct path. Also, there are no work rights. That means no running a business, no Uber driving, no “just helping out” at the family restaurant.

Also, if your sponsor’s circumstances change—say they lose their income eligibility or break visa conditions—it might affect your current or future 870 visa status.

So yes, maybe don’t rely on your semi-employed cousin to be your sponsor.

Common Myths (Busted!)

Myth 1: “You can apply from within Australia.”
Nope. You must be offshore when applying for the visa.

Myth 2: “You can get Medicare on this visa.”
Afraid not. Get that private health insurance sorted.

Myth 3: “It guarantees permanent residency.”
Nope. The 870 visa is not a backdoor PR channel—it’s a temporary option with its own charm (and its own rules).

Wrapping It Up

The 870 visa is a golden opportunity for families to be together—without jumping through the hoops of permanent residency right away. It offers flexibility, extended stays, and a legal way to stop using tourist visas like you’re speed-dating immigration categories.

But, like most things immigration-related, it comes with rules, conditions, and some fine print. So before you book your parents’ one-way flight and start dreaming of nightly home-cooked meals, make sure you’ve done your homework (or just send them this article).

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Visa requirements may change, so always refer to the official government website before applying.