Guide to Australia's Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

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Key Takeaways:

Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens seeking permanent residency.
Requirements include sponsorship, Balance of Family Test, Assurance of Support, health and character checks, and specific documentation.
Benefits include permanent residency, work rights, healthcare access, potential future citizenship, and ability to sponsor other family members.

What is a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) and Who is Eligible?

A Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) offers a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for parents whose children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This visa allows parents to settle in Australia and enjoy various benefits.

Guide to Australia's Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), the following conditions must be met:

Your child living in Australia must sponsor you.
Your child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You must pass the Balance of Family Test, indicating that at least half of your children live permanently in Australia.
Your child must agree to an Assurance of Support, ensuring they will cover your financial needs so you won’t rely on Australian government assistance.
You must meet health and character requirements.
You should not have had an Australian visa canceled or rejected previously.
You must not hold a Sponsored Parent Visa (Subclass 870) at the time of application.

A sponsor for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is typically the child living in Australia. Specific guidelines include:

The child must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen over the age of 18.

If the child is under 18, alternative sponsors can include:

The child’s spouse or de facto partner who is at least 18 years old.
An Australian organization with links to the child.
A relative or guardian of the child or their spouse who is at least 18 years old.

What Are the Benefits of a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

Holding a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) offers numerous advantages:

Permanent residency in Australia.
The opportunity for immediate family members (spouse and children) to apply.
Permission to work and study in Australia.
Eligibility to enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system.
The possibility to sponsor other family members.
The option to apply for Australian citizenship in the future.

What Documents Are Required for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

To apply for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143), you must gather several essential documents, including:

Passport, if applying from inside Australia.
Birth certificates of yourself and all included applicants, showing both parents’ names.
Family registration or identification document if birth certificates are not available.
Four recent photographs, 45mm x 35mm, meeting Australian guidelines.
Sponsorship Form 40 completed by your sponsor.
Parent Visa Application Form 47PA.
Proof of adoption if applicable.
Custody documents for children under 18 applying with one parent.
Marriage, divorce, or death certificates, if relevant.
Proof of any name changes.

All documents must be certified, and additional documents may be requested by the Parent Visa Center.

How Do You Apply for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

The application process for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) involves several steps:

Your sponsor completes the Sponsorship Form for Migration to Australia (Form 40).
Complete the Application Form for Parent Visa (Form 47PA). Print and attach it to other required documents.
Gather all necessary documentation.
Mail the completed forms and documents to your sponsor in Australia.
Your sponsor attaches Form 40 and pays the first installment of the visa fee.
The sponsor sends the documents to the Australian Parent Visa Center by post or courier.

The mailing address is provided on the visa application form.

What are the Fees for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

The overall fee for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) is at least AUD 47,755. This fee is paid in two installments:

Initial installment: AUD 2,800 for the main applicant and:
- AUD 1,400 for each adult dependent.
- AUD 750 for each dependent under the age of 18.
Second installment: Approximately AUD 40,000. The Department of Home Affairs notifies you when to pay.

If you have already applied for and paid the 173 Temporary Contributory Visa, you only need to pay the difference (approximately AUD 10,000) for the main applicant in the second installment.

How Long is the Processing Time for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

Processing a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) can take up to five years, as the application undergoes two assessment rounds. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the period between the initial assessment and the final processing is around 58 months.

Although this duration is lengthy, it is quicker compared to the Parent Visa (Subclass 103), which can take up to 30 years to process, though it is considerably cheaper.

Can You Apply for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) from Inside Australia?

Yes, you can apply from within Australia. However, you must be outside Australia when the visa outcome is decided unless:

You hold or held a Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173) or a Substituted Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) at the time of your application and:
- Submitted the application before 24 March 2021.
- Were in Australia on 24 March 2021.
- Are a retiree.

Is Assurance of Support Necessary for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

Yes, the Assurance of Support is a mandatory requirement for the Contributory Parent Visa. This legal agreement ensures your sponsor will repay the Australian government for any social security benefits you receive. This Assurance of Support is often required later in the application process, and the Department of Home Affairs will inform you when to submit it.

For retirees, this requirement is waived.

Can Retirees Apply for the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

Retirees can apply for this visa under certain conditions. To qualify:

As of 8 May 2018, you held or had previously held either an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or a Retirement (subclass 410) visa.
From 8 May 2018 until the date of your application, you haven’t received any other substantive visa.

As a retiree applying for a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143):

You are not required to meet the Balance of Family Test.
You do not need a sponsor or an Assurance of Support.

Can You Travel to and From Australia with a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)?

Yes, this visa allows you to travel freely in and out of Australia for the first five years. After that period, you need to obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

Alternatively, you could apply for Australian citizenship and obtain an Australian passport, which would enable you to travel to over 180 countries without needing a visa.

To get more detailed information on the latest immigration processes and eligibility criteria, refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Applying for a Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) can be a complex process, but knowing the requirements, benefits, and necessary steps can help you make an informed decision. If you meet the eligibility criteria and gather all required documents diligently, you can start the journey of joining your family and finding a new home in Australia.

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Glossary of Terms

1. Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143): A type of permanent residency visa in Australia that allows parents whose children are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia.

2. Balance of Family Test: A requirement for certain family visas in Australia where at least half of the applicant’s children must live permanently in Australia, or more of the applicant’s children live in Australia than any other single country.

3. Assurance of Support: A legal agreement that ensures the sponsor will repay the Australian government for any social security benefits the visa applicant receives. This is a financial commitment required during the application process for some family visas, including the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143).

4. Assurance of Support Bond: A financial guarantee provided by the sponsor as part of the Assurance of Support, held by the Australian Government for a period to ensure repayment if the parent claims certain welfare benefits.

5. Resident Return Visa (RRV): A visa that allows Australian permanent residents to re-enter Australia after they have traveled abroad. After the initial five-year travel facility of the Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) expires, a Resident Return Visa is needed to re-enter Australia.

This Article In A Nutshell:

The Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) grants Australian residency to parents of citizens or residents. The child must sponsor, meet health and character standards, and pass the Balance of Family Test. Benefits include work rights and healthcare access. Application demands proper documentation and significant fees, but the process can take up to five years.
— By VisaVerge.com