How to Bring Your Family to Australia: Family Visa Options
Australia is a country known for its high quality of life, vibrant multicultural communities, and strong economy. For many individuals who move to Australia for work or study, bringing their family members to join them is an important step in creating a stable and fulfilling life in their new home. Fortunately, the Australian government offers various visa options for family reunification, allowing partners, children, parents, and other close relatives to migrate to Australia.
At Esse Immigration Pvt. Ltd., we understand that navigating the Australian immigration process can be complex, especially when it comes to family visas. In this article, we’ll explore the key family visa options available for those looking to reunite with their loved ones in Australia. Whether you are planning to bring your spouse, children, parents, or other family members, we will guide you through the available pathways and the requirements for each.
Table of Contents
1. Partner Visa (Subclasses 820 and 801)
The Partner Visa is one of the most common ways to bring a spouse or de facto partner to Australia. This visa allows the partner to live, work, and study in Australia while waiting for permanent residency. The process is completed in two stages: the temporary visa (subclass 820) and the permanent visa (subclass 801).
Eligibility Requirements:
- You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You need to provide evidence of your relationship, such as shared finances, cohabitation, and social acknowledgment of your relationship.
- Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
- Health and character checks are required for all applicants.
The initial stage (subclass 820) is a temporary visa, and once granted, it allows the applicant to live in Australia. After two years, if the relationship is still intact, the applicant may be granted the permanent partner visa (subclass 801).
2. Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
For those who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) is an option. This visa allows the applicant to travel to Australia, marry their partner, and then apply for a Partner Visa.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You and your fiancé(e) must be both at least 18 years old.
- You must prove that you are in a genuine, long-term relationship and intend to marry within nine months of arriving in Australia.
- You must meet the health and character requirements.
- You must be sponsored by your partner, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
This visa is valid for nine months, during which time the applicant must marry their partner and then apply for a Partner Visa to remain in Australia permanently.
3. Child Visa (Subclasses 101 and 802)
If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and you want to bring your child to Australia, the Child Visa (subclass 101 for offshore applicants and subclass 802 for onshore applicants) allows children under the age of 18 to join their parent in Australia.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The child must be under the age of 18 and the biological or adopted child of the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The child must be single and dependent on their parent.
- Health and character requirements apply.
This visa allows the child to live, study, and work in Australia permanently. If the child is over 18 but still dependent on the parent due to disability or special needs, they may still be eligible for this visa.
4. Parent Visa (Subclasses 103 and 804)
Parents who wish to join their children in Australia may apply for a Parent Visa. The Parent Visa (subclass 103) allows parents to live in Australia permanently, but it may take several years to process due to the high demand for this visa.
For parents who are already in Australia on a temporary visa, the Parent Visa (subclass 804) offers a pathway to permanent residency, though it also has long processing times.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The parent must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The parent must meet the balance of family test, which means that at least half of their children must live in Australia, or more of their children must live in Australia than in any other country.
- Health and character checks are required.
The Parent Visa is a popular option for those who have children already settled in Australia, but due to the high demand, processing times can be long, often exceeding 10 years.
5. Aged Parent Visa (Subclasses 804, 103, and 864)
The Aged Parent Visa allows elderly parents to join their children in Australia. To qualify for this visa, the parent must meet the age requirement, which is the same as the retirement age in Australia.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be aged 65 or older (or the current retirement age in Australia).
- They must pass the balance of family test.
- The child sponsoring the parent must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
This visa also requires the parent to meet health and character requirements, and like the Parent Visa, it can have long processing times.
6. Remaining Relative Visa (Subclasses 115 and 835)
The Remaining Relative Visa allows individuals to join their relatives in Australia if they are the only remaining close family member outside the country. This visa is suitable for people who are sponsored by a sibling, parent, or other close relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must have no other close family members outside of Australia.
- The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Health and character checks are required.
This visa is an excellent option for those who have no immediate family remaining in their home country, allowing them to reunite with their family members in Australia.
7. Carer Visa (Subclass 116 and 836)
The Carer Visa allows individuals to come to Australia to care for a relative who has a medical condition and requires the support of a carer. This visa is suitable for individuals who are nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to care for a relative who cannot adequately care for themselves.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be nominated by a relative in Australia who requires full-time care.
- The relative in Australia must meet specific health requirements.
- The applicant must meet health and character requirements.
This visa allows the carer to live in Australia while providing the necessary support to their relative.
8. Other Family Visa Options
In addition to the major family visa categories outlined above, there are several other options for specific family relationships. These include:
- Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 117): For children under 18 who are orphaned and are being cared for by a relative in Australia.
- Adoption Visa (Subclass 102): For children who are adopted by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Special Eligibility Visa (Subclass 201): For individuals who were formerly Australian permanent residents and are seeking to return to Australia.
9. Visa Processing and Timeline
Processing times for family visas vary widely depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the applicant. Some visas, such as Partner and Parent visas, may take several months or even years to process due to high demand. Other visas, such as Child and Carer visas, may have shorter processing times.
It’s important to stay informed about the current processing times and to prepare your application carefully to avoid delays.
10. Why Choose Esse Immigration Pvt. Ltd. for Your Family Visa Application?
At Esse Immigration Pvt. Ltd., we specialize in helping families navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law. Our team of experienced migration agents will guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right visa category to gathering the necessary documentation and submitting a complete application.
We understand that bringing your family to Australia is a significant step, and we are committed to ensuring that the process is as smooth and efficient as possible. Whether you’re applying for a Partner Visa, Parent Visa, or any other family visa, our team will provide expert advice and support every step of the way.
Conclusion
Bringing your family to Australia is a rewarding but often complex process. With the right information and guidance, you can navigate the various visa options and increase your chances of success. Whether you are applying for a Partner Visa, Parent Visa, Child Visa, or any other family reunification visa, Esse Immigration Pvt. Ltd. is here to help.
Contact us today to start your journey toward bringing your loved ones to Australia!