For many Australian families, the desire to reunite with parents from abroad is both a hearty target and a complex immigration journey. Australia offers many parents’ visa options, but one of the most widely known (and inexpensive) is the parent visa subclass 103. This permanent visa allows Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible parents of New Zealand citizens to move to Australia and remain permanently with their children.
In this blog, we will break all the things that you need to know about the subclass 103 visa – from the eligibility criteria and the application process to the waiting time and important ideas before applying.
What is the original Visa subclass 103?
The original Visa (subclass 103) is a permanent residence visa for the parents of the Australian citizens, permanent residents or the eligible New Zealand citizens. Once given, it allows the parents:
Live permanently in Australia
Work and study in Australia
Access Medicare (Australia’s Public Health System)
Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
Family members Australia for sponsor family
This visa is ideal for families planning a long-term solution to reunion-especially for elderly parents who want to stay close to their children and grandchildren.
Who is eligible for subclass 103 visas?
To be eligible for the original visa subclass 103, both the applicants of the parents and the sponsors of their child have to meet several major criteria.
Parents (applicant) requirements:
The sponsor should have an organic, adopted or stepmother.
Family test balance must pass (more on it)
Health and character requirements should be met
Visa should be outside Australia at the time of application and when visa is provided
There may not be an active application for any other original visa (eg 143)
Children (sponsor) requirements:
An Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible should be New Zealand citizen
Should be inhabited in Australia (usually lived in Australia for at least 2 years)
Must be at least 18 years old
Should be ready to sponsor parents and provide financial and moral assistance
Balance of family testing
One of the most strict criteria for 103 visas is the balance of family testing. This test ensures that the applicant has family relations close to Australia. To pass the test, at least half of the parents of the parents will have to live permanently in Australia, or more parents of the parents have to live in Australia compared to any other single country.
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For example:
One parents with four children, two of whom live in Australia, pass the exam.
One parents with three children, one in Australia, one in the UK, and one in Canada, does not pass.
Unfortunately, failing this test makes a parent disqualified to a subclass 103 visa.
How to apply for Subclass 103 Visa
Applying to the original Visa 103 is a multi-step process and should be carefully done in view of the wider waiting time.
Step 1: Prepare documents
Gather evidence of identity, relationship, children’s residence, and complete health and police investigation.
Step 2: Lodge the application
Submit visa application offshore (from outside Australia). Pay the initial visa application fee and get a queue date.
Step 3: Join the queue
After the initial evaluation, your application will be placed in a queue. Applications are processed in order of their queue date.
Step 4: Wait for processing
Once your application reaches in front of the queue, you will be asked to provide updated documents, pay any other installments and finalize your application.
Step 5: Visa Grants
If all conditions are met and your application is approved, then you will get your visa grant notification. Then you can go to Australia as a permanent resident.
How long does it take?
The biggest defect of the subclass 103 visa is a very long processing time. According to the Australian Department of Australian Home Affairs, a subclass to be processed up to 103 visas to be processed due to a strict annual cap on high demand and guardian visas may take up to 30 years.
He said, the visa is placed in a queue after initial evaluation, and the applicants should wait for their turn. Processing time makes this visa more suitable for families who are already planning instead of those seeking family reunion.
Cost of subclass 103 visa
Compared to other original visa options, 103 visa is one of the more affordable routes:
Aadhaar application fee: approx. AUD 4,990 (for an applicant)
Additional Applicants: Fees apply for partners or dependents
Second installment: If necessary, visa payable before grant
Assurance of Support (AOS): A financial binding from sponsors, usually held for 10 years to ensure that parents do not rely on social welfare
Although this contributor is less expensive than parents visas (subclass 143), the emotional cost of long isolation can be higher.
Options for subclass 103
If you want to reunite with your parents soon, consider these fast (but expensive) options:
Contributor Parents Visa (Subcise 143)
Very fast (about 4-6 years)
High visa fee (AUD more than 47,000 per applicant)
Still leads to permanent residence
Sponsored parents (temporary) Visa (subclass 870)
Temporary migration of 3 or 5 years (maximum up to 10 years)
No route for permanent residence
No balance of family testing
These options provide flexibility based on your family’s timeline and budget.
final view
Original Visa subclass 103 is an important route for families who want to bring their parents permanently to Australia. While this contributor is more cheaper than the visa, 30 years of processing time is a serious limit. For some, it can serve as a long-term backup scheme, while more immediate solution-like temporary or contributor provides visa-alphemic reunion.
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