The introduction of new temporary Sponsored Parent visa will not affect the previous visa arrangements available for parents.
Currently, parents of Australian citizens and permanent migrants are able to avail a three-year visa which allows them to stay in Australia for 12 months in each period of 18 months.
Migrants who wish to bring their parents to Australia for longer periods will be able to lodge a sponsorship application to sponsor their parent for the new temporary Sponsored Parent visa from April 17th this year.
But the new visa will not affect the old arrangements.
Immigration Minister David Coleman has clarified the migrants will continue to be able to apply for a longer stay and longer validity Visitor visa for their parents.
The introduction of the new Temporary Sponsored Parent visa which allows parents of migrants to live in Australia for longer periods raised concerns among migrants after the home affairs website said the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa replaces the Visitor visa concession that existed for parents of Australian citizens/permanent residents to stay in Australia for longer periods.
But this has now been rectified.
“No existing visas are affected by the introduction of the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. Standard Visitor visa arrangements remain unchanged. Parents will continue to be able to apply for a longer stay and longer validity Visitor visa,” the website now reads.
Minister for immigration, Mr David Coleman on Thursday reiterated that the existing visas were not affected.
“That is being fixed,” Mr Coleman in response to a question by SBS Hindi at a briefing in Melbourne.
“The existing system still remains so you will still be able to do now.
“But now rather than the parent having to stay for six months, go back, come back again, it is, obviously very disruptive, far from ideal, the parent will [now be able to] stay for five years as well,” Minister Coleman added.
Source: Stock photos
'New temporary parent visa is reasonable'
Minister Coleman has defended the cost of the new temporary sponsored parent visa, which will cost migrants $5000 for a three-year visa, $10,000 for a five-year visa and $20,000 for a ten-year visa.
"It is important that the government is able to run a sustainable migration system where the cost of running that program, the cost of the processing is not only borne by the taxpayers but also by the people who apply. So we think it is a reasonable charge.
"The indication in the past week or so is the program is going to be very-well subscribed," Mr Coleman said.
