Contributory Parent Visa Application Numbers – Updated

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In an update to our earlier blog post, Go Matilda Visas has obtained details of the current number of Contributory Parent Visa (CPV) applications that were lodged and in train at the Parent Visa Centre up to the end of August 2021.

The 2021/22 Migration Program allows for 4,500 visas to be granted across the Contributory and non-Contributory parent visa subclasses.

We understand that about 3,600 of this total will be allocated to Contributory Parent visa applications.

Given nearly 8,000 applications have been lodged for Contributory Parent visas in the first 8 months of 2021 alone we foresee a relentless and significant increase in the processing time for these visas – certainly some years more than the 64 months that is currently being referenced on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Details of the current number of CPV applications broken down between the number submitted each month are in this pdf document.

Number of visa applications on hand – Subclass 870, Temporary Sponsored Parent Visas

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We have received details of the number of subclass 870 parent visa applications that are awaiting processing and the granting of visas.

As at 31 August, 2021 there were 1,826 applications on hand at the Department of Home Affairs, awaiting a decision.

Given there is an annual quota of 15,000 visas available under this visa subclass there is clearly scope for all of these visas to be granted once Australia’s Covid related border restrictions are eased – and for over 13,000 more visa grants before the end of the current program year on 30 June 2022.

Bridging Visas for Subclass 143 Visa Applicants

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Following the announcement of concessions affecting applicants for subclass 143 visas, those who had applied for a 143 visa and were in Australia on 24 March 2021 may be eligible for a Bridging Visa that will allow the permanent residency visa applicant to remain in Australia until a decision is made on the application.

The conditions to be satisfied are as follows:

  • Subclass 143 visa application lodged before 24 March 2021
  • In Australia on 24 March 2021
  • Held what is called a substantive visa – eg a visitor visa under subclass 600 or 651 – when the subclass 143 visa application was lodged
  • Currently in Australia

If these conditions are satisfied there are good prospects of being granted a Bridging Visa.

Given the processing time for subclass 143 visa applications presently a BV may be of particular interest to parents who are presently awaiting a decision on their application – and is certainly a somewhat cheaper option than a subclass 870 temporary sponsored parent visa.

Go Matilda Visas has been assisting parent visa applicants for over 20 years – we are a very experienced firm of Australian visa advisors.

Please complete the enquiry form on this web page if you meet the above requirements and would like to explore obtaining a Bridging Visa.

Covid Concession – Extension of Validity Period for 870 Visas

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Subclass 870 visa holders are unable to travel to Australia presently, due to restrictions at the point of arrival.

The validity period of subclass 870 visas is 3 years or 5 years from the time the visa is granted – not from the time of first arrival in Australia.

The Australian Government has announced a concession that extends the validity period of subclass 870 visas by 18 months.

If you hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa (SPTV) and were outside Australia on 1 July 2021, your visa period has been automatically extended by 18 months.

The concession is intended to help SPTV holders who could not spend the full 3 or 5 years on their visa in Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

If your visa is extended under this concession the additional 18 months will not count toward your cumulative 10 year maximum stay period.

The Department of Home Affairs has said that it will notify eligible visa holders in writing by the end of August 2021.

The sponsorship obligations for SPTV Sponsors have also been extended for the same 18 month period.

Number of parent visas capped for year to 30 June 2021

103 visa, 143 visas, 173 visas, 804 visas

The Australian Government has published a Legislative Instrument which caps the number of parent visas that can be granted for the current program year that ends on 30 June 2021.

There is a ceiling of 3,600 visas on the number of Contributory Parent visas.

For the last 2 program years the numbers were:

2019/20 – 6,096

2018/19 – 7,175

For non CP visas – ie visa subclasses 103 and 804 – the ceiling is 900.

2019/20 – 1,275

2018/19 – 1,500

The ceiling on the granting of CP Visas includes 125 visas that are available to subclass 410 and 405 visa holders who are seeking permanent residency under the pathway to permanent residency for retirement and investor retirement visa holders.

Comment:  Clearly COVID-19 has significantly affected the number of visas being granted to parents.   With a significant number of applications for parent visas lodged with the Australian Government – see our recent post in this regard – and political pressure building on the Government to react to a significantly lengthening waiting time – we like to think that the planned parent visa program for the program year to 30 June 2022 will respond appropriately.

The number of parent visas for the following program year is usually announced at the time of the Federal Budget.   The 2021 Budget is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 11 May, 2021.

We will bring news here regarding the 2021/22 program numbers as soon as they are known to us.