The New Year brings new changes and in the migration industry, Australian visas – Parent and Partner visas have experienced a few updates. Processing times for Australian Partner visas have changed, putting emphasis on applicants to provide valid proof of their genuine relationship.
As far as Parent visas are concerned, the government has decided to open up more pathways for faster migration via parent visas. A possible drawback of this could be that it might cost more however, it will provide families more ways to settle in Australia. In the following blog, we will discuss recent updates in both:
Partner Visa in Australia
New rules and updates have reshaped the Australian Partner Visa as we enter 2025. Following pointers will provide you with the recent changes and insights to increase the chances of selection of your visa no matter your status – whether you have just started the application process or need help in-between.
Understanding the Eligibility Criteria
To start your application, you must ensure that you and your partner meet the following basic eligibility criteria:
- Genuine Relationship: Your partnership must be a reflection of sincerity and longevity. Provide important proofs such as photographs, joint bills, joint bank accounts, etc.
- Sponsorship: The next most important criteria to meet is that your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand.
- Age Requirement: The minimum age requirement for both partners is 18 years.
- Health and Character Requirements: Health and Character certificates must be duly provided to the authorities.
Key Updates for Partner Visa
- Digital Evidence Requirements: The Department of Home Affairs is encouraging applicants to provide their electronic evidence in an organized manner. So, as an applicant, you must sort your evidence into their respective categories and use easy-to-read file names.
- Language Proficiency: The Department of Home Affairs has strongly advised that international applicants must have a basic level of English proficiency. You can prove your ability through your formal educational documents or English proficiency exams.
- Processing Times: Actual processing times are unchanged as per the recent changes, current processing time shows that offshore visas take around 12–20 months whereas onshore applications take about 8–18 months. If you want to avoid delays, you can do so by providing correct and organized paperwork.
- Mandatory Sponsorship Assessment: Sponsors will now go through more strict and rigid eligibility assessments, focusing on financial capability and character history.
Parent Visa in Australia
New rules and updates have reshaped the Australian Parent Visa as we move into 2025. The following points will provide insights on the recent changes and how to increase the chances of selection of your visa no matter where you stand – just started the application process or need help in-between.
Understanding the Eligibility Criteria
To start your parent visa application, you must ensure that your parents who are the primary applicants meet the following basic eligibility criteria:- Parental Relationship: Your parent, who is the primary applicant should have a genuine parental relationship with a child who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible citizen of New Zealand.
- Balance of Family Test: It is important that minimum half of the total children of the applicant should permanently live in Australia or elsewhere in the country.
- Sponsorship: The child that is sponsoring his or her parents must be over 18 years and financially capable of supporting them for a minimum time of 2 years.
- Health and Character Requirements: Health and Character certificates must be duly provided to the authorities.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): Social security costs should also be covered by sponsors for a certain time.
Key Updates for Parent Visa
- Digital Submission: The Department of Home Affairs requests applicants to provide their electronic evidence in an organized manner. So, you must categorize your evidence and use easy-to-read file names.
- Processing Times: Contributory visas take up to 4 to 5 years to process, whereas non-contributory visas can take up to 30 years. Temporary visas are usually processed faster, i.e., it takes up to 3 to 6 months.
- Stricter Sponsorship Assessments: Your parent’s health, character, and security should be in accord.
- Health Insurance: Make sure to have private health insurance i.e., Overseas Visitor Health Cover as a compulsory document.
Key Takeaways
Whether you are applying for an Australian Parent Visa or Partner Visa, you must seek professional help given the new changes in 2025. In this regard, Asia Pacific Group can be your trusted migration partner, helping you apply your visas with ease and efficiency.
Visit our website www.asiapacificgroup.com for more information or simply book an appointment with our MARA agents today. Our goal is to serve you with the best solutions.
