Applicable situations: almost identical to category 3; the only difference is that,it is for parents of PR holders who have never been to Australia before. In practice, parents almost always come to Australia at least once first and only then decide to stay longer on their second trip, which is why nearly everyone applies for the 3-year visa;applications under this category are comparatively few.

Generally available to parents of PRs or citizens, and a medical examination is required. Applications in this category are relatively rare — it is usually more sensible to apply for category 3 in the first instance.

Aimed at applicants with a previous refusal, from a high-risk country, or with weaker financial circumstances, who havea citizen or PR family member in Australia willing to act as sponsor; this visa generally carries an 8503 “No Further Stay” condition.

Available only to certain qualified travel agencies in China for group bookings.This visa carries the 8503 condition and cannot be extended onshore.We will not go into further detail here.

1. Parents of permanent residents / citizens

are currently advised against continually extending their Tourist visa onshore in Australia — there is a meaningful risk of refusal and of receiving a warning. It is preferable to depart Australia and wait 3-6 months offshore before applying for a new Tourist visa to re-enter.For parents who wish to remain in Australia continuously, we recommend the Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent) visa instead, which can be granted for up to 3 or 5 years at a time.

2. Current processing times for Australian Tourist visas

Under normal processing,most Tourist visas are decided within a month. With a clean background and a complete set of supporting documents, the visa is generally granted without trouble. To be crystal clear: this assumes the documentation is fully prepared.If the applicant has a blank passport or a previous refusal on record, you must make sure you have dug up additional evidence — do not rush to lodge another application(If you would like to know whether a refusal can be overturned, please get in touch with us)

3. If the applicant has a blank passport, a history of refusal, or weaker financial circumstances

you may consider applying under the Sponsored Family stream (sponsored family stream)

The key difference between this stream and a standard Tourist visa is that a sponsor is required

Sponsor requirements:

①The relationship between sponsor and applicant (sponsored person) may be that ofspouse, parent, child, sibling, adoptive parent, step-parent, grandparent, grandchild, or aunt/uncle/niece/nephew(fiancé/fiancée, son-in-law/daughter-in-law and friendship relationships are not eligible to sponsor)

②Must be an Australian citizen or PR who is “settled” in Australia

(generally, having lived in Australia for 2 years after securing permanent residency is consideredsettled”settled”)

-18Aged 18 or above

③If the sponsor has previously sponsored another person and that sponsorship has not yet expired, they cannot sponsor anyone else — unless the previously sponsored person is a family member of the current sponsor

④If the sponsor has previously sponsored someone who breached their visa conditions, the sponsor must wait 5 years after that person’s visa has expired before sponsoring anyone new

⑤The Department of Home Affairs may require the sponsor to lodge a security bond of AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000 per sponsored person, although in practice this is not common.

Because the sponsor is backing the application, the applicant’s chances of being granted the visa are improved,but the applicant still needs to lodge the usual Tourist visa evidence — employment letters, proof of funds and so on. The visa will also be shorter in duration, single-entry only, and will carry condition 8503 preventing onshore extension.Template-style refusal of a Tourist visa — can it be salvaged? DIY lodgement for parents refused — can you re-apply? Sponsored family / business stream — worth considering?