November 3, 2026
The subclass 870 visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per grant. Home Affairs lists it as the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. It is the dedicated temporary visa for parents planning a long stay in Australia without joining the permanent parent queue. This guide covers sponsor rules, fees from 1 July 2026, visa conditions and the application steps for Pakistani families.
What Is the Subclass 870 Visa?
The 870 is a temporary visa and does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. Applications opened in 2019, and up to 15,000 visas can be granted each program year.
These conditions apply to every grant:
- No work: parents cannot take paid employment in Australia.
- Health insurance: coverage must be with an Australian insurer for the whole stay. Parents have no Medicare access unless a reciprocal agreement applies.
- Total limit: time on 870 visas is capped at 10 years.
Subclass 870 Visa vs. Other Parent Visa Options
A visitor visa allows up to 12 months per grant, while the 870 allows up to 5 years per grant. If your parents only need a short visit, read our guide to Australia visit visa requirements or see our Australia visit visa assistance service.
The 870 has no Balance of Family Test and no assurance of support, which apply to the permanent parent visas. The trade-off: no path to permanent residence and no work rights.
A parent cannot hold or apply for another parent visa while holding or applying for the 870. Families planning a permanent parent visa should get advice on the order of lodgement first.
The 870 suits parents who want several years with family and plan to return to Pakistan afterward. Families seeking permanent migration should review the permanent options instead.
Who Can Sponsor and Who Can Apply
The applicant must be the biological parent, legal parent (including adoptive), step-parent or parent-in-law of the sponsor. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Sponsors must also meet these requirements:
- Be settled in Australia
- Have no unpaid debts to the Commonwealth
- Have taxable income of at least AUD 83,454.80 in the last financial year
- Give a written undertaking to support the parent financially if required
Incomes can be combined with a partner, but the sponsor’s own share must be at least AUD 41,727.40.
Subclass 870 Visa Fees From 1 July 2026
Charges change most years on 1 July. Current figures per parent are:
Charge | Up to 3 years | Up to 5 years |
Sponsorship application | AUD 420 | AUD 420 |
First installment (at lodgement) | AUD 1,515 | AUD 1,515 |
Second installment (before grant) | AUD 4,855 | AUD 10,925 |
Total visa charge | AUD 6,370 | AUD 12,440 |
Health examinations, police certificates, biometrics and insurance cost extra. Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused. Check the Home Affairs 870 page before lodging.
Need Your Sponsor’s Income and Documents Reviewed?
Our team can check your sponsor’s income against the AUD 83,454.80 threshold and review your documents before you lodge. Contact us on +92 311 4464274, message us on WhatsApp or book an appointment.
How to Apply Step by Step
Step | Who Acts | What to Do | Key Rule or Deadline |
1. Lodge sponsorship | Sponsor | Apply online through ImmiAccount and pay AUD 420. | Each parent needs a separate sponsorship and visa application. The visa application cannot start until sponsorship is approved. |
2. Lodge the visa application. | Parent | Apply online and pay the first installment of AUD 1,515. | Apply from outside Australia within 6 months of approval. Onshore lodgement needs written permission to Apply in Australia, given only in exceptional cases such as serious illness. With permission, apply within 60 days of approval. |
3. Health and character checks | Parent | Book an exam with an approved panel physician and obtain police certificates. | Use the official Home Affairs panel physician list to find a clinic in Pakistan. |
4. Decision | Home Affairs | Respond to requests for information and pay the second installment when asked. | Do not book travel until the visa is granted. Check current processing times on the Home Affairs website. |
Documents Pakistani Applicants Should Prepare
- Valid Pakistani passports with names matching all other documents
- Proof of the family relationship, such as birth certificates or NADRA records
- The sponsor’s tax and income records
- Police certificates and health examination results as requested
- Australian health insurance policy documents
- Certified English translations of any Urdu documents
Staying Longer Than One Grant
An 870 visa cannot be extended. A parent can apply for a new 870 from outside Australia after at least 90 consecutive days outside Australia, up to the 10-year total. Permission to Apply in Australia is the only exception to the 90-day rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parents work on a subclass 870 visa?
No. The visa carries a no-work condition.
Does the subclass 870 visa lead to permanent residency?
No. It is temporary, with no pathway to permanent residence or citizenship.
How long can my parents stay in Australia?
Up to 3 or 5 years per grant, with a 10-year total limit. A new grant needs 90 consecutive days outside Australia first.
Can my parents apply from Pakistan?
Yes. Parents must generally apply from outside Australia, within 6 months of sponsorship approval.
Do my parents need health insurance?
Yes. Cover must be with an Australian insurer for the whole stay and parents get no Medicare access unless a reciprocal agreement applies.
Speak With a Visa Consultant
Get a clear assessment of your parents’ eligibility, your sponsor’s income and your document checklist before you apply for the subclass 870 visa.
- Call: +92 311 4464274
- WhatsApp: Chat on WhatsApp
- Appointment: Book an Appointment
Parents who only need a short visit can also review our Australia visit visa assistance service or read the Australia visit visa requirements.
