Unlike the Australian Subclass 143 visa (Contributory Parent visa), which requires a one-time payment of the entire contribution, the 173 visa allows the contribution to be paid in two installments. After obtaining the 173 visa, you can transition to a permanent residence visa by paying the remaining contribution amount within two years.
Processing Time: 12-24 months
Payment Process:
Application fee $2,490 → First installment of contribution $29,130 → Obtain 173 temporary residence visa → Pay second installment of contribution $19,420 within two years → Transition to 143 Contributory Parent permanent residence visa.
Visa Fees:
1. Visa application fee:
- Main applicant: AUD 2,490.
- Spouse: AUD 1,245.
- Dependent applicant under 18 years old: AUD 625.
2. First installment of contribution: AUD 29,130 per person.
3. Second installment of contribution within two years: AUD 19,420 per person.
Basic Requirements for the Australian 173 Visa:
1. This visa requires sponsorship by your child or another eligible sponsor in Australia.
2. This visa is applicable if your child or adopted child has been settled in Australia as an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen for more than 2 years at the time of visa application submission.
3. All parent visa applications must meet the "Balance of Family Test" standard: at least half of your children reside permanently in Australia, or more of your children reside in Australia than in any other single country.
To meet this standard, the main applicant must satisfy the following conditions:
- At least half of the applicant's children and stepchildren are Australian citizens or permanent residents and reside in Australia, or
- More children reside permanently in Australia than in any other country. Note: Children involved in the Balance of Family Test include: children, stepchildren, adopted children, etc.
Document Checklist for the Australian 173 Visa:
I. Documents required from the applicant (parents):
1. Notarized copy of the main applicant's passport.
2. Two 2-inch passport photos of the main applicant.
3. Notarized copy of the main applicant's former name (if applicable).
4. Notarized copy of the main applicant's marriage certificate.
5. Notarized copy of the dependent applicant's passport.
6. Two 2-inch passport photos of the dependent applicant.
7. Notarized copy of the dependent applicant's former name (if applicable).
II. Documents required from the sponsor (child in Australia):
1. Proof that the child in Australia has legally resided in Australia for at least 2 years prior to submitting the application, such as a rental/purchase agreement in Australia, or utility bills (water, electricity, gas, mobile phone bills) showing the address.
2. Notarized proof of the kinship between the child in Australia and the parents; a birth certificate of the child in Australia showing the names of both parents can also be provided.
3. Scanned copy of the Australian child's passport.
4. Scanned copy of the Australian child's PR or citizenship certificate.
Document Notes:
- Certificates issued by Chinese institutions must be notarized by a Chinese notary office with a Chinese-English translation.
- For certificates issued by Australian institutions, please take the original and a copy to a Justice of the Peace in Australia to have the copy signed.
- Passports can be processed using either method.