- +44 7424234034
- admin@giecglobal.uk
- First Central 200, 6th floor, Suite Number 6.034 2 Lakeside Dr, London NW10 7FQ
864 visa australia
Australia Immigration Consultant in UK
What Is the Aged Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 864)?
The contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 is a permanent residency visa that lets older parents of settled Australian citizens or permanent residents live in Australia. The key word here is “aged” — applicants must be old enough to qualify for the Australian Age Pension.
This visa is designed for parents already in Australia on a temporary visa. Unlike temporary parent visas, the 864 parent visa offers a permanent solution. Once granted, it lets parents live in Australia with full rights.
Who Can Apply for the Visa 864?
To apply for the contributory parent visa 864, applicants must meet several requirements:
Key Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: Must qualify for the Australian Age Pension.
- Relationship: Must have a child who is an Australian citizen.
- Sponsorship: That child must agree to sponsor the parent.
- Balance of Family Test: At least half of your children must live in Australia.
- Health and Character Checks: You need to clear the medical and police checkup process.
- Assurance of Support: Your children must show sufficient funds to live with the parent, ensuring that the parent will not rely on public funds.
Contributory Aged Parent Visa 864 Processing Time
Average 864 Visa Processing Time:
- 3 to 6 years is typical, depending on demand and allocation.
But here’s the deal — processing times can fluctuate greatly based on different factors. These include:
- The number of places allocated annually to parent visas by the Department of Home Affairs.
- How complete and accurate your application is. Missing documents or incorrect details can cause delays. So you need to double-check your document before submitting it.
- This visa is popular and many applicants visa applications are ahead in the queue, so it can get long and it might delay the visa process.
- It’s also important to note that during processing, applicants are typically allowed a Bridging Visa, which allows them to remain in Australia lawfully while awaiting a decision.
- Compared to the 804 visa, which can take over 30 years.The 864 visa offers a shorter processing time which makes it a more practical choice for families who want to reunite sooner.
How Much Does the Subclass 864 Visa Cost?
The visa 864 is a contributory visa, which means it comes with a higher price tag.
Estimated Costs:
Visa Fee: Around AUD 47,825* per applicant
Assurance of Support Bond: AUD 10,000* held for 10 years*
These fees support faster processing and reduce the burden on Australia’s public services.
Application Process: Step-by-Step
Applying for the contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 is easier when broken into steps:
Check Eligibility
Gather Documents: ID, sponsorship details, proof of family relationship
Submit Application Onshore
Pay the Required Fees
Wait While on Bridging Visa
Receive a Decision
A bridging visa allows the applicant to remain in Australia while waiting.
864 visa australia summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent Residency (Onshore) |
| Age Requirement | Must be eligible for Australian Age Pension |
| Sponsor Requirement | Child who is a PR/citizen or eligible NZ citizen in Australia |
| Balance of Family Test | At least half of the applicant’s children must live in Australia permanently |
| Processing Time | Approx. 3 to 6 years |
| Visa Fee | AUD 47,825* per applicant |
| Assurance of Support | AUD 10,000* held for 10 years (per applicant) |
| Work & Study Rights | Yes |
| Access to Medicare | Yes, after visa grant |
| Bridging Visa | Granted after valid onshore application submission |
| Citizenship Pathway | Eligible after meeting residency requirements |
Visa Type
Permanent Residency (Onshore)
Age Requirement
Must be eligible for Australian Age Pension
Sponsor Requirement
Child who is a PR/citizen or eligible NZ citizen in Australia
Balance of Family Test
At least half of the applicant’s children must live in Australia permanently
Processing Time
Approx. 3 to 6 years
Visa Fee
AUD 47,825* per applicant
Assurance of Support
AUD 10,000* held for 10 years (per applicant)
Work & Study Rights
Yes
Access to Medicare
Yes, after visa grant
Bridging Visa
Granted after valid onshore application submission
Citizenship Pathway
Eligible after meeting residency requirements
Contact Us
contact us
get in touch & australia immigration consultants
phone number
Office Telephone : +44 (742) 4234034
our address
First Central 200, 6th floor, Suite Number 6.034 2 Lakeside Dr, London NW10 7FQ
email address
admin@giecglobal.uk
frequently asked questions
You can learn more from our asked questions
Yes! You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in the same contributory aged parent visa subclass 864 application—providing they’re in Australia at the time of lodging and meet health and character checks
Processing typically takes between 3 to 6 years on average. However, due to high demand and annual visa caps, some sources report wait times stretching between 5 to 10 years . The Department of Home Affairs also releases applications from the queue monthly; as of April 2025, 864 visas lodged up to May 2018 have started processing
Yes. Since the 864 visa is applied for onshore, applicants are granted a Bridging Visa. If you plan to leave and re-enter Australia during processing, you’ll need to apply for a Bridging Visa B to maintain re-entry rights
Once your 864 parent visa is granted, you receive permanent residency, giving you full access to Medicare, plus unrestricted work and study rights
The 864 is a contributory visa—higher cost, but faster processing (around 3–6 years). By contrast, the non-contributory aged parent Visa 804 is much cheaper upfront but may take 20–30+ years for approval.For families needing a more practical timeline, the 864 is usually the better choice.
No, they are completely different. The I‑864 is a U.S. K‑1 fiancé(e) visa sponsorship form. It has no relation to Australia’s Subclass 864 visa; the naming similarity is purely coincidental.
Professional Accreditation
Note: Contact the nearest GIEC Global branch by searching “Australia immigration agent near me” for the most recent and updated information.
