Family Visa’s Re-Opened
Are you having difficulty obtaining an Australian Family Visa?
The fact that legislation governing the issue of Australian visas is subject to ongoing change often creates difficulties for many seeking visas for themselves and their families. Perhaps you have personally experienced difficulties in this regard?
A good example of this concerns the recent reopening of a number of visas subclasses in the Family Stream of the Australian Migration Program. The legislation that originally closed these was overturned by the Senate on 25 September 2014, at which time these visa subclasses were immediately revalidated.
The applications of those who applied for these visas after 2 June 2014 and before 25 September 2014 are, however, regarded as invalid and applicants need to reapply. Only new applications for the subclasses below will be considered going forward.
The visa subclasses concerned are:
- Parent Visa (subclass 103)
- Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804)
- Aged Dependent Relative Visa (subclass 114)
- Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 838)
- Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115)
- Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835)
- Carer visa (subclass 116)
- Carer visa (subclass 836)
The above visas are extremely limited in number and as such waiting times have increased. It is essential that all applications are filled in accurately in every way, to avoid even longer waiting times, which vary according to the subclass of visa.
Family members lodging a valid application whilst in Australia will be granted a Bridging Visa allowing them to lawfully reside in Australia during the processing of the relevant visa.
There is still uncertainty as to how much longer these visa sub classes will be available for and our advice is to apply as soon as possible, in case there are changes in the future.
For professional advice in this regard please contact Phillip Silver of Phillip Silver and Associates at visa@phillipsilver.com.au or on 02 97085954