Family visa processing priorities
IME Advisors, process domestic immigration applications in processing prioritized orders irrespective of application is filed, in time with the administration's policy priorities.
The present processing priorities (with the utmost priority first) are:
- Family immigration applications that have been subject to ministerial intervention.
- applications by a reliant child or a partner (except where the proposed sponsor or sponsor entered Australia as an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and is the holder of a permanent visa)
- applications by an orphan kin (excluding where the proposed sponsor entered Australia as an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and is the holder of a permanent visa)
- applications by an aged parent or a parent (except where the guarantor or proposed guarantor entered Australia as an IMA and is the holder of a permanent visa)
- applications by a guardian (except where the sponsor come to Australia as an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and is the holder of a permanent visa)
- Applications by an aged parent, remaining relative, parent, or aged dependant relative (except where the proposed patron or patron entered Australia as an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and is the holder of a permanent visa).
Permanent residents and Australian natives, waiting to reunite with their parents are concerned about visitor visa processing time blow-out.
Fully vaccinated parents of Australian natives and permanent residents can travel to Australia from 1st Nov.
Those qualified will be requisite to submit proof of relationship with their Australian child as part of their exemption request.
This announcement encouraged hundreds of anxious families to apply for visitor visas for their parents causing a further blow-out in waiting times for a decision on the applications, which normally take an average period of 3 to 6 months to be processed.
According to the modification in guidelines, parents will need their parental relationship with permanent resident or an Australian citizen confirmed with the Branch of Home Affairs before they can travel. They, will be able to do this by smearing through the travel exemptions portal with confirmation of their parental relationship with the Australian natives or Permanent resident.
The meaning of ‘immediate family member’ comprises the permanent residents and parents of adult Australian natives. This is to evaluate exemptions to Australia's travel restrictions only.
An individual is considered an adult if they are aged 18 years or over.
The classification of parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents includes:
- Biological parents.
- Legal (including adoptive) parents.
- Step-parents.
- Parents in-law.
Individual should have a valid passport, visa and must be fully vaccinated for travel to Australia. These requirements will be verified by the airline staff before boarding.
Previously individuals can travel, individuals should have an association with their adult Australian, child confirmed by submitting a travel exemption appeal. You have to submit your request through the Travel Exemption Portal. Choose the option ‘I am immediate family member’ and then ‘parent of adult permanent resident or Australian citizen’.
Individuals requisite to submit your appeal for a travel exemption at least two weeks, but not more than 2 months, before your planned trip.
