VisaChief Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) document checklist
Every document a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) application needs, what each one has to show, and the order to collect them in.
The Sponsored Parent (temporary) visa runs in two steps - the sponsorship application first, then the visa - and each has its own evidence.
Tick items as you collect them - progress is saved in this browser only.
Identity and civil documents
| Document | What it has to show |
|---|---|
| Must be valid well beyond your intended travel. Scan the page flat, in colour, with all four corners visible. | |
| Recent, plain background. Only required for some applications, but cheap to have ready. | |
| Where your country issues one. Used to resolve name and date-of-birth differences. | |
| Marriage certificate, deed poll or equivalent, if any document uses a different name from your passport. | |
| Showing both parents' names. Needed for most family and permanent applications. |
Financial evidence
| Document | What it has to show |
|---|---|
| Usually 3 to 6 months, showing genuine held funds rather than a one-off deposit before lodging. | |
| Where the money came from. A large unexplained deposit is the single most common financial-evidence problem. | |
| Payslips, tax returns or business records. |
Health
| Document | What it has to show |
|---|---|
| Arranged through ImmiAccount, done at a panel clinic. Results go to the department directly, not to you. | |
| The standard set for most permanent and longer temporary visas. |
Character evidence
| Document | What it has to show |
|---|---|
| In the last 10 years, since turning 16. These take the longest to obtain - start them first. | |
| If you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years. | |
| Frequently requested for permanent and skilled applications. Ten years of movements and addresses with no gaps. | |
| If you have served. |
What this visa actually requires
- An approved Parent Sponsor (your child) who meets income requirements
- Adequate health insurance for the stay
- No outstanding public health debt
- Health and character requirements
Where these applications go wrong
- Sponsor not approved first (sponsorship is a separate step)
- Working in breach of the no-work condition
- Letting health insurance lapse
Preparing the documents
- Scan in colour, at full page size. Photographs of documents on a desk are the most common cause of a request for a better copy, which restarts the clock on that piece of evidence.
- Translate anything not in English using a translator who is accredited, with the translator's details on the translation.
- Certify copies where required, and keep the originals - you may be asked for them.
- Name each file for what it is. A case officer working through 60 files named IMG_0421 finds fewer of your claims than one working through named files.
- Start the slow items first: police certificates, skills assessments and the health examination set the real timeline, not the form.
Fill the forms without the paperwork. VisaChief's free form filler completes the standard Home Affairs forms from one set of answers, so the same details are not retyped across Form 80, Form 1221 and the rest. Read the full Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) guide for eligibility, cost and processing time.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)?
Identity documents, health and character evidence, and the evidence specific to this visa: financial evidence.
Do documents need to be certified or translated?
Documents not in English need an accredited translation with the translator's details attached. Copies should be clear colour scans; certification is required for some documents and originals may be requested.
What should I start collecting first?
Police certificates and any skills assessment. They depend on other organisations and routinely take longer than everything else on this list combined.
How much does the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) cost?
The indicative government charge is ~$1,515 first instalment (second instalment for the 3 or 5 year period) and indicative processing is ~6-10 months (after sponsor approval). Confirm current figures before lodging.