Canberra has decided to allow parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to stay longer.
“The Australian Government has listened to requests and responded. These new arrangements, once in place, will provide Indian parents wishing to visit their children settled in Australia with greater options,” said Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese in a statement.
By the end of the year, Australia will grant, on a case-by-case basis, five-year tourist visas with a 12-month stay on each entry to those who have applied for a parent visa outside Australia. The government will also consider tourist visas of up to three years with a 12-month stay on each entry for people not in the parent visa queue. All other requirements such as access to adequate funds and health insurance remain the same. Each year over 35,000 Indian parents submit visa applications to visit their children who are now Australian citizens or permanent residents.
