Fisher1 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Hi All, In 2012 there were a few announcements about a new extended tourist visa which would be available to parents of Australian PRs or naturalized citizens who were themselves on the waiting list for a PR parent's visa. I've been trying to find out about this from the Aus gov website because it would probably be a good choice for us just now but although I have found references to it, I cant find any detail about obtaining one. Can anyone tell me whether this kind of visa was in fact introduced and, if so, what is it called and how do I apply for one? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chewitts Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I think it is just a tourist visa (600) that allows multiple entry's of up to 12 months and is valid for 5 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyNook Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Yes. It is just a tourist visa. I believe that DIAC automatically consider parents for the longer-validity visa when they apply for one. http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/600.aspx?AdditionalQuestion1=a%20holiday&=true (under the Visa Applicants tab) [h=4]'Visitor visas for parents of Australians[/h]Due to the length of the permanent Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue, and the desirability of family reunion, we might grant a more generous Visitor visa. You will automatically be considered for this if you are a parent or step-parent of: an Australian citizen or permanent resident. an eligible New Zealand citizen. We will consider these applications on a case-by-case basis. We can grant visas that last up to: five years for parents outside Australia who are in the Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue three years for parents outside Australia who have had a previous Australian visa and complied with the visa conditions, and either: have not applied for a Parent visa have applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) but are not yet in the Parent visa queue [*]18 months for parents who have not previously travelled to Australia and either: have not applied for a Parent visa have applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) but are not yet in the Parent visa queue. The visa will have three extra visa conditions: Maximum 12 month stay in 18 months: You cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months on any visit or for more than 12 months in any 18-month period. Health insurance: You must maintain fully comprehensive health insurance while you are in Australia. You could be asked to provide evidence of 12 months health insurance cover when you apply. Reciprocal health arrangements are not adequate to meet this requirement. No further stay: You cannot apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. You must leave Australia no later than the date on which your visa ends, except in extremely limited circumstances. ' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMay24 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I think there may also be a stipulation that they can't spend more than 12 months in any given 18-month period in Australia (so they can't essentially live here) but I'm not completely sure of that. Edit: And NickyNook has confirmed that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sandie1 Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I am in the 103 parent queue and have the 5 year visa - I got it in 2013 under the 676 tourist visa which has now changed to the 600 visa. You can apply online, from memory I think the fee was AUD 125 or thereabouts, there is a section asking how long you want it to be valid for - and as you are in parent queue you can get the visa for 5 years with a maximum stay of 12 months within an 18 month period - when I got my acknowledgement I had to send proof of my annual holiday insurance as you must have adequate medical insurance. I also asked about my passport which would need renewing before 2018 and was told that I could still get the 5 year visa and then contact them later with the new passport details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sandie1 Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Hope this is some help was 676 and is now 600 This email is in relation to your electronic Tourist (subclass 676) visa application lodged via the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.You have indicated in your application that you wish to be considered for the grant of a Tourist (subclass 676) visa for a 12 month stay in Australia. Thank you for your declaration stating that you would like to apply for the extended validity 676 visa. Processing your application Parents of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents who are outside Australia may be considered for the grant, on a case-by-case basis, of Tourist visas with up to: Five years’ validity with 12 months’ stay on each entry for those in the Parent (subclass 103) visa queue. OR Three years’ validity with 12 months’ stay on each entry for parents who are not in the Parent visa queue and have a history of compliant travel. In addition to mandatory Tourist visa requirements and conditions, parents utilising these arrangements will be subject to the following three conditions: Condition 8558 - Not Resident Prevents the holder from staying in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period. Your visa may be cancelled if you seek to return to Australia and stay for a period which would result in you spending more than 12 months in any 18 month period. Your visa will automatically cease if you stay in Australia for more than 12 months continually. Condition 8501 - Health Insurance The holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while the holder is in Australia. You will need to provide evidence of health insurance for your initial stay and may be asked to provide evidence for any subsequent visit. Your health insurance cover; doesn’t need to be with a specialist health insurance company can include an excess may include standard 'pre-existing condition' clauses must be fully comprehensive (that is, it must provide at least Medicare equivalent cover including hospital, emergency, general practitioner and pharmaceutical benefits). can be with an Australian insurer or reputable overseas insurer. Condition 8503 - No Further StayIf a Tourist Visa (subclass 676) is granted with the "No Further Stay" 8503 condition, you are prevented from lodging further visa applications while you remain in Australia, with the exception of an application for a Protection visa. Further information in relation to this condition is available at the Department's website at http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/52bWaiving_Condition8503.htm [*]Email: eVisa.676.Helpdesk@immi.gov.au Fax number: +61 3 6281 9553 Postal address: eTourist Global Processing Centre Tasmania State Office Department of Immigration and Citizenship GPO Box 794 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Thanks everyone for the info. Esp. Sandie 1 for insurance details - have recently been having a rant about the difficulty of getting travel insurance for long trips over the age of 65 but have found a couple of firms that do this, so hopefully we're all set for some longer visits... providing we can work out what to do with the house :-) Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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