Australia offers a desirable platform for the parents of Australian residents and citizens aiming to reunify and settle within a stable, prosperous nation. Of the various available visas, the parent visa 143 and the parent visa 103 are two major visa classes and the most preferred visa classes by the parents of Australian citizens' and permanent residents. Both the above-mentioned visas present options for parents to migrate to and live in Australia alongside their children permanently but are distinguished by nature in terms of fee, processing, and the terms of eligibility.

In this complete guide, we will explore the major similarities and differences between parent visa 143 and parent visa 103, application procedure, advantages of both, and how to find out which one can best fit you.

What Is a Parent Visa?

You have to know what a parent visa is before learning the distinction between the two types of visas. Parents who want to live in Australia permanently with their children and are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens can qualify for a parent visa.

The two subject subclasses of the parent visa class most commonly encountered are the parent visa 103 (Non-Contributory Parent Visa) and the parent visa 143 (Contributory Parent Visa).

Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143

Parent visa 143 is a permanent visa through which the parents can come to Australia and settle with their children permanently. It falls under the contributory parent visa subclass, and hence the applicants are required to pay a considerable amount in advance for the future cost of healthcare and probable social service use.

Key Features:

• Permanent Residency: The visa provides permanent resident status upon approval.

• Faster Processing Time: It takes around 4–6 years on an average, as compared to parent visa 103.

• Costlier: It is much costlier since the applicants must pay a substantial second visa application charge (usually more than AUD 40,000 per applicant).

• Eligibility: You must be sponsored by a qualifying child and meet the Balance of Family Test (half your children must be living in Australia as permanent residents or citizens).

Benefits:

• Medicare and other public health services

• Right to work and study in Australia

• Right to apply for Australian citizenship (optional, at the discretion of the government)

Financial Requirements:

One of the most unique features of the parent visa 143 is the two-stage payment system:

• Application payment upfront (currently a few thousand AUD).

• Pre-grant second payment (in excess of AUD 40,000 per applicant).

Applicants must also make an Assurance of Support (AoS), which is a bond to ensure they are not a burden on government welfare.

Parent Visa 103 – Non-Contributory Parent Visa

Parent visa 103 is also a permanent residency visa, but it costs less than parent visa 143. But along with the decrease in cost, there is one significant drawback — the processing period is quite extended, sometimes even more than 30 years owing to annual cap restrictions and enormous backlog.

Key Features:

• Permanent Residency: Like parent visa 143, this visa too ends in permanent residency.

• Lower Cost: It is significantly less expensive to apply for than parent visa 143.

• Long Wait Times: Since only a few thousand are approved annually, the applicants must wait thirty years.

• Eligibility: Must be sponsored by the correct child and pass the Balance of Family Test.

Benefits:

Permanent resident status

Access to public healthcare and right to work or study

Facility to enter and leave Australia

Restrictions:

Because of the extremely long processing time, applicants are usually too old or have passed away when the visa is granted. To prevent this, some applicants first lodge for visitor visa or bridging visa pending a more permanent one.

Difference Between Parent Visa 143 and Parent Visa 103

Which Parent Visa Do You Need to Select?

You need to choose the parent visa 143 or parent visa 103 depending primarily on your and your family's financial situation.

Choose Parent Visa 143 If:

• You wish to be reunited with your family in Australia within a few years.

• You are able to pay the additional application cost.

• You need access to social services and healthcare immediately.

• You are willing to pay more for quicker processing and permanent residence.

Select Parent Visa 103 If:

• You do not need an urgent migration to Australia.

• You prefer a cheaper option.

• You are younger and can afford to wait.

• Your family cannot pay the contributory fee of the 143 visa.

Temporary Solutions on Hold

Since parent visa 103 has long processing times, the majority of applicants look for temporary visa alternatives until their permanent visa outcome. Some of the most sought-after alternatives are:

• Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Places you on a temporary visit to relatives.

• Subclass 173: Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa Applicant may apply for the parent visa 143 throughout the two-year period covered by this subclass.

•  Australian Bridging Visas: Depending on the circumstances, some applicants may be eligible for a bridging visa.

These are plans that allow flexibility and the ability of the family to remain near one another even before the parent visa has been granted.

Assurance of Support (AoS)

Parent visa 143 and parent visa 103 both involve an Assurance of Support, which is a money-back promise from the sponsor (typically the child). This guarantees that the parent will not be dependent on public welfare and for how long (typically 10 years).

The Assurance of Support involves:

• A refundable bond (AUD 10,000 if the applicant is a single, AUD 14,000 if the applicant is a couple)

• Financial examination of the sponsor's income

Health and Character Tests

Applicants for both parent visa 143 and parent visa 103 are also to undergo health and character tests. This is in order to prevent overloading of the Australian health system with future migrants as well as provide an assurance that the migrants are high in character as Australia demands.

Conclusion

The parent visa 143 and parent visa 103 offer two vastly different alternatives for parents seeking to migrate to Australia and live with their children. While the parent visa 143 is exceedingly pricey, it compensates by offering much quicker processing times and quicker access to permanent residence. The parent visa 103 offers a cheaper alternative but at the price of extreme patience in the form of a multi-decade wait.

Lastly, it is up to you and in what is best for you and your wallet. If it is most important to you that your children get back to Australia as soon as possible and you can afford it, the parent visa 143 would be the better option. If money is a factor and time is not as important, the parent visa 103 would be a sustainable long-term solution.

It's best to refer to a registered migration agent in order to evaluate your qualifications and to conduct the application procedure appropriately. Right planning, and Australian family reunion is possible, either through parent visa 143 or parent visa 103.