Why Apply for a Parent Migration Visa?

Reuniting with parents is one of the most emotionally significant and practically beneficial steps for families living abroad. Applying for a Parent Migration Visa provides a legal way for UK citizens and permanent residents who have made their home in nations like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the US to reunite with their parents, guaranteeing long-term stability, cultural continuity, and family support.

These visas offer a structured path to permanent residency and access to necessary services, regardless of whether your parents are elderly and in need of care or you just want to live together after years apart. The following explains why thousands of sponsors from the UK decide to apply for Parent Migration Visas each year:

• Australia is one of the most popular places for family reunions, with over 112,000 permanent residents from the UK.
• In 2023 alone, more than 200,000 expressions of interest were submitted to Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP), indicating strong sponsor demand.
• Up to 1,000 Parent Resident Visas are granted in New Zealand each year, with sponsors who meet high-income requirements receiving priority.
• One of the quickest options for qualified parents is the USA's IR-5 Visa, which has no annual cap and average processing times of 12 to 18 months.
• In contrast to the non-contributory route, which takes 25–30 years, Australia's Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143) grants permanent residency in 2–4 years.
• Under Canada's Super Visa, parents can stay for up to 10 years with multiple entries, which gives them flexibility while they wait for permanent residency.
• Reunifying families has a positive impact on mental health outcomes. Research indicates that seniors who live close to their children experience 30% fewer cases of depression.
• Parents can receive high-quality care without worrying about paying for it if they have access to public healthcare programs like OHIP (Canada) or Medicare (Australia).
• Due to cultural and financial advantages, one in three immigrants in Australia now lives with extended family, indicating the rise in multigenerational households.

Countries Offering Parent Migration Visas

For citizens and permanent residents, several countries provide parent migration pathways. An outline of the most popular locations is provided below:

Country	Visa Type	Permanent Residency	Processing Time	Key Requirement
Australia	Parent Visa (Subclass 103, 143)	Yes	2–30 years	Sponsorship + Assurance of Support
Canada	Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP)	Yes	1–2 years	Lottery-based invitation
New Zealand	Parent Resident Visa	Yes	12–24 months	Income threshold for sponsor
USA	IR-5 Visa (Immediate Relative)	Yes	12–18 months	Sponsor must be a US citizen

Your residency status, financial situation, and long-term objectives will all play a crucial role in selecting the best destination, as each country has its own regulations, expenses, and schedules.

Australia provides several visa options for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents. These visas fall into two main types: contributory and non-contributory.

Australia Parent Migration Visa

1.  Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

• Permanent visa
• Very long waiting time (up to 30 years)
• Lower initial expense

2.  Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)

• Permanent visa
• Quicker processing time (2–4 years)
• Higher total expense (over AUD 47,000 per parent)

3.  Temporary Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173)

• Valid for 2 years
• Can be changed to a Subclass 143 visa

To be able to sponsor your parents through these visas, you need to:

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of Australia, a permanent resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen.
• Pass the Balance of Family Test (more than half of your children must reside in Australia).
• Provide an Assurance of Support to take care of your parents’ financial needs.

Costs:

• Subclass 143: AUD 47,955 for each parent
• Subclass 103: AUD 4,990 (expect a long waiting period)

Important Points:

• The contributory option is quicker but has higher fees.
• An Assurance of Support is needed.
• Health and background checks are necessary.

Canada Parent and Grandparent Program

The Canadian Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) enable Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. This program is widely recognized as a key initiative for family reunification around the globe.

Key aspects include:

• Permanent residence opportunity for parents and grandparents.
• Selection of sponsors through an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) lottery.
• Sponsors need to meet a Minimum Necessary Income (MNI).

Eligibility

To sponsor parents or grandparents via the PGP, individuals must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
• Submit an Interest to Sponsor form during the specified application window.
• Satisfy income criteria for the three years before application.
• Agree to a sponsorship agreement, which includes a commitment to provide financial support.

Costs:

• The application fee is CAD 1,050 for each parent or grandparent.
• Applicants will also be responsible for covering the costs of biometrics and medical examinations.

Key Aspects

• The program employs a lottery system and is competitive in nature.
• Income requirements depend on the number of family members.
• A Super Visa is available for individuals seeking extended stays, allowing visits of up to ten years.

New Zealand Parent Resident Visa

New Zealand provides a Parent Resident Visa for parents of citizens or residents. The number of visas granted each year is limited, and specific financial criteria apply.

Key Points:

• Grants permanent residency.
• Sponsors must meet income requirements.
• The number of visas issued each year is limited.

Who Can Apply?

To sponsor your parents, you need to:

• Be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
• Have an income of at least NZD 106,000+ (single sponsor) or NZD 159,000+ (joint sponsors).
• Show a real and stable relationship with your parents.

Parents must also meet health and character standards.

Costs:

• The application fee is NZD 3,310.
• Medical and police checks are needed.

Key Aspects

• A high income limit applies.
• Due to annual limits, availability is restricted.
• Parents are expected to have good health and be of good character.

USA IR-5 Parent Visa

The IR-5 visa lets US citizens sponsor their parents for US permanent residence. As part of the Immediate Relative category, it isn't subject to annual limits.

Main Points:

• It gives permanent residency for parents.
• Sponsors must be US citizens, age 21 or older.
• There are no yearly limits.

Requirements:

To sponsor parents, you need to:

• Be a US citizen, age 21 or older.
• Submit Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
• Show you can financially support your parents.
• Parents must attend a consular interview.

Costs:

• I-130 filing fee: USD 535
• Visa fee: USD 325
• Medical exam: USD 200–400

Key Aspects

• Only US citizens, not those with green cards, are allowed to sponsor their parents for immigration
• The parents being sponsored must live outside the US while the application is being processed.
• This sponsorship category does not provide dependent visas for siblings.

General Requirements across Countries

Immigration procedures differ by country, but typically, applicants must provide:

• Proof of familial relationship, such as a birth certificate or family registry document.
• Verification of the sponsor's residency status.
• Evidence of financial stability through income statements or bank records.
• Medical evaluations and background checks.
• A signed guarantee of support.
• Medical and criminal record clearances.

Cost Comparison

Country	Application Fee (per parent)	Additional Costs	Total Estimated Cost
Australia	AUD 47,955 (Subclass 143)	Medical, AoS	AUD 50,000+
Canada	CAD 1,050	Biometrics, Medical	CAD 1,500+
New Zealand	NZD 3,310	Medical, Police	NZD 4,000+
USA	USD 860	Medical, Travel	USD 1,200+

Processing Time

Country	Fastest Route	Estimated Time
Australia	Subclass 143	2–4 years
Canada	PGP	1–2 years
New Zealand	Parent Visa	12–24 months
USA	IR-5 Visa	12–18 months

Documents Checklist

Please provide the following documents:

• Valid passports
• Birth certificates
• Proof of residency for the sponsor
• Financial records (tax returns, bank statements)
• Medical exam results
• Police clearance certificates
• Evidence of relationship (photos, letters, travel history)

Helpful Tips for UK Families Reuniting Abroad

• It is good to apply early, as some programs may have long waiting lists or yearly limits.
• Maintain current financial records.
• For complicated situations, consider seeking legal counsel.
• Prepare parents for required medical and background evaluations.
• Check into temporary visa choices while waiting for permanent residency.
• Keep up with yearly admission periods and any related regulatory revisions.

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