Family Visa Concessions - Offshore Visas Granted Onshore
Immigration has now confirmed concessions allowing certain offshore Family visas to be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
Unlike Skilled Migration, Family visas have separate onshore and offshore visa categories that determine where the applicant must be at the time of lodgement and the time of decision. That is:
- If an offshore application is lodged, the applicant must be outside Australia at lodgement and decision.
- If an onshore application is lodged, the applicant must be in Australia at lodgement and decision.
The Australian Government has taken into consideration the fact that some applicants are not able to travel overseas due to COVID-19 restrictions, and has introduced a temporary measure to allow for offshore visa applicants to be onshore at grant.
Partner and Child Visas
From 27 February 2021, it will be possible for the following offshore Partner and Child visas to be granted while the applicant is in Australia:
- Child (subclass 101) visa
- Adoption (subclass 102) visa
- Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa
- Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
- Partner (subclass 309) visa
Parent Visas
From 24 March 2021, the following offshore Parent visa applications can be granted while the applicant is in Australia:
- Parent (subclass 103) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 173) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
Disclaimer
These changes are only temporary and may not apply to all applicants. The Government is continually monitoring and reviewing the visa requirements and concessions, and these can end at any time.
