With amazing weather, friendly people and beautiful landscapes, Australia is often seen as a great location to settle down in.
In May 2018, the Australian government announced great news for those wishing to settle down and retire in Australia.
From 17 November, holders of the Investor Retirement (subclass 405) and Retirement (subclass 410) visas will have access to permanent residency through a new pathway.
This new amendment has been introduced in response to the difficulties faced by 405/410 visa holders, who have limited access to health, Government and community services due to their temporary resident status.
The majority of those 405/410 visa holders have resided in Australia for significant periods of time with no eligibility for a permanent visa.
Now retirement visa holders will have the chance to apply for permanent residency through either the Parent (subclass 103) visa, or the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa.
A proportion of planned permanent migration places will be reserved for Retirement visa holders each year.
Who can apply for the Pathway?
This new pathway to permanent residency is targeted at retirees that held the Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa, or the Retirement (subclass 410) visa at the time this change was put in place on 8 May 2018.
It also targets those that did not have a substantive visa on that date, but the last substantive visa held was one of those two visas.
The retiree must also not have held a substantive visa, other than one of the two retirement visas, since the 8 May 2018.
Unfortunately, both the Investor Retirement (subclass 405) and the Retirement (subclass 410) visa are currently closed to new applicants.
What criteria will I have to meet to apply for this pathway?
You will have to satisfy most of the preexisting requirements of a parent visa, including meeting the standard character, health and identity criteria. There will also be no requirements for meeting the Balance of Family test, sponsorship, or Assurance of support requirements.
Retirees that make a valid application for either the Parent (subclass 103) visa, or the Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa will have access to a Bridging Visa, so that they can remain in Australia until the visa application is processed.
For Retirement visa holders that have already applied for the Parent visa and received a visa refusal, the Department of Home Affairs have created a clause that allows them to re-lodge a new Investor Retirement (405 subclass), or Retirement (subclass 410) visa to help them stay in Australia.
If have any questions or concerns regarding the new pathway to permanent residency for Retirement visa holders, please contact our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents. Call Results Migration a call on 1800 808 717 or email us on [email protected] and book your free consultation today!
