The 864 visa is a permanent, onshore visa for parents of Australian age-pension age (currently 67). It costs $6,300 to lodge for the main applicant, plus a second instalment of $43,600 per adult applicant before grant. Applications meeting the criteria join a capped queue that Home Affairs expects to take at least 12 years to reach final processing.
What the 864 visa costs (from 1 July 2026)
| Charge | Main applicant | Additional applicant 18+ | Additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First instalment (at lodgement) | $6,300 | $3,145 | $1,580 |
| Second instalment (before grant) | $43,600 | $43,600 | Confirmed case by case |
| Assurance of Support bond (held 10 years) | $10,000 | $4,000 | — |
Health checks, police certificates and translation costs are extra. If your parent already holds an 884 visa, the 864 first instalment is far lower and the second instalment at that stage is $19,420. See our full parent visa fee breakdown.
How long does the 864 visa take?
The 864 is a capped, queued visa. Home Affairs estimates that new contributory parent applications meeting the criteria are likely to take at least 12 years to be released for final processing. The program has 7,060 parent visa places for 2026–27, shared across all parent streams. Your parent can usually stay in Australia on a bridging visa while the application is in the queue.
Who is eligible for the 864 visa?
- Your parent is old enough to receive the Australian age pension (67).
- They are in Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted, and their current visa does not carry a no-further-stay condition such as 8503.
- They pass the balance-of-family test: at least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or more of their children live here than in any other country.
- They are sponsored by a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, usually their child.
- An assurer provides an Assurance of Support and bond, and the applicants meet health and character requirements.
864 or 884: which is better?
Both lead to the same permanent outcome. The 864 is permanent from grant but needs the full $43,600 second instalment at once. The 884 is a two-year temporary step that splits the cost: $29,130 before the 884 is granted, then $19,420 when moving to the 864. Splitting costs about $4,950 more in total but spreads the payment. The non-contributory 804 visa is much cheaper but has a far longer wait.
Learn the options before you commit
Gary Grewal runs a live parent visa webinar every Wednesday at 7 pm Melbourne time. It covers the 864, 884, 143, 173 and 804 side by side, for $19.
Last updated 1 October 2026. Charges from the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026; eligibility and processing from Home Affairs: Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864). General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
