Contributory Parent Visa Changes

From 1 July 2009, the legislation changed to prevent persons who were granted a permanent Contributory Parent category visa from sponsoring their partner or fiance for a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa for five years from the day of their visa grant, if they:

• Were granted their permanent Contributory Parent category visa on or after 1 July 2009; and
• Were in a Spouse or De facto Partner or Fiance relationship on or before the date their permanent Contributory Parent category visa was granted and now wish to sponsor their partner or fiance.

This legislation change effectively closes the loophole which permitted one parent to apply for the Contributory Parent visa and then when the visa was granted sponsor their spouse to Australia.  Such a strategy saves tens of thousands of dollars.  It will now be necessary to include both parents in the Contributory Parent application from the outset and pay the additional substantial filing fees.

Please contact David Stratton, Ryan Curtis-Griffiths or Helen Zheng, Lawyers in our Migration Law Work Group, if you require further information in relation to this issue, or if you require legal advice regarding any other migration law matter.  

 Our Offices

"Building quality relationships with clients"

January 2010

David Stratton 
Director
Registered Migration Agent 9358007
T: 03 9614 7111
email: dstratton@nevettford.com.au

Helen Zheng
Lawyer
Registered Migration Agent 0003327
T: 03 9615 4325
email: hzheng@nevettford.com.au

Ryan Curtis-Griffiths
Lawyer
Registered Migration Agent 741735
T: 03 9615 4309
email: rcurtisgriffiths@nevettford.com.au

This e-bulletin is provided as part of our ongoing service and covers topics we hope are of interest to our clients and referrers.

Of course, it is of a general nature only, and specific advice should be taken before any course of action is pursued.

If you do not want to receive further Migration Law e-bulletins from us, please email marketing@nevettford.com.au.