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Australia's parent visa system is facing severe delays, with processing times now stretching up to 14 years for contributory parent visas and 31 years for general aged parent visas. Recent data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs revealed that nearly 2,300 applicants died while waiting for their parent visa applications to be processed in the past three years. The delays have sparked concern, with some describing the system as cruel and unnecessary, especially as many applicants may never receive their visas.
The review on migration has highlighted the slow processing times, noting that for many, the chances of successfully migrating are practically nonexistent. The report suggested the introduction of a green-card style lottery system or the removal of permanent residence options for parents, while improving access to temporary migration.
Despite the increase in the annual number of parent visas, from 4,500 to 8,500, the number of applications has continued to rise. The current backlog now exceeds 150,000 applications.
According to a Guardian report, former immigration deputy secretary Abul Rizvi warned that cuts to the permanent migration intake, as proposed by Peter Dutton, could worsen the situation by limiting the number of parents entering Australia. Rizvi also suggested that temporary parent visas could become more attractive as permanent visa processing becomes more challenging.
For many families, the long wait for a parent visa has created additional emotional and financial strain.
The Department of Home Affairs attributed the delays to high volumes of applications and limited resources. They noted that these factors, combined with increased demand, have significantly impacted processing times. As the debate continues, the future of the parent visa system and its reforms remains uncertain.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/australia-parent-visa-2300-die-as-applicants-stare-at-a-31-year-wait/articleshow/116851193.cms
