Sponsoring parents to Australia/NZ from Sri Lanka: Points, costs, and timeline 2026.

Overview: Bringing Your Sri Lankan Parents to Australia vs. New Zealand For many Sri Lankans living abroad, bringing Amma and Thaththa to join them is a major life goal. It reflects our deep family values. However, choosing between Australia and New Zealand for your parents involves navigating very different rules, costs, and waiting periods. This decision is not just about a visa; it’s about understanding the long-term commitment and financial impact. Australia: A Choice Between Speed and Cost Australia’s system is direct but expensive. It offers two main pathways for permanent residency: * Contributory Parent Visas: This is the fast-track option. While the processing time is much shorter (a few years), the cost is extremely high, often exceeding AUD 47,000 per parent. This is a significant financial burden for most families. * Non-Contributory Parent Visas: This is the low-cost alternative, but the waitlist is incredibly long—potentially over 30 years. It is not a practical option for those who want to reunite with their parents soon. Australia also requires applicants to pass the "Balance of Family Test," meaning at least half of the parent's children must be permanent residents or citizens of Australia. New Zealand: A System of High Bars and Uncertainty New Zealand's main Parent Resident Visa operates through a lottery system based on an Expression of Interest (EOI). The key challenge here is the high income requirement for the sponsor (the child). You must earn a very high salary to be eligible to sponsor your parents. Crucially, this visa category has been closed to new applications for several years, with no clear date for reopening. This uncertainty makes planning difficult. For parents who have their own substantial funds, the temporary Parent Retirement Visitor Visa is another route, but it does not lead to permanent residency. Key Differences at a Glance: * Main Hurdle: In Australia, it is the huge cost of the fast visa. In New Zealand, it is the sponsor's high income and the fact the visa program is currently closed. * Cost vs. Access: Australia offers a clear path if you can afford it. New Zealand’s path is blocked by a high income bar and a closed door, even if you have the money for fees. * The Big Question: Your choice depends on your financial situation and urgency. Can you afford Australia’s high contribution, or can you meet New Zealand’s high salary threshold if the visa reopens? Understanding if the move is [worth the sacrifice](https://www.lankawebsites.com/home-and-life-style/immigration/cost-of-living-breakdown-is-migrating-from-sri-lanka-to-aus-nz-worth-the-sacrifice/) is the first step. This process is deeply connected to [balancing Sri Lankan family values with life in a new country](https://www.lankawebsites.com/home-and-life-style/immigration/balancing-sri-lankan-family-values-with-western-independence-challenges-for-young-migrants-in-aus-nz/). This guide will now detail the points, costs, and timelines for 2026 to help you make the best decision for your family.

Australia Parent Visas from Sri Lanka: Costs & Timelines for 2026 Bringing your parents from Sri Lanka to join you in Australia is a major life decision that involves significant cost and patience. The Australian government offers several Parent visa options, but they differ greatly in price and waiting periods. For 2026, you will need to choose between a fast but expensive path or a cheaper route with a very long wait. Here is a breakdown of the main options: 1. Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143 & 864) This is the most common choice for families who can afford it. It is much faster than the alternative but comes with a high price tag. * Costs: Expect the total application charge to be around AUD 48,000 per parent. This large "contribution" helps cover your parents' future healthcare costs in Australia. In addition, you must pay a refundable Assurance of Support (AoS) bond, which is roughly AUD 14,000 for two parents. * Timeline: While it's the "fast track," the wait is still long. For applications made in 2026, the processing time could still be anywhere from 6 to 12 years due to the backlog of applications. 2. Non-Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 103 & 804) This option has much lower government fees, making it seem attractive at first glance. * Costs: The visa application charge is significantly lower, at around AUD 7,000 per parent. * Timeline: The waiting period is the biggest issue. The queue is so long that new applicants in 2026 may have to wait up to 30 years for a decision. This makes it an impractical choice for most families. 3. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870) This visa offers a middle ground. It allows your parents to visit and stay for a longer period without leading to permanent residency. * Costs: Fees are paid for either a three-year stay (around AUD 5,700) or a five-year stay (around AUD 11,500). * Timeline: Processing is much faster, usually within a few months. Managing these large payments requires planning. It's smart to compare the best remittance apps for Sri Lankans in Australia 2026 to save on fees. Ultimately, the high costs are part of the bigger question of whether the sacrifice of migrating is worth it for your family.

New Zealand Parent Visas from Sri Lanka: The Points & Ballot System 2026 Bringing your parents from Sri Lanka to New Zealand involves a different process than Australia's. New Zealand uses a lottery-style system for its Parent Resident Visa, which depends on both luck and your financial stability as a sponsor. Here is a breakdown of how it works in 2026.

# The Expression of Interest (EOI) Ballot Instead of applying directly, you first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online. This places your parents' names into a pool with thousands of other hopefuls. Immigration New Zealand then randomly selects EOIs from this pool in periodic ballots. Only if your EOI is selected can you formally apply for the visa. This makes the timeline unpredictable; some are chosen in months, while others wait for years.

# Key Sponsor Requirements To be an eligible sponsor, you must be a New Zealand citizen or resident who has lived in the country for at least three years. The most critical requirement is your income. You must prove you earn enough to support your parents without them relying on government benefits. For 2026, the income requirements are: * Sponsoring one parent: Your income must be at least twice the median New Zealand wage. * Sponsoring two parents: Your income must be at least three times the median wage. You can combine your income with a partner to meet this high threshold. This financial requirement is the main "points" factor; without meeting it, your EOI will not be considered. This reflects the high cost of living in New Zealand.

# Costs and Timeline * EOI Submission Fee: Expect to pay around NZD $590 to enter the ballot. This fee is non-refundable. * Visa Application Fee: If your EOI is selected, the visa application itself costs several thousand dollars. * Timeline: The wait is uncertain due to the ballot system. After an EOI is selected, visa processing can take over a year. Sponsoring parents is a major commitment. It’s important to be financially secure and prepared for the challenges, especially after navigating your own first-year struggles as a migrant. The New Zealand system requires patience and a strong financial footing.

2026 Comparison: Which Country is the Better Option for Your Parents?

Choosing between Australia and New Zealand to bring your parents from Sri Lanka is a major decision. Both countries offer a high quality of life, but their visa systems, costs, and communities are very different. Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide which is best for your family.

Australia: The Pros and Cons

Australia is home to a large and vibrant Sri Lankan community, especially in cities like Melbourne and Sydney. This means your parents can easily find familiar foods, cultural events, and people who speak Sinhala or Tamil. Once they become permanent residents, they get access to Medicare, Australia's public health system.

The biggest challenge is the visa process. The faster "Contributory Parent" visa costs over AUD 47,000 per parent and still has a wait time of around 6-12 years. The cheaper "Parent Visa" queue is so long that the wait can be 30 years or more, making it impractical for most families.

New Zealand: The Pros and Cons

New Zealand offers a relaxed pace of life and stunning nature. The main pathway, the Parent Resident Visa, works through a lottery system. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), and if it's selected, you can apply. This is less certain but can be faster if you are lucky. The income requirements for the sponsor in NZ are very high and must be met for several years before you can apply.

Once granted residency, your parents have access to New Zealand's public healthcare. The Sri Lankan community is smaller but growing and supportive. The main downsides are the uncertainty of the lottery and the high income you must earn to qualify as a sponsor.

The Verdict

Your choice depends on your situation. If you have significant savings and want a more predictable (though long) path, Australia's contributory visa might be the answer. If you meet the high income test and are willing to take a chance on a lottery, New Zealand could work out faster. Before deciding, carefully review the cost of living in both countries, as supporting your parents is a long-term commitment.