Sponsored Family Visitor Visa (subclass 679)
2 April 2005 - Legislation change
Client summary
The following amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 are to commence on 2 April 2005:
- where a person is seeking to satisfy the criteria for the grant of a Subclass 679 (Sponsored Family Visitor) visa, their application must be:
- made in Australia, but not in immigration clearance
- must be lodged by the sponsor of the applicant.
- the maximum period of stay allowable for an applicant of a Subclass 679 (Sponsored Family Visitor Visa) visa has been extended to 12 months in certain circumstances
- the primary contact for all matters relating to a Subclass 679 application is the applicant's sponsor, as opposed to the applicant
- the removal of the reference to 'Short Stay' from the relevant Class and Subclass titles.
Technical details
The following provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994 have been amended:
- Item 1217A in Schedule 1
- Part 679 in Schedule 2
In addition to the above provisions, numerous consequential amendments have been made throughout the Regulations to reflect the change in visa nomenclature (i.e. removal of the reference to 'Short Stay' from the relevant Class and Subclass titles).
Additional information: Nil.
Transitional arrangements: The amendments apply to visa applications made on or after 2 April 2005. Applications lodged prior to 2 April 2005 will be processed and final determination under the pre 2 April 2005 Migration Regulations.
Forms: Amended forms 1149, 48s and 983i will be available from 2 April 2005
Instructions: PAM3 will reflect legislative amendments from 2 April 2005.
Effect on delegations: Onshore officers are delegated under the Migration Act to make decisions.
Effect on systems: ICSE will reflect legislative amendments from 2 April 2005.