Lone parent visa for UK mum

[Nessie1]

Hi 

I am a Australian Citizen, have being for a few years. I am a only child and my mum is a lone parent (doesn't have a partner), she is still in the UK and makes a yearly visit out to OZ. At 73 she's getting on and we are looking into visa options for her, but it is a bit of a minefield. We did attend a migration agent chat, but it still seems too many options. 

Her health is good, however she has a underlying lymphoma cancer which is described as dormant until it attacks her :( 

She's not the wealthiest person on the planet, owns a 2 up 2 down in UK and has a state pension/ some savings. 

Any advice greatly appreciated. 

Thank you 

Vanessa 

[Marisawright]

There are permanent parent visas but they all have very long waiting times.  Even the most expensive, fastest one still has a waiting time of about 6 years, and she would have to pass a medical to get it.  Given her age and income, it doesn't sound like there's any point in her applying for a parent visa while she's still in the UK.   

I think the only option left is for her to come to Australia on a tourist visa, and once she's here, she can apply for an 804 visa.   The 804 visa has a waiting time of 30 years, so she will never get it - but the thing is, she will get a bridging visa, which will allow her to stay in Australia while she waits.   

Once upon a time, people would advise against that strategy because it has major disadvantages, but I'm seeing people do it more and more frequently now, since the other options take so long.  I wouldn't consider it myself but everyone has to make their own decision.

The huge problem with the bridging visa is that she will not be a legal resident of Australia, even though she's living here.  She'll be treated as a "visitor".  The implications of that are:

• She won't get a Seniors Health Card which means she'll pay normal prices for prescriptions - which she'll currently be getting free in the UK.   That could be a substantial ongoing cost.
   
• She'll still get her British pension but it will be frozen at whatever rate it is when she leaves the UK.   She won't ever get any increases while she's living in Australia, and she can't get the Australian pension.  If she is getting any extra allowances or benefits, they may stop too.
   
• She can stay in Australia as long as she likes, but if she leaves the country, she won't be allowed to re-enter.   If she wants to go back to the UK for a visit, she'll have to apply for permission (a BVB) before she goes. They're usually granted but it is an extra hassle and of course, there's a fee every time.
   
• If she wants to buy a home for herself, she will need to apply for special permission from FIRB (and pay a few thousand dollars fee). Then she'll have to pay about three times the usual stamp duty on the purchase.

She'll get Medicare because she's British, but as you know, health care in Australia isn't always completely free,  specialists especially.  Most older people have more health issues and your mother has had cancer, so she may find herself facing substantial medical costs as she gets older.   She won't have the option to hop back to the UK for treatment because when she ceases to be a resident of the UK, she will lose the right to access the NHS.    To get access to the NHS she would have to resettle in the UK and prove her residency. 

If you put her loss of income and benefits together, plus the extra costs she'll face, and it'll cheaper for her to make an annual visit than live on the bridging visa.  But of course, there will come a point where she's not up to the journey and then there's a difficult decision to make. 

The other benefit of her staying in the UK, which mustn't be under-estimated, is that she gets to stay in her own home with all her own treasures, close to her friends and everything she knows. 

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by Marisawright

[Alan Collett]

Hi Vanessa.

My experience - based on parents with whom I speak - is that most parents yearn to spend more time with a child or children in Australia, and (where applicable) grandchildren.

Visa strategy is therefore key, as is understanding the risks attaching.

You are very welcome to contact me for a free chat about visa options.   I'll be happy to have a free chat with your mother as well.

With best wishes for 2020.

 

[ramot]

I was chatting to a couple recently who were on a 410 visa, and who were now on a bridging visa having applied for the non contributery parent visa in 2011. They have had no problem with reciprocal Medicare at all. I was quite surprised to hear that the husband had had a hip replacement not on private and the wife had had I think cataracts done. I always thought that access to Medicare was more limited, but they assured me that nothing has been limited. Whether this is normal or perhaps a mistake by Medicare I don’t know, but they were adamant they weren’t disadvantaged and had no regrets going this path.

[Quoll]

Have you thought about moving back to U.K. to help your mum out?

[Marisawright]

11 hours ago, ramot said:

I was chatting to a couple recently who were on a 410 visa, and who were now on a bridging visa having applied for the non contributery parent visa in 2011. They have had no problem with reciprocal Medicare at all. 

I think that if it's a parent visa, then they do get a Medicare card.  However she won't get a health card which means she won't pay pensioner prices for prescriptions.  I was also making the point that it's common for specialists to charge a lot more than the Medicare fee, so even if you have a Medicare card, there are often fees to pay.

[ramot]

On 01/01/2020 at 18:49, ramot said:

I was chatting to a couple recently who were on a 410 visa, and who were now on a bridging visa having applied for the non contributery parent visa in 2011. They have had no problem with reciprocal Medicare at all. I was quite surprised to hear that the husband had had a hip replacement not on private and the wife had had I think cataracts done. I always thought that access to Medicare was more limited, but they assured me that nothing has been limited. Whether this is normal or perhaps a mistake by Medicare I don’t know, but they were adamant they weren’t disadvantaged and had no regrets going this path.

Found it plus Marisa’s reply confirming that they were eligible for a Medicare card while on the bridging visa for the 804 parent visa. No idea if any of the conditions have changed in the last year.