Calmac

28 minutes ago, Fisher1 said:

There used to be an agent everyond recommended on here for people with complicated health backgroundsl, but I can't remember the name ... Anyone out there remember, George something? I was thinking you could have his contact details on speed dial, but wait a while to see how it goes with your dad.

I agree with Sadge that you should keep all medical notes, results of tests etc. While we were waiting my husband had a worrying development to his high blood pressure, which had been sorted by the time we got to the medicals so ee panicked for nothing! We also went to the medicals without the detailed results of a recent health check and had to email a copy of them when we got home ... more panic!

Hope it all goes well for you and your parents ... medicals are a big worry for many people I think, and with good reason. We always had a "plan B" in mind in case we were refused because of health issues. Good luck.

George Lombard...worth a google.

1 hour ago, Fisher1 said:

For us this was not an option because it was impossible to find anyone who would insure us for longer than thirty days once we turned sixty five. Several people have said on here that longer periods can be insured well into old age, but when we made our decision we had already searched high and low with no success ... So dont bank on being able to get travel insurance for long term visits.

 

I would imagine if you are resident for tax you would be considered resident for NHS provision? It seems that you are resident for UK twx if you spend more than six months in the UK or if you have a residence for your sole occupancy for more than thirty days. I think so called health tourism is ruled out but if you were temporarily resident, who knows ... One of the main complaints about frozen pensions is that we frozen pensioners are saving the government money by NOT using the NHS ...

Re insurance....I managed to get cover for 10 weeks for myself and wife (70 and 74 yr old) for just over £1000. A bit eyewatering for peace of mind but had to he done!

9 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

I understand the finances only too well - just substitute North Wales and Sydney and you have a perfect financial storm to match your own. We were very lucky, firstly that we got our visa just before the current fiasco masquerading as a visa process. Secondly we had already decided we didn't want to live in Sydney and would be happier in a seaside town down the coast - more like the town we were leaving. Prices there had rocketed up but we could still just about afford it if we bought a smaller house needing work. Is there no chance that you could buy within reach of Melbourne e.g. Ballerat (one hour by train) or Geelong (also one hour by train) ? It seems such a shame to have gone through all this for nothing.

Having said that, we were talking about staying in England when we were finally free to move over and found it a worrying time financially. There comes a point when you have to throw in the towel. As someone else said, don't drop out officially till the very last minute - you have nothing to lose.

Thanks Fisher...we hoped to be helping on the school run, and generally be available to assist with baby sitting duties. Ballarat and the likes would just be too far out!

I'll keep on with the lottery and annual visits I think.  It's nice to get way from a north east winter for a couple of months a year!

Thanks for response Kathss...thought about it but not really practicable given the circumstances!

Thanks Catlady...we have not yet withdrawn the application and will wait until the last moment in case we get a lottery boost.

We made the decision effectively at Christmas when we visited family for a couple of months. What might have been achievable price wise in 2015/16 had simply gone beyond reach.

I will certainly complete an online feedback form to comment on the current farcical situation....we fondly imagined18 months wait at the time and in those cicumstances might have made it!

10 hours ago, Rosiejaq said:

Well said SusieRoo. We certainly didn’t expect to wait more than double the original time posted and it is taking an immense strain on our lives as we’re having to stay in a job we hate just for the security until we move to Oz.  Family is also suffering as they’re having to put plans on hold as well...the kids ..well how do you explain to a 4 year old (who was a baby when we started this process) and her older brothers ... that we will be living nearby soon? But don’t know quite when???

About 4 years since the decision was made to apply and just over 3 since application finalised and submitted. So much has changed in that period personally, financially  and politically. Property prices have continued to rise in Melbourne and drop in North East England; Brexit has damaged the exchange rate; and when you are in your late sixties/ early seventies health issues can arise.

Application dropped and we'll just have to take the loss of the initial payment!

1 hour ago, ramot said:

The bond contribution to the best of my knowledge doesn't change from the amount when your application was acknowledged, so even though it is increased for new applicants yours stays fixed. That might help?

Thanks for your response ramot. It is the exchange rate which took a big hit after the Brexit vote and substantially increased the bond contribution in sterling!

Thanks to all for responses...we were hoping to be of use on the school run and looking after grandchildren during holidays etc which precludes living too far away. The "granny flat" option was a thought but eventually we decided it was too much of a come down from our present comfortable lifestyle. And finally we found that we must have aged a lot in the three years on the waiting list....I am 70 and my wife is 75.... We found the pace of Melbourne life comparatively frenetic on this last trip. I think the tranquility of rural living in England becomes more attractive as you get older, even if the weather leaves a lot to be desired!

On 01/02/2018 at 08:30, Trudyandandrew said:

Hi our dream is over ,we have just returned from 3 months in Melbourne and cannot believe how expensive everything is and we realised we cannot afford to buy or rent . We have had request for 2nd vac ,how do we inform we have changed our mind thank you ,this has been an extremely difficult decision to make.

I could have written that myself. We have also just returned from a 3 month visit to Melbourne and found basically that property was beyond reach. In the end we had to decide that exchanging a comfortable 3 bedroom house in England for a one bedroom flat/unit in Melbourne was just not worth it.....the bond contribution has also obviously increased drastically over the three years since application.

So with about a month to go before action would begin we have reluctantly decided to withdraw. We will have to make do with the annual visit for as long as we can put up with the flight!

Thanks to all for comments and help...We each received the 651 visa this evening which made it only 24 hours or so...very satisfying. Booking now for Melbourne next week and you'll soon  see me on the school run in the Heidleberg/ Clifton Hill area!

143 app was May 2015...so hoping soon for some movement on that.

Thanks again!

1 hour ago, Kathss56 said:

@Calmac You can buy from them or any high street travel agent

BUT if you have already lodged one online with IMMI   You have to upload a certain form number cancelling that current one in their system.

Otherwise it goes against you as having a failed visa application. 

The Australian office in London told me that. I have a Tel number for them if needed.

Kath

 

Thanks...I'll give it a day or so to see how we get on!

15 hours ago, Kathss56 said:

Fab! It usually is instant but you just never know ??

Applied at about 9 pm last night for myself and other half and as yet have received nothing....so it's unfortunately not instant in this case A pity as we've had an SOS call to help out with grandparent duties.

On 16/09/2017 at 19:34, gafuk said:

Yes My wife and I both filled in the form 80

Do you complete it online and send it electronically?

I used to wait with bated breath for weekly news of dates. It doesn't seem to happen now so has anyone any idea exactly where we are?

9 to 10 years.

 

Best regards.

Thanks!

So what is the approximate waiting time for the 804 at the moment please?

Ouch!!! 143 visa for two of us now in excess of £50,000.

Market rate is 1.78 dollars to the pound.....expect less online or in the High Street.

That second VAC is looking very expensive now....Is anyone in the waiting room being priced out??

Is it possible to convert from 143 to 864 mid application or do I have to start all over again with application, deposits etc.Just thinking of going over there and speeding things up by changing from one to the other and so of course will then be onshore.

In the light of current pound/ Aus dollar rates, is it possible or practicable to open an Aus dollar account in England? I'm thinking about hedging my bets before the Euro vote and putting in some of the bond money we'll need in a year's time.

Wonderful news Maisie - who would have thought we'd all be celebrating being asked for a chunk of our life savings!

Somewhat more than a chunk I'm afraid.

Sadge. Kingsbury is not far from Reservoir which is one of the areas we'll be looking at. Family in the Preston, Thornbury area.

Xx

Quick query...do we all have to complete the dreaded form 80 or is it just a random selection of people?

Sympathy to those sweating on a house sale to cover the second 143 contribution...What happens if you can't pay at the time?? Do you have to apply again??...and how practical is a bridging loan until the house is sold?