Dee in Oz

Well, we’ve been home for 3 weeks now... Never received a reply concerning my ToR application until I sent a letter signed by my father (I hand wrote it as no printer here..) saying I was staying with him, plus a rates notice. It took them a week to approve the application after that. Funnily enough, I wasn’t charged VAT on the cats... presumably they thought they were worthless at 11 years old ?

It’s such a mine field and a real money earner, obviously. We rescued the cats over 11 years ago. I’ve estimated their value at £50 each on the import paperwork. Not sure who else would want them though ?

Thank you. I think you are right about the cats and paying VAT. I’ll be buying a property once we find something suitable but I have given them my father’s address as somewhere we will be living once we arrive. I’ll get him to sign something and find a utility bill to prove he lives there too. Our possessions were picked up last week so there’s plenty of time to sort the ToR out before they arrive....

Thanks for your reply, Sue. I have been unable to contact them by phone, I got recorded message with an alternative number to call but couldn’t get through at all. I wrote a covering letter stating when I had left and my reasons for returning to the UK. I have replied to the email stating that I thought I had the right to return to live there. My son also has a British passport, so he has that right too. I will have to get proof of my father’s address once we arrive, he will get himself in a state if I ask him to sort it by himself. I’ll just have to claim the VAT back for the cats... Thanks again xx

I need urgent help, please... I applied for ToR, attaching a covering letter, application form, British passport page, list of items I am importing and a utility bill from 4 years ago, to prove my address here in Australia. I will be staying with my father and looking for work once we arrive. I have received an email today stating this: ————————- Dear Sir/Madam The decision on your application for Transfer of Residence relief has been deferred as you have not provided (proof of UK residency/intention). We will review your application once this has been received. The enclosures list on the front of the application form explains what to supply with your claim. ————————- Any suggestions as to what else I can submit would be gratefully received. I don’t have a rental agreement or any proof of where we will be living, other than the address. We fly out next week, with our cats, so I’m getting desperate.... I’ve been trying to call them but can’t get through. Thanks

Ouch! That’s not good.

I think, originally, it was for a British co-signer for my son’s British passport. We know plenty of professionals. Just not British...

You assume correctly ? not sure I know anyone who will qualify ? But I am going to stay positive - for the first time in what seems a very long time.

I’m happy to let my principles slide! I’m just looking into the process now.

Thanks it looks like this would be best all round, even though it goes against everything I believe in ? Will we need to leave on Australian passports?

There won’t be any problems with that.

We’re okay for the British counter signatory, our parcel lady will do it! I am not an Australian citizen and will be renewing my British passport soon. I still have my old nhs card and remember my NI number, so hoping these help me. I’ve also kept my UK bank account open and have credit cards too.... I am thinking that I should get the returning resident visa, my older children are not coming home with us and I want to be able to visit them without the hassle of applying for a visitor’s visa. My son has an Australian passport, although it will not be valid by the time we leave.

Thanks for the advice. Since my (now) husband won’t be coming with us I think that it will be easier to go for the UK passport.

Thank you very much, I was going round in circles trying to find out!

After 11 very long years living in Melbourne I have decided, for various reasons, that I am going to return to the UK. I realise that my son, born in Oz, is British by descent, but am wondering whether he needs to enter the UK on a British passport or if he can use his Australian one. Any advice gratefully received at this very stressful time. Thanks