Gav15

3 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

I'm sure someone else with more experience will chime in but here's how I understand it.

The big problem with a non-contributory visa is that the waiting period is over 30 years, so there's no point in applying from the UK and waiting for it to come through.  So what people do is arrive on a tourist visa, then apply for the parents' visa while they're in Australia.  That means they will get a bridging visa, which means they can stay in Australia while they wait.  

Your parents may not be allowed to do that on their current visa, because I think the "no further stay" condition would prevent it. But they could wait until the end of that visa, then come back on an ordinary tourist visa and apply then.

There are major downsides to that strategy though.  It's vital to consult a reputable migration agent and get them to explain all the pitfalls.  It's not an easy road to choose. 

The problem is that once they're on that bridging visa and they've sold up in the UK, they are no longer UK residents.  Their investments and pensions left in the UK are mostly taxed as if they were foreigners. Their British pensions will be frozen forever at whatever the rate is when they leave the UK - they'll never get any increases, and they''ll lose any additional benefits they may be getting.

It gets worse.  Because they'll be on a bridging visa, not a permanent visa, they're treated as foreigners in Australia as well.  They'll have to jump through hoops to buy a property because they'll be "foreign investors".  They are entitled to Medicare through the reciprocal agreement, but that only covers essential treatment.  They can't get ordinary health insurance, they have to pay for the (more expensive) overseas visitors' health insurance.  They are not entitled to the Australian pension or any old-age benefits or aged care.  

No one likes to think about their parents getting old and dying, but if you're planning this road, you really need to consider it.  I'm in my sixties and I'm all too aware how health costs rise as we get older, and in Australia, medications are expensive and not everything is covered by Medicare.  Your parents will be facing old age without any of the safety nets offered to the elderly in Australia, on frozen pensions. I hope you are rich.

I believe there are also restrictions on travelling outside Australia while on the bridging visa, someone else may  know better.  Some bridging visas don't allow you to leave the country at all.

 

Thanks for the info mate. Appreciate it

Hi 

My parents are already in Australia on a visitor 600 visa. They have 8501 condition, and a no further stay condition on their visa. My father is aged 69, and my mother is aged 63. 

Three children are in Australia, while 1 is overseas.

We want to apply for a non-contributory visa. 

What options we have for my parents  to stay here permanently?

Thanks in advance.