Lulu

We have submitted an application for 804; does anyone know averaging processing times for bridging visa? Applied onshore (originally from the UK). 

We’re not sure whether they will have to leave when the 3 months on tourist visa is up & re-enter if we haven’t heard back re bridging visa. Any advice appreciated 

On 17/01/2019 at 05:55, Britgirl29 said:

Thanks! Although it's frustrating that immi are deliberately slowing down the 864 visa processing at least they haven't decided to cancel the visa

I'm lucky that my parents applied onshore so they are currently living in Australia on a bridging visa so it's hopefully just a matter of waiting and hoping they keep healthy for the next few years

Hi, 

as you have personal experience with 864, do you know if it covers aged care down the track (once granted of course)? 

We will be getting private health but wondered what other costs we need to think of during the application process and once approved. 

Appreciate any advice, thanks 

On 03/02/2019 at 18:44, LindaH27 said:

As I said  in an earlier post this is an onshore visa and she will be given a bridging visa A to stay in Australia. If she wishes to return to Scotland she would have to apply and pay for bridging visa B which needs a very good reason (death in family etc) and is usually granted only for a few months. If she left Australia without this visa she wouldn’t  be able to return. 

Again the bulk of the charges are taken  just before the final grant of visa 

For reference please see this 

https://www.gm-parent-visas.com/parent-visas/contributory-aged-parent-subclass-864/

Given that the processing times and charges are now very similar to 143,  that may be a better option if she wishes to return to Scotland whilst the visa is being processed as 143 can be applied for on and offshore and would have to be off shore when visa is granted. Once 143 application is lodged she could still apply for 600 visa which can be granted for up to three years and would allow her to stay for 12 months out of any 18 months, so she could still spend a substantial amount of time in Australia with you. 

The 864 is now no longer quicker or cheaper  than the 143  - the only thing in its favour is the fact that you stay in Australian on bridging visa whilst application is processed. But obviously she wouldn’t be able to just travel as and when she wanted on that one. 

If she applied for 143 she could still apply later this year for the new temporary parent visa whilst waiting. That would cost  $5000 for 3 years and $10000 for 5 years in which she could stay in Australia but she could come home as and when she wished. It’s mandatory to have private health insurance for that. So that may be another option for her . 

Thank you Linda (I had posted about 804 in previous post but after much research we have decided this is too risky & there seem to be a lot of hidden costs). 

She is not concerned about going back to Scotland as all her immediate family are here (just wondered whether she could go back to live while it’s being processed but she’d rather be here) 

On 03/02/2019 at 19:33, Marisawright said:

No, she can't travel back - she'll be stuck in Australia until the visa is granted.  She can apply for a visa to be allowed to leave Australia briefly, but I believe she has to provide a specific pressing reason (not just wanting to go back to visit friends), and there's no guarantee she'd get it.  

Thank you 

it seems wait times vary from 3 to 6 year’s which is fine (all her children & grandkids are here) 

864 visa 

Hi folks, 

does anyone know if we apply for an 864 visa onshore whether my mil will have to stay in Oz while it’s being assessed? Or is she able to travel back to Scotland after we lodge the application?

Also, at what point is the contribution payable? Only once the visa is granted? 

TIA 

20 hours ago, LindaH27 said:

1. It’s best not to advertise using a tourist visa to gain entry for permanent visa although lots of people do it!  Check it doesn’t have a no further stay condition on it as that means she can’t apply for any other onshore visa 

2.AOS is usually paid prior to grant and is around $10000 per person and there’s no entitlement to pension or disability benefits for 10 years and 2 years for other benefits 

3. If she’s going to apply for 864 which is an onshore visa she remains in Australia  on a bridging visa A (BVA) I believe and would need a separate visa BVB to leave and return to Australia - and they need a very good reason to grant this other visa  

Wait times for 864 are now similar to those for 143  and none  have been granted since November 2016  so expect around 6 or more years but it’s quicker than the non contributory visas which some people think may be drastically curtailed  in the future  

4.She will pay approx $3770 to start application and remaining $43600 just before visa grant

All these visas are subject to Medical and police clearance 

Again just my interpretation  - if you look at immi website there’s lots of info there  or  consult an agent  

Good luck ! 

 

Thanks Linda! I’ve been reading & researching for hours and there’s so much information (some a bit contradictory). We approached an agent a few years ago so might reach out to them again to clarify these things 

Hi folks, 

Seeking some advice on 804 / 864 visa - my mother in law lives in Scotland and all her children (3) and grandchildren live in Oz (most are citizens. 

1. If we apply for 804, should we do this as soon as she arrives on her 3 month tourist visa? 

2. We're aware the wait times are lengthy (and she may never get it) and the implications of healthcare - when is the AOS due to be paid, only once the visa is granted? 

3. If we apply for the 864 - can we apply for this onshore when she arrives on her tourist visa and is she able to go back to live in Scotland while it's being processed? 

4. Is the fee (AUD47,455) only payable once the second part of the visa is approved? 

5. Is there a further AOS required for this visa or is that not applicable due to the contribution being paid? 

Really apprecaite any advice on the above from anyone going through the process. TIA! 

9 minutes ago, rammygirl said:

Remaining relative visa is not applicable to parents. You as a sponsor would need to be the parent or sibling of the remaining relative. 

 

Didn't know that - thank you for sharing. Looks like we only have two options really - 804 / 864 

32 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

If the $4k application is a lot of money for you, then please research the visa carefully, because there are a lot of hidden costs as the years go by.  

Your MIL will arrive on a tourist visa, apply for the 804 visa onshore, then she'll be on a bridging visa - possibly for the rest of her life, because the waiting time is up to 30 years.  What that means is that although she'll be physically resident in Australia, legally she won't be.  That means she won't be entitled to any government benefits at all, even if she is in financial difficulties.   At the same time, her UK govt. pension will be frozen at the amount it is today - she'll never get any increases, so her income won't keep up with inflation.

She will be covered by Medicare but only for "essential care", not elective surgery.  So say, for instance, she needs a hip replacement. That's elective, so she can't get it done on Medicare.  However, she can't pop back to the UK to get it done either, because once she's no longer resident in the UK, she's not eligible for the NHS either.  That's why you'll need to budget for health insurance. However, she can't get the usual health insurance because that's only for residents. She'll have to get "overseas visitor" cover which is more expensive - I saw someone mention $12,000 per year somewhere.

The final problem to consider is what happens if her visa is rejected in the end.   Like I said, they are quoting wait times of "up to" 30 years for the 804 visa, but it's possible the wait could be shorter.  Let's say her visa finally comes through in 15 years, when she's 82.  At that point, before the visa is granted, she'll have to pass a medical (which, at that age, might be difficult).  If she fails the medical, her application will be rejected and she'll have to leave the country.  That will mean returning to the UK where she will have to re-establish residency before being able to access NHS and other benefits.  

I'm almost your MIL's age, and I'm not sure I'd want to give up my home and dispose of my possessions to move to a foreign country where my income will steadily decline, and where I might get thrown out at any time.  I know being close to grandchildren and family is a powerful pull, but do make sure you understand the pitfalls before you decide whether to proceed.

When you consider the loss of income and benefits, and the cost of health insurance, it could actually be cheaper for her to visit you every year for three to six months, than to make the permanent move.

Thank you Marisa, really appreciate your feedback. Much of what you've shared we've been considering and also understand the massive financial impact on ourselves as a young family and on her leaving the UK (which she feels she's happy to do). Such a difficult decision as the contributory visa definitely seems a better option in the long run, just very costly  so much to think about 

45 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

 I believe so but be aware that reciprocal cover is only basic.  Should she need further care or ambulance / hospital etc this is not covered and will be very expensive which is why most bridging visa applicants take out private health insurance as well. She will also pay for prescriptions/  medications etc. And I believe cannot claim any social security benefits. Best to check properly though. I think at 67 she  might look at 864 visa but this is contributory. The balance of family test , medicals etc still have to be met. The medical will be taken nearer the time of processing so if her health deteriorates she may not get through and could be asked to leave. Wait lists are increasing all the time,  the Australian government reckons on 30 years as there are already over 50000 in queue and only around 1200 granted per year. 

 Should point out this is only what I've learnt over the years so please double check with an agent if possible 

Thank you for sharing your feedback, really appreciate it! We intend to arrange private health care for her but weren't sure what the reciprocal care actually covers (if anything) - very difficult to find info online about it. 

2 minutes ago, VERYSTORMY said:

Some of the visas you are looking at have a wait time of 50 years. Yes, five zero. 

The contributory would be the best. Though, you should be aware even that is going to take 5 to 8 years

e understand that we will be responsible for her financially and wait times are lengthy. With a young child we don't have the funds available for the contributory. Have you gone through the process of a parent visa? 

9 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

I believe 115 remaining relative visa is only an off shore option with an extremely long wait  list - far longer than 804 ( for this the parent  must be over 65 and the age limit is increasing to 67)

With an offshore application there may be a no further stay condition on any further visitor visas applied for to enter Australia 

Thank you for sharing that - she is 67. We would like to bring hr over & apply onshore so it sounds like we'll have to apply for 804. Do you know if she will be entitled to reciprocal healthcare while her application is being processed? 

On 24/01/2019 at 08:04, Britgirl29 said:

It's called the Lifetime Health Cover - the section called New migrations in this link has more details 

https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/incentivessurcharges/lifetimehealthcover.htm

It says full Medicare cover so it may not apply on a bridging visa as they are on a reciprocal medicare card, but my parents wanted to get private health insurance anyway particularly as my Mum needs a knee replacement. 

And I was wrong it's not technically a  tax, you just pay extra insurance fees 

Hi, we're looking into visa options for my MIL (lives in Scotland) - if we apply for an onshore visa (115/ 804) will she have reciprocal healthcare while the visa application is being processed? (if you know) 

Thanks!

My husband & I would like to start the process to get his mom to Oz (she's widowed), currently living in Scotland. Financially its up to us; the contributory visa is not an option (she has all three her children here, 2 are Oz Citizens, and 5 grandchildren). She is 67 (retired)

Reading through the immigration website's visa options it seems we could either apply for the Remaining Relative (115) or the Aged Parent Visa (804) - with a $4k application fee we want to make sure we apply for the right one. Any advice or feedback from anyone going through the process would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks in advance