New

[Bluesmum]

I would really appreciate some unbiased advice please.  I am 82 years old, enjoy excellent health with no issues, apart from controlled age related blood pressure.  I am financially secure with good pension income, (state and private) plus assets plus own my own detached property here in the UK.  My only son has lived in Australia for over 40 years and would dearly love me to join him and his wife.  The reason I gave not been able to consider this before is because I was full time career to my elderly husband who had dementia and Parkinsons.  I now holiday with them in Perth every year for at least three months and I absolutely love everything about it!  I am thinking to apply for either visa 804 or 864, but am wondering how realistic is it that my application will be accepted, when there is no chance of getting an 804 in my lifetime and only a slim chance for 864?  Do they reject Aged Parent  applications in these circumstances, or would I be allowed to stay indefinitely with a  bridging visa on either whilst my application is processed?  If the application is viable, I would engage the services of a migration agent to guide us.

[paulhand]

19 minutes ago, Bluesmum said:

If the application is viable, I would engage the services of a migration agent to guide us.

I think that you need to consult a migration agent to ascertain viability as well as talk through all the pros/cons of different visa options. Parent visas are complex as you have seen. @Alan Collettis expert in this area. 

[Marisawright]

8 hours ago, Bluesmum said:

I would really appreciate some unbiased advice please.  I am 82 years old...

Your application for a parent visa won't be rejected, even though it's unlikely to be granted in your lifetime.   I have a friend, Ulla, who moved to Australia a year ago on a tourist visa and applied onshore.  The application was accepted and she got her bridging visa.  She is 85. 

A word of caution though. Ulla is overjoyed to be with her daughter but she misses her house and garden dreadfully.  She still has tears in her eyes every time she talks about it, though she thinks I don't notice. And she is lonely.   In the past, when she visited on holiday, her daughter made time for her and they had lovely weekends and spent a lot of time together (as everyone does when a loved one visits).   Now Ulla is here permanently, her daughter and family have gone back to their normal routines and don't have much time to entertain an old lady.  She's finding it difficult to make new friends and misses her old ones.  So do make sure you understand what you are leaving behind and what life will be like when you're here permanently. 

[Bluesmum]

Marisawright, thank you so much for your wise words of caution and advice.  I am sorry your friend is having problems settling to her new life.  As I have already spent quite a bit of time with my son and dil, I am happy that we have already  passed the novelty stage of me visiting  as a tourist, needing to be guided and entertained, and we have  a much more mundane, settled existence together  now.  I already have some friends of my own who live quite local to my son,  that I met online through a mutual hobby, and I socialise with them, whereas most of my uk friends are now no longer around! Once I know my application has been accepted and I have  my bridging visa, I will sell my home here and this will enable me to either invest in my sons house, to extend and improve it which they would love to do, or pool our resources and buy bigger something to share!  I hope this all sounds viable!

[Marisawright]

1 hour ago, Bluesmum said:

 this will enable me to either invest in my sons house, to extend and improve it which they would love to do, or pool our resources and buy bigger something to share!  I hope this all sounds viable!

Be aware that you will be classed as a foreign investor, which means you need special permission to buy property, and you will have to pay a hefty surcharge when you buy a property.  I can imagine things could get complicated (and expensive) if you buy something jointly with your son, for that reason.

If you decide to invest money in your son's existing home to extend it, I'd advise you to give him the money as a loan and have proper loan papers drawn up by a solicitor. I know you trust your son but it's wise to do everything officially, to avoid any future tax issues for either of you.

Edited January 26, 2024 by Marisawright

[Bluesmum]

Thank you so much for this advice.  There is obviously so much to consider and legal advice is obviously very necessary!  We will be very cautious !

[Marisawright]

3 hours ago, Bluesmum said:

 There is obviously so much to consider and legal advice is obviously very necessary!  We will be very cautious !

Just to be clear, there is absolutely no need for legal advice about your move to Australia.   Never use an immigration lawyer.  If you want professional help, use a MARA registered migration agent.   Go Matilda has already been recommnded on this thread. 

I mentioned getting legal advice if you are going to invest in your son's property, because one of my husband's relatives gave money to her daughter without proper paperwork, and it led to all kinds of difficulties.

[InnerVoice]

6 hours ago, Bluesmum said:

Marisawright, thank you so much for your wise words of caution and advice.  I am sorry your friend is having problems settling to her new life.  As I have already spent quite a bit of time with my son and dil, I am happy that we have already  passed the novelty stage of me visiting  as a tourist, needing to be guided and entertained, and we have  a much more mundane, settled existence together  now.  I already have some friends of my own who live quite local to my son,  that I met online through a mutual hobby, and I socialise with them, whereas most of my uk friends are now no longer around! Once I know my application has been accepted and I have  my bridging visa, I will sell my home here and this will enable me to either invest in my sons house, to extend and improve it which they would love to do, or pool our resources and buy bigger something to share!  I hope this all sounds viable!

All things considered it sounds like it would be a good move for you, but be mindful of investing heavily in your son's property. Heaven forbid something should ever happen to your son, or he and his wife should separate, but if either were to happen then where would that leave you? Maybe it would be a safer option to rent out your UK home then invest the proceeds into your son and daughter-in-law's home, so you will always retain some security of your own.

[Cheery Thistle]

Definitely consult with one of the reputable agents about your best options - either Alan Collett or I have had some dealings with Emergico on parent visas and they seemed very professional and helpful. 
As for the rest of it, you seem very far from an idiot and have done well for yourself in your 82 years of life, I don’t doubt you will be able to find relevant information and advice and make good decisions for yourself. 
Good for you for being up for such a big leap at your stage of life and I hope it all works out for you. After caring for your husband you deserve to think about you and what will make you happy. 

[Bluesmum]

Thank you all so much for your positive response and kind comments.  I will be in Perth in just under two weeks, looking forward to the sunshine!  I am taking my brother with me for his first visit, then we are going to Bali for a couple of weeks for a holiday within my holiday.  When we get back to Perth, time to  source a migration agent and start some  serious work!  I will keep you informed of my progress.  Thank you again.

[bonanza]

Good luck to you  and enjoy Bali.