The Brand New PIO Parents Visa thread

[ariomart]

Hi Its gone so quite out there, thought I would check that you havent all gone to a different forum and not told me.

Last year my son was diagnosed with bowel cancer and it was found to be genetic so his australian doctor has suggested that I have a gene test. My concern is that if I am found to carry this gene (which is unlikely as the carriers develop cancer at a young age and that I am not) will it affect my visa application? Has anyone had anything similar.?

How are the house sales going?

Moira

[MikenSueNW3]

Hi Its gone so quite out there, thought I would check that you havent all gone to a different forum and not told me.

Last year my son was diagnosed with bowel cancer and it was found to be genetic so his australian doctor has suggested that I have a gene test. My concern is that if I am found to carry this gene (which is unlikely as the carriers develop cancer at a young age and that I am not) will it affect my visa application? Has anyone had anything similar.?

How are the house sales going?

Moira

 

G'day Moira

 

I was just thinking the same thing about the quietness!

 

I honestly don't know about the gene test question, but I don't think you need to worry unless you have had a test (such as Faecal Occult Blood test, or a colonoscopy) that shows actual bowel cancer present. But I can well understand your worry.

 

Maybe call or write to one of the panel doctors, to ask? Perhaps Dr Helen Barden at the Spire Hospital in Edinburgh – she is a former Medical Officer of the [Australian] Commonwealth (ie, someone who actually made the pass/not decisions rather than simply report check-up results) before those posts were all "repatriated" to Sydney; on Gill ("Gollywobbler")'s advice, we had our meds done there because I have a history of prostate cancer, and I must say she seemed very knowledgeable.

 

Or get someone to ask the PVC in Perth, or the central meds department in Sydney, anonymously?

 

Good luck, Mike

[Guest]

Hi Its gone so quite out there, thought I would check that you havent all gone to a different forum and not told me.

How are the house sales going?

Moira

 

Hi Moira

We are still here, waiting for the near extinct house buyer!!! :wideeyed:

[jtct]

We are still here, waiting for the near extinct house buyer!!! :wideeyed:

 

Hope get a buyer soon - this is the worst part of the process I think. Getting the Visa was a doddle in comparison and far less stressful. I'm a nervous wreck today and just waiting by the phone for the solicitors to phone later.

 

We are due to exchange contracts today and they are hinting that all the others in the chain want a quick completion - ie as soon as ONE WEEK!!!!!!!!

 

This time tomorrow I should know what's happening but we've pencilled in the shippers for next week just in case. Thought we had another 6 weeks before panic set in again.

[Linday]

Hope get a buyer soon - this is the worst part of the process I think. Getting the Visa was a doddle in comparison and far less stressful. I'm a nervous wreck today and just waiting by the phone for the solicitors to phone later.

 

We are due to exchange contracts today and they are hinting that all the others in the chain want a quick completion - ie as soon as ONE WEEK!!!!!!!!

 

This time tomorrow I should know what's happening but we've pencilled in the shippers for next week just in case. Thought we had another 6 weeks before panic set in again.

 

Yes you are right. The last few steps, selling the house etc are very stressful. You think it's all over once you have the visa. I can sympathise as our last few weeks were extremely stressful wth tight deadlines and not know whether we were renting or selling and when to get in the shippers. Hang on in there and it will all come together. Just keep the end goal in sight.

[jtct]

.................. and she did, at 5.00pm to say:cry:

 

wait for it..................:mad:

 

the person at the bottom of the chain is going into their solicitor at 6.00pm TOMORROW to sign the contract ready to exchange on MONDAY!!!!!!!:arghh:

 

They still want to complete at the end of next week so we're going to be busy packing suitcases and dropping the last few bit off at the charity shop so the packer can come next Wednesday as arranged.:chatterbox:

[Guest]

Hi Folks

If someone has already posted apologies but could ALL people of pension age or not sign this petition as it is unfair that if you live in certain countries you do not get the increases in your pension for the rest of your life.

 

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387

 

I will post more when I get chance

 

regards

[Stellathedog]

Hi Folks

If someone has already posted apologies but could ALL people of pension age or not sign this petition as it is unfair that if you live in certain countries you do not get the increases in your pension for the rest of your life.

 

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387

 

I will post more when I get chance

 

regards

 

Hi Pete and Marg

 

I signed this this morning, but just wanted to say: If you're not sure if you have already signed, do try again as it won't let you sign in twice and better signed than not!!

 

This is probably a last chance to get things changed, so let's hope they get the numbers they need.

 

Cheers Pam

[sandch]

Hi Folks

If someone has already posted apologies but could ALL people of pension age or not sign this petition as it is unfair that if you live in certain countries you do not get the increases in your pension for the rest of your life.

 

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387

 

I will post more when I get chance

 

regards

 

This is a really thorny subject and it's understandable that people who retired to Australia and South Africa for example feel the disadvantage. The treatment seems inconsistent.

 

Apparently it saves 500m per annum and with the UK facing years of cutbacks, job losses, public sector pay and pensions freezes, consequent strikes I guess that a petition for more money from those who have fled the UK ranks right up there with the good old snowball on its first visit to hell.

 

For anyone who suffers from insomnia, try reading the last ruling:

http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=1&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=%22THE%20UNITED%20KINGDOM%22%20%7C%20pension&sessionid=78505579&skin=hudoc-en

:SLEEP:

Cheers!

 

Steve

[liverpoolloo]

Hi Pete and Marg

 

I signed this this morning, but just wanted to say: If you're not sure if you have already signed, do try again as it won't let you sign in twice and better signed than not!!

 

This is probably a last chance to get things changed, so let's hope they get the numbers they need.

 

Cheers Pam

 

I signed this morning, i have paid up on my state pension and hate the thought i won't get the full benifit in years to come, i have worked hard like most for my pension. So hope they get the numbers. Ann

[Julian927]

Hi Folks

If someone has already posted apologies but could ALL people of pension age or not sign this petition as it is unfair that if you live in certain countries you do not get the increases in your pension for the rest of your life.

 

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16387

 

I will post more when I get chance

 

regards

 

We both signed this morning, we have both worked and paid full NI and Tax for 40 years....never claimed a jot and YES it is incredibly unfair....particularly when you receive a letter from the UK saying that if you go back you are not eligible for NHS - can only have emergency care.

Thank you for bringing it to everybody's attention.

Julie and Ian

[liverpoolloo]

We both signed this morning, we have both worked and paid full NI and Tax for 40 years....never claimed a jot and YES it is incredibly unfair....particularly when you receive a letter from the UK saying that if you go back you are not eligible for NHS - can only have emergency care.

Thank you for bringing it to everybody's attention.

Julie and Ian

 

Well i didn't know that if you come back you are not eligible for NHS care, i think thats an absolute disgrace after paying into it most of my life, not fair as others seem to get it who come into the country and haven't paid a penny into the system, have to say you learn something new every day on here, not always for the good though eh! Ann

[stevemalbec]

Well i didn't know that if you come back you are not eligible for NHS care, i think thats an absolute disgrace after paying into it most of my life, not fair as others seem to get it who come into the country and haven't paid a penny into the system, have to say you learn something new every day on here, not always for the good though eh! Ann

 

Here's a quote from the Department of Health website:

 

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074374

 

Who is entitled to free NHS treatment;

 

Anyone who is deemed to be ordinarily resident in the UK is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England. “Ordinarily resident” is a common law concept interpreted by the House of Lords in 1982 as someone who is living lawfully in the United Kingdom voluntarily and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, with an identifiable purpose for their residence here which has a sufficient degree of continuity to be properly described as settled.

 

Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011. These regulations place a responsibility on NHS hospitals to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident; or exempt from charges under one of a number of exemption categories; or liable for charges.

 

What about British Nationals? I have paid taxes in the past.

 

Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK.

[Stellathedog]

"not fair as others seem to get it who come into the country and haven't paid a penny into the system"

 

I quite agree Ann.

We had people come into our dental surgery having only been in the country a matter of days AND they had government paid for interpreters too!

 

 

"What about British Nationals? I have paid taxes in the past.

Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK."

 

Thanks Steve, I didn't know this and actually find it quite shocking.

[sandch]

Good information, thanks folks.

 

As usual it's not clear-cut this returning healthcare entitlement thing. Have a look at:

 

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_128866

 

So it could be interpreted that for the first five years after leaving, you may be covered providing you have 10 previous years of residence.

 

Our situation is probably different as I remain employed by a UK company and still pay taxes over there, so it shouldn't be a problem for me. My wife on the other hand is on the 5-year deal.

[Julian927]

Good information, thanks folks.

 

As usual it's not clear-cut this returning healthcare entitlement thing. Have a look at:

 

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_128866

 

So it could be interpreted that for the first five years after leaving, you may be covered providing you have 10 previous years of residence.

 

Our situation is probably different as I remain employed by a UK company and still pay taxes over there, so it shouldn't be a problem for me. My wife on the other hand is on the 5-year deal.

 

I have just looked out the letter that I received from The Pension Service last October when we emigrated. They state the obvious such as - you will not get a Christmas Bonus, plus they say you will not receive any Widow's Benefit or bereavement benefit PLUS

"People living abroad permanently can only get emergency treatment under the National Health Service whilst visiting the UK. If you need more information about British medical benefits write to" ....Dept of Health at Wellington House...Tel No 020 7210 4850

 

I think the whole pension thing is pretty tough, particularly as we have both paid NI contributions for 40 years with no claim for any type of benefits within that period....but I think the NHS ban on anything other than emergency treatment is taking the ****!

 

However, I was aware of it before we made the move so I suppose we can't complain - only agitate to get a fair go.

Julie

PS I have paid tax over there this year as well!

[liverpoolloo]

I have just looked out the letter that I received from The Pension Service last October when we emigrated. They state the obvious such as - you will not get a Christmas Bonus, plus they say you will not receive any Widow's Benefit or bereavement benefit PLUS

"People living abroad permanently can only get emergency treatment under the National Health Service whilst visiting the UK. If you need more information about British medical benefits write to" ....Dept of Health at Wellington House...Tel No 020 7210 4850

 

I think the whole pension thing is pretty tough, particularly as we have both paid NI contributions for 40 years with no claim for any type of benefits within that period....but I think the NHS ban on anything other than emergency treatment is taking the ****!

 

However, I was aware of it before we made the move so I suppose we can't complain - only agitate to get a fair go.

Julie

PS I have paid tax over there this year as well!

 

did you claim your tax back for the last year you left for oz, i have been told you can do this which i will do as every little helps if this is correct of course. After reading all the above it will be nice to get cash back rather than have it taken away. Ann

[Julian927]

did you claim your tax back for the last year you left for oz, i have been told you can do this which i will do as every little helps if this is correct of course. After reading all the above it will be nice to get cash back rather than have it taken away. Ann

I had to pay tax in the UK because I went over the allowance....it was only because we had sold our house early and got the money in the bank....so between my pension and the interest - they managed to get us! Still that should be the last time I ever have to pay UK tax - I hope!

Julie

[Durhamlad]

INCOME & TAX.

Being over 65 yrs old our total income when we do eventually arrive in Oz will be from pensions. Between us we will have two state pensions, a teachers pension, a NHS pension and a University pension. Not a fortune mind when added together.

Forgot, I also have a Prudentual pension which pays me about £30 a year and they will not pay me a lump sum to clear it saying I have to continue receiving it yearly for life. Hope it does not cost more than the £30 to transfer it over or I will end up paying them.

How much do they charge per transfer ?

This is where I need some advice and help.

Is it just straight forward and do you just inform the pension providers with your Oz bank account details and have your payments paid straight over to this Oz account every payment date.

Then what happens about tax, do you just inform the UK tax office who stop taxing you in the UK so the payments are tax free then you pay Oz income tax through their tax system.

Thanks in advance.

David

[Alan Collett]

David,

 

* Most of the specialist currency dealers (at least the ones that we deal with) can quote a fixed exchange rate for a period of time into the future. This gives you certainty as to the amount of A$'s you will receive (even if the rate isn't particularly great at the moment). You agree to remit a fixed amount of GBPs to the currency firm each month, and the currency firm will remit a fixed amount of A$'s to your Aus bank account => I recommend you explore this with one or two firms.

 

* Tax wise there is a HM Revenue form to be completed and sent to the Australian Taxation Office once you have an Australian Tax File Number. That form is then sent to HMRC by the ATO, after which your UK source pension income should be administered by the payor of the pension/s on a No Tax basis (HMRC will issue a NT PAYE Coding to the pension administrators).

 

* The UK pension is then to be included on your annual Aus income tax return; tax is payable after the lodgment of the first tax return, and thereafter is likely to be payable on account each quarter via what are called Activity Statements.

 

* Note that a tax deduction is available in respect of the UK State Pension, of an amount equal to 8% of the annual pension.

 

See also: http://www.gmtax.com.au/faqs/

 

Hope this helps!

[Durhamlad]

Alan, thanks very much for this reply, very useful information, helps a lot.

 

Not sure about one thing though if you can help, can I choose one currency dealer for the transfer of all our pensions and then tell my pension providers to send my payments to this dealer each month who will then do the transfer to Oz for us, or do I have to go along with the pension providers method and who they use.

 

David

[Alan Collett]

Hi again David.

 

If you want to use your preferred currency dealer I anticipate you may need to have the pension income remitted to your bank account first.

 

You might then simply set up a regular monthly standing order to transfer x GBPs to the currency firm.

 

Best regards.

[jtct]

Hi again David.

 

If you want to use your preferred currency dealer I anticipate you may need to have the pension income remitted to your bank account first.

 

You might then simply set up a regular monthly standing order to transfer x GBPs to the currency firm.

 

Best regards.

 

That's what we're planning to do but maybe every 3 months instead of monthly

[JohnandEirian]

That's what we're planning to do but maybe every 3 months instead of monthly

 

Fingers tightly crossed for your house sale completion!

John & Eirian

[KandM]

There must be something special in Vegemite, and Sir Matt is right,

 

Kevin Rudd the Australian Foreign Minister has been caught smuggling a jar of the stuff from Mexico City to New York and has had to use his influence with the Mexican Authorities to get through the security at the airport, it was flagged as " A potentially Dangerous Liquid"

 

Never had this problem with Marmite!!!

 

K&M