eVER hopeful

I applied for a retirement visa last year and am approaching the time where I have to take out private health insurance as part of the visa requirement. Because I am an older applicant I know my age will count against me. Family circumstances mean that I will not be travelling to Australia for another few months, so I am looking for a policy which is not too expensive. Can anybody help?

lesleys

We're very happy with Medibank Private (Optimal Cover) for Overseas Visitors/retirees.
www.medibank.com.au

eVER hopeful

Thank you for your reply. Will contact them for a quote.

Wol

We took out this sort of policy with Australian Unity: it was something like $1900 pa for the two of us.

There are not that many insurers who offer the sort of insurance that DIMIA accept for retirement visas.

lesleys

NB The premium is NOT related to age or medical history

eVER hopeful

Thank you for your reply. I now have two companies from which to get a quote.

Wol

I have to say, too, that AU were very good when we cancelled the policy start-up (because we got a different and permanent visa - they refunded the premium less a handling fee.

Sun n Surf

Hi eVER,

my parents are interested in applying for a retirement visa. Did you have to put down a lot of money for it and does it take a long time to approve this kind of visa? I assume this way that you don't have to be sponsored (although we should be in a position to sponsor them anyway).

Any advice about this visa would be great.

Thanks

Sun

eVER hopeful

I applied for the visa last year just before the requirements changed. They are now much more difficult and you have to be very wealthy to get through on the new conditions. It needn't take very long if you fit the requirements but I wasn't trying to get through the process quickly and am now nearing the final stage. You have to have the usual health check and police clearance. I didn't have anyone to sponsor me. I used as agent to help me through the process and although not the cheapest around he has been absolutely excellent. Can pass on his name if you wish.

Sun n Surf

Thanks eVER that would be great if you could pass on the agent's name. I think that my parents are going to see how we get on over there and if we stay there, they might join us as they have been serveral times before and always wanted to live there.

Thanks

keep smiling

We have Retirement Visas which we managed to get before the changes to requirements. Our Agent in Perth was absolutely wonderful, and not expensive. I too can pass on her name if you want it. We are waiting to sell up and then are on our way to Perth...... By the way, the Visas took 10 months from beginning to end, which we thought was pretty good going.

Theresa

Sun n Surf

Thanks Thersa, that would be great. 10 months seems really quick. Did you have to put down a bond or anything or do you just have to prove your financial status. Also can I ask how much the visa cost?

Cheers

keep smiling

I will send you a PM.

To eVER hopeful : We are with Medicare Private, and although not the cheapest they were willing to wait for payment until we actually get to Oz

lesleys

We have the old style retirement visas - we had to prove we had $650000 'available' (solicitor's letter after we sold the house) and that we had bought the medical insurance. It took about 4 months to get the visa.

Back on the insurance - have a close look at the extras you can get. We have saved literally thousands on dentist's fees since we arrived with ours. Eye tests are free and glasses are subsidised up to $250 per year each.

eVER hopeful

The company which has handled this for me is
Advance Australia Visas PTY LTD
e-mail [email protected]
Telephone 61 8 9387 1033

The person to ask for is Andrew Emmott.
I have found him efficient and most courteous.