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Originally posted by mcmercer
Hello,

My parents are moving to Brisbane with us on a retirement visa in feb (ages 50 and 60).
All I can tell you so far is that the visa application was straight forward, they didnt use an agent, it was also very quick as London deal with this visa type.
Will get them to post when we arrive, any questions in the meantime about application process, please send me a pm and I'll ask them!

Good luck

Michaela

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Originally posted by davidpedley
Does anyone have any experience of retirement to Oz.

I have looked at the info on various sites/conditions of entry and have the forms etc. - been on holiday a few times

I am interested in views from people who have actually done it - likes/dislikes etc.

Also is it worth using an agent?

I am just 55 my wife is 57 - we would probably choose Brisbane as my wife's younger sister lives there

Regards

David

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Originally posted by Alan Collett
David,

Front end loaded applications for Retirement visas (ie lodged with the results of police reports and medicals) are being processed very quickly in London these days - about 4 weeks is becoming the norm.

This can create problems if you are planning to sell your main residence to satisfy the financial requirements for the grant of a Retirement visa, as the High Commission are now usually only allowing 49 days to demonstrate you have funds available in liquid form. This said, an extension of the 49 days can be applied for, but doesn't have to be given.

In this situation we therefore recommend that intending Retirement visa applicants should tee-up the marketing of their property for sale at an early stage, usually at the same time as the visa application is lodged.

There is more commentary on this issue here:
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=277

I guess this doesn't answer your questions directly, but hopefully gives you a flavour of some of the practical and timing issues.

Best regards.

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Originally posted by mcmercer
David,

My parents experienced this problem as Alan has described, they sent copies of letters from the estate agent showing they were actively marketing the house and were subsequently given an extension. One area they wish they'd researched earlier was the health insurance, London need to see evidence of payment for a policy before granting a visa, this took longer to sort for my parents than any other part of the application.

Good luck,

Michaela

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Originally posted by mcmercer
David,

My parents experienced this problem as Alan has described, they sent copies of letters from the estate agent showing they were actively marketing the house and were subsequently given an extension. One area they wish they'd researched earlier was the health insurance, London need to see evidence of payment for a policy before granting a visa, this took longer to sort for my parents than any other part of the application.

Good luck,

Michaela

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