Tan0410

Hi all,

Haven't been around here for a long time, sorry, but hoping someone may be able to help me regarding sponsoring parents.

I am familiar with the process and the long-wait even when an application is logged, and that you have to be resident for at least three years before you can sponsor a parent however;

Does anyone know if you can apply for special circumstance and if so how?

We have been here nearing two years however my sister has recently moved to Australia, leaving my father (nearing 70) in the UK alone with his partner. He has no close family over there and all the children and grandchildren are in Aus or NZ.

I am aware that you can do this in Australia but obviously it's not something that is widely advertised there or here. Aus is not an option as my Mum is already being sponsored by my sister (divorced parents).

Although my Dad gets cheap fares (due to a lifetime of working for BA) he suffers from sciatica which makes the journey very uncomfortable for him, and currently he is struggling with the idea of doing it even once (again) let alone travelling back and forth.

I do intend to contact Immigration by email but I thought I should try and check my facts first.

Any ideas?

Thank you

simonsi

Could he not apply for the parents visa and then spend the next 18mths with you - by which time you will have cleared the 3yr hurdle and can sponsor him for PR??? Admittedly there is some risk in that at the end of 18mths he would have used up all his entitlement under the 3yr parent visa but it might bridge the gap.....

Tan0410

Interesting. . . not sure how that option slipped my attention

Slight added complication with his partner in the UK but will deal with that as it comes.

Thanks for your help

simonsi

No problem, it is a bit of a wizard wheeze if it works....worth double checking that they could spend the 18mths in one hit with you and that no other limit comes into play but AFAIK and can see it is allowed...

elaine99

My son is sponsoring me and so far it's been 17 months.
If your father can manage the extra cost, advise him to travel business class as he will find it much more comfortable as he can lay down. My ex has osteoporosis and also needs to travel this way due to pain.

Tan0410

Fortunately BA treat him well and generally stick him in business class anyway. . .

Unfortunately he still suffers

BEVS

Yup. Sounds good to me.

The only bug bear will be the length of time to process the parent visa application. That takes a sizeable amount of time from what you read here.

elaine99

How right you are! I believe immigration thinks that we "silver surfers" will be a burdon on their health system and are hoping that we will pop our clogs before we get our visas thus letting them off the hook

Tan0410

Thank you all.