STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
#1951
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 909
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi Lin
Great to hear from you with some interesting news and tips there! By the way, what was it like trying to rent a property without jobs? Any particular hoops you had to jump through? It's reassuring that after not so very long some paid employment has arrived, and once you break through that initial "acceptance" barrier it will seem easier.
Stay in touch.
Best wishes
Steve
Great to hear from you with some interesting news and tips there! By the way, what was it like trying to rent a property without jobs? Any particular hoops you had to jump through? It's reassuring that after not so very long some paid employment has arrived, and once you break through that initial "acceptance" barrier it will seem easier.
Stay in touch.
Best wishes
Steve
#1952
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi,
It was cheaper to go to Brentwood which only took 2 hours all in, than take unpaid time off to go to Maidenhead which is quite a way from us in Kent. Time is money when you are self employed Les. Swings and roundabouts.
By the look of it a whole roll of cling film was used evidently to prevent us taking someone elses sample and passing (excuse the pun) it off as our own. Evidently that sometimes happens. They did tell us that all was well with that anyway!
Chris and Barbara
It was cheaper to go to Brentwood which only took 2 hours all in, than take unpaid time off to go to Maidenhead which is quite a way from us in Kent. Time is money when you are self employed Les. Swings and roundabouts.
By the look of it a whole roll of cling film was used evidently to prevent us taking someone elses sample and passing (excuse the pun) it off as our own. Evidently that sometimes happens. They did tell us that all was well with that anyway!
Chris and Barbara
The price option may be useful to west Londoners.
2 1/2 years ago our son and wife used another practice at Brentwood that was taken off the list and that cost less than £150 so the lack of competition has let prices zoom.
This group has 4 locations even though Brentwood not yet added to site.
http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Harts...dical-service/
Last edited by Les Avalook; May 20th 2010 at 6:57 am.
#1953
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi! Steve
Finding a rental, allowing dogs, was a bit more troublesome, but, didn't have any other problems, the 'Realty' company, as they are called, gave us a form, on it we stated that there were 3 UK pensions, our house sale money was still in a UK bank, (our daughter was on stand by in case they required a guaranteer, but wasn't needed) We pay $300 per week, a bit more than we wanted to pay, but its, a huge 'house' (bungalow) 4 x 2, great patio, enormous garden, double garage, with an electronic door, lovely gadget for OH, (almost all homes have them anyway!) So many extra rooms, the dogs keep loosing us! Too big for us really, although the grandchildren can stay, without a problem, as we are quite near them too! People, we hardly knew, donated items, for example microwave, arm chairs, etc; to help us out, until our 'bits' arrive. Cheers Lin
Finding a rental, allowing dogs, was a bit more troublesome, but, didn't have any other problems, the 'Realty' company, as they are called, gave us a form, on it we stated that there were 3 UK pensions, our house sale money was still in a UK bank, (our daughter was on stand by in case they required a guaranteer, but wasn't needed) We pay $300 per week, a bit more than we wanted to pay, but its, a huge 'house' (bungalow) 4 x 2, great patio, enormous garden, double garage, with an electronic door, lovely gadget for OH, (almost all homes have them anyway!) So many extra rooms, the dogs keep loosing us! Too big for us really, although the grandchildren can stay, without a problem, as we are quite near them too! People, we hardly knew, donated items, for example microwave, arm chairs, etc; to help us out, until our 'bits' arrive. Cheers Lin
#1954
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Bexley, Kent
Posts: 326
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi there,
Our IA told us that June would be okay so it was just a few weeks early as we are waiting a year by then for a CO as the medicals only last for a year and we anticipate that it won't take until May 2011 to get one of these rare creatures Just that I have a health problem which I got a letter from the hospital with current situation of the condition, to pre-empt any delay by Immi asking for a doctors report. I will have to wait and see if this works for us.
Hopefully all this information will stand you in good stead when your turn comes around.
BW Barbara and Chris
Our IA told us that June would be okay so it was just a few weeks early as we are waiting a year by then for a CO as the medicals only last for a year and we anticipate that it won't take until May 2011 to get one of these rare creatures Just that I have a health problem which I got a letter from the hospital with current situation of the condition, to pre-empt any delay by Immi asking for a doctors report. I will have to wait and see if this works for us.
Hopefully all this information will stand you in good stead when your turn comes around.
BW Barbara and Chris
#1955
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 909
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Thanks Lin that's helpful. Sounds good, and we've had to revise our rental expectations as we also need enough space for visitors. The other challenge is of course that these economically active offspring of ours tend to be located in busy and more central - and thus expensive - residential areas where we would prefer not to be, on account of them being busy, central and expensive. Equally there's no point in being too far away, it would defeat the object!
Dogs always reduce choice don't they (so do children in this country)? Ours (dog that is) is 14 years old now and he's definitely not coming with us - a different problem since he seems still fairly sprightly!
Best wishes
Steve
Dogs always reduce choice don't they (so do children in this country)? Ours (dog that is) is 14 years old now and he's definitely not coming with us - a different problem since he seems still fairly sprightly!
Best wishes
Steve
#1956
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 909
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Watch the GBP / AUD currency rate anyone considering payment - it's up over 1.7 now, so the option of paying in sterling in London is more a convenience than a benefit.
It is volatile, so needs to be monitored.
It is volatile, so needs to be monitored.
#1957
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Bexley, Kent
Posts: 326
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Good point, we too are self employed so when the time comes we will compare appointment times with time out needed.
The price option may be useful to west Londoners.
2 1/2 years ago our son and wife used another practice at Brentwood that was taken off the list and that cost less than £150 so the lack of competition has let prices zoom.
This group has 4 locations even though Brentwood not yet added to site.
http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Harts...dical-service/
The price option may be useful to west Londoners.
2 1/2 years ago our son and wife used another practice at Brentwood that was taken off the list and that cost less than £150 so the lack of competition has let prices zoom.
This group has 4 locations even though Brentwood not yet added to site.
http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Harts...dical-service/
C and B
#1958
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Bexley, Kent
Posts: 326
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
C and B
#1959
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
It may be a step in the right direction, gift horses etc.
#1960
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
If the world start to believe Nick and Dave are serious that would also help the £ until Mervyn King goes and puts his boot in again.
#1961
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: swindon
Posts: 67
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Yes, like us you want to deal with any issues should they arise so not to hold up any progress. We live in Kent near the M25 so chose Brentwood, Essex Spire Hospital and I have to say within an hour we had had blood test,sight test, blood pressure all questions ticked on the forms plus Chest Xray. 300 squidlets tho. We had the choices of Heathrow, Brentwood or Central London. They said they had just been awarded the contract and were very careful to follow the rules including cling filming the sink in the Loo. Did they write and confirm everything was ok? I wondered what would happen as we do not have a case officer. We were told that it goes off to Sydney.
It seems there is an improvement in the rate Sandch explained why and we wonder if it will improve even more?
We will be going to Perth a we have both daughters and their partners there plus our granddogs and can't wait as we miss them all so much. Where are you off to?
Chris and Barbara
It seems there is an improvement in the rate Sandch explained why and we wonder if it will improve even more?
We will be going to Perth a we have both daughters and their partners there plus our granddogs and can't wait as we miss them all so much. Where are you off to?
Chris and Barbara
#1962
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: swindon
Posts: 67
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi there,
Our IA told us that June would be okay so it was just a few weeks early as we are waiting a year by then for a CO as the medicals only last for a year and we anticipate that it won't take until May 2011 to get one of these rare creatures Just that I have a health problem which I got a letter from the hospital with current situation of the condition, to pre-empt any delay by Immi asking for a doctors report. I will have to wait and see if this works for us.
Hopefully all this information will stand you in good stead when your turn comes around.
BW Barbara and Chris
Our IA told us that June would be okay so it was just a few weeks early as we are waiting a year by then for a CO as the medicals only last for a year and we anticipate that it won't take until May 2011 to get one of these rare creatures Just that I have a health problem which I got a letter from the hospital with current situation of the condition, to pre-empt any delay by Immi asking for a doctors report. I will have to wait and see if this works for us.
Hopefully all this information will stand you in good stead when your turn comes around.
BW Barbara and Chris
#1963
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 121
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
thats me done wingeing.
To all receiving and near to red stars I hope everything goes really well for you. Me/us. We are awaiting acknowledgement for receipt of application, just getting started.
#1964
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi! This feels a bit like butting-in on others folks' conversations. My wife and I are just starting the process of applying for the contributory parent visa. Application form has reached Perth and we are waiting to see the first payment go out. This is our first post. Have we done it right?
It is interesting to hear other peoples' experiences on the road. Ros, my wife, and I appreciate the thread very much.
Can anyone tell me roughly how long the process takes? I have read about a tracker - can we begin to post milestones?
From two very wet behind the ears newcomers. Allan
It is interesting to hear other peoples' experiences on the road. Ros, my wife, and I appreciate the thread very much.
Can anyone tell me roughly how long the process takes? I have read about a tracker - can we begin to post milestones?
From two very wet behind the ears newcomers. Allan
#1965
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: now on Bribie Island QLD
Posts: 57
Re: STILL VERY SPARKLY contributory parent visa thread part 3.
Hi! This feels a bit like butting-in on others folks' conversations. My wife and I are just starting the process of applying for the contributory parent visa. Application form has reached Perth and we are waiting to see the first payment go out. This is our first post. Have we done it right?
It is interesting to hear other peoples' experiences on the road. Ros, my wife, and I appreciate the thread very much.
Can anyone tell me roughly how long the process takes? I have read about a tracker - can we begin to post milestones?
From two very wet behind the ears newcomers. Allan
It is interesting to hear other peoples' experiences on the road. Ros, my wife, and I appreciate the thread very much.
Can anyone tell me roughly how long the process takes? I have read about a tracker - can we begin to post milestones?
From two very wet behind the ears newcomers. Allan
Chris & Rob