dependent parent visa over 65

[xiaor]

Hi,

My parents are going to apply for a dependent visa for elderly parents sometime next year. Looking through the home office website, we are very confused on when they can start the application process. The visa says "parents traveling together at least one of them is over 65", does this mean they can apply before they are 65, just have to leave after they turned 65 or that they can only apply after they have turned 65? Is there a time limit in the Visa or when they can apply?

My brother is a naturalised UK citizen and I am here on a marriage visa. Both of us are working. They are living in the US without the any other support from relatives or children. I want to bring them over here so we can be together.

Thanks for all your help.
-Una

[vinny]

(c) parents or grandparents travelling together provided that at least one is aged 65 or over; or

Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

* your personal details are correct
* it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
* it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).

I suppose that the age will be of importance at the time of travel. Do check.

If successful, they should initially enter before the visa's expiry date. They should be given ILE.

[xiaor]

Thanks for the clarification. Now I have another question. My brother got this idea that our parents can come here a few month before they are 65 on a "regular visa" (not sure what he means) and then switch to the over 65 visa here in the UK. Is this do-able? What type visa will allow you to switch? I am not sure if this is even possible. As far as I know switching status is quit tricky.

Thanks for all your help.

-Una

[sakura]

Thanks for the clarification. Now I have another question. My brother got this idea that our parents can come here a few month before they are 65 on a "regular visa" (not sure what he means) and then switch to the over 65 visa here in the UK. Is this do-able? What type visa will allow you to switch? I am not sure if this is even possible. As far as I know switching status is quit tricky.

Thanks for all your help.

-Una

Are your parents US citizens? Do they have any financial savings, jobs or anything else? Can you meet the 'financial dependency' criteria? That one might be a bit tough if they live in the US....(I think).

As regards your brother's suggestion- I don't think it is a good idea to come as a visitor and then apply in-country. Firstly the government have made efforts (many years ago, in fact) to eliminate the possibility of applying for a long-stay visa whilst here solely as a visitor. So if you apply whilst they are visiting the country, they could be refused.

Alternatively, even if they do consider the application, it could take a very long time before getting the decision and isn't worth the hassle, as it could still be refused based on the fact that they cannot 'switch' in-country, from a visitor's visa. So just make it an out-country application.

[xiaor]

Thanks for your help. I thought it wasn't a good thing to do.

To answer your question, they are US citizens, and they do have savings etc. They are worried about how to prove "total dependence". My mum does have some health problems, which may account but may also account against them. They do not have enough savings to retire really, unless we help them, so maybe that will count. All retired people must have some savings.. right? Does anybody have experience in applying this visa?

thanks again for all your help.
-Una

[sakura]

Thanks for your help. I thought it wasn't a good thing to do.

To answer your question, they are US citizens, and they do have savings etc. They are worried about how to prove "total dependence". My mum does have some health problems, which may account but may also account against them. They do not have enough savings to retire really, unless we help them, so maybe that will count. All retired people must have some savings.. right? Does anybody have experience in applying this visa?

thanks again for all your help.
-Una

The problem with these applications is the financial dependency requirement. Not to suggest that it wouldn't work, but I would think, why is it necessary to bring US citizen parents, when the US can provide for them financially? It's not like they are coming from a developing country that does not have any social security system in place. That is the main issue - proving they are 'wholly or mainly' financially dependent on you, which might not be the case if they are working (or can work) and already have savings, and are likely to have a pension, whether a government one or a state-employer provided pension.

[mefe]

To respond to your queries, it is likely that the settlement visa will the refused. In-land application is quite tricky. I say this for the following reasons. My dad is 73 when he applied. He came in on a visitors visa, and I made an 'in-land' application to switch - afterall that is what the Set form (f) is there for! But it was refused after paying the £750.

They claimed that he was not financially dependent on me. He is from a developing country, and his pension payments was initially sporadic, but latterly nor existent due to his inability to commute to receive it - he is blind. The Home Office conclude that he is still in receipt of his pension, and he wasn't financially dependent on me. I appealed and tendered my case - was able to provide some wired payment coupons. It was also clear that he is blind, thus would not be able to travel to receive his pension. Also provided articles from my dad's country that showed how difficult it is for the average man to get their pension paid. Though stressful, we won the appeal - this is to tell you how difficult it is to secure the settlement visa.

Nutshell, you have to show that they are emotionally dependent on you guys, and financially dependent as well. Being from the US, it appears that this is going to be tricky. I think it will be wise for them to come visit, as they can stay for a 6 months stretch. Get a good health insurance. That is all you need.

[MouseyOne]

I guess I'm wrong, because I thought you had to be in the UK to apply using SET (F). Had someone else seen this or is it just me?