Are there UK visas for my elderly parents?

Q: I have recently acquired British citizenship through naturalisation. My mother is an Australian citizen, and living in Australia. She is 65 years old and in her last year of employment before retiring. She is considering living in the UK indefinitely without working and with me as her support. After the recent death of my father, I am the only remaining close relative of hers, hence the consideration to move to the UK.

Firstly, is this possible? Secondly, how would I go about doing this? I have heard that there are family permits that can be applied for relatives of UK citizens?

A: It is possible to apply for a parental visa for a parent who is over the age of 65. However these applications are extremely complicated and require supporting documents that confirm that the parent is financially dependant on you. Your parent may qualify if they meet the following criteria:

• The are completely or mainly financially dependent on children or grandchildren living and settled in the UK
• The parent has no other close relatives in their own country who can provide financial support.
• The UK sponsor can support the parent without needing help from public funds, and
• The UK sponsor has enough accommodation, which they alone own or live in, where the applicant can live without needing any help from public funds.

JP Breytenbach

Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com