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Posted

Approaching my 65 th birthday where I had hoped to return to Australia I received a rude shock some 3 months ago when I was told by Centrelink, the Gov dept ,that because I had been out of the country for a "LONG TIME"ie 5 years and a bit, to receive an old age pension I had to return to Aus for 2 years after that OKI could live anywhere.

After 43 years of working constantly and paying tax I was appallled at this ruling which is discrimanatory in that there are 16 countries where you can live uninterupted but not one country in Asia. Yes Malta is ok but not Thailand.

So next week I return to face 2 years incarceration and if at any time in the 2 years I leave the pension cuts out as your passport is swiped at the airport.

But please bear with me. 2 years ago I met and married a wonderful Thai girl who is working as an accountant (9 years service with current company) For us to be seperated for this period of time is not acceptable.

So to make the best of a bad situation is it advisable for her to travel on a tourist visa to Aus where she can spend up to one year and see if she settles and while in Aus convert the Tourist visa into a permanent situation and then come back.OR get permanent visa here at the dreaded Visa Office

Whatever we do we lose having a house here in Bangkok and not wanting to live in Aus for economic reasons like the rocketing cost of living.

Has anyone else suffered this fate or about too.

Australia is called the ""lucky country if you are a refuge, but not if you are a citizen of long standing who just happened to leave the country to work as the alternative was the dole.

Posted (edited)
....is it advisable for her to travel on a tourist visa to Aus where she can spend up to one year and see if she settles and while in Aus convert the Tourist visa into a permanent situation and then come back.OR get permanent visa here at the dreaded Visa Office

The decision is really 'up to you.' :o

The tourist visa MAY give you one year but more than likely the first one will be for three months, the second maybe a 12 month multiple entry (4 X 3 month maximum periods) and if you are very lucky, you may get a third tourist visa for up to 6 months.

If you decide to apply for a tourist visa you can request a long term visa in the application but the final decision is in the hands of the Embassy.

As you are already married, you can apply for a Spouse Visa right away and if successful your wife can enter and stay on Oz as a permanent resident. She will also be entitled to seek employment in Australia and will receive a Medicare card.

I'm sure that she would love it Down Under....but maybe not during Winter. :D

Your choice...good luck.

Edited by Mighty Mouse
Posted

As Mouse says take the Spouse visa route, She would be a shoe in to get one with 9 years in one job and being married for 2 years.

Good luck Mate

Posted (edited)

This is Centrelinks site http://www.centrelink.gov.au

I agree that the spouse visa seems to be the answer to your problem.

The tourist visa can be worked to cover the 2 year period with minimal separation. You get the 3 month first....then the 12 month multi entry. She can enter the country as many times as she wants in the 12 month period, it is not a set 4x3 months. Time the last trip to arrive just before the visa expires...that then turns it into a virtual 15 month visa....then if you can get another visa, and this hasnt been tested by anyone I know, for 3 or 6 months. Then the separation time would be around a maximum of 6 months and as minimal as days or weeks.

One thing to remember is that even if you go and live in Thailand after the 2 years....that you have to return to Oz every 6 months, and I think it is for 6 weeks every 6 months, or face a reduction in the pension based on the cost of living in Thailand.

Edited by gburns57au
Posted

Thanks for the advice it is appreciated. I had thought it would be advantageous seeing I was in Australia to process the spouse visa from there ,possibly with my wife there also as I really dont have a lot of faith in the Thai staffed Visa office in Bangkok(out sourcing urghh) Also with a 40,000 baht non refundable visa aplication and not being on hand to answer any relevant enquiries.Some applications seem to be taking up to 6 months.

We did previously have a holiday in Aus and she returned within the prescribed time of course

I was not aware also that your pension would be reduced if you moved back after 2 years. The bloody Government in Aus are awash with money. I really don't understand all of this and I will be of course belting the ear of the local memeber etc.

I am amazed more Ausssies have not been in a similar situation. I have never seen any advice posted in the media in Australia or overseas relating to these draconian regulations. I have saved the country a mint not being there and possible on social security.

Any other comments would be welcome by yours truly.

Posted

Lived in OZ for 43 years and worked payed taxes. State your case to the department loud and clear.

If you look at the big picture of why we have this rule/law in the first place ( Im sure you can work that out) you might come to the conclusion you would have more than half a chance of of claiming whats rightfully yours.

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