Visa options for parents of a citizen

[just_curious]

Hello All,

I'm a British citizen and exploring my options to bring my elderly parents to come live with me (both are above 65).

My parents have no issues acquiring visitor's visa and visited me many times in the past but I would like them to be able to live here with me for few years, be able to open bank accounts or get medical treatement if it is required.

What are my options?

Thanks

[vinny]

See also Can parents, grandparents and other dependent relatives go to live in the UK? etc., and Chapter 15 Entry for settlement: parents, grandparents, other dependent relatives

[just_curious]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

I'd greatly appreciate any help in the matter!

[vinny]

Visitors may open bank accounts. But they would need proofs of identity and address, and perhaps a letter of recommendation from their foreign bank.

Visitors also have access to health care. But apart from treatments in an accident and emergency department, there may be private costs to pay.

Another possible visa option is if one of them qualify as a retired person of independent means. See also Chapter 19 Retired persons of independent means.

[sakura]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

I'd greatly appreciate any help in the matter!

The NHS will provide only emergency services if they are here as a visitor. If you mean that they need long-term provision, such as medication or some other things, then they will need to obtain a relevant work, study or settlement visa (obviously the ILE visa in their case).

They can't, for example, come as a visitor, obtain NHS care and return. The only way to do so other than the above is through private care.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

If they immigrate to the UK, they will have the normal NHS and bank accounts and discounted travel cards and... If they are just visiting for a few months, they will have only access to discounted travel cards.

Can you rephrase your question to clarify?

[just_curious]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

If they immigrate to the UK, they will have the normal NHS and bank accounts and discounted travel cards and... If they are just visiting for a few months, they will have only access to discounted travel cards.

Can you rephrase your question to clarify?

I'm sorry to be vague. I need my parents to be here with me for atleast next few years and during thid time I would like them to have access to free health care services etc. Now, if that requires to go through immigration process then I need information avilable options on immigration for parents but somehow if I can achieve my goal by some kind of visa then I would prefer to take that route.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

There is no difference between the immigration route and a visa, especially when you are talking about multiple years. Two different ways of talking about the same thing. In the end they get permission to enter the country for a particular purpose and for some specified time.

That said, I am not sure what basis you would apply on. What country do they come from? Do you and they have a reasonable amount of money? Do you have a place to house them decently?

[Wanderer]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

If they immigrate to the UK, they will have the normal NHS and bank accounts and discounted travel cards and... If they are just visiting for a few months, they will have only access to discounted travel cards.

Can you rephrase your question to clarify?

I'm sorry to be vague. I need my parents to be here with me for atleast next few years and during thid time I would like them to have access to free health care services etc. Now, if that requires to go through immigration process then I need information avilable options on immigration for parents but somehow if I can achieve my goal by some kind of visa then I would prefer to take that route.

How about benefits and pension for them too?

Jeez...

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Wanderer,

If you ever move somewhere, I hope you too have access to the local health service! And whatever else is part of living in the new country, from a well functioning uBahn, to a decent pension system.

[just_curious]

Well, I was not so much worried about immigrating them to UK but rather, ideally, was hoping to find a kind of visa that let them have access to health care services during their stay and that they can open bank accounts etc in UK.

If they immigrate to the UK, they will have the normal NHS and bank accounts and discounted travel cards and... If they are just visiting for a few months, they will have only access to discounted travel cards.

Can you rephrase your question to clarify?

I'm sorry to be vague. I need my parents to be here with me for atleast next few years and during thid time I would like them to have access to free health care services etc. Now, if that requires to go through immigration process then I need information avilable options on immigration for parents but somehow if I can achieve my goal by some kind of visa then I would prefer to take that route.

How about benefits and pension for them too?

Jeez...

Chill! I'm just trying to find out about existing rules not trying to amend them!