Hi
I should probably start at the beginning, so here goes....
Myself and my two brothers are Australian citizens - English mother and Australian father we were initially raised in oz, then parents divorced and mum gave up her PR (although she had been living in oz for more than 10 years), and we moved back to UK. Myself and my brothers have been coming and going between the two for a while now. Brother 1 will be returning to oz permanently next year and myself the year after.
My mum and her partner (who is Dutch) would like to buy a property in Queensland and also two other properties - one in Europe and another perhaps in portugal or NZ (for capital gains tax reasons) - their intention is to come and go between these three properties - basically they own a farm in one of the home counties over here which is worth a fortune now, and are sick of all their capital being tied up in it for little return.
My question is really this - does anyone know what their visa options might be for oz? - contributory parent visa no good as her partner has a child resident in UK and one in Holland (both adults), so cannot satisfy balance of family test. I have suggested that maybe they could just go on a tourist visa (as will not be working as such - although there might be income from their property if its rented out while they're away), and apply for it to be extended each time, so they can spend around 4 or 5 months there (is this likely to be able to happen every year?).
I know they will really need to speak to an agent for advice at some point, but they're hoping to buy a property this year and leave it being rented out for a couple of years before they start using it. I know they can only buy new properties as non permanent visa holders, are there any other restrictions with regard to them renting the property out that anyone knows of? They are also considering putting the property in my name.
I realise they really need some pro advice on this, and they are going to OZ in June and will set up meetings with solicitors etc when there, but was just hoping I might be able to give them a little advice to begin with...!
Thanks in advance.
Sammy
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