Family desperate for answers on relative's VISA issues

Albert Say, 69, lives in England and applied for an Australian Temporary Resident Visa in October 2015.

His family, including his son Craig and his partner Karen Barnett, were delighted and put plans in place for him to move to Warrnambool.

However, his hopes to move were dashed when travel bans were put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Barnett said he was eagerly waiting for travel restrictions to be lifted to allow her father-in-law to make the move.

However, the retiree was told his visa had expired.

Ms Barnett said her father-in-law had spent Christmas on his own.

She said he desperately wanted to be close to Craig, who lives in Ellerslie, and his other son Steven.

"He misses us all so much," Ms Barnett said.

"It breaks our heart every time we speak to him."

Ms Barnett said she had made dozens of inquiries to various government departments about her father-in-law's plight.

At one stage, Ms Barnett was told Mr Say would have to pay up to $30,000 for a new VISA.

"I have been told he can get a refund for the initial VISA, but the Australian government told his solicitor that he couldn't," she said.

Ms Barnett said she was shocked and saddened that her efforts to help Mr Say move to Australia had proven fruitless.

"It's unfair and disgraceful," she said.

"I'm not giving up."

Ms Barnett said she and her partner would love to visit Mr Say, but are unable to cover the cost at this time.

She said she had told her father-in-law not to give up hope that he will be able to be reunited with family in south-west Victoria soon.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases due to privacy.

"Since 1 November 2021, parents of Australian Citizens and permanent residents have been exempt from travel restrictions, and been able to enter Australia," the spokesman said.

"The government is continuously reviewing the settings for various visas to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic and minimise adverse impacts on visa applicants and holders.

"The department advises all Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa holders they are able to apply for the permanent Contributory Parent visa under the temporary to permanent (two-stage) visa process as soon as the Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa is granted."

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