Elderly parents ordered to fly abroad amid pandemic after paying $ 87,000 for visas
When Alec and Margaret Vella received the final bill of $ 87,000 for their visa application last month, it seemed like their wait to become permanent residents was almost over.The elderly South African couple, aged 78 and 72, had applied for one of Australia's most expensive visas in 2016: the contributory parent visa.The visa would allow them to spend their last years in Perth with their four children and eight grandchildren.Despite the staggering price tag of $ 46,300 each, Mr. and Mrs. Vella applied for the type of visa specifically because it had a relatively short wait time, their son Daniel Vella told nine.com.au."They were desperate to get out and be with their family. They told us at the time it would be about 18 months, but it has been dragging on and now it has been more than ...