ever had a visa denied for an unpaid parking fine?
Oct 16, 2012, 4:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
ever had a visa denied for an unpaid parking fine?
I was wondering if anyone ever had a visa denied due to an unpaid parking ticket from a city council in Australia?
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
Oct 16, 2012, 4:45 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
I was wondering if anyone ever had a visa denied due to an unpaid parking ticket from a city council in Australia?
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
Why don't people just act like adults and pay up when they disobey the rules and get caught?
Oct 16, 2012, 5:20 am
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
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I was wondering if anyone ever had a visa denied due to an unpaid parking ticket from a city council in Australia?
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
And if such a notice is left unpaid for a number of years, does the fine get much more due to interest and all that?
If anyone know how this works or have experience in this please share.
Oct 17, 2012, 3:55 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Newcastle, Australia.
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Oct 18, 2012, 8:55 am
#7
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Oct 18, 2012, 8:58 am
#8
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+1 - This is the issue. I don't know of any country that denies visas / entry on the basis of unpaid parking tickets as such, but many countries simply track unpaid debts to the governments. Doesn't matter if it's a ticket, tax and so on. It's just a debt and it's a collection device not an immigration tool.
Oct 18, 2012, 6:18 pm
#9
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Oct 19, 2012, 1:17 am
#10
Original Poster
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I decided to contact them about the fine, it was issued by a city council in South Australia for something like $50, 4 years ago.
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
Oct 20, 2012, 9:25 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Newcastle, Australia.
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I decided to contact them about the fine, it was issued by a city council in South Australia for something like $50, 4 years ago.
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
Oct 21, 2012, 12:21 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2012
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I agree and disagree.
To the OP:
If you don't ask and lie when answering the "debt to the government" question you will probably find that you will get a visa without any issues.
However, I disagree that you have no real obligation to pay your fine. You did the act, didn't pay the fine and are now LEGALLY obligated to pay it plus the additional fees. IMO you're also MORALLY obligated to do so.
The choice is yours. Pay the $400 and know you can get your visa and enjoy your stay or don't pay it and hope for the best.
Aside from the moral issue, the various governments (local, state, police, whatever) seem to be very lax about collecting fines. I know of a few people that have multiple unpaid parking and speeding tickets from various places in Oz and have never had any dramas as a result. Still able to renew their DL, still able to file tax returns and collect wages without having either garnished, still able to travel internationally, etc. Those that have tried have even been able to get National Police Clearances and Driving Conviction/Demerit Points printouts showing no outstanding warrants, convictions or demerit points!
To the OP:
If you don't ask and lie when answering the "debt to the government" question you will probably find that you will get a visa without any issues.
However, I disagree that you have no real obligation to pay your fine. You did the act, didn't pay the fine and are now LEGALLY obligated to pay it plus the additional fees. IMO you're also MORALLY obligated to do so.
The choice is yours. Pay the $400 and know you can get your visa and enjoy your stay or don't pay it and hope for the best.
Aside from the moral issue, the various governments (local, state, police, whatever) seem to be very lax about collecting fines. I know of a few people that have multiple unpaid parking and speeding tickets from various places in Oz and have never had any dramas as a result. Still able to renew their DL, still able to file tax returns and collect wages without having either garnished, still able to travel internationally, etc. Those that have tried have even been able to get National Police Clearances and Driving Conviction/Demerit Points printouts showing no outstanding warrants, convictions or demerit points!
Oct 24, 2012, 3:01 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CBR
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Posts: 1,223
The question is "debt to the Commonwealth" not to a state or local government. An unpaid parking fine, unless issued by the Federal government on federal land will not preclude you from being granted a visa.
May 22, 2018, 3:01 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: NA
Posts: 1
I decided to contact them about the fine, it was issued by a city council in South Australia for something like $50, 4 years ago.
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
The debt to the SA government or something is now $400, as the fine was sold to them and increased with reminder fees etc. I suppose it is a lesson well learned!
Cheers