Tourist Visa Application To Australia

[bridge]

Hi

So far this year, I have had two people contact me asking whether they should deposit money into their girlfriend's bank accounts to increase the chances of them obtaining a tourist visa. In one instance the girlfriend told her partner that she was told (by whom I would love to know) that if she had 40,000 baht deposited into her bank account, she would be 'guaranteed' a tourist visa. This I replied was absurd, and I strongly advised against doing this. An accompanying letter of support is far more advisable.

Note: I am referring to large deposits made for the sole purpose of giving the appearance to DIAC that the visa applicant has significant savings.

DIAC Policy states the following: "Particularly in high risk caseloads, case officers should be aware that recently deposited funds may raise doubts as to whether the funds are personally owned. A savings history is considered to be better evidence of the availability of adequate funds".

Whilst it is certainly a requirement for a tourist visa that the applicant have 'adequate funds, or access to adequate funds for personal support during the period of the visit, the applicant does not need to have 'access' to their own funds. The funds could be provided by relatives or friends in Australia. Therefore, although not a requirement for a tourist visa, I highly recommend, instead of the scenario proposed in the first paragraph, that if anyone is offering support to their partner/boyfriend/girlfriend etc, that they supply them with a letter of support to accompany the visa application. Included in this letter would be the support that you are prepared to offer the visa applicant: financial; accommodation; meals etc. You should also include details of your ability to provide such support: details of your income and accommodation arrangements for example.

Regards

bridge

[CharlieB]

Hi

So far this year, I have had two people contact me asking whether they should deposit money into their girlfriend's bank accounts to increase the chances of them obtaining a tourist visa. In one instance the girlfriend told her partner that she was told (by whom I would love to know) that if she had 40,000 baht deposited into her bank account, she would be 'guaranteed' a tourist visa. This I replied was absurd, and I strongly advised against doing this. An accompanying letter of support is far more advisable.

Note: I am referring to large deposits made for the sole purpose of giving the appearance to DIAC that the visa applicant has significant savings.

DIAC Policy states the following: "Particularly in high risk caseloads, case officers should be aware that recently deposited funds may raise doubts as to whether the funds are personally owned. A savings history is considered to be better evidence of the availability of adequate funds".

Whilst it is certainly a requirement for a tourist visa that the applicant have 'adequate funds, or access to adequate funds for personal support during the period of the visit, the applicant does not need to have 'access' to their own funds. The funds could be provided by relatives or friends in Australia. Therefore, although not a requirement for a tourist visa, I highly recommend, instead of the scenario proposed in the first paragraph, that if anyone is offering support to their partner/boyfriend/girlfriend etc, that they supply them with a letter of support to accompany the visa application. Included in this letter would be the support that you are prepared to offer the visa applicant: financial; accommodation; meals etc. You should also include details of your ability to provide such support: details of your income and accommodation arrangements for example.

Regards

bridge

Probably told by a friend who happened to have 40k baht in her account when she successfully applied.