Waiting On Spouse Visa To Oz

[Waveraiderfromoz]

I am an aussie, I recently married a Thai lady in Thailand, we have submited a Spouse Visa application in March this year in Thailand, we submited all documents as required. I have been told by the Australian Embassy in Bangkok that it could take up to 9 months to process, has anyone been through this process in a reasonible time ? and what is the usual waiting time for this application.

Thanks.

[Pink Mist]

Here is a thread that ran recently, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8335&st=15, havn't heard from him since.

Have you had your interview yet?

more details if you can

[Waveraiderfromoz]

Thanks bronco for that info, my wife and I have know each other since September last year, I have travelled to Thailand twice to see her, the second time we were married, first the Thai wedding and then through one of the districts in Bangkok.

My wife has had two interviews at the Embassy, the last one just 10 days ago, she was told to gather as much evidance as possible to prove that the relationship was

genuine. I have sent phone statements, money transfer documents, all the letters I have sent her since I returned back from Thailand in late March this year. Is there anything else you can think of that I my have missed ?

Thanks.

[Pink Mist]

Photos of you two as a couple, with family, the more the merrier. Can she use computer and communicate in english, set up a hotmail account and communicate daily, send them the logs of communication not the emails themselves.

I got friends to write stat decs in support of the seriousness of the reationship, influential and high profile people would be great, if possible.

I contacted my Local Member and enlisted her help, in reality her immigration assistant did most of the leg work.

When is Her next appointment for interview? You being at the next interview wouldn't hurt IMHO.

That link I sent you containing genuines posting sounded to good to be true, I think the 9 months processing time, still stands, any feedback appreciated though.

[Waveraiderfromoz]

I contacted my local Senator, asking for help on speeding up the visa process, she was quick to point out if she did it for me than she would have to do it for others that have phoned her, and she said that would be un fair. She also pointed out the waiting time was around 24 weeks for the first three months of the year. We have given logs of our communication between us through MSN messenger.

We have given the embassy lots of photos of our wedding, taken with my wife’s family. My wife can speak, write and spell English very well, as she graduated from University with a diploma in General Management/Accountancy.

I have got friends to write to the embassy saying they know and support our relationship. I will think seriously about attending the next interview with my wife at the embassy. Looks like it's just a matter of waiting !! Thanks Bronco for your help, I appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks

[Pink Mist]

Unfair, since when has a polly been worried about fairness. Sounds like you should be reminding your senator there is an election happening soon and you vote.

We applied in November and had a visa issued in February with intervention from a polly, so they can do something, if they want to.

There were only two interviews, the initial one was really just to run us thru the process, give you the forms required etc. and the second was the formal interview.

You say some friends are writing to the embassy, get them to do stat decs instead, keep copies, much better than writing to the embassy.

If something goes missing you have a record and things have been misplaced in that place before.

It's sounds like you've got it pretty well together though.

You may find at the next interview you may get an indication of when the descision will be made.

[regpye]

As Bronco knows, I am also in a very similar position, but I am getting all the paperwork done and gathered together before going to Bangkok.

Been married twice, once in AU and again in TH. Have lots of communication data, going back 6 years. Photos, letters, movies, small gifts, cards, letters of support from people that know us both, etc.

I hope that it can go through quickly though, because I can't afford two trips in one year to TH from AU, and while I am away from AU, no money is being made. Will be going early November until end of Jan 2005.

What do you think my chances are Bronco?

[Pink Mist]

In your situation, Reg, I think good.

[manfromoz]

Bronco,

How this to make you feel good. The British embassy just gave out a residence permit to a thai girl married to a brit in 3 weeks. This included a 5 minute interview and issued on the day when the interview was finished.

There are probably a few added circumstances about this that may or may not have made a difference to the process but I couldn't believe that they did it that quick no matter what. Just goes to show, you never know until you try.

[Pink Mist]

British embassy is a funny one my mate got (for GF) a 3 month tourist visa no probs, despite a big age difference, yet you hear other stories not so good.

I personally have only dealt with Oz embassy.

[Waveraiderfromoz]

My wife and I are still waiting for her visa application to be processed through the Aussie Embassy in Bangkok. We submitted the application in late February this year, she has know been for four interviews at the Embassy. I visited Thailand in mid July and went to the Embassy to try and see if we could get any idea how much longer it would be, we were told it is still proceeding.

How many people are in the same boat as us? You just wonder why it takes so long to process, I appreciate they have to do checks on myself to see if I am able to support my wife, but they can see I have a permanent job and I am financially secure. Maybe there are hundreds of couples like us. They should have a system where as you could look on their web site for your position in line so to speak, you are given a number like in Woolworth’s at the deli counter. Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[manfromoz]

waverider,

I know a lot of people who have taken their wives back to Australia on a tourist visa while the resident one was being reviewed. It is also a valid reason for asking for a 6 month tourist visa. I am not sure if it helped their case or not, but in all instances the resident visa was finalised before the tourist visa expired and from memory their interviews were held in Australia.

Just an idea.

[Pink Mist]

I reckon you are wrong on that one Oz man, the spouse visa can only be applied for offshore and the interviews must be done in the embassy where the application takes place.

DIMA are not interested in helping with any visa advice, or in my eperience with the one in Adelaide.

[manfromoz]

Applied for offshore, yes. But if you ask nicely and point out that there average wait time is in more than 9 months and this is excessive for a family to be apart, then they can be persuaded. Especially if proof of the relationship is obvious and lengthy. I would not suggest someone who met their wife in the last 6 months would be well received. All my friends who did it had been with their gf's for several years and had taken them on holidays many times. In one instance the embassy put the nasty stamp in her passport saying she could not visit anymore. So they got married and even that stamp was overlooked while the resident permit was under review. Actually this case is how I know that tourist visa in excess of 3 month are available at the embasssy discretion.

I have no doubt, as with most things, it will depend on the case worker and what is happening in Oz at the given time of the year. Anything is possible, you just never know until you try.

[Pink Mist]

What I meant was the interview must be undertaken at embassy where applied for.

This site is usefull has lots of downloadable guides and forms.DIMA

We applied in November and had the 309 visa in February, had a bit of help though. Couldnt get a tourist visa for missus though.

[surin]

Unfair, since when has a polly been worried about fairness. Sounds like you should be reminding your senator there is an election happening soon and you vote.

We applied in November and had a visa issued in February with intervention from a polly, so they can do something, if they want to.

There were only two interviews, the initial one was really just to run us thru the process, give you the forms required etc. and the second was the formal interview.

You say some friends are writing to the embassy, get them to do stat decs instead, keep copies, much better than writing to the embassy.

If something goes missing you have a record and things have been misplaced in that place before.

It's sounds like you've got it pretty well together though.

You may find at the next interview you may get an indication of when the descision will be made.

Hey Bronc....we all care I had to go through it just the same as everyone else, so I know how difficult it can be, in fact, I think they made it even harder for me and the bride!!

[Khutan]

DIMA are not interested in helping with any visa advice, or in my eperience with the one in Adelaide.

I called the help line on their Website, they were reasonably helpful, the biggest problem is the way the Australian Embassy in Bangkok uses their "discretionary powers" and how the little "Hitlers" there interpret the act.

[simple1]

What I meant was the interview must be undertaken at embassy where applied for.

Unless DIMA rules have altered in past few years, this is not correct. My Thai partner first went to Oz on a tourist visa. We then coverted to a Bridging Visa for a temporary permanent residency VISA in Sydney. The process took a long time as I had previously sponsored a foreign national on a fiance visa, whom I had divorced. However, the applicational for actual Permanent Residency with full Oz citizen rights was eventually granted, all interviews and submissions taking place in Sydney.

[Pink Mist]

how long ago did you do this?

[Pink Mist]

Just re-read the rules and indeed it is possible to apply for the spouse visa here, it's definately more expensive and more difficult if you have started the process offshore, remember the 309 visa is a two stage process, temporary then advancing to permanent residence after 2 years and passing the appropriate interviews and checks.