Bringing a Thai to Australia (to live/work)

[CrankyCarrot]

My Thai partner and I are trying to get all the info I can on what our options are for bringing her to Australia on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Of course, Google is my friend, but there's a lot of stuff out there and if you're reading this and have the time/knowledge impetus to reply then any nudges in the right direction are appreciated.

 

Due to ill health in the family I am pinned to Sydney for the time being, having spent some years living with her on and off in the LOS, hence why we're just now thoroughly exploring this path.

 

She is just north of 35, which as far as I'm aware precludes typical work visas and may even impede her coming as a student (double checking). Her English is pretty good, although I couldn't say the exact level as it's not been tested. She's been working retail/sales in various capacities consistently for years, having put it about 4 with the latest company. We're not married and don't have kids but we have been together over 5 years. She has visited Australia before on a tourist (Visitor) visa without issue. 

 

The #1 suggestion I assume would be to apply for a partner visa, but this is over $7000 Aud and may require some things we don't have, such as evidence of joint bank accounts or leases in both names (neither were needed or practical during our time together in the LOS. We cohabited there, but the lease was/is in her name). If it's the only way, I have followup questions I'd like to run by those with relevant experience in the forum.

 

ALTERNATIVELY how else could she live in Aus, if there is any other viable way?

 

I know there are pathways in where skills shortages are being filled or in the case of specialty professions, though I don't know how I could present her to fit that category, nor what might work for NSW/Sydney specifically, which is where we need to be.

 

Does anyone have any useful info or ideas for other angles we could look at working to bring her over?

 

Is it worth going through an agency/what do they normally charge for helping with a partner visa or other? My hunch is that if we're capable of filling out forms and following protocol correctly there'd be little reason to pay someone else to do it.

 

TLDR: Looking for ways other than partner visa to help a Thai woman (over 35) move to Australia.

[dbrenn]

If you don't qualify for the defacto partner visa because you don't have enough supporting evidence, then you could go the fiancee visa route - less supporting evidence but you'd have to marry her within 9 months.

 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/prospective-marriage-300#howto

 

Still costs 7 grand though.

 

A skilled migrant visa costs less, but your GF would need skills that are in demand - she is within the age range.

 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189

 

Student visa may also work, although it isn't permanent - check with educational establishments:

 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2019 by dbrenn

[CrankyCarrot]

@dbrenn Hey, thanks for that.

 

Checking into those other options you mentioned.