Is There A Quota On 90 Day Visas To Australia

[Mason45]

Does the Australian Immigration have a quota for 90 day visas? The reason I ask this is that I'm legally married to a Thai lady, we have our own home in Bangkok and I live in Thailand on a one year visa ( I'm on my 4th now) Several years ago when she was my gf she received a 90 day visa, then one year later as my wife she was given a 6 months visa, I was told then she's got this one but there's no more. So the following year I had to visit my family and I was told that her application had been refused and as we had ignored the immigrations warning if I wanted my wife to visit Australia she would have to apply for an immigration visa. I asked why would I apply for an immigration visa if I don't want to live in Australia but I think that I do have the right to take my wife to Australia for a holiday, it's over 2 years since her last trip to Australia. We both pass every criteria that the immigration department demands, I still own my own home in Melbourne, my tax free superannuations monthly income is greater than most Australians receive for going to work. My wife has never breached the immigration laws and I've always made sure that she has fulfilled her obligations as required. She stopped work the day we decided to live together and I've fully supported her since, she has no need to work be it in Thailand or Australia. So what would you people do re apply and take the risk of refusal or scrap our holiday plans, really I only want 60 days to visit our family and friends, I'm open to suggestions.

[Mighty Mouse]

My g/f received two separate tourist visas with no problem. When we applied for the third, we were told that unless we also applied for a spouse visa at the same time, the tourist visa may not be granted.

We subsequently applied for the spouse visa and a six month tourist visa was granted whilst the spouse visa was being considered.

The official explanation from Immigration is that there is no limit to the number of tourist visas that any person can apply for provided there is a valid reason for applying. There does however, seem to be a discrepancy between the official policy and the Bangkok Embassy practice.

In your case, as you live permanently in Thailand, I can't think why the Embassy would reject a tourist visa application irrespective of how many you have had in the past.

Write a comprehensive covering letter fully explaining your situation and in the application form, state a specific reason for your wife's visit to Oz.

You might also consider submitting the application directly to the Embassy rather than applying through the VFS office and/or you may also consider telephoning the Embassy official at the VFS office to gain some insight as to your situation.

Click here for details.

[aussiestyle1983]

The above post is spot on.............

Allthough there is no limit by law, 3 tourist visas seems to be the maximum issued before they will start questioning why you don't want to apply for a permanent visa. I rememebr reading comments about the embassy or immigration staff saying "you have allready been to Australia 3 times, why do you need to go again?" So, if you get two or three tourist visas, be prepaired for a battle if you want another one..................

[gburns57au]

Immigration reserve the right to limit the amount of TV's granted to any one person.

I agree with MM.....you can try again and write a letter/Stat Dec stating that you do not intend to reside in Oz in the near future and why you want to take your wife to Oz.

A lot of people are getting 12 month multi entries at the moment and we havent had anyone who has applied for a further TV after this, so I am running a bit blind...However it appears the Embassy has that warning on record so it may come back and bite you again...Maybe a letter to an MP in Oz would be of benefit here.

[Farma]

A lot of people are getting 12 month multi entries at the moment and we havent had anyone who has applied for a further TV after this,......

I hope this helps.

A close friend has been granted 3 tourist visas in a row.

The first application was rejected on the grounds the embassy didn’t think their reason to return was strong enough. They reapplied for a tourist visa within a month of the rejection.

They were interviewed at the embassy on the 2nd application and a 3 month visa granted.

The following year they applied again and without interview were granted a 12 month multi entry visa.

This year after last years multi entry visa expired, they applied again for a 3 month visa and following a phone interview , they were granted another 12 month multi entry visa earlier this month.

[Mighty Mouse]

This year after last years multi entry visa expired, they applied again for a 3 month visa and following a phone interview , they were granted another 12 month multi entry visa earlier this month.

That's most encouraging. We'll put that one in the memory bank.

[ProThaiExpat]

My experience with my Thai mate visiting Australia on tourist visas for three consecutive years has been the same. The last one granted was one year multiple entry even though only three months was asked for. By the way, all were used as we stayed in Oz for a year.

When others were having the 3rd tourist visa request turned down last year on the alleged grounds that the girl friend should be applying for fiancee visa by that time, I concluded that since men are not allowed to marry, perhaps they were making an exception for same-sex partners since marriage was not possible.

However, I also think that perhaps the reason given for the trip might have something to do with it. My daughter married an Aussie and our last visit was for the birth of my first grandchild and to help in her move to her first house, including remodeling of same. Childcare by my mate was also included in the reason for the trip.

Accordingly, your application might be stronger if you went for a "family visit" or some such thing, other than a mere tourist visit "to see Australia."

[Guest madcow]

It seems to be policy , but definitely not law . My Thai GF ( Now wife ) was granted three visitor visas with three months between each one .

I applied in person with her at the Embassy each time , on the third application I was told there would be no more , that we would have to do something more permanent .

I did query it with Immigration back in Australia and was told it was entirely up to the visa issuing officer .