Tourist Visa Application

[HowardB]

I have read with interest "Nicolasmerwood" and his proposed application for a 6 month visa. I myself have thought of going the whole way and having my gf make an application for 1 year. I will be in Thailand with her in April and will go to the embassy with her when she submits her application. I called the depeartment of Immigration in Australia regarding a 12 month visa and asked what were the usual conditions of approval. I've done this several times and spoken to different people in an effort to obtain different perspectives on the best way to apply.

The thing most common in all conversations is the reason to return. Quite honestly ..... i'm stumped. My gf is 32, is divorced from a thai man, has 1 son, and lives with her family 300km's north of Bangkok. Her family aren't exactly rich, but by Thai standards are'nt poor either. She doesn't work.

I've tried to think of reasons for return, but every reason i give has opposing arguments.

She needs to return because she looks after her mother .... who will look after her mother is she isnt there?

She needs to return because of her son .... how can a mother leave her son for 12 months?

I hinted that i wanted my gf to visit for 12 months in an effort to get to know her better and after she returned we would make a decision as to whether we should marry or not. There response was that the purpose of a tourist visa was exactly that .... tourism. They didn't seem interested in the relationship factor. They have always said, the most important aspect is that proof can be provided for financial support for the whole period of stay and reason for return.

The financial side is no problem, but honestly, i've come up blank about the reason.

Can anyone shed any light on my dilemma and share how they overcame similar problems?

Yes it seems more sense to apply for a shorter term visa, but if i don't ask, i surely won't get.

Thanks in anticipation

Howard

[HUTCHY07]

How long have you know her for ? I had a relationship with my tg for around 2 years b4 we applied.

We applied for a 3 mth and received a 12 mnth ME visa...she also had no reason to return,but I sighned a stat dec

stating that I wold take full resposibility for her not complying with her visa conditions....

Im also quite sure that the time frame of our ongoing/continuing relationship with all the supporting docs made there desision easier.

I dont think you should apply for a 12 mth first,just a 3mth and see what happens....

[OzzyBloke]

...

My gf is 32, is divorced from a thai man, has 1 son, and lives with her family 300km's north of Bangkok. Her family aren't exactly rich, but by Thai standards are'nt poor either. She doesn't work.

I've tried to think of reasons for return, but every reason i give has opposing arguments.

She needs to return because she looks after her mother .... who will look after her mother is she isnt there?

She needs to return because of her son .... how can a mother leave her son for 12 months?

I hinted that i wanted my gf to visit for 12 months in an effort to get to know her better and after she returned we would make a decision as to whether we should marry or not. There response was that the purpose of a tourist visa was exactly that .... tourism. They didn't seem interested in the relationship factor. They have always said, the most important aspect is that proof can be provided for financial support for the whole period of stay and reason for return.

The financial side is no problem, but honestly, i've come up blank about the reason.

Can anyone shed any light on my dilemma and share how they overcame similar problems?

Yes it seems more sense to apply for a shorter term visa, but if i don't ask, i surely won't get.

Thanks in anticipation

Howard

HowardB, can't really comment on whether to apply for 12 or 3 month straight off. If you apply for a 12 month though you might get a 3 anyway.

Your situation sounds similar to the one we faced a year ago. In each TV application my GF faced the same issue – reason to return.

She lived with her mum and daughters with no history of work or any money in the bank. We specifically never mentioned the mother or kids as reasons to return in any application (this may be detrimental to future marriage applications).

We have never mentioned anything about jobs or shown any of her bank statements in any application. She has never supplied a letter where as I have supplied an invitation letter each time (addressed to her and written as you would to your GF).

From day one we stated we were in a relationship and wanted to continue this and that the reason the GF would return was that we thought our relationship would continue to develop and any breach of visa conditions would inhibit further applications. This is the only reason to return the embassy has ever had and they've accepted it.

Don't underestimate the relationship as a reason to return if its all you have. Also don't underestimate how your contribution to the application is viewed. I believe the sponsors effect on determining a favorable outcome is often underestimated on this board even though I fully understand its your GF's application. I beleive they look at more than just the financial requirement.

[gburns57au]

A couple of good replies....I would go the Stat Dec route here. The reason to return is a big hurdle and the most often given reason for a refusal.

As the others have said.....you may not get a 12 month first time. They may give you a 3 month first up, it is entirely at the Embassy's discretion....the 12 month if you get it would probably be a multi entry visa allowing for multiple stays of 3 months at a time.

You need to be able to show that you have known the applicant for a reasonable amount of time if you are supporting the application...not from a relationship point of view but just as an acquaintance. So photos and any letters or phone bills will assist.

As you will be supporting the application....they will want prove of your income also.

I wouldnt mention the M word either....that tends to scare them when people are applying for a tourist visa.

[HowardB]

Thank you for yor replies. This forum truly is a valuable source for all people in my and similar situations.

I've known my gf since last June, and met her in person in November. We have hotel and flight booking confirmations with both our names on which should assist with proof of relationship and similar documents for when we meet in April.

I will provide a stat dec regarding her reason to return and hopefully my presence at the embassy will further supprt my intentions.

Should anyother relevant piece of information crop up please don't hesitate to share.

Once again, thanks

Howard

[gburns57au]

Thank you for yor replies. This forum truly is a valuable source for all people in my and similar situations.

I've known my gf since last June, and met her in person in November. We have hotel and flight booking confirmations with both our names on which should assist with proof of relationship and similar documents for when we meet in April.

I will provide a stat dec regarding her reason to return and hopefully my presence at the embassy will further supprt my intentions.

Should anyother relevant piece of information crop up please don't hesitate to share.

Once again, thanks

Howard

The Dept do not usually take into account anything before a physical meeting....However if you have any copies of correspondence prior to November, I would put that in too.

By April you will have known her 5 months after the first physical meeting....this should be ok as far as knowing her for a reasonable time, although it is borderline....the correspondence from before November should help there.

Photographic evidence of the both of you together is another important area of evidence.

The VFS office is a collection centre....so you being there will have little consequence...the VFS staff just collect the applications and have no input into the decision making process.

Also the Embassy staff will not see her or you at anytime during the application process...though they may call her and ask a few questions. So it is important for you both to ensure that you have good evidence to support the application.

[HowardB]

Thanks again folks

Probably a stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway. The stat dec previously mentioned. Do the Thai embassy require it on a special document/form or can it be written and signed as per usual letter?

Howard

[gburns57au]

Thanks again folks

Probably a stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway. The stat dec previously mentioned. Do the Thai embassy require it on a special document/form or can it be written and signed as per usual letter?

Howard

You can find the form here...

http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/...ory_declaration

Or get one from the post office....it must be the "1959 act" form