Tourist Visa To Oz For Thai Gf

[ludditetech]

Hi all.

I want to bring my girlfriend to Oz on a tourist visa to see how she likes it.

It seems like a more manageable step than going full blown spouse visa straight off,

whether that's really correct I don't know.

I have been to Thailand twice, first time in August 2007 (its now 8th Feb 2008) and

again in Nov 2007 and have been with her the whole three months; I have a week to go

before returning home.

So I have known her for 6 months, been with her for more than 3 of those.

We were in daily contact while I was back in Australia. I sent her money once.

I am a self employed IT Consultant in Australia, have a few big credit card bills

but could whack a bit of cash in a bank account if needed.

We have traveled a fair bit in the 3 months I've been here, Chiang Mai, Kao Sok, Krabi,

and Phuket.

Met her here in Patong, she is 28, does not have a job to speak of, is from Konken from

a pretty poor family, no kids, sick dad.

I really like her, whilst no beauty queen, she is a solid character with a good heart

(yeah I'm sure you've heard it all before, but I'm pretty sure about this

I have seen many excellent posts by really helpful people, I'm just having a bit of

trouble stringing them all together to make sense for my particular situation.

Does the forum have any advice for me about getting her over to Oz on a tourist visa?

It would be much appreciated.

Should I dash up to Bangkok and do some stuff before I go or can it all be done whilst

I am back home and her going up to get passport etc etc?

Thank you.

Matt.

[gburns57au]

have a read of this link

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/_pdf/676-visa-checklist.pdf

Bear in mind that if you are supporting her application financially, then you will need to show proof of income. And she will need to fill the apprpriate section of the 48R form thats asks about additional funds. As she is unemployed you will need to support her financially.

She will need to show, any letters, photos, etc... of the two of you, have a current passport,

A letter of invite would be a minimum requirement....but as she needs to show a reason to return...you may need to do a Stat Dec indicating your intentions, level of support etc...that is upto you though.

[zidaney]

Ludditetech,

Some quick advice would be to think about collecting all the evidence you can between you and your partner in case things go well and you decide to apply for a spouse visa later down the track. Photos together and with her family in formal clothes, phone bills, letters/parcels sent to each other, phone bills etc.

In terms of financial support for her, small amounts of money transferred to her account over a period of time looks better than one big stash of money transferred in one go.

I would take heed of what gburns57au said especially the part about your partner needing a reason to return to Thailand upon the expiration of her visa. I would concentrate on that first, then the others after.

My wife and I applied for her to come over on a tourist visa and she didn't have a job and we set out our application out poorly. In hindsight it would have been better for us in our situation to employ the services of an immigration agent here in OZ. HOWEVER, plenty of people in this forum have had success with their tourist visa application where there partner didn't have employment but followed the steps gburns57au pointed such as making a stat dec etc...but they obviously had a stronger and better written application than us.

Someone who has been successful in having their thai partner come over on a tourist visa despite being unemployed may be kind enough to help you.

[ludditetech]

Thanks gents, appreciate your replys.

Thinking of another angle and wanting to have as many bases covered as possible...

Does anyone have an opinion about a sponsorship visa?

Say my self employment wasnt that great (remember I have been here on holiday for 3 months now) my mother might be able to help...

She is a home owner and on a pension, maybe the pension wouldnt be enough, or maybe being a homeowner is sufficient, does anyone know?

Basically I am wanting to get her here using the most sure fire method there is first time round, as a failed application appears to have the effect of delaying things quite considerably.

Cheers.

[gburns57au]

Thanks gents, appreciate your replys.

Thinking of another angle and wanting to have as many bases covered as possible...

Does anyone have an opinion about a sponsorship visa?

Say my self employment wasnt that great (remember I have been here on holiday for 3 months now) my mother might be able to help...

She is a home owner and on a pension, maybe the pension wouldnt be enough, or maybe being a homeowner is sufficient, does anyone know?

Basically I am wanting to get her here using the most sure fire method there is first time round, as a failed application appears to have the effect of delaying things quite considerably.

Cheers.

You have been on holiday for three months....your self employment cant be too bad.

Maybe if you can provide last years income tax receipt.....you can have multiple financial assistance. each will need to show proof if income

[ludditetech]

You have been on holiday for three months....your self employment cant be too bad.

Maybe if you can provide last years income tax receipt.....you can have multiple financial assistance. each will need to show proof if income

Yes, well that and an Amex card - Yikes! Oh well, the things we do for love...

On the matter of a reason to return the best I have been able to come up with is this...

Purpose of the Tourist Visa is to become aquainted with Australia and my family, have a look around and see if she likes it / thinks she could make a life there with me. If so return to Thailand and commence spouse application, we wouldnt want to jepordise a spouse app so there would be no problem returning on time etc....

How does the above sound?

Also, would it be good to include a quote for medical insurance whilst she is there? I would think that would look good?

[gburns57au]

Yes, well that and an Amex card - Yikes! Oh well, the things we do for love...

On the matter of a reason to return the best I have been able to come up with is this...

Purpose of the Tourist Visa is to become aquainted with Australia and my family, have a look around and see if she likes it / thinks she could make a life there with me. If so return to Thailand and commence spouse application, we wouldnt want to jepordise a spouse app so there would be no problem returning on time etc....

How does the above sound?

Also, would it be good to include a quote for medical insurance whilst she is there? I would think that would look good?

Not a reason to return.

The reason to return needs to be more concrete....like a job to return to or property owned. Not even kids rate as a reason to return.

Perhaps a Stat Dec, stating that your intention is to bring her for a holiday only, that you and your mother will provide financial support (and in what areas) for her while she is here. How long you have known her, etc...If your mother is being looked at for financial support then she can do one as well. This can cover the reason to return.

If you mention the spouse visa they will want to know why arent you applying for one. Your FRIEND is merely applying for a tourist visa.

[aussiebob]

Sometimes i think too much importance is placed on "reason to return" when perhaps clearly showing the genuinness of the relationship may be the way to go (yes i am talking tourist visa)

Example: When my wife (we) applied for her tourist visa she was a government emplyee in isaan. The embassy rang her at the office and asked her some questions. They then issued a 12 month multiple entry visa knowing full well she would have to resign her position to come to Oz.

[ludditetech]

Sometimes i think too much importance is placed on "reason to return" when perhaps clearly showing the genuinness of the relationship may be the way to go (yes i am talking tourist visa)

Example: When my wife (we) applied for her tourist visa she was a government emplyee in isaan. The embassy rang her at the office and asked her some questions. They then issued a 12 month multiple entry visa knowing full well she would have to resign her position to come to Oz.

Thanks aussiebob, and everyone...

Does anyone know if it would be ok to put the home address of the applicant (48R Question 13) in Thai Script, she will be getting stuff sent back to her there from the Embassy and I am concerned trying to translate the address into english will end up with the Visa/Passport getting lost or delayed.

Help...!

Thanks.

[ludditetech]

Bugger, another thing...

I am wondering whether I need to get my GF to include her birth certificate.

I note that in the

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/_pdf/676-visa-checklist.pdf

document they say to include a birth certificate, however, they also say the following...

"Important: Application requirements differ from country to country. If you are applying outside Australia, you must contact your nearest departmental office and check exactly how to submit your application and what documents to provide."

The following link from the Australian Embassy in Thailand contains information for applying for a tourist visa to Australia from Thailand.

http://www.austembassy.or.th/bkok/DIMA08.html

It does not mention a birth certificate, certified or otherwise.

I am thinking the http://www.austembassy.or.th/bkok/DIMA08.html version of requirements is correct?

Anybody?

Cheers.

[aquablue]

Hi all, if you want to take ur thai GF to OZ on tourist visa, you just need to have application form, letter of invitation and show that you will cover costs of her trip. thats it. Others will tell you different, but thats it. We've done it 3 times.

Burns will tell you different, but trust me and send me a note if you like and i will tell you what it takes. No bull.

[gburns57au]

Sometimes i think too much importance is placed on "reason to return" when perhaps clearly showing the genuinness of the relationship may be the way to go (yes i am talking tourist visa)

Example: When my wife (we) applied for her tourist visa she was a government emplyee in isaan. The embassy rang her at the office and asked her some questions. They then issued a 12 month multiple entry visa knowing full well she would have to resign her position to come to Oz.

Thanks aussiebob, and everyone...

Does anyone know if it would be ok to put the home address of the applicant (48R Question 13) in Thai Script, she will be getting stuff sent back to her there from the Embassy and I am concerned trying to translate the address into english will end up with the Visa/Passport getting lost or delayed.

Help...!

Thanks.

It will need to be in English....

You could attach a note with the Thai address to the application form and inform the person who takes the application your concerns.

[gburns57au]

Bugger, another thing...

I am wondering whether I need to get my GF to include her birth certificate.

I note that in the

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/_pdf/676-visa-checklist.pdf

document they say to include a birth certificate, however, they also say the following...

"Important: Application requirements differ from country to country. If you are applying outside Australia, you must contact your nearest departmental office and check exactly how to submit your application and what documents to provide."

The following link from the Australian Embassy in Thailand contains information for applying for a tourist visa to Australia from Thailand.

http://www.austembassy.or.th/bkok/DIMA08.html

It does not mention a birth certificate, certified or otherwise.

I am thinking the http://www.austembassy.or.th/bkok/DIMA08.html version of requirements is correct?

Anybody?

Cheers.

As long as she has a passport and her ID card....plus possibly the Tabian Baan....(House registration) then she should be ok.....

[gburns57au]

Hi all, if you want to take ur thai GF to OZ on tourist visa, you just need to have application form, letter of invitation and show that you will cover costs of her trip. thats it. Others will tell you different, but thats it. We've done it 3 times.

Burns will tell you different, but trust me and send me a note if you like and i will tell you what it takes. No bull.

Your circumstances were not and are not the same others...each application is different...therefore some will need more evidence then others. In some circumstances the letter of invitation is enough depending on the strength of the rest of the application and the applicants specific circumstances.

Your point of three times means nothing....the first is the hardest...after that is merely a matter of updating the subsequent applications.

I again will remind you also that I find the use of a persons surname only as an insult....Please desist from doing this !!

[ludditetech]

So the application has been in for about a week.

We had a hiccup, GF got a call from Embassy saying we needed to pay another 200 odd baht.

I read the fee as being AUD$75 payable in local currency, which in feb came to 2175 baht...

So we sent another bank draft but have not heard anything now for about a week.

Feeling a bit anxious.

Hoping.

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

[david96]

For those interested here is the DIAC currency converter.

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/converter.htm

[ludditetech]

Just to let everyone know, we got the visa!

Yeeha! :D

So from what I can gather there is still the minor hurdle of customs on the ground when they land yeah?

To satisfy them she needs a ticket back out of the country yeah? Or can we book that when it suits us?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks all.

[aussie_21]

Congratulations.

Did you get a 3 Month single or 12 Month Multi Entry?

Edited March 13, 2008 by aussie_21

[gburns57au]

Just the normal security checks....

Return ticket is required...the visa has a 3 month life....you can buy the ticket anytime prior to that but she has to enter Oz before the expiry date on the visa.

[zorro1]

keep posting when she arrives and tell us how she likes it. A little weekly journal here would be interesting to look back on in 12 months and may help others immensely. Congrats, all the best and good luck

[ludditetech]

Congratulations.

Did you get a 3 Month single or 12 Month Multi Entry?

Thany ya, thank ya kindly

We only applied for a 3 month, but actually now you mention it all the detail I got from GF was that the passport has a stamp in it with Australia and Bangkok, I will see if I can get more detail about it tonight.

[ludditetech]

keep posting when she arrives and tell us how she likes it. A little weekly journal here would be interesting to look back on in 12 months and may help others immensely. Congrats, all the best and good luck

Thanks zorro1. I may do that, it will sure be a bit of a process getting used to Oz, sooo different to bustling Thailand...

Cheers.

[ludditetech]

Just the normal security checks....

Return ticket is required...the visa has a 3 month life....you can buy the ticket anytime prior to that but she has to enter Oz before the expiry date on the visa.

I would like to offer special thanks to gburns57au, thanks for all your posts and responsiveness on the board, I have found them very helpful at what is a really stressful time. It's hard to be separated from your loved one and be mercy to an uncertain fate... Bloody relief when it resolves in the affirmative...

Cheers mate

[Thumchok]

Congratulations.

Did you get a 3 Month single or 12 Month Multi Entry?

Thany ya, thank ya kindly

We only applied for a 3 month, but actually now you mention it all the detail I got from GF was that the passport has a stamp in it with Australia and Bangkok, I will see if I can get more detail about it tonight.

First off , congrats on the visa .

I also applied for a three month tourist visa for my wife in Jan , and received a 3 month multiple entry valid for 12 months .Perhaps you got the same thing ? Or maybe I was lucky .

My missus enjoyed the visit although we were non stop travelling about seeing the friends and relatives that I haven't seen in some time . She did miss her somtam though , next time we will sort out the neccessary ingredients before leaving civilization . May be a tip in here for you .

Cheers ,

Jim .

[gburns57au]

Just the normal security checks....

Return ticket is required...the visa has a 3 month life....you can buy the ticket anytime prior to that but she has to enter Oz before the expiry date on the visa.

I would like to offer special thanks to gburns57au, thanks for all your posts and responsiveness on the board, I have found them very helpful at what is a really stressful time. It's hard to be separated from your loved one and be mercy to an uncertain fate... Bloody relief when it resolves in the affirmative...

Cheers mate

No Wuckers.......

[ludditetech]

An update...

She has been here 3 weeks now and it has been great, she’s a dab hand in the kitchen and it is unreal to sit down to real Thai tucker every night (any chance she gets "Mac-a-donalds" gets a look in though, she loves a McFish

One thing I have found essential is to get real Thai ingredients and food for her. There is a Thai takeaway / food shop near us that has about 7 Thai ladies working in it and they have all the sauces sticky rice lotions and potions that make up that wild and wonderful food. It seems to be such a big part of their culture and has made her happy no end. I'll relay a snippet of conversation she had with a lady in the shop, she had only been here a day... GF to lady in shop "do you eat falang food everyday?" shop lady "No! Cannot!"

They love their tucker and I cant say I blame em!

If I have one word of advice it is to get them to a decent Thai food shop ASAP!

So I am starting to think longer term as settling is going well.

Does anybody have any tips for the next stage, I guess it's a spouse visa application now hey... sigh, its tough work sometimes...