Australian Tourist Visa

[tweet2004]

Hi, appreciate any information. I am travelling with my Australian boyfriend and am from philippines. I have not been to australia before and my boyfriend has just lodged a tourist visa application for me via the embassy in bangkok. I only want to visit for 3 months and will be staying with my boyfriend and have no need of accomodation or living expenses but will take 1500us cash with me for any emergencies and my father will western union any extra cash i need. What i am wanting to know is how hard it is to get the tourist visas for australia and if there are any things i should know that would help my application. My boyfriend is stressing as he cannot find any recent info on the visas and we are both inj limbo in bangokok and wondering best way to do it and whether it would be easier applying from another country or if all aus embassies are the same. My boyfriend has limited funding available and is trying to find as much info as possible on best way to go about getting tourist visa and anything we should/should not say in the application. whether an interview is necessary for tourist visa etc.

much appreciate any info and thanks in advance to anybody who can help. we have gone through immigration websites etc but they do not provide much detail or advice or explain the full procedure.,

[gburns57au]

As you have already lodged the visa there is nothing to do but wait....certainly any opinions here would be too late.

The application should take about 6 working days to process and an interview is not usually required.

Hi, appreciate any information. I am travelling with my Australian boyfriend and am from philippines. I have not been to australia before and my boyfriend has just lodged a tourist visa application for me via the embassy in bangkok. I only want to visit for 3 months and will be staying with my boyfriend and have no need of accomodation or living expenses but will take 1500us cash with me for any emergencies and my father will western union any extra cash i need. What i am wanting to know is how hard it is to get the tourist visas for australia and if there are any things i should know that would help my application. My boyfriend is stressing as he cannot find any recent info on the visas and we are both inj limbo in bangokok and wondering best way to do it and whether it would be easier applying from another country or if all aus embassies are the same. My boyfriend has limited funding available and is trying to find as much info as possible on best way to go about getting tourist visa and anything we should/should not say in the application. whether an interview is necessary for tourist visa etc.

much appreciate any info and thanks in advance to anybody who can help. we have gone through immigration websites etc but they do not provide much detail or advice or explain the full procedure.,

[tweet2004]

As you have already lodged the visa there is nothing to do but wait....certainly any opinions here would be too late.

The application should take about 6 working days to process and an interview is not usually required.

Hi, appreciate any information. I am travelling with my Australian boyfriend and am from philippines. I have not been to australia before and my boyfriend has just lodged a tourist visa application for me via the embassy in bangkok. I only want to visit for 3 months and will be staying with my boyfriend and have no need of accomodation or living expenses but will take 1500us cash with me for any emergencies and my father will western union any extra cash i need. What i am wanting to know is how hard it is to get the tourist visas for australia and if there are any things i should know that would help my application. My boyfriend is stressing as he cannot find any recent info on the visas and we are both inj limbo in bangokok and wondering best way to do it and whether it would be easier applying from another country or if all aus embassies are the same. My boyfriend has limited funding available and is trying to find as much info as possible on best way to go about getting tourist visa and anything we should/should not say in the application. whether an interview is necessary for tourist visa etc.

much appreciate any info and thanks in advance to anybody who can help. we have gone through immigration websites etc but they do not provide much detail or advice or explain the full procedure.,

Ok, thanks for that. Just the guy mentioned that perhaps an interview would be forthecoming and was wondering what should and should not be said at this interview? its a legit tourism scenario but am hearing different rumours about how hard/easy they are to get. Are they a simple visa in comparision to other countries tourist visas or are they hard to get even in legitimate circumstances? Also any information that is considered "too late" would still be much appreciated as if this one is denied we will be lodging another.

Edited February 22, 2008 by tweet2004

[david96]

DIAC will want a good reason for you to return, and proof that you can support yourself financially while in Australia.

The requirements for a 676 visa to Australia from Thailand are the same as from the Phillipines.

They may ask you if you intend to return to Thailand or the Philipines. You are applying as a citizen of the Philipines.

If your application is successful you will require a return or onward going air ticket to Australia.

[gburns57au]

As you have already lodged the visa there is nothing to do but wait....certainly any opinions here would be too late.

The application should take about 6 working days to process and an interview is not usually required.

Hi, appreciate any information. I am travelling with my Australian boyfriend and am from philippines. I have not been to australia before and my boyfriend has just lodged a tourist visa application for me via the embassy in bangkok. I only want to visit for 3 months and will be staying with my boyfriend and have no need of accomodation or living expenses but will take 1500us cash with me for any emergencies and my father will western union any extra cash i need. What i am wanting to know is how hard it is to get the tourist visas for australia and if there are any things i should know that would help my application. My boyfriend is stressing as he cannot find any recent info on the visas and we are both inj limbo in bangokok and wondering best way to do it and whether it would be easier applying from another country or if all aus embassies are the same. My boyfriend has limited funding available and is trying to find as much info as possible on best way to go about getting tourist visa and anything we should/should not say in the application. whether an interview is necessary for tourist visa etc.

much appreciate any info and thanks in advance to anybody who can help. we have gone through immigration websites etc but they do not provide much detail or advice or explain the full procedure.,

Ok, thanks for that. Just the guy mentioned that perhaps an interview would be forthecoming and was wondering what should and should not be said at this interview? its a legit tourism scenario but am hearing different rumours about how hard/easy they are to get. Are they a simple visa in comparision to other countries tourist visas or are they hard to get even in legitimate circumstances? Also any information that is considered "too late" would still be much appreciated as if this one is denied we will be lodging another.

They are not hard to get for legit purposes, If you are required to have an interview then be honest, they are good at picking up inconsistancies in the applications.

As you are, I presume, on a tourist visa in Thailand then it may make things easier. You should have showed financial means and as David points out a reason to leave Oz at the end of the visa.

If you are rejected then come back and tell us....

[stevenjm]

i'd be interested to see how you go as well - am looking at similar situation for a friend

Edited February 24, 2008 by stevenjm

[tweet2004]

Thanks for all the replies. Just one other question - am wondering if its easier in some countries than others for the visas? ie, is there anywhere that has a reputation of being not as tough as the rest?

Also the guy in the embassy said he would be in touch if he required any other info - i used, as my reason for returing to philippines, the fact i have two young children which are mine and live in philippines. This is in fact plenty enough reason for me to return but is it seen that way by embassy or should i have used some other reason?

as for the funds - i am presently unempl,yed and will be taking 1500usd cash with me and will be supported for accomodation and living expenses by my boyfriend whom i will be staying with and intend on obtaining medical insurance before i leave and return ticket however as the visa is yet to be granted i have not purchased either yet - do they expect you to purchase these things before your visa is even granted? or do you just show that side of things at imigration when you arrive? I really don't want to puirchase these things yet as i will have wasted my money if the visa is rejected. I hope i am just being paranoid about the ease with which one obtains a tourist visa but have heard so many conflicting stories on how hard it can be to get one for certain nationalities when travelling to australia. thanks again (hopefully hear from embassy in the next couple of days)

[gburns57au]

Thanks for all the replies. Just one other question - am wondering if its easier in some countries than others for the visas? ie, is there anywhere that has a reputation of being not as tough as the rest?

These days nearly everwhere have toughened up their visa requirements....

Also the guy in the embassy said he would be in touch if he required any other info - i used, as my reason for returing to philippines, the fact i have two young children which are mine and live in philippines. This is in fact plenty enough reason for me to return but is it seen that way by embassy or should i have used some other reason?

Children are generally not considered a reason to return by the Oz Embassy. Land ownership and jobs are good though....However if your boyfriend is supporting you and has filled out the appropriate part of the form...maybe at least a covering letter as well...that could well suffice.

as for the funds - i am presently unempl,yed and will be taking 1500usd cash with me and will be supported for accomodation and living expenses by my boyfriend whom i will be staying with and intend on obtaining medical insurance before i leave and return ticket however as the visa is yet to be granted i have not purchased either yet - do they expect you to purchase these things before your visa is even granted? or do you just show that side of things at imigration when you arrive? I really don't want to puirchase these things yet as i will have wasted my money if the visa is rejected. I hope i am just being paranoid about the ease with which one obtains a tourist visa but have heard so many conflicting stories on how hard it can be to get one for certain nationalities when travelling to australia. thanks again (hopefully hear from embassy in the next couple of days)

You do not need to purchase tickets or insurance before the application is processed. The visa has a life of three months from the date of grant. So there is plenty of time for that.

[34chevman]

As poster 'Graham and Apple', said, once you lodge the visa application, it's too late to do anything.

Basically, its more about proving you will return rather than wanting too visit.

Having children is perhaps not enough reason too return - at least in Australian Immigration eyes.

I know from experience, using application form called 'FORM48R', they take into consideration a whole host of things.... and I tend to think they have different rules for different country's.

- The area you live in - if it's a poor area, than you are considered a risk person, therefore its a chance you will overstay.

- Job: They like too see letters from employers stating your a good person and more importantly stating you will have a job when you return, and even better if you have pay slips.

- Bank account: They like too see a copy of your bank account statement, but take more notice of the savings history, rather than how much you have in it.

From what was told to me, some applicants would borrow money to dump in their account.

Once they get the visa, they would return the money and arrive here with no money; thus asking the government to support them.

If using FORM48R, then your boyfriend has to supply a statutory declaration, stating that whilst you are in his care, he will be responsible for your well being etc.

The declaration has to be signed by a JP or some government employee's - which they list on the declaration - unsure if they can be found in Thailand ..perhaps a Consulate staff member??

The more information you can give them, the greater success for a visa...photos together and also with friends, if he has sent you money or bought you gifts, then copy's of the receipts etc.

More than enough is better than not having enough.

Good luck

[gburns57au]

Pretty much spot on Chevman,

I hadnt mentioned the stat dec as the application has been lodged.....Tweet will have to wait for the outcome of that, which shouldnt be that far away now.

[ProThaiExpat]

Four years ago, my Thai love interest was denied a tourist visa to Australia, I am not an Australian but am eligible for ETFs. Anyway, upon getting the refusal at the window, that was when the visas were issued at the Embassy, I asked to speak to an Embassy Officer, as a full "package" of documents and pictures had been provided.

A Thai lady with orange hair came into the interview room and flashed what looked like a security badge to get into the Embassy at me. I accepted it, but was sure she wasn't an Embassy Officer.

I spoke at length on behalf of the applicant and really got nowhere, until I asked what more could be done to get the visa. I was told a Australian MP could help. Sorry didn't know one. But then I got into the family connection, by daughter married an Aussie and both are high place executives counting on us to attend and function at their wedding.

I made it clear I was not going away but I never raised my voiced. Finally, the lady said that she would take the matter back to the supervisor based on "new facts" presented at the interview, but of course there were no new facts, just a re-presentation of the facts contained in the extensive documents provided.

Visa issued ten minutes later.

The purpose of this story is that perhaps your boyfriend, being Australian, could help add information that you failed to submit as an exhibit to your application already filed if your visa is denied. Hopefully a request to speak to an Australian Foreign Service Officer, whether there are any at the outsourced visa office or not I don't know. and perhaps he could turn the situation around.

My point is why accept the visa denial based on an ill informed application not properly documented when he could perhaps get them to review additional facts he could present with documents at a post denial interview and get them to change there mind or accept the application for review based on new information.

Edited February 26, 2008 by ProThaiExpat

[34chevman]

In relation to ProThaiExpat's comments, the lodgement of visa applications are done down the road from the Embassy in high rise, called the 'CC Towers', and I was under the impression this particular section was outsourced to a private company to accept lodgements and payments, with the visa approval's done at the Embassy.

That was almost 2 years ago....so not sure if they are still there?..but if they are, then you should be directed to a desk, to the right of the counters in which you can hand over the complete application package.

If the application is refused, then they should (not saying they will) supply or send a letter to the applicant stating their reasons why, with an opportunity too re-submit a new application if the applicant can give 'new facts'.

A Thai lady with orange hair?... I bet she looked sexy! Ha

[fishhooks]

CC building 34th floor still there and doing Oz Visa things

[aussie_21]

Hi Tweet, Did you get the visa?