Tourist Visas Being Cancelled On Arrival

[OzzyBloke]

This caught my attention but thought perhaps should make it a new topic. Original Topic - TV to Australia

I'm interested in how much of an issue this is - as in does this happen often? I've read posts here about Thais coming here on 12 month ME and leaving for a short trip every 3 months, but I was not aware of the potential of the ME visa being canceled!!

When applying for the 12 month ME visa in January (3 weeks after returning from a 3 month single entry) we made it very clear that this was to further our relationship and live together to see if it would work long term. The lady in the Bangkok Embassy had no hesitation in granting it but said next time would have to be a marriage visa.

My GF is going back to Thailand for 2.5 weeks next month for her second 3 month leave but is going by herself. I intend to go with her in September for a short trip (maybe Bali or NZ) and again in December to Thailand - where all going well we will apply for the marriage proposal or spouse visa in Bangkok.

Not good, I wasn't expecting the next round of headaches to be until if we decide to get married and apply for a marriage visa!!

Should I be concerned about her getting back in next month and is there anything we can do to try and mitigate this?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

This caught my attention but thought perhaps should make it a new topic. Original Topic - TV to Australia

I'm interested in how much of an issue this is - as in does this happen often? I've read posts here about Thais coming here on 12 month ME and leaving for a short trip every 3 months, but I was not aware of the potential of the ME visa being canceled!!

When applying for the 12 month ME visa in January (3 weeks after returning from a 3 month single entry) we made it very clear that this was to further our relationship and live together to see if it would work long term. The lady in the Bangkok Embassy had no hesitation in granting it but said next time would have to be a marriage visa.

My GF is going back to Thailand for 2.5 weeks next month for her second 3 month leave but is going by herself. I intend to go with her in September for a short trip (maybe Bali or NZ) and again in December to Thailand - where all going well we will apply for the marriage proposal or spouse visa in Bangkok.

Not good, I wasn't expecting the next round of headaches to be until if we decide to get married and apply for a marriage visa!!

Should I be concerned about her getting back in next month and is there anything we can do to try and mitigate this?

If it all looks OK to Immigration on arrival it should be OK. Make certain she has a reasonable amount of cash and / or credit cards to make sure they understand she has the wherewithall to spend the next 3 months in Australia.

[david96]

If you have a valid visa you will have no problem, yesterday 20/05/2008 it was reported that improved security to prevent holders of false passports and visas will be introduced, in other words immigration will have all the visa and passport information available to them at the airport of entry. About 1500 persons are refused entry to Australia per year.

Source SBS/ABC-TV.

Edited May 20, 2008 by david96

[tezzainoz]

Most Thai ladies will get the 3rd degree on her first visit to Australia

Mine did even though I was with her

You may need proof she is a genuine tourist

Yes I have heard of Thai girls having visas cancelled as they where suspected of entering Australia to have a spouce relationship and travelling on a tourist visa

This desicion is at the discretion of the interviewer at the airport, and it all goes down on the computer, so make sure you both have your facts right

Do your home work

and think of the future

Oz immigration know all the tricks

Thai immigration is not a right just because you are Australia

Both you and she must meet the criterea

and you can not find out what this is untill they say yes or no

Best of luck

[tezzainoz]

Most Thai ladies will get the 3rd degree on her first visit to Australia

Mine did even though I was with her

You may need proof she is a genuine tourist

Yes I have heard of Thai girls having visas cancelled as they where suspected of entering Australia to have a spouce relationship and travelling on a tourist visa

This desicion is at the discretion of the interviewer at the airport, and it all goes down on the computer, so make sure you both have your facts right

Do your home work

and think of the future

Oz immigration know all the tricks

Thai immigration is not a right just because you are Australia

Both you and she must meet the criterea

and you can not find out what this is untill they say yes or no

Best of luck

[david96]

You will be questioned if the incoming passenger card is not filled in correctly, this is a legal document. But this applies to all persons entering Australia.

Edited May 21, 2008 by david96

[gburns57au]

To put it in a nutshell.....

If your girl is doing the right thing she has nothing to worry about.

My wife was never given the third degree on arrival with her tourist visa, she was asked some polite questions a couple of times but this was no worse than I have been asked on arrival.

She doesnt need sufficient funds on her person either.....all her details will be on the system including the additional funds provider.

Unless there is something that has raised the suspicions of the Customs/Immigration people then she will be treated the same as any other passenger on arrival.

Edited May 22, 2008 by gburns57au

[OzzyBloke]

Thanks for the responses people.

I would have thought this not to be an issue, providing everything is legit, but it seems nothing is ever straight forward here...

I guess seeing these posts stuck a cord as when my GF flew in Jan she was sitting next to a Sydney bloke who said you have a 12 month ME visa so you put down your staying for 12 months (obviously has never heard of thaivisa.com!).

She spent ~30 mins in an interview room and only when she told the official to call me (waiting at arrivals) did they say change it to 3 months and let her go. David96 - your spot on here! Next trip we were together and they didn't bat an eyelid.

I guess I feel they are FAR less likely to do something like cancel the visa if you (oz citizen) are there - my gut feel anyway, and this is what concerns me with the trip.

Will make sure she has a mobile which is active before passing immigration...

If, you guys are right about it all being ok if theres nothing sus then it should be fine.

Logic sorted now - the worry not until she's passed customs!

[xerostar]

My GF was questioned after getting through immigration.

First two times when she was on the tourist visa.

They wanted to know why she had come to Oz and what she was doing here etc.

that's despite me supplying all the documentation regarding financial support.

The third time I was with her, but the officer basically ignored me.

He told me to wait to one side while he asked my GF a few questions.

It may have looked worse because of our age differences.

May have looked like the old pimp-boss with his bargirl?

I guess it happens ..

The following time we arrived, we were married already and my wife had a spouse visa.

The immigration officer said my wife could line up with me in future and not have to stand

in the foreign passport line, so we appreciated that.

Filling in the immigration card can bring the most hassles.

Make sure you don't have ANY food (even sweets or crisps will raise an eyebrow)

and certainly not any other stuff that they would question.

The only thing we declared was being in a farming area beforehand.

I had scrubbed our shoes and the soles were clean - to the delight of the customs officer.

Dirty or dusty shoes will invite more delays and expense.

Funny though they never asked me to show them the shoes I was wearing.

Could have been full of mud contaminated with bovine foot-rot ..

Anyway the motto is BE prepared ..

[Zappadappa]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

[david96]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

You are travelling together as man and wife. State this fact to the immigration officer and you will be processed together.

[Bagwan]

I suspect that not too many would care if the Thai authorities were a bit more selective about some of those arriving on tourist visas. There are enough louts of the home grown variety without adding an international element.

[gburns57au]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

You are travelling together as man and wife. State this fact to the immigration officer and you will be processed together.

The first time my missus came over, I was with her and she went through foreign passports. The officer asked me if I was travelling with anyone. I said "Yes, my girlfriend" and pointed her out. He then told me that she could have gone through with me.

If she goes through the Oz passport section with you, it is unlikely that they will send her back to the foreign passport section.

[OzzyBloke]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

You are travelling together as man and wife. State this fact to the immigration officer and you will be processed together.

The first time my missus came over, I was with her and she went through foreign passports. The officer asked me if I was travelling with anyone. I said "Yes, my girlfriend" and pointed her out. He then told me that she could have gone through with me.

If she goes through the Oz passport section with you, it is unlikely that they will send her back to the foreign passport section.

The last time my GF came we were together and we went through the OZ passport section without any questions at all. The time before my GF was questioned for ~20 mins as she had ticked 12 months stay by mistake and the time before that a few general questions but both officers were polite.

I guess the crux of the concern is that this will be the 4th time she's entered OZ since Sep 2007, by herself this time, and will have been out of OZ for < 1 month since September. I'd never thought of this as an issue before but apparently it can be.

I know it should be fine, but one can't help but worry...

[Bukseeda]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

You are travelling together as man and wife. State this fact to the immigration officer and you will be processed together.

The first time my missus came over, I was with her and she went through foreign passports. The officer asked me if I was travelling with anyone. I said "Yes, my girlfriend" and pointed her out. He then told me that she could have gone through with me.

If she goes through the Oz passport section with you, it is unlikely that they will send her back to the foreign passport section.

I was also told this at London Heathrow. The immigration officer was really nice - she got up out of her chair and went and got my girlfriend out of the huge winding queue of (literally) about 300 people who'd just got off a flight from Bangladesh!

[DCasper]

So if they come in on a tourist visa the spouse should hide or declare themselves and say we are together?

You are travelling together as man and wife. State this fact to the immigration officer and you will be processed together.

The first time my missus came over, I was with her and she went through foreign passports. The officer asked me if I was travelling with anyone. I said "Yes, my girlfriend" and pointed her out. He then told me that she could have gone through with me.

If she goes through the Oz passport section with you, it is unlikely that they will send her back to the foreign passport section.

The last time my GF came we were together and we went through the OZ passport section without any questions at all. The time before my GF was questioned for ~20 mins as she had ticked 12 months stay by mistake and the time before that a few general questions but both officers were polite.

I guess the crux of the concern is that this will be the 4th time she's entered OZ since Sep 2007, by herself this time, and will have been out of OZ for < 1 month since September. I'd never thought of this as an issue before but apparently it can be.

I know it should be fine, but one can't help but worry...

My GF arrived in Sep 06 by herself the officer let her go through after she had seen me waiting at the gate.

She travelled into Australia 3 times last year on the Toursit Visa Jan, May and July no problems. We went through immi together.

They did not ask to see return tickets last year.

No one has posted anything about a visa being cancelled.

Immigration officers at Perth a very polite.

[fishhooks]

Even with me having the new "Chip" type Aus. Passport and my wife having a Thai passport, we were both sent to the same counter on her first arrival into Melbourne a few months back.

Immigration were very polite as I have always found at this end.

Nothing to hide and you'll always sail through as well as with Customs a bit further on.

We had Thai Herbal Tea bags (Fitne') and (Coffee Plus) as well as Chilli flakes, all declared on her arrival form and no problem at all with Quarantine bods.

As the ad says on TV currently, declare it and most times you will be fine.

[OzzyBloke]

An update for this topic:

There were issues but surprisingly they were at the Bangkok end, not Melbourne.

G/F arrived about 3 hours before the flight and the lady immediately was concerned she only had a 1 way ticket (Thai Airways). It was escalated to someone more senior and took her more than 30 minutes to be allowed on the flight. They were obviously concerned with footing the bill if she was turned back in Melbourne.

She explained she came on a 1 way ticket in Jan with Jetstar and there was no problem either end. Also explained that she had a 1 way ticket because I was not certain of the exact dates we'd be leaving in September – or where to.

Eventually she got on and in Melbourne they asked "Who are you staying with?" Answer: "My boyfriend". Q:"Where is your boyfriend from?" A:"Australia", Q:"How long your staying for?" A: "3 months" – She was let straight through.

Some things we have learnt from personal experience and other posts on this website:

• Be very careful about 1 way tickets. It seems generally not a problem but could be.
  
• Make sure you partner can fill the incoming visitors card correctly. Anomalies like staying for 12 months on a 12 month ME visa (should be 3) will result in further questioning. The flight attendants on Thai Airways were very happy to volunteer helping fill the form in.
  
• As Fishhooks and Dcasper say, if your genuine be honest and most Australian Immigration Officials are decent people.
  
• Give your partner an Oz prepaid Mobile so you can talk to them as soon as they get off the plane. When they tell you they're through immigration you can simply be bored for the next hour rather then getting an ulcer thinking they've been deported!!
  

Dcasper - I started this topic from guys referring to visitor visas being canceled - see link in original post.

In summary. G/F is back in Australia, has got a cold, is very grumpy from said cold, complains about the cold weather and strong wind but we could both not be happier!

[fishhooks]

Regarding going through Aus Immigration together with your spouse, anyone had experience at the other end in Thailand thus going through Thai Imm with your Thai spouse?