Just a thought. I've been reading several threads regarding spouse visas for Oz. Seems like a lot of work involved. Not to mention the fee 36,000 baht. So should my gf(wife when we apply) apply for a tourist visa for OZ and when we get there. She can then apply for residence. They will then give her a bridging visa which wil be good for her till she gets residence or not. Has anyone done this? Will it be easier? Would like to get the spouse visa but this is another option. Any ideas guys?

Yes you can enter on tourist visa, then go down path of bridging, temp res visa, finally permanent res visa. All this will take some time & you will not save any fee money. probably cost you more..In the meantime I'm sure G/F will be pissed off at your penny pinching attitude and if she has any brains get another man.

Its not so much the money. The question is. Will this be easier? The money i can afford. Also my girlfriend has already said whatever is easier. Hence this topic. We can apply here for the spouse visa. But for less hassle dealing with the Oz embassy in BKK. I was just considering this option. Again! Forget about the money. If it costs more in Oz. I'm not bothered. I want to know if this a more viable route. Ie. tourist, bridging, then residence visa. Any good advice would be appreciated

hi jockstar

from what i know..the fiance visa is the easiest and quickest way

Yeah, if Oz requirements are anything like the british ones then it'll be a reall hassle to get a tourist visa. My dad had some friends come cover - both of which were highly specialist and wealthy doctors but it was still really difficult. My dad had to guaranteur them (and give a photocopy of his bank statment), provide accomodation (with photo's) and dig out the oldest photos of them together he could find. Show letters emails and phone bills... all that for seven days!

This matter has been talked to many times on this forum. If I recall correctly, also responses to previous questions posted by you. However, to answer your question, from my personal experience, it's a lot easier to obtain a Prospective Marriage temporary visa via Oz embassy in BKK than all the hassles going down the Tourist Visa path, then applying in Oz etc etc. The comment is qualified by "so long as you and G/F have all necessary doco, income & so on. Oz govt web site for criteria is:

www.immi.gov.au/migration/family/partners/fiance.htm

Best of luck...

Jockstar,

From my recent experience, I would say go for the fiance/spouse visa from OUTSIDE Aus.

My "wife" (we have had a Thai water pouring ceremony/reception in BKK but HAVE NOT registered anything in Thailand) was recently granted a fiance visa.

We are in the middle-east, the hardest part was the waiting for an answer, we waited 3 months from the date we applied, otherwise it's just a process, a somewhat expensive one yes, but hey, the man that dies with the most money is still, well, dead!

Pm me if you want to know exactly what we did,