Pricing Policy Oz Partner Visa

[ultspnch]

Hah, I thought $1420 + 5% ( $1491)was cheap for the partner visa, but at Visa Application Center Bangkok they want Bank Draft for 45 750 baht.

I checked the fine print!

You CAN pay by Oz visa card, BUT they charge it NOT at $1420 but ....45 750 Baht which is then converted to Oz $ by your visa company!

Present currency converters mark $1491 oz equal to 34 900 Baht!

Thats almost 11 000 Baht LESS .

Ah well, I guess the deal is to wait to put in the application until after December 2008 when in theory they will establish a new exchange rate more in keeping with the actual exchange rate.

Woe is me! Almost $500 "wasted."

[mekka]

Hah, I thought $1420 + 5% ( $1491)was cheap for the partner visa, but at Visa Application Center Bangkok they want Bank Draft for 45 750 baht.

I checked the fine print!

You CAN pay by Oz visa card, BUT they charge it NOT at $1420 but ....45 750 Baht which is then converted to Oz $ by your visa company!

Present currency converters mark $1491 oz equal to 34 900 Baht!

Thats almost 11 000 Baht LESS .

Ah well, I guess the deal is to wait to put in the application until after December 2008 when in theory they will establish a new exchange rate more in keeping with the actual exchange rate.

Woe is me! Almost $500 "wasted."

Can you convert Thai Baht into Aus$ at a currency exchange and then pay in AUS$ at the time of lodging application?

I hope so because that way you could take advantage of the current exchange rates.

[bridge]

Ultspnch you have made a great observation there. Will be interesting to see when the DIAC adjusts the exchange rates to come in line with the current poor exchange rate.

Even with the sharp depreciation of the $AUD of late, the Australian Government is still managing to make a hefty profit.

For those that don’t know how visa application charges paid in foreign currencies are calculated. The DIAC states that the exchange rates (in this case THB) are calculated every six months and are for the following six month period. The rate is calculated at the ‘highest exchange rate that is lawfully obtainable on a commercial basis’, plus 5% for good measure.

It is my view that is an example of policy not following the law. As the exchange rate can be adjusted when the rate increases or decreases by at least 5% (Reg 5.36(2)(a)(ii) Migration Regulations).

No doubt they will be quick to change it if the THB goes the other way

[mariner29]

UK visa application should also accept card payments.

[sammycic]

I thought it would be smart to pay it in Aus. considering the exchange rate and attach the certified receipt to the spouse application. When I rang DIAC they told me it would be $2,105 not the $1,420. Because we were already married we had to pay the same as the fiance visa, which is what you pay as explained to me on a prospective spouse visa after you get married in Aus.

Looks like DIAC want to make money out us and they are really going to make heaps on the exchange rate. Wish I had heaps of Thai Baht to convert to Aus dollars at 22bht to the dollar.

[aussie_21]

You can just go and pay by credit card or bank cheque at the Australian Immigration office. When I paid the $1,420 by credit card in July I was billed in AU$. The conversion rates they charge are only if you pay by credit card in Thailand. Once you make your payment at the Australian office they will supply you with a pink and white receipt which the white copy you keep and put the pink receipt in with the application. I work just a 2 minute walk from there office and walk past it every day so it was easy as pie for me.

Good luck.

[aussie_21]

I thought it would be smart to pay it in Aus. considering the exchange rate and attach the certified receipt to the spouse application. When I rang DIAC they told me it would be $2,105 not the $1,420. Because we were already married we had to pay the same as the fiance visa, which is what you pay as explained to me on a prospective spouse visa after you get married in Aus.

Looks like DIAC want to make money out us and they are really going to make heaps on the exchange rate. Wish I had heaps of Thai Baht to convert to Aus dollars at 22bht to the dollar.

Hey mate,

If you apply for the spouse visa in Thailand then it would only cost $1,420 however if you apply for it in Australia then it would cost $2,105. See Partner Visa Charges.

[sammycic]

goodaye aussie 21 that was my interpetation that as we lodging in Bangkok it would be only $1,420 just DIAC said it was going to be $2,105 she must have miss understood where i was I lodging. seeing you are so close to where you pay you want pay mine for me and I will fix you up later . just joking good luck.

[MintyAussie]

I paid the $1420 in Australia, I completed and sent all the documents etc to my wife in Thailand and she lodged the papers in Bangkok. Easy, and 3 weeks later she got the 309 visa and is off to the embassy tomorrow to have her passport endorsed!