Interdependency Visas (same-sex Couples)

[peter991]

I was unsure whether to start this topic in TVs Visas and Migration to other countries or here in the Gay People in Thailand, but I feel more comfortable here.

I have a 20yo Thai bf who is living with his parents in rural Issan and he wants to visit me in Australia. He already has a Thai Passport (unused).

A couple of questions here:

1. How involved is it for him to get a Visa to visit Australia and how long can he stay in Australia?

2. A link from TVF took me to a website, Australian Visas for Marriage or Visit. At first glance, I was about to disregard it, but then I noticed a section headed: Interdependency Visas (Same-Sex Couples).

Reading through this, I wondered if my Thai partner should apply for this Visa instead of a Visitor's Visa and how current the info is.

Has anybody been in a similar situation? I haven't been able to access the website mentioned in the Visas Forum, http://www.vfs.co.th/

Cheers

Peter

[ProThaiExpat]

Hi peter991:

Speaking from my own experience with my Thai mate and Australian immigration at the BKK Australian Embassy, I would say the websites are informative but not controlling.

First thing to remember is that the issuance of a tourist visa for a Thai to Australia is dependent on another Thai's approval. Thus, how your Thai intterrelates with another Thai, usually a middle aged woman is important. The granting of the visa is largley discretionary and without meaningful appeal.

When your ready to do it, PM me and I will give you specific advice as to how to accomplish it.

Our first try resulted in a refusal for my Thai, but I got that turned around. Second try was slam dunk.

The overriding priciple to remember is establishing in the officials mind that your Thai has "a compelling reason to return to Thailand".

As an example, as in my case, I was a long stay in Thailand retiree with a one year relationship with my Thai who lived in our home here, which was in my Thais name. However, he did not work at the time.

After the initial refusal, I had an interview with a "supervisor" and learned that her main concern was that my Thai, not having work, would just "split" from me and overstay his visa in Australia to work there.

If your not living with your Thai in Thailand, but are living in Ausralia, you can see how problematical that would be as viewed by immigration the "compelling reason" would balance more to his staying with you in Australia rather than return to Thailand, especially in light of his age.

My initial evaluaton, based on the information provided in your post, is that the chances of your getting your Thai a visa of any kind to Australia is slim to none.

I have some ideas on how you can "structure" the situation so your Thai would be more favorably viewed, but it is a near impossible task due to his age and your disparite living arrangements.

There is a "student visa" approach which might work for your Thai, if he can qualify to attend an Australian university. That approach has the most probability of success.

[peter991]

Thanks for your detailed reply PTE

It seems like I am facing an uphill battle. My bf is from a remote village so he has no chance of qualifying for uni study in Australia.

His 4 years in BKK and Pattaya have given him good English skills. He is very polite and a natural charmer. This will help him in his application for a Tourist Visa, but I have heard a lot of second-hand sad tales from people who have applied where their foreign bf is paying for their Thai bf (or gf) to visit Australia / USA / UK etc.

The Immigration Officers seem frequently to be poorly paid Thais who seem to resent fellow Thais wanting to travel overseas - something will probably never get to do themselves.

If I (as an Australian) want to visit Thailand, all I have to do is pay my travel agent today and I can travel tomorrow with no need for a visa. I can stay for up to 30 days in LOS. Why is it so hard for Thais to travel overseas?

I will PM you in the next week or so for further help. Once again, thanks.

Peter

[alanw]

peter991,

I believe the advice and comment from ProThaiExpat is very solid.

I have an Australian friend who applied about 7 or 8 times, over as many years ,for his partner to visit Austalia. Every application failed, reasons for failure was not open for discussion.

Finally a more senior Australian official, at the Aust Embassy here in Bangkok

discretely approached the farang and politely requested that they stop submitting applications, and he gave the reasons why, in detail.

During the private interview, the Thai man (although he had been carefully coached in advance) answered questions something like the following:

Question - Why do you want to go to Australia?

Answer - Many friends have told me about all the exciting gay clubs in Oxford Street , I want to go to all of them!

Question, about returning to Thailand.

Answer - Better to stay in Australia.

The embassy official strongly emphasised, as mentioned by ProThaiExpat, one of the main concerns is that the Thai will 'jump ship' and overstay in Australia.

Hope it helps, and good luck

[billyboy]

[

i OFTEN WONDER how these poor girls who work in brothels in Sydney get into Australia? What kind of visa are they on?

If your prepared to pay a bond to Australian immigration your friend can come into the country.You should go to the aussie immigration website,but i take it your having the probs with thai immigration and not aussie immigration?

[jerry921]

i OFTEN WONDER how these poor girls who work in brothels in Sydney get into Australia?

By container ship?