Tourist Visa To Melb

[mark2010]

Hi,

I would like to know how long can a tourist visa last.

My wifes sister wanted to come to melbourne for a long holiday of at least a yr. Is that feasible.

I am an aussie citizen and my pregnant thai wife just got her Permanent residency.We dont have any family in Australia apart from ourselves.

Also my second question is the possibility of having her sister to help with babysitting. Is there any visa which can accommodate this.

Please advise.

Mark

[bridge]

Mark,

That is a bit of a tricky one. Initially I would have leaned towards a Sponsored Family Visitor Visa (Subclass 679). As you wife has now obtained her PR, she could sponsor her sister. However, to be an eligible sponsor, it is a requirement that the sponsor be settled in Australia for a period of generally 2 years. So that may be a problem for you. Other than that, a Tourist Visa (Subclass 676). Whether she would be eligible or not, well there are plenty of post on that topic on this forum. Basically DIAC need to be satisfied that she is a 'genuine visitor', and has 'adequate funds, or access to adequate funds for the duration and purpose of her proposed stay in Australia'.

In any event I would make sure the application includes a very strong 'letter of support' (invitation), and a covering letter addressing all of the criteria necessary for the successful grant of a s/c 676 tourist visa.

Best of Luck

Bridge