Tourist Visa To Australia For Thai Boyfriend.

[peter991]

Hi all

My Thai boy-friend of 15 months wants to spend some time with me in Australia. For me to visit him in Thailand is a simple matter of phoning my travel agent, getting on a plane and spending up to a month with him.

I have looked through the ThaiVisa Visas and Migration to Other Countries sub-forum and the closest I can find is this one: 3 Month Tourist Visa To Australia, information required in which the poster wants to bring his Thai girlfriend to Australia for a holiday.

Reading through the replies I found it a daunting prospect. How hard is it for a Thai guy to obtain a 3 month Tourist Visa?

I also note that there are two forms one is number 48 (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application), the other is number 48R (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application).

Which is the correct form for him to fill out?

A bit of background: I met him when he was working in a Bar. He has since left the Bar. We have just finished building a house in his parents' village in Issan. He is 21 years of age and has a Thai passport, but has never used it.

Does anybody have any experience bringing their Thai boyfriend to Australia?

This would just be a holiday for him. I am over 50 and hope to obtain a retirement visa to Thailand late next year.

Peter

[ChrisP]

Peter..

I don't know about Australia.. maybe PTExpat can help...

BUT it's a daunting prospect to get a Thai national a visa to Any major country that requires a visa application for them.

I'm working on one for my Thai to visit the UK as a tourist - with me to see my mother.

So far we've waited 4 weeks just to get a 6-month bank statement printout, and he has to have at least 40k baht in there - and not just as a lump sum. Amongst other things, they need to see a flight reservation, copies of our cell-phone/telephone bills (to prove we have a long-term relationship - and pictures would help too), copies of our apt lease together.. They also need copies of my mother's house deeds in the UK (!) to prove she exists.. !!

Jeez.

ChrisP

[ProThaiExpat]

peter991:

I am sure ChrisP is pushing for a "family visit" visa although technically it is a "tourist classification" since the former is stonger and more appealing to the visa people than two gay guys off to enjoy "gay London".

I have posted extensively on my efforts on Australian visas for Thai guys subject in the past two years but perhaps not easily researched.

Rather than rely entirely on others, use your own imagination as well. The basic principle applied by the U.S., UK and Australia is "compelling reasons to return".

The U.S. is the toughest, with Australia close behind, except they have specific gay immigration policies and the UK most understanding of the gay situation.

In your specific case, a young Thai man with no real work history and a love interest living in Australia seems to score almost 100% on the "reasons to overstay" list.

Applying the "compelling reasons to return" criteria:

1. Steady career job of a few years with strong letter from employer.

2. Property ownership and bank accounts.

3. University enrollment and some progress with grades indicating success and return for another term.

4. Strong family ties such as wife, lover or other live in situation.

5. etc.

As you can see, your b/f is the least likely to succeed, especially with you in Australia. I see nothing stonger on the "reasons for not returning" list than a Australian citizen living in Australia providing a strong emotional attachment to be together and to overstay any visa.

I am now working on my third successful visa application for a visit to Sydney for my Thai. Since we are couriering the application to BKK (not appearing in person) and are now submitting supporting documents to the new visa section, not in the embassy, I am providing full documentaion one more time. I suspect the staff are the same as before, but taking no chances.

Since I am not Australian and live long stay in Thailand with my Thai for over three years and with two prior proofs of visits to Australia and return, we think we have a "slam dunk", but are asking for multiple entry for the first time. However, I am providing full documentation none the less. I believe in innundating them with paper, which most Thais love.

As to your b/f, I should point out that his never used passport is a negative. His age is a negative. Carreer job to return to? etc.

My Thai was rejected for a visa on our first visit as his passport was virgin, we knew each other for just a year and we were not entirely truthful about our relationship. I asked for an interview with a counsular officer when the rejection came out of the window and it was during that interview, that I turned the situation around. I learned that our personal live together relationship with me retired in Thailand should be emphasized (he was my employed "house manager") on the application, for obvious reasons. Current declaration of mne accompanying his application verifies we are in a "lifetime, committed, financialy interdependent relationship".

Another stong element is family in Australia, the reason to visit and their invitation. Easy for you but irrelevent since you live there.

So is there any hope for your b/f? I would say slim but not impossible. Will take some work.

When you visit Thailand, take him to other foreign countries so his passport is no longer virgin.

Go to your local university and find out what are their entrance criteria for a Thai.

Look for the cheapest and easiest school you can find. If you b/f doesn't meet their cirteria, ie. not graduated from high school, get him studying to get his high school diploma or perhaps the Australian school will allow admission through examination. If his English is poor, perhaps remedial English courses at first.

Perhaps a pure english language school in your home town that accepts Thais can help with advice on a student visa for Thais.

My guess, the easiest way would be a marginal english language school that is in it for the money, who Thais use for visa purposes, rather than educational purposes.

You being his sponsor and guaranteeing his financial support while in school might be a plus? Assuming they don't get the feeling your using the student visa as a "end run"around a tourist visa denial situation.

This is pure speculation on my part but my best guess on your best chances on a otherwise very difficult task. Check with a lawyer specializing in gay immigration matters as well. There are some and their advice would be invaluable.

Certainly try everything in your power to "erase" any suggestion your b/f ever worked in a bar and have him dress like a business man or a student when interfacing with the visa staff, not "trendy" as my Thai does, except when visiting governmental venues.

Good luck and PM me if you have any further specific questions. My e-mail is same screen name at yahoo.com.

Edited August 31, 2005 by ProThaiExpat

[peter991]

Thanks Chris and PTE for your replies. He has no real work history, his English (reading, writing, speech) is very good and our house is in his name (admittedly leased back by me from him).

I will speak to him about looking at the Student Visa angle too.

Peter

[dukkha]

Hi all

My Thai boy-friend of 15 months wants to spend some time with me in Australia. For me to visit him in Thailand is a simple matter of phoning my travel agent, getting on a plane and spending up to a month with him.

I have looked through the ThaiVisa Visas and Migration to Other Countries sub-forum and the closest I can find is this one: 3 Month Tourist Visa To Australia, information required in which the poster wants to bring his Thai girlfriend to Australia for a holiday.

Reading through the replies I found it a daunting prospect. How hard is it for a Thai guy to obtain a 3 month Tourist Visa?

I also note that there are two forms one is number 48 (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application), the other is number 48R (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application).

Which is the correct form for him to fill out?

A bit of background: I met him when he was working in a Bar. He has since left the Bar. We have just finished building a house in his parents' village in Issan. He is 21 years of age and has a Thai passport, but has never used it.

Does anybody have any experience bringing their Thai boyfriend to Australia?

This would just be a holiday for him. I am over 50 and hope to obtain a retirement visa to Thailand late next year.

Peter

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As an Australian having lived here for 5 years guess I can give you a few tips...I have recently met my partner, 4 months ago, and we have now beeen living together for the last 2 months...extremely happily I must say...I hae a thai friend who works at the Aus Embassy in Bangkok..she filled me in on what is required as I want to do a two week visit with my partner also, in fact today his passport arrived after only applying in Bangkok on Friday, speedy I thought and we live in Hua Hin...ok, you need lots of photographic evidence that you have been together, snaps during your times in Thailand with dates, a bank account in both names is a bonus, a bank account showing that he is receiving financial support from you, anything that is an indication that you are cohabiting, however, from what you say, you are i nOz and he is in LOS, so will be difficult..they are really severe and many get denials in their first attempt at a Visa...so basically try and accumulate as much evidence as you can that you are a couple and the relationship is longer than three months...The australian government is a fascist, anti asian regime so dont expect any nicieties from that end...I wish you luck and will also need it myself when we apply next year, fortunately I have my partners name on the lease of where we rent which will be a great advantage in his application, remember all the questions are directed at your partner, not at you...Saawasdii na krub

[ChrisP]

I am adding this "Anon" contribution to this post from someone who is a known member to me..

Although I don't know alot about the Australian laws I am VERY familiar with the rules and regulations at the US Embassy. The truth is though that his chances are slim to none. I have been living with my Thai boyfriend for 4 years. He has a steady work record (never in a bar) for the past 6 years. He owns land and has two bank accounts and 3 credit cards and he speaks good english. He has a degree. Even though I have a long working relationship with the embassy I am not certain I could get him a visa. The age difference of 50 and 21 is drastic. The fact that they do NOT live together is a factor. A relationship of a year or less especially not living together is a factor. No work history and no education....not good. I wish I could be more positive. Feel free to pass along any info you think might be of assistance but I know this is not what he wants to hear.

ChrisP

Mod

[ProThaiExpat]

There is a contemperaneous thread regarding a Thai lady applying for a visa to Australia and a good point was made there.

The visa section keeps records on all applicants and I am sure pulls out your old application and documents when another visit is contemplated.

That thread made a point of the fact that if you make an application as a tourist b/f and are rejected, don't bother with the student visa approach as they will reject you as trying to fool them as to the real reason for the visit.

Since your /b/f does have a virgin passport and has made no prior applications, the student visa might work for him. However, your involvement should be minimal on paper and use your best judgement regarding identifying any relationship between you and this "student".

Getting the information from money making "schools" in Australia seems to me to be the best way to start. I wouldn't trust your b/f to try it from this end and any service or company providing this avenue is known by the visa section and your b/f may go in with a black mark on him by the service he uses.

If he goes through the government, he will need to have all the support information and bank accounts in his name alone, I suspect. ChrisP is right, you are about to climb the "Mt. Everest" of visa problems in your b/fs current situation.

[Ariya]

Hi all

My Thai boy-friend of 15 months wants to spend some time with me in Australia. For me to visit him in Thailand is a simple matter of phoning my travel agent, getting on a plane and spending up to a month with him.

I have looked through the ThaiVisa Visas and Migration to Other Countries sub-forum and the closest I can find is this one: 3 Month Tourist Visa To Australia, information required in which the poster wants to bring his Thai girlfriend to Australia for a holiday.

Reading through the replies I found it a daunting prospect. How hard is it for a Thai guy to obtain a 3 month Tourist Visa?

I also note that there are two forms one is number 48 (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application), the other is number 48R (Tourism or other recreational activities, visa application).

Which is the correct form for him to fill out?

A bit of background: I met him when he was working in a Bar. He has since left the Bar. We have just finished building a house in his parents' village in Issan. He is 21 years of age and has a Thai passport, but has never used it.

Does anybody have any experience bringing their Thai boyfriend to Australia?

This would just be a holiday for him. I am over 50 and hope to obtain a retirement visa to Thailand late next year.

Peter

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your friend is young, Asian and able bodied it is always difficult to obtain a visa as it is presumed by the Immigration people that he will probably overstay his visa and look for illegal work.

There is a solution! All over Australia there are Immigration Lawyers who specialise in such cases and are nearly always successful in getting people visas. If you look in any telephone directory you will find loads of them. There are also gay lawyers who specialise in long-term visas and you can find their advertisements in the Aussie gay newspapers.

Let me know if I can help you more.