Australian Visa For Thai Girl

[Mulletman]

Hi to you guys, I have been browsing this forum for a while, and have learnt a lot.

Before I begin, I searched the forum, there were many topics regarding Aus visas, however I could not find answers to my questions.

My girlfriend and I have been together around one year, I met her in Bkk, and have since travelled back another time to stay with her (she paid for my flight). She is 25, and an accountant in Bangkok. I am 22 and a student here in Melbourne. We are doing a long distance relationship.

Here are my queries:

I have read over the checklist for a tourist visa, and the related form, 48R.

One point is "Evidence of family, employment and other ties to your country of usual residence". She owns land in Thailand.

1. We have copied the two documents that proves she is the owner of the 2 separate pieces of land. Do we need to attach the originals or copies to the application?

2. How does she prove evidence of her family in Thailand? Photos?

Also, as I live with my parents here in Melbourne, she is keen to stay here with us. I noticed one of the boxes I can tick says that I will be supporting her in terms of 'accommodation'. I will not be ticking the financial support box.

3. Do I need to get my parents to write letter of invitation? Proof that this is our actual address? Do I need to write an invitation letter? As I am her boyfriend.

A separate question:

4. I have read others on here attaching many photos of themselves together, phone bills, emails etc. To prove that they know each other and are genuine. Is that it? Just print off a handful of colour photos?

Any other advice would be highly appreciated.

I am very thankful for all of your help.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[Madivad]

These are just my opinions, you'll get others who are better at answering these, but for starters:

One point is "Evidence of family, employment and other ties to your country of usual residence". She owns land in Thailand.

1. We have copied the two documents that proves she is the owner of the 2 separate pieces of land. Do we need to attach the originals or copies to the application?

Land itself doesn't mean a lot since she can hand that on to family and just maintain ownership. Land itself isn't a reason to return, but it does go towards her finances. And only attach copies of documents, should be certified, but I believe she can do that herself.

2. How does she prove evidence of her family in Thailand? Photos?

She will have a family book, a photocopy of that will be sufficient.

Also, as I live with my parents here in Melbourne, she is keen to stay here with us. I noticed one of the boxes I can tick says that I will be supporting her in terms of 'accommodation'. I will not be ticking the financial support box.

3. Do I need to get my parents to write letter of invitation? Proof that this is our actual address? Do I need to write an invitation letter? As I am her boyfriend.

Since she would be staying with you AND your parents at their house, I would be including a letter of invitation from them as well. One from each of them. There are obvious things they should include such as they support you and her in this relationship, they look forward to meeting her, etc etc.

4. I have read others on here attaching many photos of themselves together, phone bills, emails etc. To prove that they know each other and are genuine. Is that it? Just print off a handful of colour photos?

Well, not exactly, the photos are just supporting the fact that you know each other. It's a combination of everything. The fact that you have been there so I would include a copy of your passport data page and thai immigration stamps. Photo's as well, emails, phone call charge records, anything that supports your claims.

As a side note, the biggest plus you have is her apparent financial stability since she has paid for you to go there in the past she is obviously financially secure. This goes greatly in her favour since she has (I would think) a good job, and stable savings history. She would need to include all her finances, since she is supporting herself she will need money in the bank. She would need to take out medical insurance for the trip. And provide a letter from her employer that she has job waiting for her when she returns.

Look these are just a beginning, hopefully someone can add more to them or even highlight any errors I may have put up. But in my opinion, you can't have too much information.

good luck

[Turboadam]

Agree with the above other than the medical insurance. There is no legal requirement for that.

Up to you/her to decide if it's needed. (I did for my wife, just not worth an accident and many 1000's od dollars of emergency costs).

[Madivad]

Ahh yes, that did come out wrong, I meant to say that in her statement she should mention that she has the funds to meet any medical expenses. Whilst not necessary, we've always included that line. Only on my wife's first trip did we actually do it.

[Amras]

As above. It's not as hard as people make it out to be. My gf has been to Australia twice, the first time was only after I knew her for 3 months. Things I included:- copy of phone records showing constant contact (genuine ongoing relationship). - copy of photos showing you two together (adds to the above). - a statutory declaration form you saying that you will provide accommodation in your family home and ensure she abides by her visa conditions. - letter from your parents (only need one, one from each is overkill) saying they are aware of your genuine ongoing relationship with her and are happy to provide accommodation for her during her stay in Australia and signed by both of them (doesn't need to be a stat dec from them, but in your stat dec of support you can just say the letter from your parents is true and accurate). - she will need to show, copies of financial records showing she has enough for the duration of stay in Australia (i believe that around $100 per day was a guide, but less if she doesn't have to provide her own accommodation) but it needs to be a reasonable amount. $1000 for a 3 month holiday is not enough. In my case I provided complete financial support. - Ties to her home country. Copy of land ownership and family ties (can just be a letter), more importantly a letter from her employer acknowledging that she will be taking time off to go on a holiday to Australia and that she still has a job when she returns. (In my case she didn't own land, only provided a copy of a rental agreement and the first time she was enrolled in a course and the fact she takes some financial care of her mother). - I believe you age will be on your side anyway. It's unlikely they will believe that she is going to settle in Australia and overstay her visa due to your age (or that your a likely smuggling her for work) Regardless of what people think, this does have an effect regardless of whether it is purely perception or not. Good luck. You shouldn't have an issue with it. Just include as much information as you can. Any questions let me know.

[Madivad]

The only thing I'll add to the above from Amras, is that I never provided any stat dec. Just statements on normal A4 typed paper.

I have my own place, and so with my mum I got a statement she was aware of our relation, had spoken to bet on the phone and IM, and my statement included all my financials (I was providing that support).

She didn't include any financials of her own but did include a letter from her boss (sister in family restaurant) indicating they supported her for the visit and she had a job to come back to.

We did include call records, no emails (we spoke or chat every day, no need for emails), and over 100 photos (2 or 3 to a page). Each photo had a description with date and place.

I think I've wound up repeating myself from above. It's pretty simple once it's all done. A little daunting because they will simply refuse and return instead of asking for anything to confirm/refute anything. After all that's not their job.

You shouldn't have any problems. Good luck. And please report back with your results. Finally I hope she enjoys the trip (she will, just don't make it winter!), and all the best

[Mulletman]

First of all guys, I would like to say thank you for all of the fantastic answers in regards to my questions, and the wealth of information is fantastic. Ive copied all of it into a word document, I'm pretty comfortable as to what we need for the visa application now.

One question regarding certifying documents. She has some land, and has some original paper stating how many rai she owns etc (in Thai). I know in Oz to certify a document, just have to walk into a police station and they will sight the original and copy, and sign the copy. Is it the same in Thailand?

Thankyou again guys.

Kind Regards

Tom

[Madivad]

The documents we submitted were varied in "certification":

- birth certificate, not certified (she signed it herself)

- family book was certified by someone in Thai

- our passport data pages were certified by a JP on our of our trips to sydney, although thinking about it, her first app, her data page was NOT certified by anyone

- my passport (and on subsequent visas, her passport as well), immigration stamp pages, and my visa page, not signed

- my financials were just signed by me

- call records (not signed)

- all letters from us and family only signed by the party making the statement, including: her sister (employer), her mother (2nd employer), my mother (knowledge), friend (knowledge), me, and my wife. Only one signature appeared on any of these document. ie not certified and not a stat dec.

- copies of photos, unsigned

- her "single" certificate, unsigned

another interesting deviation from what's required, none of the thai documents were translated into english, these included her birth certificate, family book, and single (or never married) certificate.

hope that helps

edit: in her third visa application, we included our (australian) marriage certificate, again, this was not certified, nor signed by either of us (this was the official certificate, not the decorative one)

Edited August 1, 2011 by Madivad

[Mulletman]

Yes I think she is going to go to a police station or something in Thailand, and try to get her land contracts (or whatever they are) signed. I have about 20 photos of us together, me with her grandparents, parents etc. Do these have to be dated?

Cheers,

Tom

The documents we submitted were varied in "certification":

- birth certificate, not certified (she signed it herself)

- family book was certified by someone in Thai

- our passport data pages were certified by a JP on our of our trips to sydney, although thinking about it, her first app, her data page was NOT certified by anyone

- my passport (and on subsequent visas, her passport as well), immigration stamp pages, and my visa page, not signed

- my financials were just signed by me

- call records (not signed)

- all letters from us and family only signed by the party making the statement, including: her sister (employer), her mother (2nd employer), my mother (knowledge), friend (knowledge), me, and my wife. Only one signature appeared on any of these document. ie not certified and not a stat dec.

- copies of photos, unsigned

- her "single" certificate, unsigned

another interesting deviation from what's required, none of the thai documents were translated into english, these included her birth certificate, family book, and single (or never married) certificate.

hope that helps

edit: in her third visa application, we included our (australian) marriage certificate, again, this was not certified, nor signed by either of us (this was the official certificate, not the decorative one)

[Madivad]

Are you talking physical photographs or digital photos printed onto paper? We printed ours onto A4 paper, 2, 3 or 4 to a page, then under each photo we put the date, location and if there was someone else in the photo we put who they were as well. We did that to further prove she knew my family and not just that I knew hers. The people part is probably not important, but I think date and possibly location would be. If you have physical photos, I'd just write it onto the back

[henleyd]

So how did she go with the visa ?

Your girl friend wont have any problems whatsoever getting a visitor visa.

My girlfriend got a visitor visa without a no further stay she ended up staying for 7 months.

A letter of invitation

Money in the bank or a letter from you stating you will pay her way (bank statement attached)

A letter from her employer granting her holiday leave

Thats about all she needs all the other info you include is a bonus

[Mulletman]

Sorry guys, things have gone slow with this visa. Seems being methodical and doing something 4 months in advance, just doesnt translate into Thai!

Anyway, all our forms are done now. My gf can drop all of the visa forms off at the Australian Embassy in Bkk, but I want to pay the ~3000bt fee here in Melbourne.

It says on the Aus immigration website that this is possible, but does not elaborate any further!

Does anybody know what the process is?

Kind regards,

MM

[Elwood62]

you can pay and then she needs the receipt. I think a copy is ok as this is a very wise thing lol others will explain better

[Mulletman]

What do you mean by this is a very wise thing?

Regards

[Elwood62]

if you send original and it goes lost in the mail then your stuffed. faxes are not always very clear and some departments dont accept faxes. thats what i mean

cheers

[Madivad]

Sorry guys, things have gone slow with this visa. Seems being methodical and doing something 4 months in advance, just doesnt translate into Thai!

Anyway, all our forms are done now. My gf can drop all of the visa forms off at the Australian Embassy in Bkk, but I want to pay the ~3000bt fee here in Melbourne.

It says on the Aus immigration website that this is possible, but does not elaborate any further!

Does anybody know what the process is?

Kind regards,

MM

I could be wrong, but, you can attend the local DIAC office and pay the fee yourself, I'm pretty sure you only need to supply a receipt number. Again, I could be wrong on that. Search around for threads by bridge, he detailed how to do this quite some time ago....

I went and found it:

do whatever works out best for you