Second Visit To Australia

[tinytot]

I am needing info about g/f second tourist visa, I am fully supporting her again , her first visa was granted without any interviews and she went back before her visa had expired.

Some questions i do need answers to Please !!

1.. What evidence is needed? Same as first time e.g. Bank statements, Photos together Stat Dec?

2.. Her first visa was approved in 8th August without any problems and i am wanting to bring her back to oz about 24 january, Is it to early to apply or just apply and see what happens?

3..Should i get stat decs from people who met her in Australia when she visited ?

4.. What are some documents she should try and get together whilst she is in Thailand until i arrive ?

5.. She is only working part time as she finished University and has to graduated 9th January..

6..Being a graduate at University would the staff at application centre be inclined to grant visa as she has a degree and if she did overstay her visa that her name would be on the records for any high salary job she would go and apply for once she went back to Thailand?

7..Last question is , We were thinking of registering for marriage oonce i go back , Will that be wise to do or not? I ask this question because i am thinking if we did register then maybe just maybe the staff at app centre may grant visa ?

Thanks to whoever who may be able to give me some advice , I am going to be taking same documents i first took , about where we met and how and why i want to take to oz also. But sure there must be other things besides first application docs that they would like to see?

Cheers...............Tinytot

[Cossi]

Tourist Visa does not require an interview. She got the last visa no dramas so just do the same again. All the same evidence plus any new additional evidence that you have. Photos of you and her in Oz, Stat decs from your family and friends that have met her, new bank statements etc.

[Mighty Mouse]

The second tourist visa is usually a breeze. If you produce all the documents that you had for your first visa, it should suffice.

You may find that you will need to apply for a fiance visa third time around, so now is the time to start gathering as much information and photographs as you can to support such application.

You mentioned "overstay" in point six. Don't, under any circumstances, overstay your tourist visa.

Only you know whether or not you want to marry her. A marriage certificate does not automatically mean the granting of a permanent visa.

You will find a mountain of information regarding permanent visa applications in the visa section of this forum. Use the search option.

[ProThaiExpat]

Much to my surpirise, there is a posting in another thread that the 3rd visa application was denied and the reason given was that they expectecd a fiance application to have been used by that time.

I agree that the documents for the first application need only be updated and resubmitted for the second try.

As an aside, the reason for the denial of the third visa given above does not make sense as "a compelling reason to return" is supposed to be the criteria used to determine issuability, all other requrements having been met.

The proximity of the visits might have something to do with it. A defacto residence being maintained via tourist visas.

[gburns57au]

Much to my surpirise, there is a posting in another thread that the 3rd visa application was denied and the reason given was that they expectecd a fiance application to have been used by that time.

I agree that the documents for the first application need only be updated and resubmitted for the second try.

As an aside, the reason for the denial of the third visa given above does not make sense as "a compelling reason to return" is supposed to be the criteria used to determine issuability, all other requrements having been met.

The proximity of the visits might have something to do with it.  A defacto residence being maintained via tourist visas.

Multiple visits over a 12 month period would not constitute de facto status unless you could show things such as joint accounts etc which they cant get unless they are a resident or on a temp res visa.

I would be very upset at having to apply for a fiance visa for a third visit....it is my partners and my choice if we want to take that step...not the Australian embassy. There is no authority for them to make that decision.

Lastly as others have said....second visa will require the same evidence as the first visa but you should have more supporting documentation. There is no waiting time for a second visa application.

[Mighty Mouse]

I would be very upset at having to apply for a fiance visa for a third visit....it is my partners and my choice if we want to take that step...not the Australian embassy. There is no authority for them to make that decision.

When my g/f obtained her second tourist visa, the supervisor advised us to submit our papers for a permanent visa as it would be unlikely that a third tourist visa would be issued.

As you stated, I was upset too. How dare the Australian Govt. tell me to get married just so that my g/f could visit Australia.

The supervisor explained that by granting two six month tourist visas, it was considered more than enough time for an applicant to tour Australia and any further application would be regarded as excessive. The Govt. would suspect that the real reason for the application was not to tour, but to seek employment.

This is when the applicant is being sponsored by the boyfriend.

It may well be different for a Thai person applying on their own merits. If they meet all the requirements, they possibly could get multiple short term tourist visas.

You need to keep in mind that applicants from third world countries would find Australia a very attractive place to work. The Australian Immigration Department have files a mile high of Thai women in Australia who have overstayed their visas, some by many, many years.

Raids on brothels usually finds a lot of them.

[gburns57au]

I would be very upset at having to apply for a fiance visa for a third visit....it is my partners and my choice if we want to take that step...not the Australian embassy. There is no authority for them to make that decision.

When my g/f obtained her second tourist visa, the supervisor advised us to submit our papers for a permanent visa as it would be unlikely that a third tourist visa would be issued.

As you stated, I was upset too. How dare the Australian Govt. tell me to get married just so that my g/f could visit Australia.

The supervisor explained that by granting two six month tourist visas, it was considered more than enough time for an applicant to tour Australia and any further application would be regarded as excessive. The Govt. would suspect that the real reason for the application was not to tour, but to seek employment.

This is when the applicant is being sponsored by the boyfriend.

It may well be different for a Thai person applying on their own merits. If they meet all the requirements, they possibly could get multiple short term tourist visas.

You need to keep in mind that applicants from third world countries would find Australia a very attractive place to work. The Australian Immigration Department have files a mile high of Thai women in Australia who have overstayed their visas, some by many, many years.

Raids on brothels usually finds a lot of them.

My answer to that is that she is going for a holiday, much the same as my 20+ trips to Thailand and I would be stating that on a stat dec.

[Sporting Dog]

My then fiance (now my wife) came back for her 2nd trip to Oz in April this year. We were meant to fly to Perth together but the visa didn't come thru in time so she came the next day by herself. Both of us had to return to LOS a month later - both to return to jobs.

To get the visa we submitted the same sort of stuff as the first time - photos, emails, work stuff etc., All well and good.

However when she got to Perth they gave her the 3rd degree, went thru her bags, questioned her - lucklily she can speak English OK and kept her cool.

While I was waiting in the airport to meet her, an immigration officer came out and gave me the 3rd degree too. Why didn't we apply for a fiance visa (didn't even know there was such a thing), you know she can't extend her visa etc. Then she complained about her coming by herself - not with me. I explained that the embassy had taken so long with the visa. They only seemed to be happy when I told them I was returning to LOS and we only came home because I had some work to do.

Anyway they let her finally but it was embarrassing, a bit humiliating and pissed me right off.

So make sure you get your stuff sorted early and fly down with her. It seems any thai girl entering Oz more than once every five years is seen as some sort of problem.

So I don't think much of the Aus Embassy or Immi dept.

Edited November 3, 2005 by Sporting Dog

[Mighty Mouse]

My answer to that is that she is going for a holiday, much the same as my 20+ trips to Thailand and I would be stating that on a stat dec.

Australians can get a 30 day tourist visa to Thailand. Free of charge.

We then must pay for a 60 day tourist visa.

After that we can apply for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa and then an Immigrant Visa.

Which visa have you had for your "20 + trips" and what is the average amount of time for each visit?

Thais coming to Australia can get a six month tourist visa which is a very generous amount of time for a "holiday." A second six month tourist visa is usually granted without any fuss. The Immigration Department regard these six month periods, and the time in between them, as part of your permanent relationship as a couple.

In fairness to the Dept of Immigration, they would need to draw the line somewhere. You either demonstrate how committed you are to continuing the relationship by applying for permanency or you only visit your g/f during your free visits to Thailand.

If you are in love and want your g/f to live with you it is not a difficult choice.

I can however, appreciate your line of thinking. I'm sure we all had similar thoughts when we were confronted with applying for a permanent visa when we hadn't really made up our minds as to whether we wanted to make that committment.

[gburns57au]

My answer to that is that she is going for a holiday, much the same as my 20+ trips to Thailand and I would be stating that on a stat dec.

Australians can get a 30 day tourist visa to Thailand. Free of charge.

We then must pay for a 60 day tourist visa.

After that we can apply for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa and then an Immigrant Visa.

Which visa have you had for your "20 + trips" and what is the average amount of time for each visit?

I am aware of the Visas available and the length and type of visas I have travelled on is irrelevant

Thais coming to Australia can get a six month tourist visa which is a very generous amount of time for a "holiday." A second six month tourist visa is usually granted without any fuss. The Immigration Department regard these six month periods, and the time in between them, as part of your permanent relationship as a couple.

They also have to pay a generous amount of money and provide a lot of "evidence" to get it...it is quite amazing as we are supposed to have a recipricol visa agreement with Thailand

In fairness to the Dept of Immigration, they would need to draw the line somewhere. You either demonstrate how committed you are to continuing the relationship by applying for permanency or you only visit your g/f during your free visits to Thailand.

If you are in love and want your g/f to live with you it is not a difficult choice.

I agree it is not a difficult choice.....but it should be our choice

I can however, appreciate your line of thinking. I'm sure we all had similar thoughts when we were confronted with applying for a permanent visa when we hadn't really made up our minds as to whether we wanted to make that committment.

The issue here is not whether you are committed to a relationship, ready for marriage or not....the issue is that a government department is trying to force someone to do something that they may not want to do, by using what basically amounts to implied threats.....Get a fiance visa and get married or she cant come to visit you....

[Mighty Mouse]

the issue is that a government department is trying to force someone to do something that they may not want to do, by using what basically amounts to implied threats.....Get a fiance visa and get married or she cant come to visit you....[/color]

I fully agree with everything you say but you will need to move mountains before you get the Govt. to change their policy on this issue.

In the mean time, both you and your g/f are separated, living in different countries and neither of you are getting any younger.

You can either protest (as you are doing here), lodge an appeal, challenge them in the high court, go and live with your g/f in Thailand etc. etc. or you can swallow your indignation and apply for a permanent visa.

You don't need to marry, you can apply for the de-facto category.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

My answer to that is that she is going for a holiday, much the same as my 20+ trips to Thailand and I would be stating that on a stat dec.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Australians can get a 30 day tourist visa to Thailand. Free of charge.

We then must pay for a 60 day tourist visa.

After that we can apply for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa and then an Immigrant Visa.

Which visa have you had for your "20 + trips" and what is the average amount of time for each visit?

Thais coming to Australia can get a six month tourist visa which is a very generous amount of time for a "holiday." A second six month tourist visa is usually granted without any fuss. The Immigration Department regard these six month periods, and the time in between them, as part of your permanent relationship as a couple.

In fairness to the Dept of Immigration, they would need to draw the line somewhere. You either demonstrate how committed you are to continuing the relationship by applying for permanency or you only visit your g/f during your free visits to Thailand.

If you are in love and want your g/f to live with you it is not a difficult choice.

I can however, appreciate your line of thinking. I'm sure we all had similar thoughts when we were confronted with applying for a permanent visa when we hadn't really made up our minds as to whether we wanted to make that committment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A six month visa for Australia is very rare nowdays. Any lengthy extension of that visa is even rarer.

[Mighty Mouse]

A six month visa for Australia is very rare nowdays. Any lengthy extension of that visa is even rarer.

Whatever length of time they give you for a tourist visa, whether it be three months or six months, the visa stamp, in the Thai passport, clearly states "No extension of visa."

[gburns57au]

I fully agree with everything you say but you will need to move mountains before you get the Govt. to change their policy on this issue.

In the mean time, both you and your g/f are separated, living in different countries and neither of you are getting any younger.

You can either protest (as you are doing here), lodge an appeal, challenge them in the high court, go and live with your g/f in Thailand etc. etc. or you can swallow your indignation and apply for a permanent visa.

You don't need to marry, you can apply for the de-facto category.

My girl and I are not in a position to apply for a permanant visa as this time, we have known each other for 2 years and in a relationship for 1 year, she will make her 2nd trip here hopefully in March. The question of marriage while raised has not been discussed in detail at this time.

I am concerned by two things, one is that I may have a application refused for this reason, and two, it appears to me to be an infringement of rights that a government dept can actually make this stipulation. I will be in contact with the immigration dept prior to the third application to question this ruling. It would be interesting to hear from guys that have had more than 3 visas granted to a g/f without this issue being raised.

You mentioned in an earlier post that you had, had 2 x 6 months visas, I wonder if that maybe part of the issue....for instance would the same apply to 2 x 3 month visa ???

Edited November 5, 2005 by gburns57au

[Mighty Mouse]

You mentioned in an earlier post that you had, had 2 x 6 months visas, I wonder if that maybe part of the issue....for instance would the same apply to 2 x 3 month visa ???

I mentioned in the earlier post that the supervisor explanation centred around 2 X 6 month visas. In our case we only applied for a three month visa for the first visit. My g/f could only stay for two months. On the second occasion she applied for a six month visa but was granted a four month visa. Their explanation was that as she had already spent two months in Australia for the year 2002, they would not grant her any time exceeding six months in that same year.

I had to accept this. I then asked whether there would be any problem with obtaining a six month tourist visa for 2003 and I was told that we would have to apply for a permanent visa for her third trip.

This is the explanation that I referred to in my earlier post. It made no difference that my g/f had only six months in total in Australia. The embassy was counting the number of tourist visas issued rather than the amount of time granted.

I have a mate who had brought his g/f out to Australia for six months on the first occasion. They reapplied for a nine month second visa. They wrote in their application that they planned to marry in Australia and they also submitted their application for a permanent visa at the same time. The nine month tourist visa was granted and the permanent visa was subsequently granted also.

He works for the Australian Federal Police, so that may have helped.

[Mighty Mouse]

Further to my last post:

When my g/f's second four month tourist visa expired, she returned to Thailand and I followed later in the year. I had in the mean time contacted the Australian Immigration Office in Sydney. They told me that I could apply for a tourist visa for her as many times as I wanted. What they didn't tell me, was that they would probably all be rejected.

Upon my arrival in Thailand in 2003, we both went to the Embassy in Bangkok. We submitted an application for a third tourist visa for a six month stay. In this application we stated that we wanted a third tourist visa so that we could apply for a permanent visa in Sydney. I paid the fee and we were told to sit and wait.

We were then ushered into an interview room and a female Thai supervisor told us that she would be rejecting the application as the main purpose of the application was not to tour but to apply for a permanent visa whilst in Australia.

&lt;deleted&gt; !!!!

She advised us to submit an application for a permanent visa on the spot and she would then be in a better position to look more favourably at our third tourist visa application.

I had with me at that time most of the papers that I would need in order to apply for a permanent visa.

We left the interview room to fill out an application for a permanent visa and to go to the bank to obtain a bank cheque to cover the fee. The fee for the application was cheaper in Bangkok than it would have been in Sydney.

We went back to the embassy and were interviewed again by the same supervisor.

She noted that I had chosen the "de-facto" category. She said that our chances of success with the de-facto category were about 30%. She then stated that we had an 80% chance of success with the spouse category.

I told her that I had strong personal reasons for choosing de-facto. She asked what they were. I told her that my reasons were personal. ( I thought at the time that this interview was too intrusive and that it was none of the Govts. business to ask anyway.) She just shrugged and said "Up to you, but we may not have enough information to approve the application."

She then approved the third tourist visa application and gave us six months. She pointed out to me other papers that I would need to submit as support for our permanent visa application.

Back in Australia, I gathered all the required papers and also wrote out a lengthy and fairly involved explanation of my fears and reasons for not wanting to get married.

I posted these to the embassy in Bangkok.

At the completion of the six month tourist visa, my g/f was called back to the embassy for a second one on one interview.

I was phoned from Bangkok by an Australian female senior supervisor inviting me to submit further supporting information.

I asked her why. Wasn't the information I had already submitted enough? She replied, "I am only inviting you to submit more if you want. If not, we will make a decision on what we have."

I took this to mean that our application for permanency was not strong enough. Probably because of the de-facto category.

I obtained more statutory declarations from friends and neighbours, more photographs of us together and I also wrote another lengthy submission to them stating why they should grant the visa.

Soon after, the permanent visa was issued.

In comparison to some of the stories I have heard from others, my application was processed smoothly and without any drama.

I suggest that you contact the Immigration Office in your Australian capital city for information about a third tourist visa and also send an email to the embassy in Bangkok regarding their current policy on this issue. Be guided by their reply.

[gburns57au]

interesting to note that your applications were done at the embassy, the current system may make it harder to get explanations and resolutions.

I take your point about e mailing the embassy in Bangkok to get some guidelines on it prior to applying. I will certainly be making a few enquiries at that time.

interesting you mentioned that your mate was a fed cop.....I am a warranted court/custodial officer and will be providing a copy of my ID with any application.

[Mighty Mouse]

interesting to note that your applications were done at the embassy, the current system may make it harder to get explanations and resolutions.

I take your point about e mailing the embassy in Bangkok to get some guidelines on it prior to applying. I will certainly be making a few enquiries at that time.

interesting you mentioned that your mate was a fed cop.....I am a warranted court/custodial officer and will be providing a copy of my ID with any application.

I have no experience with the current Bangkok visa procedure, but from what I have read in this forum, the system is now more streamlined.

I don't know what effect little Johnny Howards new anti terrorism laws may have on obtaining visas either.

I hope all goes well for you both. Please keep us informed via this thread.

Good luck.

[gburns57au]

No worries....thx

interesting to note that your applications were done at the embassy, the current system may make it harder to get explanations and resolutions.

I take your point about e mailing the embassy in Bangkok to get some guidelines on it prior to applying. I will certainly be making a few enquiries at that time.

interesting you mentioned that your mate was a fed cop.....I am a warranted court/custodial officer and will be providing a copy of my ID with any application.

I have no experience with the current Bangkok visa procedure, but from what I have read in this forum, the system is now more streamlined.

I don't know what effect little Johnny Howards new anti terrorism laws may have on obtaining visas either.

I hope all goes well for you both. Please keep us informed via this thread.

Good luck.