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Posted

Tips ... page 1 of 2

Probably good to finish with a Tips Page

These deal with before you get the visa.

Just some quick and easy things that I remember from this application

  • The #1 tip and #1reason why the Visa might be declined is that your gf (or bf) has not shown enough reasons why her return to Thailand is compelling when the Visa expires. Her money in the bank or the fact that she owns a car there or that she is leaving her child, each, on their own is maybe not enough. Spend more time on this question then any other.

  • Don’t fake the employment letter. Your gf’s bank book will reveal all. Plus it is standard practise to ring the Employer and confirm the letter.

  • If she doesn’t have the money, and you do … it’s not a problem.

  • Topping up her Bank Account doesn’t work.

  • If you are going to use the VFS service (and we did) then maybe a telephone call to them before you make the application would be sensible. Ask them what documentation they require.

  • Your first application is important. Keep a copy of it. When you apply again for a Visa use that information as a starting point.

  • Use the first tourist visa as intended then the second application is much easier. Ours was!

  • If you have questions about the application, representatives from the Embassy go to their lodging agency, currently the VFS, on a Thursday between 14.00 and 16.00. Check here for confirmation of the days and times http://www.thailand...._Migration.html

  • Lodging the application is no biggie and can easily do it yourself. However, if your gf has an ‘interesting’ or non-standard application or find yourself yelling at government employees when things get bogged down, then do your blood pressure a favour and consider using an agent.

  • No-one has all the answers … but you will find more good information here, on this Forum, then the guy sitting next to you at the Bar … no offence intended to the tea totalers. And yes, not everyone goes to a Bar ... but you get the drift.

Posted

Tips page 2 of 2

These deal with after you got the visa.

  • If your gf is travelling to Australia unaccompanied then consider giving her the following:-

  • A copy of the Passenger Card in Thai … see the ‘Useful web links’ page. She will have to complete the card in English on the plane or in the Australian Airport … but if she speaks, but not reads English well, a mistake here can have serious consequences.

  • A letter of introduction to the various officers who may stop her and ask questions. Just your name, relationship to her, contact number for you, the fact that she has a Visa and the type of Visa she has etc.

  • Maybe also ask her to dress conservatively … I don’t mean to offend anyone but some of the ladies, when they arrive at the Airport do dress as if they were in Thailand on a hot summers day, and maybe it’s best not to attract the wrong sort of attention when trying to enter the country … wear what you want when leaving though!

  • Make sure that when the immigration officer asks her the question .. “Do you plan to work while you are in Australia” …... and she say yes …... (she doesn’t actually mean to say ‘yes’. She is thinking, ‘yes’ I understand your question and actually says the word ‘yes’. While the Officer is thinking ‘Cancel Visa’. Make sure she says no) ... not working Australia, I tourist.

  • Don’t buy the Airline ticket, nor travel insurance before the Visa is granted.

  • If she is going to bring food into the country, pack it in the top part of the suitcase which is put in the planes belly. Tell the customs officer where it is and tick the correct box on the Arrivals Card. I bought in a tin of those sickly clam things in a tin (bought from TESCO) and told the officer, she looked, smiled and waved them through.The reason to put them in the large bag is that you can have liquids in it, but not the carry-on bag, but bottles and the like are a definite no-no if you ever have watched the baggage handlers.

None of this stuff is advice, but just my Thai gf’s and my collective experience from this and past Visa applications and other fellow posters.

Probably close to finishing the post now.

Further tips or contradictive argument is welcome.

Good luck with your application.

David48 cowboy.gif

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

This Topic has now been pinned and can be accessed both here with the direct link or though the Australian Visa And Pension Topics http://www.thaivisa....pension-topics/ at the top of this Forum.

This tread is not locked and please add to it if you have experiences which differ from mine or PM me and I'll add them for you.

Thanks to all who have contributed to date.

Posted

Can your Thai visitor use their existing Thai issued licence to drive in Australia?

In Australia, laws and driving regulations differ from state to state. Some states require you to carry an International Licence with your current foreign licence. Other states request you carry your current foreign driver's licence together with a formal translation of your licence into English.

As a general rule, you are able to drive in Australia, as a visitor, on a valid overseas driver's licence that covers the same vehicle class for a maximum of three months after arriving in Australia.

All the links to the different States and Territories requirements can be found here at this Australian Government Website ... http://australia.gov...ng-in-australia

  • 4 months later...
Posted

Great info here, Im about to go through this process myself Im after some info about what other members suggest should be written in a letter of introduction and also a letter of invitation. all help appreciated

Posted

Great info here, Im about to go through this process myself Im after some info about what other members suggest should be written in a letter of introduction and also a letter of invitation. all help appreciated

I'll PM you with some information.

Others may have some Ideas also.

David

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Update ...

My Lass is out on her first longer visit and staying 3 months.

Was feeling a tad homesick just recently.

Some Thai radio helped.

Here is a list of Thai Language Radio Stations which don't compete with the English orientated Forum Radio Sponsor.

The Lady particularly likes 103 Like FM Social Network found here ... pleasant enough, and sure to win you brownie points ... thumbsup.gif

.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Some updated information as per this thread of australian visa getting easier?

If you click on the words above australian visa getting easier it will take you to a thread by supaprik discussing the increased issuance of a 12 month multiple entry visa and some good discussion.

Current as at September 2012.

  • 6 months later...
Posted

Here's a couple more pointers for after her visa approval and she's on her way to Australia .

The incoming passenger card can be done with the help of a nice passenger or air hostess.

Everyday thousands of people without the best English skills come to this country. They all do just fine.

A very very good idea though is tell your partner never ever ever hold someone else's belongings in airports. An unweary Thai girl may think she's just helping someone when she's really holding drugs for someone.

Another is tell your Thai girl here in Australia we are lucky to have all the Asian food, sauces veges etc they will need. No need to bring.

If your partner is pregnant, or planning to become, tell her buy any tablets or herbal tablets that Thais seem to use in Thailand for pregnancy or after bubs is born. They are very cheap there and bloody hard if not impossible to find here. Seems silly for us guys but your partner will take it very seriously! Trust me on that one.

  • Like 1
Posted

Here's another tip, after she's been here on a tourist visa, in our case twice, then we went for the fiancee visa, we submitted no more photos, phone bills, etc. Only thing I gave them was the visa application.

There's no need to keep giving them proof of relationship. You've already done that.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Here is the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) in Thai which can be helpful if your Thai Gf/Missus is travelling alone to Australia and needs a little help.

post-104736-0-39930700-1367198223_thumb.

IPC Front

post-104736-0-18735800-1367198211_thumb.

IPC Back

Also attached is a word document which has both the Thai and English versions.

Recently the (IPC) Card was changed ... even caught me out ... was the 'food items' that I noticed the change ... there maybe other changes.

This supersedes an earlier post which has/will be removed.

IPC in English and Thai.doc

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

My mate in Oz got his gf her first 3 month tourist visa from VSF which took about 15 days. (He was in Bkk at the time). She went for about a 10 day holiday and returned. All is good. Can someone tell me if another application for all the same reasons with VSF will take another 15 days or because they already have most of the info will it be quicker this time? Thanks.

Posted

My mate in Oz got his gf her first 3 month tourist visa from VSF which took about 15 days. (He was in Bkk at the time). She went for about a 10 day holiday and returned. All is good. Can someone tell me if another application for all the same reasons with VSF will take another 15 days or because they already have most of the info will it be quicker this time? Thanks.

It should take roughly the same time.

It's a new application so still has to be assessed and processed regardless.

Regards

Will

  • 4 months later...
Posted

hi there

Thank you, very informative thread.

My GF of 5 years was granted a visit visa 12 months ago and we are about to apply for another for a weeks holiday next month (we both live here).

1. Just wondering if we will need to give all the documents (letters) to DIAC again?

2. Can i assume that there will be a high liklihood of success? (she will have a letter guaranteeing her continued employment)

Look forward to any responses.

cheers

D

M

Posted

Just to add... I did it via a website last year. So that will be another option for people who wants to do it online. www.evisaasia.com . Hope that helps!.

By the way, its my first post and so hello.. to everyone. :)

Useful web links

Australian Embassy in Bangkok
http://www.thailand..../bkok/home.html

VFS Thailand (the current contracted receiving agent for the Australian Embassy)
http://www.vfs-au.net/

Tourist Visa- the form
http://www.immi.gov....rms/pdf/48r.pdf
If the above link is dead or doesn’t open (which happened to me sometimes) click the link below, it’s numerical in order and go to the 48R Form.
http://www.immi.gov..../forms_num1.htm
Also the 48R is available in Thai/English
http://www.immi.gov....eign/48rtha.pdf
If the above link is dead or doesn’t open the link below and locate the 48R Thai-English version
http://www.immi.gov....nguages_num.htm

Dept of I and C (Passenger Card)
http://www.immi.gov....assenger-cards/
http://www.immi.gov....-ipc-sample.pdf (in Thai)
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVIDP%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Dept of I and C)
http://www.immi.gov.au/

Dept of I and C (for Tourists)
http://www.immi.gov....sitors/tourist/

Dept of I and C (Tourists Visa information)
http://www.immi.gov....rs/tourist/676/

Dept of I and C (How to apply)
http://www.immi.gov....ow-to-apply.htm

Dept of I and C (Thailand Visa Information and Lodgement)
http://www.immi.gov....information.htm

Dept of I and C (Australian Visa Office in Bangkok)
http://www.immi.gov....eas/t/thailand/

Dept of I and C (Compliments – complaints policy)
http://www.immi.gov....olicy-06-07.pdf

Dept of I and C (Internet ‘feedback’ form)
http://www.immi.gov....rvices-form.htm

Posted

Just to add... I did it via a website last year. So that will be another option for people who wants to do it online. www.evisaasia.com . Hope that helps!.

By the way, its my first post and so hello.. to everyone. smile.png

Why would you use a visa processing agent? BTW I checked their site for Thais to enter Australia and their are some factual errors. Also are they a registered as a Visa Agent with DIAC?

Posted

hi there

Thank you, very informative thread.

My GF of 5 years was granted a visit visa 12 months ago and we are about to apply for another for a weeks holiday next month (we both live here).

1. Just wondering if we will need to give all the documents (letters) to DIAC again?

2. Can i assume that there will be a high liklihood of success? (she will have a letter guaranteeing her continued employment)

Look forward to any responses.

cheers

D

M

1. Yes

2. Never assume...

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Just wanted to thank David48 for this thread, my gf just received her first visa, it only took 4 working days to process, I probably went overboard with info, but glad I did and hopefully enjoy a lovely trip back to Aus in January.

Thanks again David for all your effort clap2.gif

  • Like 2
  • 1 month later...
Posted

Thanks for the info David48

When your girl got her single entry visa was it basically the same process and information that isrequired for the 12 month multi entry?

I ask because I plan to fly my girl to aus for 2 weeks in April , she has already been once when she was ten years old and has also travelled to USA, both times to visit family members. I don't think they will consider her as much of a risk as she owns a property in Thailand, also I would be sponsoring her trip.

Thanks again for the information

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Posted

Mate, my gf actually got her 3 month Visa first then, after successfully fulfilling those conditions (and that was basically her going home before the Visa expired) she then applied for a multiple entry Visa.

The only actual difference was a 'tick' in the 3 month Visa box, or the Multiple Entry 12 month Visa Box.

All the other information was exactly the same.

What is beneficial for your lady's application is that she has already traveled to Australia previously and also to the US.

If that US trip was as an adult for her ... GREAT. My understanding is that countries like Australia, USA, NZ, UK etc view favorably an applicant who has had a Visa for a similar country and has complied with that Visa.

Be sure to mention the USA Visa, and if you think relevant, the older Australian Visa in the covering letter.

While a few of the links may now be a little out of date in this guide ... the basic premise remains the same.

Demonstrate the compelling reason why your lady should return to Thailand at the expiry of the Visa.

Good luck to you and your Partner and I wish you both every success with the application.

Please came back to this thread and add some comment as it's members like you who keep this guide current for the next guy ... thumbsup.gif

Posted

Thanks for the info David, I'm based in NZ & just filling in gf visa applications for both Australia & NZ, this will be her 4th tourist visa, last time we had to go through TT services in BKK who I guess is some sort of agent for NZ immigration. Seems a lot easier than the first time as they don't require the relationship history anymore, I've always filled in the sponsorship form & gf done the rest including telling them she quit job as a teacher without any dramas.

This time the local Thais have advised her to come here on a tourist visa & then apply for the 2 year work visa/permit with the aim of getting residency after that. I note on immigration website it says you have to show why no NZ national can do the job she's applying for but in our case this should be fine as she's been offered work in a Thai restaurant.

We have made some small mistakes in the past incl:

* forgot to include self addressed envelope so visa just sat there until we inquired why it was taking so long

* they require all the original documents (not just scanned & emailed)

* always tell the truth even if it means more paperwork

Overall we found the immigration people very polite & helpful.

  • Like 1
Posted

Mate, thanks for your update ... everyone's experience as they apply for their Visas adds to the knowledge pool and hopefully makes it easier for the next Applicant.

I too was surprised when they asked for her original Bank Passbook.

Just copies of my details were fine.

And I also agree that honesty is the best route to take as the lies get found out eventually ... especially if the Lassie is a keeper and you want to progress all the way with multiple Visas.

Good luck with your partner's application ... thumbsup.gif

Posted

I read this on the 600 visa page:

The department decides on a case-by-case basis whether to ask for a security bond. We will tell you in writing if you need to provide a bond.

The bond:

  • is usually between AUD5000 and AUD15 000 per person (but we can ask for any amount)
  • must be paid in full before a final decision can be made on the visa application
  • is refunded if your visitor leaves Australia before their visa ends and if they have complied with all visa conditions.

How often do they ask for this? I'm looking to take my girl in March and can't possibly pay it.

Posted

^^ Mate, no-one I know has had this experience on the Forum and has recorded it.

The basic Tourist Visa is fairly easy to do, no bond required.

Just demonstrate a compelling reason for the Visitor to return to their country once the Visa has expired.

Plus, if they don't have funds to support themselves in Australia, then you do and can substantiate this.

I'm happy to help if you have specific questions ... but I'm no Immigration Consultant. Sometimes you need the professionals on the case and the Forum Sponsor who has posted early on in this thread, appears to offer a good service for others feedback.

just PM me if you specific concerns ... if I can help, I will.

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