Do You Think He Will Get A Tourist Visa

[terrychris]

What perccentage chance do you give my Thai friend re his application for a Tourist Visa to Australia.

He's 32yo,works as a casual Bus conductor , on long distance buses to Cambodia etc,he has 200,000 baht in his Bank Account.

He earn's average with overtime 15k a month,but gets paid a majority of this in cash,thus no records,according to him,however the Company he works for will give him a Employment letter detailing his casual status.

His family do have a lot of Land ownership,but for some reason this is all in the Father's name including a shophouse,so this will im sure not help.

He has asked me for a 'sponsorship' type letter,I told him I would have to go more into this,im unsure how to do this.

I have known him for 4 years and his english is very good.

He wished at first to apply for a 'student visa' but foundhe had to have at least 15,000 AUD in his account so he has opted to apply for a Tourist Visa.

I do have stable full time employment in Australia as well as a home he can stay whilst here,for free,however whether this will be taken into consideration I am unsure.

He has contacted a Thai Travel Agent who promised him a Visa for 10,000 baht,he was very excited at this and told me if I sent/faxed the 'sponsership' letter to the Travel Agent she could have him on a flight to Australia next week.

She requested by email a copy of my 1/ Bank Balance with a support letter from the Bank.

2/A letter inviting him to stay free of charge to my home .

3/A letter stating that i have sufficient funds to support him on a Tourist Visa

4/She stated 'home ownership certificate',im unsure what she actually means by this.

5/ A letter from my employer.

She also requests photos of my house here in Australia,rather unusual.

I certainly do not like to send copies of my Bank Account to complete strangers.

Obviously his excitement has caused him to be rather gulliable and I told him to forget paying the Thai agent and go to a Farang,sounds rather racist but for some reason I would feel more comfortable if he used a 'reputable' visa agent rather than a thai travel agent.

She the Travel/Visa agent is now trying to sell him the Airfare to Australia,this is before he has even lodged his application for a visa.

I would rather he see a reputable Visa Agent, preferably a farang, so however I do have my doubts about his success.

I would like to get in touch with a Visa Agent if anyone can assist.

Edited March 11, 2012 by terrychris

[egdirb]

Anyone who says that they can guarantee a visa should be avoided like the plague. Of course this is different from a 'money back guarantee'.

Based on what you have stated however I think it would be unlikely that your friend would be granted a visa. The so called travel/visa agent sounds like a complete shark. Sending photo's of your house, oh dear oh dear.

A successful application will demonstrate to DIAC that the applicants sole intention is to visit Australia as a genuine visitor only as required by the Migration Regulations 1994. A genuine visitor is someone who wants to visit Australia for tourist purposes only and has adequate funds, or access to those funds for the purpose and duration of their proposed visit. The objective circumstances of the applicant are taken into consideration in determining genuineness, and not just stated intention of the applicant. Circumstances that will encourage the applicant to return to Thailand and not overstay.

Any letter of support/invitation MUST cover the following (Background, Personal Circumstances, Support Offered) :

1. Background - How long you have known the applicant. This enables DIAC to attach weight to your letter of support. Without weight been attached is will be of no use. Back it up with proof, photos, emails, visa entry/exit stamps.
   
2. Your Personal Circumstances - That enable you to provide the support, eg, proof of employment, money in the bank etc. If you rent or own property then a copy of your most recent council rates notice or residential lease. In short it is one thing to offer support, but back it up with proof of your ability to provide the support.
   
3. The Support you are prepared to offer the applicant (financial, accommodation etc).
   

Lastly, NEVER purchase an airfare prior to the visa being granted. It does not carry any weight whatsoever towards an application and you run the risk of being stuck with a non-refundable ticket that you cannot use.

Edited March 11, 2012 by egdirb

[David48]

<snip>

The so called travel/visa agent sounds like a complete shark. Sending photo's of your house, oh dear oh dear.

All of egdirb's advice is solid, though I wouldn't be as deterred from your friend making an application.

My Thai gf and I recently did and it's documented here ... http://www.thaivisa....sa-application/ ... step by step and faily easy to read.

As for the % chance ... who is to know, but there are some basic rules to follow.

Genuine agents can be very helpful though this application seems to be fairly straight forward based on the information supplied.

If the 200,000 Baht has been in the Bank for a considerable amount of time (3 months +) and not recently 'topped up' should beneficial.

One of the most important reasons why some Visa applications fail is that the applicant hasn't proven sufficient argument why they will return to Thailand after the Visa has expired.

If considering using a Visa Agent then read the Pinned Topic at the top of this page ... http://www.thaivisa....66-visa-agents/

egdirb has started you with some solid advice, read my post and the advice on the Visa agents and come back here with further questions, as we all have jumped through the hoops before and there are a lot of posters here with great knowledge to help you.

As the OP (Originial Poster) I suggest that you click the 'Follow this topic' link on the top right of this page and you will receive automatic notifications when someone has replied to you ... saves coming back to this page all the time.

Hopw all that helps ...

David48

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[egdirb]

"He wished at first to apply for a 'student visa' but found he had to have at least 15,000 AUD in his account so he has opted to apply for a Tourist Visa".

Makes you wonder what his true intention is. Ultimately however it is DIAC that needs to be satisfied that the applicants expressed intention is to visit Australia as a genuine visitor only, and also has adequate funds, or access to adequate funds, for personal support during the period of the visit.

[terrychris]

Yes big thankyou to you guys.

I have decided to assist him to look for a proper agent.

You are very knowledgable ebridge , I appreciate your help.

I will try to assist him to get to Australia,i suppose we will just have to see.

If anyone can pm me about visa agents to avoid or use please do so.

I will include a 'letter of invitation'.

A recent land rates letter for my home.

A letter to say I will financially support him her on his stay.

A copy of my bank Account.

my payslips

A letter from my employer.

copies of telephone accounts that i have used to call him.

photos

copy of my passport pages

he will get copy of his bank account.

a letter from his employer even though the job is casual.

anything else i should get to send to the visa agent, when i find one that is.

Edited March 13, 2012 by terrychris