Vfs Bkk - Oz Visa Query - They Do Not Understand Written English

[UbonOz]

I am trying to find out how far in advance of travel date can you submit a Oz tourist visa application.

I have checked AU Embassy and VFS websites for the answer, cannot see anywhere.

UK is 3 months, it says on their site.

I am just trying not to make an additional trip to Bangkok.

VFS keeps replying in their email how long a visa takes to process.

Can anybody please assist with the answer.

[UbonOz]

Just received another email from VFS.

"Thank you for contacting VFS Australia Visa Helpdesk.

we’re apologize for our previous e-mail. We’re not clear about your meaning of the question. Our understanding is whenever you prefer to lodge an application you can submit it. Then your application will be send to the embassy the next business day."

So, can submit 6 months before, would not think this is right.

[gburns57au]

tourist visas are valid for 3 months from grant

[SantiSuk]

Try phoning them. For UK Visas there is a helpline number but its very difficult to find a real person. I cracked it - it was on one of the telephone sub-menus (General Enquiries I think) and was the last item but you would have thought they had finished giving the options and therefore escaped back to a previous menu had you not accidentally held on too long (they even had a descending tone on that previous item so you expected it to be the last item). I posted with a fuller description but cannot find my previous posting.

The mangled pronounciation of the item sounded more like "to speak to the ore ayshants" rather than (presumably) "to speak to our agents". VfS are very helpful if you can crack the code of finding them. Hope same applies for Aus visas.

Edited March 14, 2012 by SantiSuk