How Do You Contact The Australian Embassy.

[Mason45]

Ive raised the above issue as the Australian Embassy never personally answers phone calls, emails, or mail with a self addressed envelope. Everything is an automated reply referring you back to their website. The website only gives you an overview, so your questions are never adequetly answered. Im legally married to a Thai lady, she went to Aust. in 2003 on a tourist visa for 3 months as my gf, then she went to Aust in 2004 on a tourist visa again that time for 6 months as my wife. As she was handed her 2nd visa an official told her not to apply for anymore tourist visas as they would be knocked back, on what grounds we dont know. Which raises the questions, is there a limit on the number of tourist visas? Why would she be refused when there would be no change in our relationship, income etc. She has never worked in Aust and she has always departed prior to her visa expiry date. We own our own home in Aust and also Bangkok and we have a very good monthly income plus cash investments. A permanent residents visa is an option but at around AU$ 1,700 inc medical check up I feel as though we are on shaky ground. Anyone been through this before, your advice would be most welcome.

[Simmo]

I've spoken to people in the visa section before on the phone re tourist visas, just go through the prompts on the voice answering system.

I've never heard of a limit before on issuing tourist visas as well (I've taken my gf to Sydney once a year on 3 occasions).

As your married why don't you apply for a spousal visa, maybe this is what they were trying to tell you?

Edited December 19, 2005 by Simmo

[Mighty Mouse]

My g/f had three tourist visas to Oz issued. On the second occasion we were advised to think about a permanent visa application as the Embassy would not be issuing an unending supply of tourist visas.

On the third occasion we also submitted a permanent visa application which was subsequently granted.

As you are now married I can't understand why you are hesitant to apply for a permanent visa....apart from the cost. If it is granted, she is free to travel to Oz whenever she pleases with no restrictions as far as employment etc.

She is also issued with a Medicare card and is entitled to 500 hours of free English lessons.

Her Thai passport will be endorsed accordingly.

After two years from the date of her applying for a permanent resident, she can apply for Australian citizenship.

[Khutan]

As an Example, I have no intention of permemantly returning to Australia, apart from some family I have nothing. No Job, no car and nowhere to live. My wife also shares my feelings.

So to apply for a residence visa would be silly, as we would only visit there once a year.

This makes me laugh and is fairly typical of the arrogance of the Embassy

the Embassy would not be issuing an unending supply of tourist visas.

My question would be are they running out of Paper for the Visa's ?

[gburns57au]

Ive raised the above issue as the Australian Embassy never personally answers phone calls, emails, or mail with a self addressed envelope. Everything is an automated reply referring you back to their website. The website only gives you an overview, so your questions are never adequetly answered. Im legally married to a Thai lady, she went to Aust. in 2003 on a tourist visa for 3 months as my gf, then she went to Aust in 2004 on a tourist visa again that time for 6 months as my wife. As she was handed her 2nd visa an official told her not to apply for anymore tourist visas as they would be knocked back, on what grounds we dont know. Which raises the questions, is there a limit on the number of tourist visas? Why would she be refused when there would be no change in our relationship, income etc. She has never worked in Aust and she has always departed prior to her visa expiry date. We own our own home in Aust and also Bangkok and we have a very good monthly income plus cash investments. A permanent residents visa is an option but at around AU$ 1,700 inc medical check up I feel as though we are on shaky ground. Anyone been through this before, your advice would be most welcome.

If you are resident in Oz you can apply for a sponsored family visitor visa, this may require a security bond but I believe that an assurance of support undertaking is adequate for Thai people. This must be lodged in Oz, This visa does not apply for fiancees, de facto or interdependancy relationships (PC term for gay relationships)

If you are resident in Thailand then you will need to contact the embassy for an appointment to put your case, this may only transpire if you are refused and appeal a visa refusal.

The spouse visa if successful gives the holder a temp resident status and the permanant visa can be applied for after 2 years. But this is unlikely to be granted if you spend most of your time outside of Oz....the temp visa does allow for travel to and from Australia but I believe that your main residence must be in Oz to be granted the permanant visa. With a fiancee visa the temp visa has to be applied for after the marriage.

[samran]

I should add as an addition to this discussion, if you are a permanent resident married to an Australian citizen, the law will be changing shortly to benefit non-Australian spouses of Australian citizens where the couple resides abroad and the non-Australian spouse is an Australian permanent resident.

The non-Australian spouse will not have to fulfil the normal requirements for presence in Australia prior to applying for citizenship.

See here for more details: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/citz_bill_2005/index.htm