De Facto Concern

[DavieA]

My Thai GF and I are about to apply in April for her to get into Oz. We have loads of history over two tears, been living together for 18 months, heaps of photos, evidence etc etc......Done the research!

My concern is what visa to apply for. Spouse (Married) or De Facto. The same form and conditions apply to both choices outside of a marrage certificate.

Me and the missus are happy to get married if that will GREATLY improve our chances, but if we don't marry, will it really be looked upon negatively by the office. We really would like to get married in the future at a time that is convienient to us. We don't want to get married in an office in 15 minutes just to satisfy a visa application (but would if it makes all the difference). We can always have a real wedding in the future.

What can some of you experts recommend?

[gburns57au]

Check this link out....it should provide all the info you need.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/family/pa..._spousevisa.htm

If the de facto meets the requirements then it is the same as for a spouse visa....or are you asking about the difference between a Spouse and a Prospective Spouse visa.

[Mighty Mouse]

If you make the 'de-facto' choice, you will need to make a very strong submission as to why you are opposed to marriage.

My Thai g/f and I chose 'de-facto' and we were told by our Thai case officer that our chances of visa success were between 30 and 40 percent. If married, our chances were 95 percent.

For strong personal reasons I stuck with de-facto.

Our case was then regarded as 'involved' and was handed up the chain from the Thai case officer to an Australian officer. She telephoned me from Bangkok to Sydndy inviting me to submit additional information to support my views against marriage.

I did as requested and our visa was eventually approved.

My advice to you is to be guided by your true personal beliefs and/or fears. If you have no strong objection to marriage, then get married.

The only legal difference between marriage and de-facto is, should you both wish to split up somewhere down the track, your settlement proceedings are heard in the Family Law Court for marriage and a normal law court for de-facto.

[Wanphen]

DavieA

I my case we applied as De-facto with two (Thai) boys from a previous relationship and had no worries at all.

I think as long as you give the Embassy a vaild reason, you shouldn't have a worry.

The main thing they need to be sure about is that you are comitted to each other.

The photo's and stateemnts from friends and family members of your devotion to each other

would go a long way...

Good Luck and Best Wishes to you both with your application.

Wanphen

[Mighty Mouse]

The main thing they need to be sure about is that you are comitted to each other.

This is important.

A marriage certificate alone indicates commitment wheras de-facto shows less of a commitment.

If you choose de-facto, Immigration require you to convince them of your commitment to each other.

If you are genuine that shouldn't be too difficult to do.

A lot will depend on the case officers perception of the strength of your relationship gained from the information submitted in your application and the answers given to interview questions.

[DavieA]

DavieA

I my case we applied as De-facto with two (Thai) boys from a previous relationship and had no worries at all.

I think as long as you give the Embassy a vaild reason, you shouldn't have a worry.

The main thing they need to be sure about is that you are comitted to each other.

The photo's and stateemnts from friends and family members of your devotion to each other

would go a long way...

Good Luck and Best Wishes to you both with your application.

Wanphen

The main thing they need to be sure about is that you are comitted to each other.

This is important.

A marriage certificate alone indicates commitment wheras de-facto shows less of a commitment.

If you choose de-facto, Immigration require you to convince them of your commitment to each other.

If you are genuine that shouldn't be too difficult to do.

A lot will depend on the case officers perception of the strength of your relationship gained from the information submitted in your application and the answers given to interview questions.

So it seems then that the issue is having enough to convince them of a genuine and ongoing relationship. What do you rate my chances then?

1 - We've been together since June 2004 and living together since September 2004.

2 - Have rental contracts for this period in Joint names.

3 - Joint phone contract/ bills.

4 - Joint bank account.

5 - A million photos.

6 - My mother has visited her family here in Thailand, along with photos of course.

7 - My best mate from Oz has visited us, again with photos.

8 - 6 stat decs from all my mates back home that all know about her and mention it in emails.

Can you think of anything I might be missing that could be usefull?

On the marrage issue. I think we will have to get married anyway because her parents told me i can't take her out of the country unless I marry her! Doh!!

[Mighty Mouse]

Davie, with all those joint accounts and the number of stat decs you have provided, I'd say your application would be regarded as strong.

If you took it a step further and make her a beneficiary in your will, (attach a verified copy) you would strengthen it further.

Get the interview behind you and start shopping for chilli plants to grow in Australia....your wife is on her way.

[Wanphen]

I Agree with Might Mouse.....

They will ask you questions of each of you about events , famlies and members.

About people in the photo's, you job salary...etc

Tell you G/F Doh !!!

Soon to be wife

Not to worry in the intreview if she does not know or goes blank.

Just take her time....

Treat it as someone she met and is asking about her and her husband.

Get this out the way and you can start planning for Ma & Pa to come visit

Start shopping around for a cheap phone cards.

You can buy from most anywhere now days.

That way your wife can talk to family for hours.........

Chok Dee mak

Wanphen

[DavieA]

Davie, with all those joint accounts and the number of stat decs you have provided, I'd say your application would be regarded as strong.

If you took it a step further and make her a beneficiary in your will, (attach a verified copy) you would strengthen it further.

Get the interview behind you and start shopping for chilli plants to grow in Australia....your wife is on her way.

Thanks Mighty, I didn't think we could bring seeds or plants of any kind to Oz, I hope we can find some seriously hot chillies in Oz (no doubt), it's not just the missus that depends on them!

I Agree with Might Mouse.....

They will ask you questions of each of you about events , famlies and members.

About people in the photo's, you job salary...etc

Tell you G/F Doh !!!

Soon to be wife

Not to worry in the intreview if she does not know or goes blank.

Just take her time....

Treat it as someone she met and is asking about her and her husband.

Get this out the way and you can start planning for Ma & Pa to come visit

Start shopping around for a cheap phone cards.

You can buy from most anywhere now days.

That way your wife can talk to family for hours.........

Chok Dee mak

Wanphen

Cheers Wanphen, I have her practicing the her lines already, think she's on the path to at least a B+ !

[Mighty Mouse]

Thanks Mighty, I didn't think we could bring seeds or plants of any kind to Oz, I hope we can find some seriously hot chillies in Oz (no doubt), it's not just the missus that depends on them!

There are stacks of different chilli varieties in Oz. Some are super hot, in fact my g/f had some given to her that were so hot she couldn't eat them.

Chilli plants are currently in season and we are growing five different varieties at home.

The Thai supermarkets sell whole plants or loose chillies. You only need to dry out a few chillies to start your own cultivation from the seeds.

[chareehusbee]

There are stacks of different chilli varieties in Oz. Some are super hot, in fact my g/f had some given to her that were so hot she couldn't eat them.

Chilli plants are currently in season and we are growing five different varieties at home.

The Thai supermarkets sell whole plants or loose chillies. You only need to dry out a few chillies to start your own cultivation from the seeds.

Yeah we're looking forward to growing our own. And cabbages!

Mighty: Are you in Melb? If so, where are there Thai groceries?

Edited February 24, 2006 by chareehusbee

[Mighty Mouse]

Mighty: Are you in Melb? If so, where are there Thai groceries?

Melbourne ?????? Are you kidding?????

I'm in Sydney.

We have a lot of Asian shops here but only a handful that are run by the Thais. They are located mainly in and around our "Chinatown" area.

I think yours is in Little Bourke Street.

You only need to find a few Thai shoppers in the area and they will point out to you the best place to shop.

Sydney also has a large Vietnamese shopping centre outside the city limits. Everything available in Thailand is sold here at prices much cheaper than in the Thai supermarkets.

You had better start doing your homework before she gets here, otherwise you will have a very hungry, and that means angry, young lady on your hands.

Also, you'll be surprised at how many different food items that Customs allow in via your suitcase, but you must declare them upon arrival.

Most things in tins/bottles/packets are OK. Check with them first.

[chareehusbee]

You had better start doing your homework before she gets here, otherwise you will have a very hungry, and that means angry, young lady on your hands.

She's been here before and found some places already.

Also, you'll be surprised at how many different food items that Customs allow in via your suitcase, but you must declare them upon arrival.

Most things in tins/bottles/packets are OK. Check with them first.

Yeah I know. Already brought a stack of stuff back in my last visit to bkk