Fees At The Australian Visa Lodgement Centre In Bkk

[Dorkers]

Today I went to lodge a Partner Visa Application at the lodgement centre in Bangkok.

I did so because not only do I want my sidekick to come to Australia, but I knew that the visa fees were going up by 20000 baht from the 1st of Jan. Today, is the 27th of Dec.

At the counter to lodge the paperwork, the first thing the staff member said was the the visa fees have gone up already. She then showed me a piece of paper with the new fees on it and on the paper it stated that the Date of Effect for the new fees as the 1st of January. My Mrs was also informed by the counter staff at the entrance that the fees had already gone up.

When I pointed out to the staff that they only start on the 1st, she said that she knew that but here in Bangkok the new fees have been in play since 12:00pm on the 27th. I was there at 2:30.

After a bit of a 'debate', I told her I won't be paying the new fee as it wasn't the 1st of January.

She then accepted the documents and the only payment made was the pre 1st of January amount.

So if there was anyone else in there lodging forms today or this afternoon please double check your fees, because you shouldn't be paying extra until the 1st of Jan which is the legal date of effect set by the Australian Government, not the 12:00pm cutoff on the 27th of Jan as set by the Lodgement Centre!

Fingers crossed I didn't press too many buttons up there and our visa hasn't gone into the 'circular filing basket'.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Dorkers

[Rimmer]

Moved to Visas and migration to other countries

[ripstanley]

The embassy is closed on 31st so their lodgement of visas applications would have been today. VFS would have made their own decision for the 1200 change over of fees. Today is 28th. Did you lodge today or yesterday as you stated 27?

"When I pointed out to the staff that they only start on the 1st, she said that she knew that but here in Bangkok the new fees have been in play since 12:00pm on the 27th. I was there at 2:30."

Edited December 28, 2012 by ripstanley

[Dorkers]

Apologies.. long day, I lodged today, the 28th.

As mentioned they were trying to use the fees that were to commence on the 1st. I was aware that they weren't open on the 31st, I had to go in today as my salary went through today and I used that money for the visa.

I would understand if they adjusted the fees on their own based on the exchange rates but I don't see how they have the authority to move forward the start date of fee changes.

I am happy I only paid the old charge, but am just putting a shout out for others that may have been there today and got slugged with the higher fee.

[krisb]

Makes you wonder. What part of the 1st dont they understand. I thought the price hike was 300% and on a partner visa I think that was around $300. Why do you think it was going to be about 20000 baht? Thats alot more.

[Will27]

Makes you wonder. What part of the 1st dont they understand. I thought the price hike was 300% and on a partner visa I think that was around $300. Why do you think it was going to be about 20000 baht? Thats alot more.

Probably just trying it on as they probably wouldn't start to process the application

until the NY. It should be when date stamped though, so good on the OP for standing his ground.

Offshore application increased approx 30%, from $2060 to $2700.

Approx 20 000 Baht.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Will27

[krisb]

Makes you wonder. What part of the 1st dont they understand. I thought the price hike was 300% and on a partner visa I think that was around $300. Why do you think it was going to be about 20000 baht? Thats alot more.

Offshore application increased 30%, from $2060 to $2700.

Approx 20 000 Baht.

Shameful price hike. What can you do though? Makes it hard to smile handing the cash over doesnt it.

[Will27]

Makes you wonder. What part of the 1st dont they understand. I thought the price hike was 300% and on a partner visa I think that was around $300. Why do you think it was going to be about 20000 baht? Thats alot more.

Offshore application increased 30%, from $2060 to $2700.

Approx 20 000 Baht.

Shameful price hike. What can you do though? Makes it hard to smile handing the cash over doesnt it.

I think it won't be the last of the hikes and not just DIAC.

The avalanche of unauthourised boat arrivals is costing the

country billions.

[breadbin]

Nothing you can do.

Either pay and get a visa it dont pay and she can stay home.

Tough world at present, many people feeling the bite, me included in some areas.

World wide situation, governments trying to claw back as much as poss by whatever means they can and visas are easy for the increase, the demand is increasing and so are fees.

Good luck boyo.

[PattayaPhom]

How long is that visa for.......seems a very expensive visa?

[whybother]

You may find that you will need to pay extra to get your visa.

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/vac.htm

A Visa Application Charge (VAC) is the amount of money, in Australian dollars (AUD) that must be paid for most visa applications to enter Australia. The VAC is generally not refundable even if the visa application is unsuccessful.

VACs are reviewed on 1 July each year and this may increase the cost of a visa application.

If the VAC is changed, the new amount will apply to all visa applications received by the department on and after the day the VAC is changed.

...

How will changes to VAC affect my application

The cost of the VAC is dependent on when the application is received by the department.

For a visa application lodged close to 1 January and 1 July, the VAC or foreign currency rate may change in the time it takes for your application to be received by the department.

Example:

You may have to pay for any increase in the VAC or the foreign currency rate if:

• you pay for a visa application in Australia before 1 July and lodge your application with an Australian Mission overseas after 1 July, or
  
• you send the VAC with your visa application before 1 July, but the application is not received by the department until after 1 July, or
  
• you send the VAC in a foreign currency with your visa application to an Australian Mission overseas before 1 January, but the application is not received by the department until after 1 January.
  

Important:

A visa application is not valid until the department receives the correct amount of the VAC. If the correct amount is not paid, it will result in your visa application being delayed until the correct amount is received. Your visa application may be returned with a request that it be resent with the correct VAC amount.

[wazzi]

I think it won't be the last of the hikes and not just DIAC.

The avalanche of unauthourised boat arrivals is costing the

country billions.

Yes , but why do the people doing the right thing keep getting penalised , while the illegals get more and more.

The current Australian government has no idea how to manage things, and has wasted so much money

[Dorkers]

How long is that visa for.......seems a very expensive visa?

Partner Visa - is potentially a permanent stay visa, it gets reviewed after 2 years and if all is well she can stay permanently. The big positive for the visa is that she can work straight away and also be elligible for Medicare.