Visa For Wife To Australia Do I Need Return Ticket

[crocken]

hi i am going to take my wife for a holiday to australia.....a long one if possible,i hear some say that you can get a 12 month visa now but have to leave aust every 3 months then return to aust ! anyone done this yet ?

if i did get one of these 12 month visas do i need a ticket out of aust before i arrive there ?

can you just pop up to bali for a few days then return to aust for another 3 months ?

does new zealand count as leaving aust ?

i have a super fund in aust that i live off and have been told as i have been away from aust for more than 2 years i am a non resident now and my pension will be tax at 45% .....wow....so i am going back to live there,buy a car and caravan and tour around aust for a year.the government miss me so much....they want me back.

seems you can never get away from the tax man even after you save all your life for retirement set up my own self managed super fund....then this residency thing pops up.

thanks for any advice...

[Checker]

www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/

You will need a return air ticket . . .

Edited February 6, 2013 by Checker

[krisb]

www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/

You will need a return air ticket . . .

No you dont always. My wife who then wasnt my wife only got a return ticket on her 1st visa which was 3 month tourist. On her 2nd which was 6mth tourist we didnt and then the fiancee we didnt. Thats to Australia.

12mth multiple entry tourist visas exist. My wifes never had 1. From what Ive heard yes she can leave Australia and go anywhere ie New zealand and re enter for another 3mths or 2 mths and 29 days.

Only thing I can think of is if you want to get a caravan and travel round, she needs an address right?

Edited February 6, 2013 by krisb

[David48]

www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/

You will need a return air ticket . . .

I read through that ... twice actually because I'm always keen to learn more ... but I missed the bit where, on that page, the Australian Government request, or make a condition of your Visa that you need a return ticket.

[ripstanley]

In 2011 I actually spoke to Immigration in Australia when I was planning to bring my GF for a visit. They stated that you do not have to have a return ticket but the intention to depart. My GF arrived in Australia with a one way ticket and no problems.

[David48]

OK crocken ... your title asks ... "Visa For Wife To Australia Do I Need Return Ticket"

The Australian government don't care if you have a return ticket or not. ... (howls of protest I hear ... but that is what you actually asked).

If, however you are asking does your wife need a return ticket or not ... well ... no. Though the Immigration Officer might request to view it (knowing that the maximum length of stay is 3 months, unless you have a single entry 6 month Visa)

Essentially there are 3 types (length of stay) tourist visas.

• Single entry valid for up to 3 months
  

• Single entry valid for up to 6 months ... requires a medical clearance
  

• Multiple entry valid for up to 12 months. Each length of stay is to be no longer then 3 months. The entry is valid up till 12 months ... but if you push it and the tourist arrives up to the the day before (or the day ... but can't confirm that) the Visa expires can stay 15 months. 12 + 3 months
  

Remember though ... a valid Visa does not automatically equate to entry into Australia.

The Visa is (electronically) in the Passport ... the Immigration Officer assesses the Visa and allows entry into Australia.

Does New Zealand count as leaving Australia? ... last time I looked, it's another country, unless you live at Manly Sydney ... then it might appear as home ...

So yes ... a Visa Run does qualify ... but you run the risk of the Immigration Officer contest your wife's validity as a genuine tourist.

Let me know if that helps you.

.

[scotto]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

[David48]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

My lady is currently using her multi-entry 12 month Visa.

Has been three times now on two different Visas.

Got asked once on one of those three times by Australian Immigration.

.

[krisb]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

Immigration at the airport often have conflicting information to those at the DIAC, once again. Either way she didnt get the visa because you had a return ticket and thats her promise to return home. So it makes no diff. Its more a save you some money thing as its cheaper to buy a return ticket than 2 one way tickets.

Anyhow the official website info says no you dont and thats a really common sense rule I think.

[electau]

If length of stay is intended to be 3 months or less it would be wise to purchase a return ticket to Australia while in Thailand.

[Old Croc]

David's post #6 has the most factual information.

A return ticket is not really required as long as the visa holder (or sponsor) can demonstrate they have sufficient funds to purchase one. Probably won't even be asked to show one, but always a good idea to have it. (I've never entered other countries as a tourist without having a return tkt)

Entry can be refused if it is considered a pax is using a long term multiple tourist visa to gain defacto residence. Short term departures to places like Singapore or NZ could raise a red flag.

I believe there is a lot more leniency for Thais these days as long as the relationship is considered genuine. and the lady is not working illegally.

The new tax rate for people whom the Tax Department declares to be non-resident, is 32.5%, not 45%. But still a real bastard for Australians living abroad.

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Edited February 8, 2013 by Old Croc

[David48]

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Old Croc ... a Retired S. Immigration Inspector ... I never knew that ... bet you have a few stories to tell ...

.

[Old Croc]

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Old Croc ... a Retired S. Immigration Inspector ... I never knew that ... bet you have a few stories to tell ...

.

Could write a book. Also worked Compliance/Investigations. You wouldn't believe the characters, situations you come across.

Have compared stories/had a laugh with a poster/Immigration agent with a similar background from the UK.

[krisb]

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Old Croc ... a Retired S. Immigration Inspector ... I never knew that ... bet you have a few stories to tell ...

.

Could write a book. Also worked Compliance/Investigations. You wouldn't believe the characters, situations you come across.

Have compared stories/had a laugh with a poster/Immigration agent with a similar background from the UK.

Old croc, quick question for you as an ex immigration inspector. Do the folks who work at the airport in immigration have the same training and knowledge as those who work for DIAC?

Reason I ask is they often have conflicting advice and information more so those who work at the airport are quite often wrong.

1 more question Id like to hear your thoughts on, how many illegal over stayers and those who have decided to stay illegally are there in Australia currently in your opinion?

Edited February 9, 2013 by krisb

[ripstanley]

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Old Croc ... a Retired S. Immigration Inspector ... I never knew that ... bet you have a few stories to tell ...

.

Could write a book. Also worked Compliance/Investigations. You wouldn't believe the characters, situations you come across.

Have compared stories/had a laugh with a poster/Immigration agent with a similar background from the UK.

Old croc, quick question for you as an ex immigration inspector. Do the folks who work at the airport in immigration have the same training and knowledge as those who work for DIAC?

Reason I ask is they often have conflicting advice and information more so those who work at the airport are quite often wrong.

1 more question Id like to hear your thoughts on, how many illegal over stayers and those who have decided to stay illegally are there in Australia currently in your opinion?

The officers that stamp you passports are Customs officers. They have some immigration training. If you need advice from Immigration at the Airport always ask to see a DIAC officer.

[Old Croc]

(OC. Retired S. Immigration Inspector)

Old Croc ... a Retired S. Immigration Inspector ... I never knew that ... bet you have a few stories to tell ...

.

Could write a book. Also worked Compliance/Investigations. You wouldn't believe the characters, situations you come across.

Have compared stories/had a laugh with a poster/Immigration agent with a similar background from the UK.

Old croc, quick question for you as an ex immigration inspector. Do the folks who work at the airport in immigration have the same training and knowledge as those who work for DIAC?

Reason I ask is they often have conflicting advice and information more so those who work at the airport are quite often wrong.

1 more question Id like to hear your thoughts on, how many illegal over stayers and those who have decided to stay illegally are there in Australia currently in your opinion?

I worked for Immigration. We were a secondary referral line, providing supervision and Immigration processing training for Customs Officers who manned the primary line. We dealt with pax who were referred from primary because they were not properly documented or of concern for other reasons. The vast majority of pax would never come in contact with an Immigration Officer at the Airport.

Customs Officers are not fully trained in all aspects of Immigration.

DIAC officers at airports are few in number and usually too busy with flight processing to run a general enquiry service. Best to direct general Immigration enquiries to the office in the city.

I've been retired for a number of years and am not up to date with current overstay figures. The Minister puts out a media release, usually each year, about these statistics. I would guess these days the overstay figure would be just over 50,000, with many more working illegally. Back in my day the overstay figure was over 120,000.

Edited February 9, 2013 by Old Croc

[fire and ice]

Firslty no country anywhere ever needs anyone to have a return ticket. For visas & countires that require anything like this then they want to see an onward or return ticket (air. land, sea). This is not the same thing as implying you must go back where you came from or even (more absurdly) have a "return ticket" which implies its one ticket both ways on the same airline - what would be the point of this as it woudl rule out having a ticket home or eslewhere on a different airline, or even on a train?

My Thai mother in law vists us frequently (she is on her 3rd 12month m/e visa now) and she has usually flown in with no onward or return ticket of any kind (I usually book one for her to go home after she gets here).

OK crocken ... your title asks ... "Visa For Wife To Australia Do I Need Return Ticket"

The Australian government don't care if you have a return ticket or not. ... (howls of protest I hear ... but that is what you actually asked).

If, however you are asking does your wife need a return ticket or not ... well ... no. Though the Immigration Officer might request to view it (knowing that the maximum length of stay is 3 months, unless you have a single entry 6 month Visa)

Essentially there are 3 types (length of stay) tourist visas.

• Single entry valid for up to 3 months
  

• Single entry valid for up to 6 months ... requires a medical clearance
  

• Multiple entry valid for up to 12 months. Each length of stay is to be no longer then 3 months. The entry is valid up till 12 months ... but if you push it and the tourist arrives up to the the day before (or the day ... but can't confirm that) the Visa expires can stay 15 months. 12 + 3 months
  

Remember though ... a valid Visa does not automatically equate to entry into Australia.

The Visa is (electronically) in the Passport ... the Immigration Officer assesses the Visa and allows entry into Australia.

Does New Zealand count as leaving Australia? ... last time I looked, it's another country, unless you live at Manly Sydney ... then it might appear as home ...

So yes ... a Visa Run does qualify ... but you run the risk of the Immigration Officer contest your wife's validity as a genuine tourist.

Let me know if that helps you.

.

Since you do NOT need an onward/return ticket to enter Australai and there is therefore no reason why any immigraiton officer would want ot see it unless they are turnign you away upon entry.

Because its not required, the airline checking you in to fly into Australia does not need to check if you have an onward/retun ticket.

Having lived in Manly for 10 years (2000-2010) I rarely encountered any Kiwis, and dont recall any I met who actually lived there (although I'm sure there are some). There are however a lot of Brazillians and Englsih backpackers on extended stays (ie: working holiday visas), plus a fair number of English who have migrated, but the vast majority are regualr Aussies. There are not many Brzillians in Austrlaia but when most of them congregate in Bondi & Manly so they account for a lot in those places.

Perhaps 35 years ago there were a lot of Kiwis in Manly but it is an expensive suburb now & Kiwis dont tend ot move to anywehre in particular within Sydney these days.

You are correct about the visa run comment.

Edited February 10, 2013 by fire and ice

[shaurene]

Hi

I am New Zealand and have taken my wife back 4 times now. I would guess the conditions would be similar for Aussie.

More than 6 months we need to have a medical and xray to show no TB etc. I do not have to show a return ticket when applying at the embassy in BKK I just say we will book a flight after visa approval.

Have never had trouble except the first time it took 7 weks the next ones took 4-7 days, once they know you.

Just down load the forms from the Aussie imigration web site and all is explained.

[oldsailor35]

When i was teaching "English language" to migrants in Queensland TAFE, we had several Thai girls who were on "fiancee" visas and they were entitled to the 500hrs of free tuition at TAFE that all non English speaking migrants are entitled to. I think that the "fiancee" visa was for 6 months. Anyhow i expect that there will be someone in here that knows about this and the particular visa!

[oldsailor35]

Firslty no country anywhere ever needs anyone to have a return ticket. For visas & countires that require anything like this then they want to see an onward or return ticket (air. land, sea). This is not the same thing as implying you must go back where you came from or even (more absurdly) have a "return ticket" which implies its one ticket both ways on the same airline - what would be the point of this as it woudl rule out having a ticket home or eslewhere on a different airline, or even on a train?

My Thai mother in law vists us frequently (she is on her 3rd 12month m/e visa now) and she has usually flown in with no onward or return ticket of any kind (I usually book one for her to go home after she gets here).

OK crocken ... your title asks ... "Visa For Wife To Australia Do I Need Return Ticket"

The Australian government don't care if you have a return ticket or not. ... (howls of protest I hear ... but that is what you actually asked).

If, however you are asking does your wife need a return ticket or not ... well ... no. Though the Immigration Officer might request to view it (knowing that the maximum length of stay is 3 months, unless you have a single entry 6 month Visa)

Essentially there are 3 types (length of stay) tourist visas.

• Single entry valid for up to 3 months
  

• Single entry valid for up to 6 months ... requires a medical clearance
  

• Multiple entry valid for up to 12 months. Each length of stay is to be no longer then 3 months. The entry is valid up till 12 months ... but if you push it and the tourist arrives up to the the day before (or the day ... but can't confirm that) the Visa expires can stay 15 months. 12 + 3 months
  

Remember though ... a valid Visa does not automatically equate to entry into Australia.

The Visa is (electronically) in the Passport ... the Immigration Officer assesses the Visa and allows entry into Australia.

Does New Zealand count as leaving Australia? ... last time I looked, it's another country, unless you live at Manly Sydney ... then it might appear as home ...

So yes ... a Visa Run does qualify ... but you run the risk of the Immigration Officer contest your wife's validity as a genuine tourist.

Let me know if that helps you.

.

Since you do NOT need an onward/return ticket to enter Australai and there is therefore no reason why any immigraiton officer would want ot see it unless they are turnign you away upon entry.

Because its not required, the airline checking you in to fly into Australia does not need to check if you have an onward/retun ticket.

Having lived in Manly for 10 years (2000-2010) I rarely encountered any Kiwis, and dont recall any I met who actually lived there (although I'm sure there are some). There are however a lot of Brazillians and Englsih backpackers on extended stays (ie: working holiday visas), plus a fair number of English who have migrated, but the vast majority are regualr Aussies. There are not many Brzillians in Austrlaia but when most of them congregate in Bondi & Manly so they account for a lot in those places.

Perhaps 35 years ago there were a lot of Kiwis in Manly but it is an expensive suburb now & Kiwis dont tend ot move to anywehre in particular within Sydney these days.

You are correct about the visa run comment.

"I usually book her to go home after she gets here" ta ta MIL !

Edited February 13, 2013 by oldsailor35

[krisb]

Old croc 50+ thousand!!!....thats jaw dropping.

[David48]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

My lady is currently using her multi-entry 12 month Visa.

Has been three times now on two different Visas.

Got asked once on one of those three times by Australian Immigration.

.

Just an update on the question 'does my partner need evidience of a return ticket out of Australia when presenting at Immigration'

My Lassie arrived this morning into Australia for the last leg of her multi-entry Visa.

She wasn't asked to view her return ticket. But see the answer in the light of previous visits when they did ask (once) to see her ticket.

Moral of the story ... sometimes they do ... and sometimes they don't.

[David48]

An amusing story told to me during the drive from the Airport pack to where she will call home for the next 3 months.

Regalled her travelling story but they said ... the customs lady did make me smile when we almost finish.

They were searching through her bag a little as she bought heaps of food into the country ... sauces and soup bases, the type of which you can get in my City ... all declared, of course.

So the Customs Lady asked ...

"How many times you come Australia?"

"Four times my lady reply"

The Customs Lady contemplates this answer for a few seconds then asks ...

"four times hey ... all the same man" ...

My Lady is still smiling about the question.

.

[louse1953]

In 2011 I actually spoke to Immigration in Australia when I was planning to bring my GF for a visit. They stated that you do not have to have a return ticket but the intention to depart. My GF arrived in Australia with a one way ticket and no problems.

The airlines are the problem.

[louse1953]

OK crocken ... your title asks ... "Visa For Wife To Australia Do I Need Return Ticket"

The Australian government don't care if you have a return ticket or not. ... (howls of protest I hear ... but that is what you actually asked).

If, however you are asking does your wife need a return ticket or not ... well ... no. Though the Immigration Officer might request to view it (knowing that the maximum length of stay is 3 months, unless you have a single entry 6 month Visa)

Essentially there are 3 types (length of stay) tourist visas.

• Single entry valid for up to 3 months

• Single entry valid for up to 6 months ... requires a medical clearance

• Multiple entry valid for up to 12 months. Each length of stay is to be no longer then 3 months. The entry is valid up till 12 months ... but if you push it and the tourist arrives up to the the day before (or the day ... but can't confirm that) the Visa expires can stay 15 months. 12 + 3 months

Remember though ... a valid Visa does not automatically equate to entry into Australia.

The Visa is (electronically) in the Passport ... the Immigration Officer assesses the Visa and allows entry into Australia.

Does New Zealand count as leaving Australia? ... last time I looked, it's another country, unless you live at Manly Sydney ... then it might appear as home ...

So yes ... a Visa Run does qualify ... but you run the risk of the Immigration Officer contest your wife's validity as a genuine tourist.

Let me know if that helps you.

.

Well,actually they advise not to buy a ticket until you receive the visa,incase your application fails,so they can't review said ticket.

[louse1953]

In 2011 I actually spoke to Immigration in Australia when I was planning to bring my GF for a visit. They stated that you do not have to have a return ticket but the intention to depart. My GF arrived in Australia with a one way ticket and no problems.

That's all they worry about,departing.Once you have a track record,it's easier.

[louse1953]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

They can ask,because they are nosey and part of checking intention to leave.If no ticket,can explain that in the modern world,people buy online when the price is right,etc.In a diplomatic way of course.

[louse1953]

Gee thats interesting people say you do not have to have a ticket out on a tourist visa even a multiple?

when my wife came she had to have a return to thailand ?

she had one anyway but i am sure she was asked that at immigration in melbourne?

Immigration at the airport often have conflicting information to those at the DIAC, once again. Either way she didnt get the visa because you had a return ticket and thats her promise to return home. So it makes no diff. Its more a save you some money thing as its cheaper to buy a return ticket than 2 one way tickets.

Anyhow the official website info says no you dont and thats a really common sense rule I think.

A return ticket is in no way a promise to return,can be ditched as soon as you clear immigration.Your reason to return is written in your visa application,job,family land holdings etc.It is cheaper buying return if you fly with the national carrier,but not if flying AA.

[louse1953]

I have been told a lot of things in my life and would be broke if i listened to all.I would check with govt.on this residency issue,you are changing your whole lifestyle on something you heard.

[ripstanley]

In 2011 I actually spoke to Immigration in Australia when I was planning to bring my GF for a visit. They stated that you do not have to have a return ticket but the intention to depart. My GF arrived in Australia with a one way ticket and no problems.

The airlines are the problem.

If you have a valid visa they do not worry. When my then girlfiend (now wife) travelled to Australia on a one way ticket there was no problem when booking in.