there have been two examples here in the last month where the embassy has issued a 12 month multi entry visa when th applicants have asked for a 3 month single visa....one was a first visa app and the other a second visa app...

I dont know what the story is but it seems that the embassy maybe trying to cut down the amount of paperwork by doing this. A very sensible move

the key seems to be if they ring your partner after the app has been lodged....would like members who experience the same to let us all know so we can see if a pattern is emerging....there has been no notification on this on the website.

Thanks

Your girl got the 12 month ME too??

######, wish they did those middle of last year when mine got her 3 month TV.

Oh well, it seems positive that we'll be getting a result soon on our SV, based on latest communications with the Embassy... I'll keep y'all posted...

When you think about it, it's probably a logical move.

Once the first visa has been approved the second and third are relatively easy to obtain.

If the embassy approved the first application and then refused the second application, I would think that their position wouldn't stand up legally if the application for the second visa was the same as the first. (does that make sense? It's badly written. )

Therefore, make it easy on everybody and make multiple entries part of the norm.

Well done you lucky bugger

We got two 3 month visa's, one last year and the last in Jan this year both times we ticked the 3 month box and both times they phoned her up but we still only got 3 months single entry no ruther stay possible.

I hope they have changed there policy, it will make things much simpler for the guys at that stage.

Spike

yes, exactly same experience here - my gf was given a 12 month visa for a 2 week holiday. And yes they did contact her for copies of my thai work permit after the initial application.

Whats pissed me off is that we have since married and applied for a spouse visa in Bkk, and she was told by the case officer that if she came to oz on the tourist visa for a visit, my wife would have to inform the case officer, and that her application would be suspended until she returned!!! Is there any truth in this? I can't believe it...

yes, exactly same experience here - my gf was given a 12 month visa for a 2 week holiday. And yes they did contact her for copies of my thai work permit after the initial application.

Whats pissed me off is that we have since married and applied for a spouse visa in Bkk, and she was told by the case officer that if she came to oz on the tourist visa for a visit, my wife would have to inform the case officer, and that her application would be suspended until she returned!!! Is there any truth in this? I can't believe it...

There could well be some truth in it....or maybe that is the CO's call on your particular application....Did they take her passport or just a photocopy of it...if she had to get her passport back for a tourist trip then it could suspend the spouse visa application till the passport is returned.

After talking with another member off line on the 12 month ME visas being given...it could be something to do with if they believe that the relationship is ongoing...when Apple gets here I will find out what they asked her...

Well done you lucky bugger

We got two 3 month visa's, one last year and the last in Jan this year both times we ticked the 3 month box and both times they phoned her up but we still only got 3 months single entry no ruther stay possible.

I hope they have changed there policy, it will make things much simpler for the guys at that stage.

Spike

It appears that this has only been in effect since the start of Febuary....my mate got a single entry for his girl in January too.

The other thing that is unknown is how this will affect the limit on visas granted..

When you think about it, it's probably a logical move.

Once the first visa has been approved the second and third are relatively easy to obtain.

If the embassy approved the first application and then refused the second application, I would think that their position wouldn't stand up legally if the application for the second visa was the same as the first. (does that make sense? It's badly written. )

Therefore, make it easy on everybody and make multiple entries part of the norm.

I dont think it becomes a legal issue...they have sole jurisdiction on whether an application is approved or not.

I would suggest that it is to reduce workload and reduce the number of applications processed in situations where they judge the relationship to be genuine and/or ongoing, hence the need for the calls to the girls.

This would suggest that not applications will be given the 12 month ME visa...it would have to be based on the merit of each application....

The upside is she can do another trip here without the stress and cost of another visa application.

I dont think it becomes a legal issue...they have sole jurisdiction on whether an application is approved or not.

They may have 'sole jurisdiction' on the decision but they are still a government department and government decisions can be judicially challenged.

My thinking is that the Immigration Depts case would not stand up if they approved the first visa application and knocked back the second, when the contents of applicants submission was basically the same for both.

Your thoughts on the process time saving aspect is probably more the reason for the change.

I dont think it becomes a legal issue...they have sole jurisdiction on whether an application is approved or not.

They may have 'sole jurisdiction' on the decision but they are still a government department and government decisions can be judicially challenged.

My thinking is that the Immigration Depts case would not stand up if they approved the first visa application and knocked back the second, when the contents of applicants submission was basically the same for both.

Your thoughts on the process time saving aspect is probably more the reason for the change.

Certainly would have a hard time standing upto ministerial scrutiny....

I am still interested in the whys and wherefores of this sudden but very sensible change.

Asked Apple about what they asked her on the phone...she said that they enquired as to becuase we had known each other for so long whether we had discussed getting married in the future and whether we were planning on getting a spouse visa in the future. After she answered in the positive to all the questions, they granted the 12 minth multi entry visa....

Apple is currently with you, she has wedding plans, she has a huge glint in her eye, so how do you find the time, or the energy to post.?

By the way...when you need some good advice about obtaining a spouse visa, let us know. We'll help you if we can.

Just got back from Bangkok last week with my girlfriend who also received the 12 month multiple entry visa

We ticked the 3 month box and wrote next to it that a 12 month multiple entry visa is preferred if possible

This was our second attempt at getting a tourist visa as we first applied after 3 months (rejected) and now after 6 months

I can't tell you how happy we both are

Thanks for all the help received

Apple is currently with you, she has wedding plans, she has a huge glint in her eye, so how do you find the time, or the energy to post.?

By the way...when you need some good advice about obtaining a spouse visa, let us know. We'll help you if we can.

That was my first in two days..... ...I probably will be a bit quiet for a while

Just got back from Bangkok last week with my girlfriend who also received the 12 month multiple entry visa

We ticked the 3 month box and wrote next to it that a 12 month multiple entry visa is preferred if possible

This was our second attempt at getting a tourist visa as we first applied after 3 months (rejected) and now after 6 months

I can't tell you how happy we both are

Thanks for all the help received

Good stuff...the 12 month ME certainly seems to be the flavour of the moment from the embassy.

As I said before my gf only got a 3 month visa at the start of January and we have been together over 14 months. Her ex sister in law applied one week after us and she had only known her boyfriend for 6 months and they got the 12 month visa.

I think there policy just changed about the second week of January

Spike