Australian Tourist Visa For Thai Gf. First Time.

[chameleonic]

Hello everyone

This is my first post here but I have read a lot on this site lately.

I have been living with the same Thai GF for 2.5 years except for 8 months that I went to Oz. However the places I have rented were always solely in my name. I can get statements from several friends both Thai and Farang to confirm that we have been together all this time plus some pictures.

To make it worse, I got a new passport last time home and didn’t bring the old one with me so I can’t show all the time I have spent here. Would immigration be able to look that up in their database if I explain this is a letter?

Now finally we want to go to Oz together and after some reading I still have some questions that some of you might be able to help with.

My first problem that I noticed is that one of the requirements for the application is for the GF to show a bank account with records of 6 months or more. She doesn’t have one, actually we just opened one today. She just never had a need for an account and whilst I was in Oz I gave her a spare card to my account in Oz that I solely used for travel. (I don’t have that account anymore nor statements so I think it would take some effort to get the bank to send these to me, if at all)

We do have some Skype calls that I can show from the 8 months that I was in Oz but no emails. My GF does have ALL the SMS from the very start we met in her phone. It is an older Nokia so I don’t know if I can get these printed somehow. I could include the phone in the application envelope, or is that crazy?

This first application we would apply for a 3 month tourist visa and then possibly apply for an extension in Oz or come back to Thailand. I read that there is a Condition 8503 (commonly referred to as the 'No Further Stay' Condition). Is there any way to avoid that?

Even better would be to get a 6 month visa if possible. Can I apply for both 3 and 6 month visa on the same application? I read a few posts that when applying for 3 months sometimes 6 months is granted.

Next is the fact that I have been in Thailand so much that currently I don’t have a job. I do have enough funds to support both of us for the next year in Oz. An alternative would be to get my house mate, who is married to a Thai and gainfully employed, to write the invitation/support letter. Would that be an option?

Summery:

- No bank account with 6 months of statements. (Just opened one today)

- I don’t have my old passport with all the stamps here. Can immigration search a database to view my travel history?

- How to show financial support.

- How to show SMS records.

- Visa length. 3 or 6 months or both on one application.

- Condition 8503 (commonly referred to as the 'No Further Stay' Condition) How to avoid?

- Invitation/support letter. Myself or my house mate?

If you are wondering how it all got to this. Well, I had planned to stay in Thailand as it is easier for me to adapt then for her to adapt to Oz but now we have decided to leave Thailand. The odds are good that she will like Oz but only trail and error will tell.

I know this is a lot for a first post. I hope to get some answers from this post.

Thank you all for your time, effort and support.

C.

[Will27]

G'day mate

There are heaps of topics and posts on here about this so maybe start searching.

Also, look at the DIAC website for tourist visa's, most of the info is here: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/

DIAC are mainly looking for a reason for your girlfriend to return back to Thailand. Looking at the details you have

provided, I'm assuming she doesn't work so she will have to try and convince DIAC that she will return. Family ties

will help. It's not a deal breaker but it is important.

To answer your questions:

No bank account with 6 months of statements. (Just opened one today) I don't know where you read the "6 months" part.

Your girlfriend doesn't need a bank account/money if you are providing financial assistance.

- I don’t have my old passport with all the stamps here. Can immigration search a database to view my travel history?

Yes, DIAC will look at the database to check your movement details in and out of Australia.

- How to show financial support. Current bank account statements spring to mind.

- How to show SMS records. You don't need them. It's a tourist visa, not a spouse visa.

There will be people on here saying you need to have stat decs, know the name of the mothers dog etc etc.

Not necessary. Providing some recent photo's and a statement by you and your girlfriend should be sufficient.

And yes, sending the phone would be crazy.

- Visa length. 3 or 6 months or both on one application. No. up to 3, 6 or 12 months. Three months is usually

granted for a first visa.

- Condition 8503 (commonly referred to as the 'No Further Stay' Condition) How to avoid? You can't, it's

arbitrary and is usually imposed on the first visa, but not always.

- Invitation/support letter. Myself or my house mate? No, support letter from friend will have no bearing. Again,

if you provide enough financial details, that should be sufficient.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to help as well.

Regards

Will

[chameleonic]

Thanks Will. That's good info to get me started.

I knew I forgot something yesterday.

My GF does have a job. She has been working since June 2012. She works for a company as a singer. They do party's like the usual bar parties to private home party's and even big stage events entertaining 400 - 500 people. She is one of about 12- 15 singers so she can get time of and have a job when she comes back. More than likely her boss will provide a letter to add to the visa application.

Thanks again.

C.

[chameleonic]

Here is where I read about the 6 months or more bank account statements:

Information sheet tourist visa, page 2:

Evidence that you have adequate personal funds, or access to adequate funds to support yourself (and any family members

travelling with you) during the period of intended stay, for example, a current bankbook or bank statement with at least 6 months

history of transactions. Cash or credit cards are not sufficient evidence of funds. If you are providing a bankbook, you must

provide the original bankbook; this will be returned to you with your passport.

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/files/bkok/Visa_Tourist%20July_Eng.pdf

[David48]

Thanks Will27 ...

I just didn't have the energy for this one.

Anyone else to contribute?

EDIT:- Have a read of this, might be a few pointers for you ... australian-tourist-visa-application

BTW, the document (.pdf) you referance above is for an English Tourist Visa ... same but different ...

.

Edited February 19, 2013 by David48

[chameleonic]

Thanks David.

I did read your big and detailed post that outlines the whole process. It is very good.

I suppose my questions come from processing all the information. Maybe I should let things digest a bit more over the next few days and then only post the questions I am really stuck with.

"BTW, the document (.pdf) you referance above is for an English Tourist Visa ... same but different ..."

I don't get what you mean by this. The link is titled: Applying For A Tourist Visa To Australia. And yes it is in English. What is different? Am I looking at the wrong info sheet?

C.

[David48]

I don't get what you mean by this. The link is titled: Applying For A Tourist Visa To Australia. And yes it is in English. What is different? Am I looking at the wrong info sheet?

C.

Saw the .pdf name and took a short cut and didnt open it ... sorry, my bad ...

Carry on.

.

[krisb]

They will want her reason to return to Thailand. That seems to be the clincher.

Other than that prepare your app neatly and tick as many boxes as you can.

Good luck.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

The applicant must have strong family ties to Thailand, they will always put condition 8503 on a first time visit visa to Australia.

[simple1]

Here is where I read about the 6 months or more bank account statements:

Information sheet tourist visa, page 2:

Evidence that you have adequate personal funds, or access to adequate funds to support yourself (and any family members

travelling with you) during the period of intended stay, for example, a current bankbook or bank statement with at least 6 months

history of transactions. Cash or credit cards are not sufficient evidence of funds. If you are providing a bankbook, you must

provide the original bankbook; this will be returned to you with your passport.

http://www.thailand....st July_Eng.pdf

GF may also be required to have medical/travel insurance for the period of her stay. Probably a good idea to have this covered in the application

[ThaiVisaExpress]

As long as she demonstrates shes a genuine visitor they will issue a visa subject to meeting other criteria.