Hi, my gf applied for a tourist visa a couple of days ago, we applied via vfs and they gave us a receipt with the date 23 july stamped on it, does it mean we go there on the 23rd or do we have to wait for some form of contact? Also, we've been waiting approx 10 working days now. Does the delay mean there's some sort of problem?

If it's your gf's first visa application then 10 days is nothing to be worried about.

You lodged through VFS then try ... vfs au track your application

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If it's your gf's first visa application then 10 days is nothing to be worried about.

You lodged through VFS then try ... vfs au track your application

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Thanks, um just curious how long does it usually take though.. first application

It appears to vary, depending on the applicant ... there is no usual.

The more questions needing to be asked or investigated ... presumably the longer it takes.

You are being very vague ... you have your answer as you can track it through the Link I posted above.

Should you wish the 'official' line ... presuming your partner is Thai ... up to a month ... see the Australian Government Immigration website here ... client-services-charter_visas

Good Luck to your partner.

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As the Visa section is staffed by Thais you never know what to expect. I have traveled to Australia many times and no problems. Recently I applied for a business visa for my legally married wife, company employee, company director, no police record, traveled to the USA and Europe and returned. We wanted to buy food processing equipment for use in our plant in Bangkok under the Australian-Thai Free Trade Agreement. A Thai wrote a 1.5 page letter explaining how my Thai wife was not qualified to assist me in this business and both of us were declined. My wife is well educated, traveled and a good business woman. This must have been a case where the Thai evaluator had his head up his rear end or equivalent. Bloody amazing Australian Embassy. You never know what to expect. I do know that Australia has one of the strictest immigration policies in the world and they do what they can to keep Asians from coming. With the money Australia makes off of Carbon Tax you would think they could hire Australians to run their visa section in Bangkok. After all, when Hawke was the PM thy paid for a $30m bridge to cross over to Lao. He was so pleased with his trip to Chiang Mai for a few days that he wanted to do something in return at the Australian tax payers expense. Something is not right with the embassy management. I have had good working experience in Australia for many years but the action of the embassy puzzles me.

Recently had ours done, they phoned my gf to come and pick up at bangkok. We also had a friend who received hers in the mail approx 2-3 days after the 10 days. So could depend on if its being mailed or she has to pick up. The 23rd would be when it is finalised.

yes as all have said up to 10 days and each case can vary. just need to be patient mate

To the OP - remember Monday and Tuesday are public holidays so the Embassy and subcontracted entities will not be open.

As the Visa section is staffed by Thais you never know what to expect. I have traveled to Australia many times and no problems. Recently I applied for a business visa for my legally married wife, company employee, company director, no police record, traveled to the USA and Europe and returned. We wanted to buy food processing equipment for use in our plant in Bangkok under the Australian-Thai Free Trade Agreement. A Thai wrote a 1.5 page letter explaining how my Thai wife was not qualified to assist me in this business and both of us were declined. My wife is well educated, traveled and a good business woman. This must have been a case where the Thai evaluator had his head up his rear end or equivalent. Bloody amazing Australian Embassy. You never know what to expect. I do know that Australia has one of the strictest immigration policies in the world and they do what they can to keep Asians from coming. With the money Australia makes off of Carbon Tax you would think they could hire Australians to run their visa section in Bangkok. After all, when Hawke was the PM thy paid for a $30m bridge to cross over to Lao. He was so pleased with his trip to Chiang Mai for a few days that he wanted to do something in return at the Australian tax payers expense. Something is not right with the embassy management. I have had good working experience in Australia for many years but the action of the embassy puzzles me.

Carbon Tax hasn't made squat for the tax coffers... But that's really a topic of another thread... Rather xenophobic view you've got there chief - you should probably stop watching re-runs of Border Security on the Australia Network - on the basis that your wife was refused a business visa for being - as you claim - not suitably qualified.

How is it you were both declined?

Because if she can't go, you can't go?

VFS - the mob who handle visa applications are a sub contracted entity of the Australian Embassy. The few times I've dealt with them they've been pretty fair in terms of communicating things. That's not to say they could be total <deleted> to others. Just my experiences.

The Consular staff at the Embassy can be hit and miss but my interactions with them have been cordial, I saw one senior citizen have a right crack at one of them over the misplacement of some documents pertaining to his - I'm assuming - wife's application for a visa. She just took it in her stride and politely told him that he needs to go to VFS down the road.

He went on a pretty good rant about claiming he was being discriminated against because his - again I'm assuming - wife is Thai. I had a good chuckle as did a few others.

My recent dealings with Austrade have also been extremely helpful and I'm hopeful of being able to establish a decent working relationship with them.