Australian visa for Thai mother of my child

[oval]

Hello,

Sorry if this has been covered, but I am looking for simple up-to-date information on the best way to get my Thai girlfriend, and mother of my child, a visa into Australia.

The child is only one month old, and I have already sorted out his Aussie citizenship.

I am not legally married to the mother, although we have been together for 2 years.

What are my options?

Thanks in advance for any help

[simple1]

OP: What type of visa do you wish to obtain? visitors, spousal immigration etc?

[oval]

OP: What type of visa do you wish to obtain? visitors, spousal immigration etc?

I'm not sure - I don't want a visitors visa because I am thinking about moving back to Australia permanently, or at least for a few years. So I guess she would need some kind of temporary resident visa or something...

[simple1]

OP: What type of visa do you wish to obtain? visitors, spousal immigration etc?

I'm not sure - I don't want a visitors visa because I am thinking about moving back to Australia permanently, or at least for a few years. So I guess she would need some kind of temporary resident visa or something...

In your situation don't believe application would meet the criteria for a temporary resident visa, may be best to apply for de facto / spousal visa. Alternatively perhaps a long stay tourist visa for up to one year? Have a look at URLs below.

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/47temporary_residence.htm

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/DIAC_Prospective_marriage_visa.html

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/DIAC_Visitor_visa.html

[secretariat]

Your decision may come down to a timing & financial decision as there is a big difference between applying for a tourist visa or partner visa....

Tourist Visa

10 working days to process

Approximately 4000 baht

Partner Visa

Several months to process

Over 90,000 baht

You could effectively live in Australia for 12 months on a 12 month, multi-entry tourist visa. If there is a maximum single stay period (typically 3 months), your partner doesn't need to return to Thailand, she could simply go to NZ to get the visa renewed.

To me, spending 90,000 baht on a partner visa is a lot of money to spend if your partner hasn't visited Australia before or now if she will be happy there.

[MikeandDow]

Your decision may come down to a timing & financial decision as there is a big difference between applying for a tourist visa or partner visa....

Tourist Visa

10 working days to process

Approximately 4000 baht

Partner Visa

Several months to process

Over 90,000 baht

You could effectively live in Australia for 12 months on a 12 month, multi-entry tourist visa. If there is a maximum single stay period (typically 3 months), your partner doesn't need to return to Thailand, she could simply go to NZ to get the visa renewed.

To me, spending 90,000 baht on a partner visa is a lot of money to spend if your partner hasn't visited Australia before or now if she will be happy there.

Totally correct the OZ immigration would like to see that she has been for a holiday a multi entry visa is not normally given, but a 3 month visa should be no problem

Edited March 2, 2014 by theoldgit

[David48]

My Thai gf first had a single entry, 3 month Visa - then applied for a multiple-entry 12 month Visa.

Which you can effectively stay for (almost) 15 months on ... just make the last entry into Australia before the end of the 12 months.

Taking that 12 month option is a PIA because you HAVE to leave every 3 months. If you decide to try for a Visa Run to NZ ... you have to apply for a Visa for there also ... and they are just as strict as Australia is. Plus the NZ Visa cost.

More often then not you get a 3 month Tourist Visa first up, then a multi-entry 12 month one though ... some members here have reported getting a 12 month one first up and some have reported that, even though their Thai partner had a 3 month visa before and they applied for a 12 month one this time ... they only received a 3 month one again.

I'm not saying it's random ... but it does appear to be discretionary.

[aparasher]

OP: What type of visa do you wish to obtain? visitors, spousal immigration etc?

I'm not sure - I don't want a visitors visa because I am thinking about moving back to Australia permanently, or at least for a few years. So I guess she would need some kind of temporary resident visa or something...

We got Spouse visa for my wife. Our daughter is already Australian by descent. It took us fraction of time and we were issued permanent residency instead of temporary partner visa.

[David48]

We got Spouse visa for my wife. Our daughter is already Australian by descent. It took us fraction of time and we were issued permanent residency instead of temporary partner visa.

That's great news.

I've read reports of the Permanent Visa being issued up-front in cases like yours ... well done!