Need Advice Re Bringing Gf To Oz

[dam0]

hi

i met my gf a few yrs ago on a quick trip to thailand, we became friends and i went travelling again a yr ago for 9 months.

we got together a little over a yr ago and now i was hoping to bring her back to oz. she already has a degree and i was hoping to bring her here on a student visa, she has no money so i even sent her 500k baht.

problem i find out now is that she won't be ablet to substantiate wher it cam from. i really want to get her here, will i need to apply for a fiance visa now? i have plenty of pics and a 5 month bangkok lease can sunstantiate our realtionship.

any advice or comments would be much appreciated. i'd prefer to get her here on a student visa but will settle for what ever i can get.

[Mighty Mouse]

You need to do a bit of reading.

Click here and read "Visiting Australia."

Come back with any questions you might have after that.

[Pink Mist]

You need to do a bit of reading.

Click here and read "Visiting Australia."

Come back with any questions you might have after that.

exactly right mouse

do your research damo there is a wealth of info here, a lot of us have been there b4 and have wives in Oz now

ask specific questions and the answers will come like a floodgate

good luck

[dam0]

thanks guys, done my reading:

a quick question i'm really concerned about the evidence of the relationship section: i feel i could be a little weak in this section eg finances i sent her 500k baht a few months ago thats all i have for finance section, it's hard to have anything more when your thai gf's family work for the army.

also, i'm not sure about the nature of the household section, as i don't live in thailand at the moment would our intention to live together satsify the living arrangements? also, i have from when i was living in thailand a lease in my name but as i was away on the date to move in, she moved in for me and we ended up with all rental invoices in her name, could that satisfy us as living together?

the other 2 categories i'm not too worried about as i can prove the social context and of course the nature of my commitment.

what are you thoughts, are there any other things i might be able to include that aren't on there partner migration booklet?

[Mighty Mouse]

If you have done your reading and explored the different type of visas on offer, which visa are you now contemplating?

If you want a tourist visa, the requirements may be easier for you both to meet, but there are strict restrictions as to the length of time she will be able to stay in Oz.

If you want a spouse visa, you will need to plan your marriage.

If you still want a student visa, there are additional requirements.

If you intend to sponsor her, it will be your financial situation that will be scrutinised, not so much hers.

Do some more reading and come back when you both know what your exact plans are.

[dam0]

sorry

i was planning on getting a fiance visa, i don't think she can meet the financial requirements of a student visa as they will ask where she received the money from and i'm not a family member.

i'm not really worried about my financial situation as i can more than support her.

i'm really more concerned with being able to substantiate our relationship. i've read all there is on what evidence is required to prove the relationship. everything the immi website has to offer, being the booklet 1127 (partner migration booklet), if there are any more resources could you please send me some links. i found this booklet a bit vague which is why i asked the questions below.

the booklet alludes tp the fact that for each category some kind of proof needs to be provided. which is why i asked to the questions on finances and household category.

i would really appreciate some more references if you can provide any, or possibly links to parts of the immi website i may have missed

thanks

Damo

[Mighty Mouse]

A fiance visa indicates that you both intend to marry in the near future.

May I suggest that you bring her out to Oz first on a tourist visa. This will allow her to see your homeland, meet your family and explore the possibilities of becoming a happy Australian citizen.

If you are lucky, you may be able to get a multiple entry tourist visa. This will allow her to come and go to Oz in any 12 month period, for a maximum stay of 3 months per trip.

The embassy may give you a 3 or 6 month tourist visa, one trip only. (You can then re-apply for a second and perhaps third tourist visa)

Tourist visas are relatively easy to get and whilst she is in Oz, you are strengthening your relationship and obtaining various 'proofs of relationship' as you progress. These 'proofs' are what you will need for your fiance visa.

As well as the proofs of relationship that you have read on Immigration web site, you should include dated photographs of you both in various locations. eg. Thailand, Australia, with her parents, your parents, outside landmarks- Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gold Coast locations etc. Photographs tell a thousand stories and are usually regarded highly by the case officer assigned to your application.

When you are both in Oz, save the butts of entry tickets, such as to the zoo, Sea World etc.

Retain your sign in dockets to clubs etc. These contain both signatures and show how and where you socialise together.

Keep a record of how you both correspond with each other. Save your emails and print a copy of them to include in your applications. Save telephone cards if you use them, if you use a fixed phone, provide your phone account that shows her telephone number. Save your snail mail letters. If you don't write by snail mail, start doing so to create a record.

Ask your family and friends to provide statutory declarations of their personal knowledge of your relationship. They will not be able to do this until they meet her.

The same applies to your neighbours. Ask them to provide statements also.

These are just a few examples. I'm sure you could think of many more. Use whatever you believe will convince your case officer of the strength of the relationship.

Everywhere you go together, everything you do together, gather proofs along the way and use them to make your point.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Mighty Mouse

[Mighty Mouse]

I stated in my last post that tourist visas are 'relatively easy' to obtain.

They are, but you still need to put some time and effort into the application.

The biggest hurdle that I see you facing will be providing a valid and believable reason for her to return to Thailand at the completion of her tourist visa.

As she is an unemployed student with no regular income, this may not be so easy to do.

Maybe she has family committments that need her attendance.

She may need to obtain some personal references, perhaps from her family doctor, her school teacher, some government official etc. stating that she is a law abiding and responsible person.

Any references written in Thai will need to be translated into English, and officially verified as being an accurate translation.

You may need to obtain written assurances from your parents (that's if you are still living at home) that they will ensure that all of her visa conditions are strictly adherred to.

Both you and your g/f should also give you own written personal assurances to Immigration that all visa conditions will be met.

These written assurances would be part of your tourist visa application covering letters.

The greatest fear for Immigration is that she will not return to Thailand on or before the due date, and that they will have to waste time and money looking for her so as to deport her.

This is what you need to think about carefully.

[dam0]

thanks for that MM,

it's a lot to ponder, but it's a great help. i'll be sure to post anything more if i need anything.

thanks

Damo