Australian Partner visa 309/100 - Visa Fee applying offshore in Thailand?

[mike404045]

hey guys,

has anyone applied for a partner visa 309 offshore in Thailand during this year 2015?

a little confused as to what the actual visa fee is, or how it is calculated and what exchange rate immi.gov.au use to calculate the fee?

please see screenshots, shows the visa fee in AUD and then in THB on immi.gov, and the fee in THB displayed on the vfs website.

and todays exchange rate is 1 AUD = 25.11 THB

any idea how they calculate the fee? and is the amount shown on the vfs website right?

thanks

[krisb]

Mate how does the Australian government calculate any of their ludicrous fees?

Exchange rates don't mean much except in your pockets case, the fee is the fee.

Edited March 2, 2015 by krisb

[mike404045]

pretty amazing the price bump, was going to apply for the partner visa in december.. come january its gone up something like 60%... ridiculous

i cant see why the visa fee would be THB 138,050 when it shows the AUD amount as $4,630?

this means what, the amount shown is at a transfer rate of 1 AUD = THB 29.81

its almost a thousand dollar difference? am I missing something here??

[krisb]

I get what your saying, and yes you are right...the exchange rate makes it confusing, as the price shown conflicts with current exchange rates. Essentially it's gonna cost you more now, then it would have back when they posted those prices.

There has always been a price difference paying offshore versus onshore.

All boils down to find the cheapest option and pay that price.

The prices quoted on the 2 different sites you posted are correct. Pick the cheapest.

Edited March 2, 2015 by krisb

[Gopro]

Choose the cheapest option and pay it.

I paid mine with credit card over the phone direct to DIBP. They will email you the receipt, just add it to your application.

If the baht is cheaper pay it there in cash to VFS. They set that fee long before the dollar took it's massive dive and long before jan1 increase.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Gopro

[mike404045]

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

says:

Visa Application Charges (VAC)

This page provides general information regarding Visa Application Charges for people who want to visit, work, study, or live in Australia and for employers sponsoring skilled people to work in Australia.

The VAC changes from time to time. The cost of your visa is dependent on the date we receive your application. If there is a price increase between the date you lodge your application and the date we receive your application, you will need to pay the new application charge.

See: Visa Application Charges

Payment methods in Thailand

Thai Baht is the only currency that is accepted if you are paying an application fee in Thailand. See: Pricing Estimator

You can make a payment by

• Cash (apply in person only)

• Cashier’s Cheque purchased in Bangkok or Nonthaburi, Samutprakarn provinces;

• Bank Draft if purchased in other provinces within Thailand

Please ensure your Cashier’s Cheque or Bank draft is payable to: ‘Australian Embassy Bangkok’, and the amount payable must be in Thai Baht.

went to immi gov

http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Pages/fees-charges/how-to-pay.aspx

and under How to pay for an application

Acceptable payment methods, for payment in Australian dollars are:

• MasterCard
• Visa
• American Express
• Diners Club
• JCB
• pre-paid credit​ cards.

Before you lodge your application, please notify your bank of an upcoming foreign credit card transaction. Failure to do so may result in your transaction being declined. Without payment your application is invalid.

Credit card transactions in Australian dollars are processed in Australia. A credit card surcharge may apply to transactions made using your credit card.

If you are paying outside Australia, payment may need to be made in the currency and payment method accepted by the Office where the application is being lodged. Our offices outside Australian cannot accept Australian dollar payments in cash.

The exchange rates used to calculate the amount payable in a foreign currency are updated periodically. While the Australian dollars amount might not change, the amount payable in a foreign currency will change in line with the exchange rate. This may increase or decrease the cost of your application.

The foreign currency rates are fixed for six months and apply to all applications received on and after the day the exchange rate is changed.

the last bit where it says The exhange rates used to calculate..............

so I understand it as the aud shown ($4630) doesn't change but the THB amount does change according to the current exchange rates.. however this is only updated every 6 months using the exchange rate at the time it is updated?

so the amount shown in THB (138,050) is the amount payable regardless of what the current exchange rate is.

is that right?

if so.. that sucks that they dont account for the constant fluctuations in the exchange rate!

[krisb]

Exchange rates fluctuate daily.

The price is still the price.

Pick the cheapest.

[mike404045]

all good, was just confused but have had VFS clarify the rates and how and when the fixed fee was set

so no dramas

thanks for your input