Australian visitor visa for Thai wife

[sir charles IV]

Seeking advice from Aussies regarding best option to bring wife for a visit.

Background - I'm familiar with the visitor visa lodged through vfs. I've never done the "sponsored family visitor" visa stream. My inquiry is in relation to complexity, timing, and flexibility. Although she will have to go back to Los we may need her to stay longer than the visa. The pros and cons that I can see are:

Tourist visa:

Pros - quick, familiar to me, she's done one before

Cons - lodged in bkk via vfs so she needs to do it.

Family visa:

Pros - 3 months min, I can do all the paperwork in oz and she does not need to do anything other than sign scanned last page.

Cons - married in Los so need translate/certify marriage certificate, maybe required to put up security bond, not done one for Los before

One major concern is that according to family visa application I may lose the bond if we extend her visa

Can the expert advise if I got it right and what would be the most suitable visa based on our circumstances.

Ps- she has a full time job, car etc but she most likely will lose current job due to leaving which is not a concern to us. She's trying to get a letter from her employer for visa purposes even if she loses her job. We plan to do the partner visa later in the year.

Thanks in advance.

C

[Will27]

AFAIK, your wife is only eligible for the visitor visa tourist stream.

The sponsored family stream is to sponsor relatives.

So basically, apply for the S/C 600 visitor visa which can now be done online.

If 8503 "No Further Stay" condition is imposed (highly likely), she will have to apply

to apply for a waiver to extend which generally is pretty hard to get.

There is a whole thread on tourist visas here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/534835-australian-tourist-visa-application/

[Surin13]

Both types if tourist visa's can now be applied for online.

No need to go though VFS

The current processing time for sponsored family tourist visa seems to be around 2 weeks.

Yes you are correct that you may lose the the security bond if the visitor stays longer than the period authorised even if the sponsored family visitor is granted another temporary or permanent visa.

Although you may not be asked for the bond, but you won't know until you apply.

[Surin13]

AFAIK, your wife is only eligible for the visitor visa tourist stream.

The sponsored family stream is to sponsor relatives.

FYI your wife is classed as a relative for this visa

[sir charles IV]

AFAIK, your wife is only eligible for the visitor visa tourist stream.

The sponsored family stream is to sponsor relatives.

FYI your wife is classed as a relative for this visa

i thought so. It includes partner. That's why I considered it

[sir charles IV]

I doubt very much if more than months is required. But I would struggle with putting up cash in case I lose it

So in that basis would u recommend the visitor visa done online and choose 3 months for length of stay?

[Surin13]

Depends on your reason for wanting the visa and how well you prepare your application.

Both have there advantages and disadvantages depending on what you want them for.

Without knowing specific details about your circumstance can't give more then general answers.

A well prepare application I would go with sponsored family visa.

Less well prepared, then a tourist visa.

[sir charles IV]

If we/she do it online will she need to go to bkk still?

[Surin13]

No.