One of my Australian friends has cancer and needs a long course of treatment, it doesn't look good for him. His Thai wife would like to go and take care of him, she has visited once before for a holiday.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips to make this happen without too much involvement and stress on my friends part?

OP: As I'm currently living in Oz I called Immigration to get a heads up based on your friend's situation. Immi advised to apply for a subclass 600 tourist visa as you can request up to 12 months stay without having to depart every three months.

Immi advised obtain a letter from the consulting specialist indicating anticipated treatment timeline (can request 12 months just in case) and the nature of the cancer to upload with the application. Can also request urgent processing of the application. Immi further advised any supporting letter from the consultant would be best to be in English to minimise delays. Explain the reason for wife's attendance - can be as simple as emotional support - length of relationship etc. Perhaps others can provide more detail. Thai passport holders can apply online, your friend can assist, at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/visitor-e600-visa-online-applications.aspx

Wishing a positive outcome for your friend and his wife.

Thanks for your time and effort. It's my intention to assist with the visa and with your advice to guide me I hope to get them together asap. Regrettably, it would seem that the full 12 months will not be needed. My thanks once again.

OP: As I'm currently living in Oz I called Immigration to get a heads up based on your friend's situation. Immi advised to apply for a subclass 600 tourist visa as you can request up to 12 months stay without having to depart every three months.

Immi advised obtain a letter from the consulting specialist indicating anticipated treatment timeline (can request 12 months just in case) and the nature of the cancer to upload with the application. Can also request urgent processing of the application. Immi further advised any supporting letter from the consultant would be best to be in English to minimise delays. Explain the reason for wife's attendance - can be as simple as emotional support - length of relationship etc. Perhaps others can provide more detail. Thai passport holders can apply online, your friend can assist, at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/visitor-e600-visa-online-applications.aspx

Wishing a positive outcome for your friend and his wife.

How long did you have to wait on hold for? Last time I rang them it was 1hour 15mins.

OP: As I'm currently living in Oz I called Immigration to get a heads up based on your friend's situation. Immi advised to apply for a subclass 600 tourist visa as you can request up to 12 months stay without having to depart every three months.

Immi advised obtain a letter from the consulting specialist indicating anticipated treatment timeline (can request 12 months just in case) and the nature of the cancer to upload with the application. Can also request urgent processing of the application. Immi further advised any supporting letter from the consultant would be best to be in English to minimise delays. Explain the reason for wife's attendance - can be as simple as emotional support - length of relationship etc. Perhaps others can provide more detail. Thai passport holders can apply online, your friend can assist, at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/visitor-e600-visa-online-applications.aspx

Wishing a positive outcome for your friend and his wife.

How long did you have to wait on hold for? Last time I rang them it was 1hour 15mins.

After navigating though the system - few minutes - automated voice system asked if I would like a call back rather than waiting on hold & advised an approximate response time to be 15 - 25 minutes; returned my call within the indicated time frame.

OP: As I'm currently living in Oz I called Immigration to get a heads up based on your friend's situation. Immi advised to apply for a subclass 600 tourist visa as you can request up to 12 months stay without having to depart every three months.

Immi advised obtain a letter from the consulting specialist indicating anticipated treatment timeline (can request 12 months just in case) and the nature of the cancer to upload with the application. Can also request urgent processing of the application. Immi further advised any supporting letter from the consultant would be best to be in English to minimise delays. Explain the reason for wife's attendance - can be as simple as emotional support - length of relationship etc. Perhaps others can provide more detail. Thai passport holders can apply online, your friend can assist, at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/visitor-e600-visa-online-applications.aspx

Wishing a positive outcome for your friend and his wife.

How long did you have to wait on hold for? Last time I rang them it was 1hour 15mins.

After navigating though the system - few minutes - automated voice system asked if I would like a call back rather than waiting on hold & advised an approximate response time to be 15 - 25 minutes; returned my call within the indicated time frame.

Bout time they started a call back service.