Applying for visa to Australia for Thai GF - where to post to ?

[Ooladolla]

I am applying for a visa on behalf of my Thai GF. I want to post the papers to the Australian embassy as I have many supporting documents ( birth certificates of children, land owned by GF IN Thailand etc ).

Is the address given on the website of 37 South Sathorn Road Bangkok correct ?

Reason I ask is they talk about the external visa service ( VFS Global ) and I'm unsure if all applications posted must go through them or can I post direct to the embassy.

Also, can I ask for a multiple entry tourist visa as we will probably make two trips to Australia in 2016 ?

Would a multiple entry visa be the same price ( which so far as I can see is $135 Australian ) ?

Thanks for any advice

[Ooladolla]

Also, with the birth certificates and land title deeds, do they need to be translated into English or is certifying what the documents are sufficient ? I read it says "DOCUMENTS NOT IN ENGLISH MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ACCREDITED ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS "

[jacksam]

Is your thai gf in bok? There are options for application. You can do it by mail in Thailand or in person at VSF.

Remember it's your tgf application and not yours. If it's first application for tourist visa she will almost certainly be given 3 month single entry. Subsequent applications most likely 12 month multiple with 3 month max stay. One more thing. Check site something ozvisathai.com has all the forms and really good info. Good luck

[Ooladolla]

Hi, we live in Krabi together. I will submit the 956a to act on her behalf. I printed the application for tourist visa last time I was in Australia .

I'm a bit worried about submitting her daughters birth certificates and land ownership which is all written in Thai. I've done a certification to say what they are but not sure if they will accept that.

Living here means I have to post the papers ( too much to upload as I said before ) .

I guess posting to the Australian embassy directly is correct then.

Thanks for responding ( I want to make sure I get everything right before I submit the papers )

[Gopro]

If you post anything to the Australian embassy it will take about a month for processing - try vfs a courier application http://www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/Thailand//courier_application.html

[jacksam]

If you post anything to the Australian embassy it will take about a month for processing - try vfs a courier application http://www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/Thailand//courier_application.html

Good advice. The beauty of vsf is that the process takes about 10 days. You can do it by post as your not in bkk, however the advantage of attending vsf personally is that the clerk checks everything and picks up small oversights. I've done 3 and each time nipped to the photocopier for small minor thing.

[Ooladolla]

If you post anything to the Australian embassy it will take about a month for processing - try vfs a courier application http://www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/Thailand//courier_application.html

Good advice. The beauty of vsf is that the process takes about 10 days. You can do it by post as your not in bkk, however the advantage of attending vsf personally is that the clerk checks everything and picks up small oversights. I've done 3 and each time nipped to the photocopier for small minor thing.

I like the idea of VFS but can't personally get to Bangkok easily. We don't want to travel until early February 2016, so one month is not a problem. The only issue I guess is if I stuff up it will take longer and booking flights late usually costs more. Having said that, is VFS BY POST my best option ?

Edited October 27, 2015 by Ooladolla

[Ooladolla]

Looking at the VFS site, there isn't a post office near me that accepts applications . Nearest is Phuket 3 hrs away

[hagler]

Do yourself a big favor and lodge the application online via

https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

VFS global are pretty hopeless. I have literally got off the phone to them in Manila about an application for a Filipina about 2 hours ago.

If you lodge online you circumvent VFS for a lot of the process and can make a complaint via Australian Immigration and that speeds things up no end if things are going too slowly.

Edited October 27, 2015 by hagler

[Ooladolla]

Ok, tried to do it online myself and was granted a 3 month visa 10 days later. Thanks for everyone's help. Now I need to know how they calculate 3 months. Example arrive Australia on the 2 February and you can leave on the 2nd of May ??