What are the best options and experiences for obtaining an Australian tourist visa for a Thai partner?

Here’s a clear, practical step-by-step guide for your Thai girlfriend to apply for an Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 600) on her own—no agent needed.

🇦🇺 1. Create an ImmiAccount

Go to the official portal of the Department of Home Affairs

* Create an ImmiAccount

* This is where everything is submitted and tracked

📝 2. Start the Visa Application

* Select: Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist stream

* Fill in details:

* Personal info

* Travel dates (e.g. May trip)

* Relationship (you as boyfriend/sponsor if applicable)

👉 Be consistent with documents later

📂 3. Prepare Documents (Most Important Part)

👩 For your girlfriend:

* Passport (clear scan)

* Thai ID card

* Employment letter (position, salary, leave approval)

* Payslips (3–6 months)

* Bank statements (6 months)

* House registration (Tabien Baan) if available

❤️ Relationship proof (if you sponsor):

* Photos together

* Chat history (selected, not excessive)

* Your passport + Australian visa/PR (if applicable)

* Invitation letter (from you)

✍️ 4. Write a Simple Cover Letter

Keep it short and honest:

* Purpose: holiday, visiting you

* Duration: e.g. 2–4 weeks (don’t overstate 6 months unless needed)

* Confirmation she will return to Thailand

👉 This helps reduce rejection risk

💳 5. Pay Visa Fee

* Around AUD 190

* Pay online via card inside ImmiAccount

🧬 6. Biometrics in Bangkok

After submission, she’ll be asked to go to:

📍 VFS Global Bangkok

* Fingerprints + photo

* Book appointment online

⏳ 7. Wait for Processing

* Usually 2–6 weeks

* Sometimes faster

Decision will be sent via email + ImmiAccount

✅ 8. If Approved

* Visa is electronic (no sticker)

* Usually multiple entry

* Stay allowed: up to 3 months per visit (sometimes more)

⚠️ Common Mistakes (Avoid These)

* Weak bank balance

* No proof of job or ties

* Saying “stay 6 months” with no strong reason

* Inconsistent info vs documents

* Overloading unnecessary documents

🧭 Pro Tips (Very Important)

* Apply for short trip (2–4 weeks) → higher approval chance

* Show she has a reason to return (job is key)

* Clean, organised PDF uploads → officers like clarity

* Don’t “over-explain” or sound scripted

🧠 Reality Check

Approval is based on one main question:

👉 “Will she go back to Thailand?”

Everything you submit should support that.

You'll have to provide all the relevant docs for the Agent to submit, so you may as well do it yourself. You can upload online or bring them to the interview printed out. I'd recommend uploading them and have a copy of everything you have uploaded to hand.

Do it yourself mate it’s super easy.. we had no problems getting 3 tourist visas and now married and on bridging visa ..

Get a tourist visa first then do the rest through an agent thats what i did and now my wife lives permanently in Australia

Using an agent is a waste of money. All they do is lodge the application online, and this is very simple to do yourself. I've done it three times for my lady. Most important documents are

(1) bank account statement

(2) letter from her employer stating salary and length of service

(3) land/property ownership documents

(4) Family ties

(5) Proof of length of your relationship. This can be emails, letters, photos, WhatsApp messages etc.

(6) Evidence of your own financial standing

I have used Korat legal services couple of times for tourist visa myself.Last time got her and me son out of Los as I was nearly dead.Visa over the weekend.Now got pr.

If you really need someone honest, professional and competent. My wife worked with her for years.

Her other boyfriends should be able to give you the best advice

Why an agent? Just makes it look suss. The application process is simple. Main things are she has important reasons to go home at the end of the visa & you are capable of supporting her. Going for 3-6 months as a first application isn't wise, will very likely be refused. A few weeks is much easier & once you have a reputation with immigration it gets easier.

Good luck. You are smarter than us. We did it ourselves and they rejected it. We then took everything to a Australian Immigration company in Chung Mai who copied out material and put it on his letterhead and it was approved in 24 hours. Richard Mc Donald based at Chung Mai. Don't know if he is still operating he later did the Permanent partner Visa as well. Job done, good luck.