What are the challenges and requirements for a Thai girlfriend to obtain a visitor visa for Australia?

Mar 20, 2024
9 months ago
Sheridan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
hi I'm not sure if this is off topic but does anyone know how difficult it is for my thai girlfriend to get a visitor visa to visit Australia? or requirements from us both ? we are going to try and visit the Australian embassy in Bangkok end of April as we get no response from emails..
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion focuses on the difficulties of obtaining a visitor visa for a Thai national to Australia, emphasizing the need for strong ties to Thailand and sufficient documentation to prove the legitimacy of the relationship. Many comments highlight that Australian immigration can be particularly strict with Thai applicants, with some alleging discriminatory practices. Key points include the importance of having a stable job, sufficient financial resources, and possibly engaging with a visa agent to enhance the chances of approval. The conversation also covers the procedural steps for applying online, registering an immigration account, and the types of documentation needed.
Arch *********
Not worth the time & effort, way too hard šŸ˜„
Gregory **********
David Maloney is spot on. I didn't supply enough information the first time and my girlfriend was knocked back. This time I submitted everything David did and the Visa was approved. It's all about ensuring you have a relationship and that your girlfriend is going back after the visit.
David *********
It's not that difficult ..

But a couple of tips , always give them more than they ask for , what they want to know ..

1. The relationship is real ( if you are needed as a sponsor , which is the common situation )

2 ..That she has sound reason to return

So for example over 20 years , I've had 5 seperate applications ( multiple) approved , once the first one is granted you have history it's easy , so long as it's the same applicant .

So , you financial capacity to support ( assuming required ) or your gfs wealth , proof of relationship , where is she going to be staying ?

Why is she 100 % returning to Thailand ? ( Job , assets , family etc )

Put you file together , lodge same , go for pictures , and wait ..Now if you are declined on first application , immediately reapply , with a little more , make sure all your documents are certified , translated ..and away you go .

Remember first new applicant is toughest request so please don't get disheartening feelings , you will get it though , they want to see commitment .
Sheridan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
thank you.
David *********
Good luck Sheridan , you will be fine mate , hang in there .
Arisara *********
When I applied for a spouse visa years ago, I went for an interview then got it approved within the same week. It is about building the case, provided all documents required to support your case. Australia government opens the door to everyone who meets the visa criteria.
John ********
Open an immigration account for her.

Provide all the necessary documents, translations as required.

A phone call is near impossible, emails very slow to get a response, if at all.

Provide everything asked for, if it adds up, and you meet character requirements, a visa will come.

BUT everything has to be done through an immi account.

Just arriving at the Australian embassy won't work. Unless you have a documented appointment, you will be denied entry.

No cost to open an immi account and supply documents.

But you pay the fee before you can submit the documents.
Robert *****
Zero chance.
Steve *******
Simple. She applies on line
Sasi ************
Itā€™s depends, in my case it was easy. Not Aus but America and I think itā€™s similar.

Before granted citizenship I have gone through applying for visitor visas to The USA. (For separate purposes/occasions)

-I was not employed at the time but my family managed and maintained the good balance of financial as they always do for all of the children. Stable income, good bank account records, no debt and so on.

- I have every intention to return home as I was a primary caretaker for my parents and I was the ā€œhead of the household ā€œ who managed the family business as well as day to day lives.

-I have properties in my name, fully paid for, all of it.

- I have travelled outside the country, many trips and always return, never abused visas.
Orby ********
I got my girlfriend 3 tourist visas here no problem at all now she has PR.
Sharn *************
So what happens if a single Thai lady just wants to visit Australia for a week or two.

Does she still have to complete the same paperwork as a spouse visiting her partner.
Sasi ************
@Sharn ************
Thai passport is among the ā€œweakā€ when it comes to visas granted. The reasons; you know, most people know; visas abused is the main one. Thais apply for visitors visa once granted and entered the country they just got off and go working low wage jobs that is illegal, thereā€™s we go. Couple ill intentions made the whole country look bad. I never have problem though.

Search ; Powerful passports , read the articles.

Tourists visa and spousal visa is different categories
Steve ******
@Sharn ************
depending on her circumstances but she'd be in for a hard slog...
Sharn *************
@Steve *****
Its crazy.

Japanese and Chinese ladies visit often .

I see them all the time when im at the airport.
Steve ******
@Sharn ************
I have a Thai wife and I know the ropes we had to jump thru for her to be here,, OUR daughter was our saving grace,, Moo has a son and has been knocked back many times in attempts for him to visit even tho his mother and 2 sisters have PR status, it's a shit Government.
Dusty *****
It's not easy , but not impossible, if you aren't good with computers or understanding government policy I would suggest using an agent ,& not an Australian one ( very expensive). We used believe agents in Bangkok . They where very good & much cheaper than Australia.i would suggest that if not already tell your thai gf to sign up to Facebook Australian visa pages , you can learn much there about the process . Good luck mate
Kenny ******************
Wish it were that easy to bring a gf to the U.S.A. for holiday. Practically impossible.
Sasi ************
@Kenny *****************
read my comment below . In my opinion, itā€™s not that hard but you need to know what qualities the government is considering.
Paul *****************
Geez Louise.....get an agent ...if she has a job , and a bank account plus other documents the agent will tell you .

You write an invitation letter.

Proof of funds to support her.

Its easy... although. she will need to go to Bangkok to lodge documents.

We got ours in 24 hours after lodgement.
Gregory **********
Sheridan, contrary to all the know-alls this site attracts I have just gone through a Thai Agent to get my girlfriend to Australia on a Tourist Visa (3mths). The first try that I did she was refused even though I did it on-line and supplying the requested documents. After going through the Agent I am supplying more documentation than the on-line site requested. I expect that her visa application will be approved and await notification. I spent
*****
bht which all the know-alls said was a waste of money. I am confident that she will get her visa.
Bob **********
@Gregory *********
so it hasnā€™t been approved yet ??
Gregory **********
Dearest Bob, Visa approved
James *********
@Gregory *********
lettuce no the outcome pleez
Steve ******
Sheridan, it is very difficult but if you reseach and take in all the information that you can gather it is definitely not impossible,, keep searching all the threads and you will do ok, work with a visa agent if you must and can afford it, good luck with it all,, having kids expedites the situation šŸ˜€
Mike *******
Your girlfriend can apply online via the Australian Embassy website (in fact the Australian government prefers this method). Click on VISA AND CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION and follow the bouncing ball. She will need to set up an account and attend an office in Bangkok to submit bio information. There is of course an application fee, and quite strict requirements to demonstrate (bank statements, employment, etc). The process is a little tedious, and sheā€™ll need your help. Good luck.

*************************************************************
David **********
I have been married two years and can not even get my Thai wife in on a tourist visa
Oliver ********
it really depends on her situation - very easy if she has a good professional job, plenty of money in the bank, and a track record of global travel (especially to countries that require visas) or very difficult if she's poor enough that an immigration officer might suspect that she'd be better off working illegally in Australia as a waitress / masseuse / farm hand / etc
Shaughn ***********
So in a nutshell, if she has a degree and a job itā€™s not that difficult. I have Thai friends who got work visas in Australia and all had a degree. Might make it complicated and need your sponsorship. Research the Australian immigration website for full details on what is required. Iā€™ve been going through a process to bring my gf to NZ on a work visa. In my case Iā€™ve had to get an METV and live here with her with a condo lease and collecting all the proofs of living together at same address. Having that documentation would help you greatly if she canā€™t obtain a visa on her own merits.
Kev *********
You need to register an account. Google "Immi account visit Australia" Follow the guidance there. Have evidence to show your relationship is de facto. Letter from employer that she will have a job to return to after her xxx days permitted leave.
Michael ********
My wife has been australia a couple of times. She used an agent in Trendy building to assist, but she has good job, property etc
Sheridan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
thanks for that do you know the name of the agent you used?
Andrew ***********
@Sheridan *****
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Try these people, very informative and helpful. They will give you the best advise.
Sheridan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew **********
many thanks
Michael ********
@Sheridan *****
No it was on ground floor though
Luigi ***********
95% of tourist visa requests are denied because they know very well the origin of the women who request the visa.

Countries that are part of the VIS system are required to keep the database updated weekly. USA - CANADA - UK - EU + Schenger - AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND.

If an applicant applies in one of these countries and is denied the visa is transcribed in this database so all other countries accurately know the applicant's status.

Thailand has set up a similar security system for foreigners in Thailand.

" Good person in. Bad person out "

In addition, all immigration offices must update cases involving foreigners once a week.
Daniel *****
@Luigi **********
Of course they know the 'origin' of every person that applies, they have a copy of their passport. It's not only women, I know of several Thai men being declined tourist visas as well. When an immigration Lawyer advises you to find someone to fabricate a partner visa as a sure fire way in, it's a good indication that the system is broken.
Luigi ***********
@Daniel ****
Building a story of a visa applicant almost everyone is fake, especially when they are called for interviews they understand well what's behind it.
Daniel *****
Not easy, Australian Immigration seem to be racist against Thai people. They don't want them here and don't trust that they will return to Thailand. That's the only reasonable explanation that makes any sense.
Steve *******
@Daniel ****
just racist
Steve ******
@Daniel ****
yes but if you're Indian it's an open gate, and they can live here forever, the government is cufked
Wayne *****
@Steve *****
Or Sudanese šŸ˜”
Kev *********
Steve ***********
@Steve *****
members of the Commonwealth has to be a factor
John **********
@Daniel ****
It's no racism, and its not just Australia. Unfortunately Thai people have in the past displayed deceptive behaviours. If you can build a case you will be more than likely to be issued a Visa. Healthy, bank account, proof of relationship, successful business, etc. All factors that will influence their decision.
Cliff **************
@John *********
my partner has had 3 visas. Last time her two sons came as well. Just have to give all of the proof of ties to you and ties to Thailand
Hugh **********
@John *********
agree ,also it will be a waste of time going to the Embassy ,you wonā€™t get past the entrance ,just go online to immi .gov au, for info .
Daniel *****
@Hugh *********
Its got to the point where I have even involved my local member and the Minister and invited them or their agents to visit our home and interview my family but they are too lazy and gutless to even talk to us in person or over the phone. They are happy to keep taking our application fees though and have us jump through hoops and pay for biometric scans and chest X-rays each time, not to mention the cost of travel to Bangkok and hotels etc. They are amongst the worst bunch of unreasonable c#nts you'll ever have to deal with.
Daniel *****
@John *********
I don't believe it. We have been declined 4 times for my wife's daughter to come and visit us for a holiday even with the offer of a substantial bond to ensure her return. Why should you have to build a case when others from many other countries can pretty much waltz right in without doing so. Has to be racism, it may be based on the actions of some but its racism all the same.
John **********
@Daniel ****
I think it's a case of paying for someone else's sins. Why should you have to build a case.... It's simple because you want a successful outcome. I'm not saying it's satisfactory but it's just the way it is. I can sense your frustration and its warranted. I wish you well.
Steven *********
@John *********
they donā€™t like men bringing back wives to compete with the Aussie sheilas ay
Wayne *****
@Steven ********
what, the fat lazy Aussie woman couldn't be jealous šŸ˜œ
Frank **********
@John *********
it's not just Thailand. All of Southeast Asia has a bad reputation with Immigration authorities.
John **********
@Frank *********
Indeed it is.
Tony *********
Very difficult. You need to give strong evidence that she has ties back in Thailand but even then that's not enough I'm afraid
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