Popular Post David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2012 I have benefited by reading all the posts here over the years and now have something to contribute that is other then opinion based. Currently we, my Thai gf and I, are in the process of applying for an Australian multiple entry Tourist Visa, subclass 676, valid for 12 months. Her background:- Early 30’s Same job 10 years + Successfully applied for a 3 month tourist Visa this time last year. Visited Australia for 10 days Few material connections to Thailand (i.e. no land/car etc) Our/My Background:- Met 18 months ago. I’m self employed. Visit Thailand on a regular basis. I’ll try and keep the posts succinct and brief so that you can read the relevant detail. What I hope to update everyone on is the material submitted. The various interactions between both the lodgement agency VSF (Thailand) Ltd and the Australian Embassy Bangkok. The timeframe for this particular application. The resolution process, if required. For all the experienced hands, you have jumped through these hoops many times before, hence the post is not aimed at you … but your experience and input is now, as it was then when we first applied, considerable valuable. I don’t have the full spectrum of experience just yet (hence not all the answers), so I will concentrate on the stuff I know and keep you posted on the applications progress. I’m confident of her receiving a tourist Visa, having proven once that she is a genuine tourist, but what the Embassy offers us with a second request is unknown. Happy for all replies here and will do my best, as time allows, to answer them. David48 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 How to lodge the application (personally … without assistance). Who is VSF (Thailand) Ltd? Quoting:- VFS (Thailand) Ltd currently has an agreement with the Australian Embassy Bangkok to provide Australian visa application services in Thailand. Applicants can lodge their visa application with VFS in person at the Australian Visa Application Centre in Bangkok or at their nearest any of the six GDA courier centres selected by VFS across Thailand. http://www.vfs-au.net/ Quoting:- The Australian Visa Application Centre also provides a 24-hour facility for you to track your Visa application. Quoting:- Visa applications may also be lodged at the Australian Embassy Bangkok by appointment only. (My highlighting) www.thailand.embassy.gov.au With Assistance … Or you can use a Visa Agent, maybe one of this Forums sponsors who will assist you, for a fee presumably, with your application. If you choose this path, read one of the Forums pinned topics … http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/321466-visa-agents/ Are there other methods I haven’t mentioned? … input please. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Quoting:- Important Notice (13/02/2012) DIAC’s Bangkok office has suffered a significant equipment failure which has had a major impact on processing visa applications. Post may have limited ability to process visa during this time. VFS remains operational and are able to accept visa applications. Where clients require a visa to travel in the next few day, they should bring this to the attention of staff at VFS. Clients can contact the Visa Application Center for any queries on the Center’s inquiry line 662 6723476-79 This warning is current (from their website http://www.vfs-au.net/ ) as at the time of this posting. However, our application has been received last week and forwarded to the Australian Embassy within 2 days of DIAC receiving it ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiVisaExpress Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 You can post applications directly to the embassy we do this regularly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 You can post applications directly to the embassy we do this regularly. Thanks for your imput, I didn't know this. Was hoping you would comment here and hope you do again when I miss something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 What is an Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)? Quoting:- This visa allows people to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation, or to visit family and friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. Who is this visa for? This visa is available to all passport holders who are: outside Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia in Australia and want to extend your stay as a visitor. What does this visa let me do? If granted, this visa will allow you either a single or multiple entry to Australia for a stay period of up to three, six or 12 months. http://www.immi.gov....rs/tourist/676/ Although there exceptions to the rule, if a Visa is granted and it’s a first time application, most commonly it is a 3 month, single entry Visa. Depending on the application it may even be granted for less then 3 months as DB discovered with his post … http://www.thaivisa....alia-today-but/ Or not at all as ShanePashan reveals … http://www.thaivisa....t-in-what-next/ Shane reckons that he will use a Visa Agent next time … and in his case, not a bad option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will27 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 What is an Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)? Quoting:- This visa allows people to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation, or to visit family and friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. Who is this visa for? This visa is available to all passport holders who are: outside Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia in Australia and want to extend your stay as a visitor. What does this visa let me do? If granted, this visa will allow you either a single or multiple entry to Australia for a stay period of up to three, six or 12 months. http://www.immi.gov....rs/tourist/676/ Although there exceptions to the rule, if a Visa is granted and it’s a first time application, most commonly it is a 3 month, single entry Visa. Depending on the application it may even be granted for less then 3 months as DB discovered with his post … http://www.thaivisa....alia-today-but/ Or not at all as ShanePashan reveals … http://www.thaivisa....t-in-what-next/ Shane reckons that he will use a Visa Agent next time … and in his case, not a bad option. David Just a correction. DB's girlfriend was granted a 3 month visa. She was asked to give an undertaking to return after a month but it was still a 3 month visa grant. Regards will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) Documents to Submit So what paperwork, photos etc should you include with the 48R Application? Firstly grab the document (48R) at http://www.immi.gov....rms/pdf/48r.pdf and there is a checklist attached on page 5. Left hand column are the must haves. The right hand column will vary and be a contentious point here. The gf submitted the following:- 48R Passport photos 1.5" Passport and copy Scan of MY passport Copy identification card Copy Registration Employment letter Bank Passbook Bank Account 6 months Copies of my Bank Statements My letter of invitation to visit Australia A travel Itinerary <deleted> Photos of us Yahoo chat and Email between us Bank Cheque Also an attached a brief letter explaining specifically why she required a multiple entry Visa as the room provided for with the box below Q3 in the 48R is simply not enough. The answer also relates to Q22.If you are applying for a multi, as one of the posters (gburns57au) pointed out, dont forget to tick the box for yes in Q3 if you want to enter on more then one occasion. For some reason they wanted a scan of the cover page (my details) of my Passport. The employment letter stated that she was allowed holidays and had a job to return to. The registration is the Family book they all keep their names in I forget the Thai name for this. Her actual Bank Passbook ... yep, the original. My Bank Statements had my Account and BSB (Branch) number removed The plane ticket was included as we are confident of getting the Visa just dont know which one. The photos of us were specific to different festivals, Songkran, Christmas etc, so that they could see an enduring relationship over a period of time. Plus whole of Family photos. The emails were spaced again, about one a month. No travel insurance included, nor payslips (I dont have any) nor tax returns (not up to date some years quiet about that one please). Everyone will submit different accompanying support documents. Worth a read is this website http://www.ozvisatha...pplication.html as they offer a slightly differing view. Ive reduced the font size a little so the posts dont appear so big. Will27 always provides valuable input and thanks for correcting my mistake above. Edited September 26, 2014 by CharlieH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 The Employment Letter. Because my girls been in her job and with the same company 10 years + her letter might be different to the one that you might use. The discussion below relates to a more casual style of employment. This recent post discusses it well with input from both the moderators and ThaiVisaExpress http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519000-letter-from-thai-employment/ The OP is English but the subject is the Employment letter which doesn’t change (in general) with the countries Visa being applied for. If anyone has a better thread, please contribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Money in the Bank This one is sort of strange because there are reports of Visas being granted when the lady has little or next to no money in the bank, but a strong reason to return to Thailand. If you are offering to support her financially and can prove your capacity then this does appear to be enough. If she is self supporting financially in her application, a general rule of thumb seems to be a cash equivalent of 30,000 Baht per month of intended stay. My summation only. Before the application was lodged the gf phoned DIAC about the required documents and they, of course wanted to see her Bank Statements/Passbook … but they requested (but I did not make the call hence relying on the translation of what the gf told me) the original Bank Passbook which was duly sent. What could they be looking for? Maybe 2 things … if any unusual amounts of money have been added recently to ‘top up’ the account. Heck … I did it. Secondly, maybe they are looking for a regular inflow of cash which would match the employment letter. My summation only. Oh … just a word of friendly advice about ‘topping up’ the Bank Account. As a couple you might agree to lend her the money … but money ‘lent’ from a Farang to a Thai girl can almost always be written off immediately as a ‘gift’. For the Visa application with my first Thai gf, I ‘lent’ her 90,000 Baht and we talked about it and all agreed that it would come back to me after the Visa application was decided. Well the Visa was granted and I duly requested the money back. I got it back. I also got introduced, for the first time to the famous Thai Sulk. From the time in the Bank, mid morning till almost the next morning, the only thing we talked about was if the money wasn’t to stay with her … maybe a holiday to Koh Samui, or some dental work for her. When that was politely declined … silence. I was even looking forward to watching those cra*ppy Thai soaps that night to relieve the tension! Back to ‘Money in the Bank’ I have read that when a Visa was declined that one of the reasons was ‘insufficient funds’ (or words to that effect). It appears that it has always been one of many reasons offered and I am yet to know of a Visa declined solely on the grounds of insufficient funds. Please remember these are my personal experiences only! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Quoting:- Important Notice (13/02/2012) DIAC’s Bangkok office has suffered a significant equipment failure which has had a major impact on processing visa applications. The aforementioned equipment failure warning on DIAC's website has been removed we can assume that everything's OK again. Edit:- Spelling Edited February 21, 2012 by David48 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gburns57au Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Just be aware that it is actually illegal to give advice that may affect the outcome of a visa application unless you are an agent or it is part of your normal course of employment. I dont know if anyone has ever been charged with this or not. Giving assistance such as helping a friend fill out forms etc... is fine. There is a warning on DIAC's website in regards to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 The Application Form 48R All fairly straight forward. Options for applying for the visit in Q2 are for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months? We tick the 3 month box. We are applying for a multiple entry, 12 month Tourist Visa, not a 3 or 6 month, single entry Visa. Since we are applying for a Multiple Entry 12 month Visa we tick the ‘Yes’ box in Q3. There is an incredibly tiny space for ‘Give Details’ … presumably they don’t want your life story, but we thought the box too small and wrote “SEE ATTACHED” and then provided, as an attachment, a brief reason why the multi entry Visa was requested. Don’t forget to complete Q 37. Assuming that you have applied for a previous Tourist Visa (and not permanent entry Q36) and were successful place your details here. Again, assuming you previously applied for and received a tourist visa, mention it supporting documents because there is a feeling (My summation only) that what you have applied for before is naturally viewed and reviewed in subsequent applications. As the frequent poster on the subject in this Forum gburns57au I acknowledge your comment. So, if you are going to get help … get professional help. I am confident that this Forums’ Sponsors will provide an excellent service in a professional manner. What I am writing about here are my and my gf’s personal experiences and my personal opinion about some of the previous posts relating to this subject and if those previous posts differ from our current experience, why that might be so. Form 48R (in English) - http://www.immi.gov....rms/pdf/48r.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Some of the various Government Departments and partnering agencies. The Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship DIAC http://www.immi.gov.au The Australian Embassy Bangkok Thailand http://www.thailand..../bkok/home.html The Australian Embassy Bangkok Thailand … Visas page http://www.thailand...._Migration.html The Australian Embassy Bangkok Thailand … Visas Forms and information page http://www.thailand....Visa_forms.html The Australian Visa Application Centre AVAC The Embassy’s web link takes you directly to VFS (Thailand) Ltd who, at the time of writing this, act as a lodgement agency. http://www.vfs-au.net/ From the Embassy’s website … Visa applications … may be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre operated by VFS (Thailand) Ltd. A fee will be charged for this service in addition to the scheduled fee charged by the Australian Embassy for all visa applications. From the VFS’s website … VFS (Thailand) Ltd currently has an agreement with the Australian Embassy Bangkok to provide Australian visa application services in Thailand. Applicants can lodge their visa application with VFS in person at the Australian Visa Application Centre in Bangkok or at their nearest any of the six GDA courier centres selected by VFS across Thailand. Edit ... added another web page Edited February 21, 2012 by David48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) How to lodge the Application From the Australian Immigration web site, http://www.thailand....dging_visa.html they direct you to lodge your application … At the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) which is, in essence, their agent VFS. What they don’t mention curiously is that you can also courier/post it to VFS. By mail or courier to the Australian Embassy At the Australian Embassy in person If you decide to hand deliver the application to the VFS there is a very good account of how to get there and what to expect written here http://www.ozvisatha...fs_bangkok.html The AVAC/VFS is, from a public transport view point, much easier to get to then the actual Embassy. The security is less restrictive and there is a feeling, purely my supposition, that the Embassy would prefer you to use their lodging agent VFS then visit the Embassy directly. Which I suppose is understandable from the logistics to manage the through put of people and their applications. If you are using a Visa Agent, obviously they will take care of the lodgement process for you. What did my gf do? She simply posted it to AVAC/VFS Nope, despite my protests, she didn’t deliver it in person or use a courier, she allowed a work colleague who was passing a Post Office to send it by registered post … she has a lot more faith in the Thai postal system then I have! The outcome was that AVAC / VFS received it OK, did what they do and have forwarded it onto the Australian Embassy for processing. Edit ... added the paragraph starting 'The AVAC/VFS is' Edited February 22, 2012 by David48 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 The benefits of lodging through an Agent. Professional advice from start to finish. If your application is not a ‘standard application’ then you are dealing with someone who understands the complexities of the issue and has a wealth of previous experience to draw upon. I am sure that any of this Forums’ Sponsors would be able to professionally assist you. If intending to use an Agent, or just considering it, read this Forums ‘Visa Agents Read this before using one’ http://www.thaivisa....66-visa-agents/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 What communication do you receive? Well, for every application thus far we have used the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) which is, in essence, their agent VFS. So, to recant the story from an earlier post, the gf applied by registered post through to the VFS on Wednesday 15th February 2012. On Friday, 2 days later about lunchtime (Thai time) she received an email as below (personal details removed) Dear FAMILY NAME, Date of Birth Your visa application reference number:THAC/000012/0000/00 has been dispatched to the Australian Embassy. An auto e-mail will be generated to inform you when the application is returned and is available for collection at the application Centre. Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. Please do NOT reply to this email. Now, the above message is wrong because it says “when the application is returned and is available for collection at the application Centre” when, in fact, she asked for it to be posted back. Just a hick-up, so don’t be surprised if you received a similar email, when you have requested a different return of Passport etc. I assume they use automatic email to suit all circumstances. VFS do use a ‘tracking’ system not unlike say, Express Post which will indicate to you approximately where the application is. http://www.vfs-au.ne...pplication.html By entering your personalised Visa Application Number THAC/000012/0000/00 and your lady’s (or man's) DOB (Date of Birth) you can track where the application is. Essentially it is either of 3 places … with the VFS, with the Embassy or with the courier/in the post. But it’s kind of reassuring to know that (in jest) ‘Your application is important to us, and has progressed in the queue … please continue to hold …” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Track your Application So following on from the above post, what do you see when you track your application? http://www.vfs-au.ne...pplication.html Your Passport Status Applicant Ref No. THAC/000012/0000/00 Applicant Name Ms FIRST NAME FAMILY NAME Passport Number E000000 Application Submission Date 00/00/2012 Current Status : Your visa application has been forwarded to the Australian Embassy, Bangkok. It does look more formal then the above type but I wasn't able to format it correctly ... but you get the idea. So we applied to VFS, posted Wednesday 15th February, in the postal system on Thursday, on Friday received the email in the post above and on Monday 20th Feb 2012 we were able to get the above message. All things considered and remembering that TiTs … pretty darn good I say! Well done to ... Thai Post, AVAC - VFS and Australian Embassy ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Using the Tourist Visa not as intended ... A lot of guys angst over the stay in Australia for up to 3 months and then have to leave requirement … but frankly, remember it is a Tourist Visa after all and not a “let’s get her here to Australia and see if she likes the culture and see if we can live together without killing each other Visa”. Same as in Thailand, you can get a (single entry) 60 Tourist Visa, a 30 Day extension (plus another 7 days if you are desperate), so their Tourist Visa is also effectively 90 days. So, well done, now she has a multi entry 12 month Tourist Visa with the maximum length of stay (each time) being 3 months. Where some potential problems arise is when your gf visits for 1 day less 3 months, flys to New Zealand, Fiji or maybe home for a day or two, maybe a week and returns for her second 3 month stay. The problems might be 2 fold … and I stress the words might be. The poster bridge (who is/was a Sponsor here) addresses it very well in http://www.thaivisa....lti-entry-visa/ There is an implication (not from the above post) in other information that, if you use the 12 month Tourist Visa as a defacto ‘Living in Australia for your GF Visa’ (as opposed to her simply being a Tourist here), there might be questions raised for subsequent Visa applications. Again, this not official comment, nor have I read it on any ‘official’ website, but simply reading between the lines of the posts from the people who have applied before. In general terms, here are some posts which discuss the 12 month, multiple entry Tourist Visa:- http://www.thaivisa....of-restriction/ KamnanT in post #3 is a definite read. http://www.thaivisa....ralia-with-nfs/ Many excellent posts here. Interesting to read what Misterwolf (post #12) and bridge (post #13) discuss with regards to medical clearance. http://www.thaivisa....tion-australia/ http://www.thaivisa....n-tourist-visa/ http://www.thaivisa....tion-australia/ Happy reading ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 2nd communication On Tuesday 21st, midafternoon (Thai time) she received an email as below (personal details removed) Dear FIRST NAME, Your processed application reference no. THAC/000012/0000/00 has been couriered to you on 21/02/2012 which should reach you within 2-3 working days. Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. Please do NOT reply to this email. Now, the above message is wrong because it says “has been couriered to you” when, in fact, she asked for it to be posted back. Just a hick-up, so don’t be surprised if you received a similar email, when you have requested a different return of Passport etc. I assume they use automatic email to suit all circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 The decision … With Wednesday’s post the gf’s passport arrived … complete with the Visa we applied for, a 12 month, multiple entry Tourist Visa. Granted, but with some conditions. So, within a week, the assessment was completed. Needless to say that she is very happy. So to Thai Post, AVAC/VFS and the Australian Embassy … well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 What the Visa Notification looks like So there is no big stamp in the Passport as you would get if entering Thailand on a Visa. From the information sheet … There is no evidence of it (the Visa) in your Passport. It will be checked electronically by your airline prior to boarding and on your arrival in Australia. The above is notification of the original single entry Tourist Visa, valid for 3 months she got last year, just shown for comparison. I did read a report of someone obtaining the Visa (remembering that it’s only electronic) and trying to use it the next day and failing. The explanation being that it does take a little time for airline to update their information systems and they do search when you are checking in. Can’t find that post though. So if any has the reference, please add it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 The Visa conditions – 8503 restriction So the Visa was granted, but with a restriction 8503. The 8503 is the ‘No Further Stay’ condition. It appears on the Visa notification at the bottom of the page with an attached note. Reference on the Visa notification 8503 information If you read it really quickly, as I did the first time, you could (wrongly) assume that the gf was not allowed to apply for a further Visa … ever. Essentially, it does say that the Visa that you have just received can not be extended. From the Australian Government’s web site http://www.immi.gov....ndition8503.htm What condition 8503 means If condition 8503 has been imposed on your visa, it means you cannot apply for another visa (other than a protection visa or a temporary visa of a specified kind) to extend your stay while you are in Australia. Once you depart Australia condition 8503 will not prevent you from applying for other visas. Why condition 8503 is imposed on some visas Use of condition 8503 allows the department to grant more visas in those cases where extra surety may be needed that a visa applicant will depart Australia at the end of the period of stay allowed for by the visa. Maybe a member here who has experience in this area might be able to elaborate further outside the formal explanation.? Why the 8503 is imposed Who will get the restriction? Does it affect future applications? If she applies for another tourist Visa next year is it likely that the restriction will imposed again? Plus anything else relevant to the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Anticipation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BookMan Posted February 23, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 23, 2012 Great thread David48. Thanks for putting in the time to do this. I have found it very helpful. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will27 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 What condition 8503 means If condition 8503 has been imposed on your visa, it means you cannot apply for another visa (other than a protection visa or a temporary visa of a specified kind) to extend your stay while you are in Australia. Once you depart Australia condition 8503 will not prevent you from applying for other visas. Why condition 8503 is imposed on some visas Use of condition 8503 allows the department to grant more visas in those cases where extra surety may be needed that a visa applicant will depart Australia at the end of the period of stay allowed for by the visa. Maybe a member here who has experience in this area might be able to elaborate further outside the formal explanation.? Why the 8503 is imposed Who will get the restriction? Does it affect future applications? If she applies for another tourist Visa next year is it likely that the restriction will imposed again? Plus anything else relevant to the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Anticipation. Hi David, Very informative post by the way. I'll answer your questions as best as I can. Why the 8503 is imposed? Before DIAC had the 8503 condition, in a lot of instances, people kept trying to extend their stay in Australia, by applying for extensions to tourist visa's, or applying for spouse, students visa's etc. A lot of people were caught working on their s/c 676 visa's. So it got to the point where a lot of visa's were being refused if DIAC assumed they might be a risk of working or overstaying etc etc. So, by bringing in the 8503, it allows case officers to apply it if they have some concerns, rather like an insurance policy I guess. Although if someone really wants to breach their visa conditions, the 8503 won't stop them. As 8503 is not mandatory for the 676, it gives the case officer discretion in applying it. It is usually applied to initial visits although it can be applied anytime really. In reality, it is up to the case officer. Some might apply it everytime just to be on the safe side and others will be a bit more lax I guess. Who will get the restriction? Again it's hard to say as it's not a mandatory condition. Logic would tell you that someone who visits their sister who owns a Thai restaurant may have a greater incentive to stay and work and would be more of a risk than someone whose in a long term stable relationship, but it doesn't work like that. Like I said, it's a bit of a lottery. Does it affect future applications? In a word, no. If she applies for another tourist Visa next year is it likely that the restriction will imposed again? who can say? See above. Plus anything else relevant to the above would be greatly appreciated. Off the top of my head, nothing I can think of. I think it's best to just assume that 8503 will be applied and if not, it's a bonus. Hope this helps. Regards Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) BookMan … you are welcome. This Forum, for me has been both entertaining (reading some of the ‘experienced’ posters swatting each other with their handbags at 100 yards), but more importantly, the Forum has been a mine of information … if you know where to dig. Will27 … thanks also for taking the time to reply … I don’t know all that there is to know and learning everyday. Thanks again for your contribution on this and previous posts. Almost finished now … a few more subjects to tidy up and I’m dust. The gf is coming in just over a month, I’m a bachelor and live like one so have to tidy the home … if you know what I mean! Now where did I put that vacuum cleaner, I remember using 6 months ago? All contributions are still welcome, come in, read, stay a while. Edit ... just added the last line Edited February 23, 2012 by David48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 Immigration TV Tired of reading all this stuff … want to watch some TV for a change? The Department of Immigration actually has their own TV Channel … well, not exactly, but they have some of their stuff on YouTube. This is the opening clip … http://www.youtube.c...c/0/AVM0JriJ_p8 Titled “Coming to Australia” This video contains important information people should know about Australian visas. This includes information about applying for the right type of visa, application requirements, a person's obligations while in Australia and the importance of complying with visa conditions. It’s available in a variety of language options … unfortunately Thai is not one of them. Has some good information from the 2.50min mark. An Alternative View There was another website which has some good information. http://www.ozvisathai.com/ It’s not a Forum, and it doesn’t appear to be an Agent, I assume that it makes it revenue thru the Goggle ads which appear. If you are applying in person in Bangkok and using the AVAC – DFS service do read the page on how to get there and what to expect. http://www.ozvisatha...fs_bangkok.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Limits on further Tourist Visa applications. Not a subject I have much experience with personally yet … but certainly related. Two excellent posts on this subject are found here http://www.thaivisa....t-visa-renewal/ and here http://www.thaivisa....an-visit-visas/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Extending her stay in Australia http://www.immi.gov....-visa-works.htm Extending your stay If you are in Australia and want to extend your stay for tourism purposes, we recommend that you apply for a new visa at least two weeks before your current visa expires. A Tourist visa may be granted if you: have complied with the conditions of your previous visa meet all the eligibility criteria for this visa do not have a Condition 8503 (No further stay) on your visa. So it is possible to extend your stay in Australia if you don’t have the Condition 8503. We have that 8503 Condition, but for us it’s no problem because the girl works full time over in Thailand and gets limited holidays. See Post #23 on the first page to see what this looks like as a notification. http://www.immi.gov....obligations.htm Your visa may be granted with a 'No further stay' condition. If this is the case, you will not be granted any other visa (except for a Protection visa) while you remain in Australia. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Useful web links Australian Embassy in Bangkok http://www.thailand..../bkok/home.html VFS Thailand (the current contracted receiving agent for the Australian Embassy) http://www.vfs-au.net/ Tourist Visa- the form http://www.immi.gov....rms/pdf/48r.pdf If the above link is dead or doesn’t open (which happened to me sometimes) click the link below, it’s numerical in order and go to the 48R Form. http://www.immi.gov..../forms_num1.htm Also the 48R is available in Thai/English http://www.immi.gov....eign/48rtha.pdf If the above link is dead or doesn’t open the link below and locate the 48R Thai-English version http://www.immi.gov....nguages_num.htm Dept of I and C (Passenger Card) http://www.immi.gov....assenger-cards/ http://www.immi.gov....-ipc-sample.pdf (in Thai) file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAVIDP%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Dept of I and C) http://www.immi.gov.au/ Dept of I and C (for Tourists) http://www.immi.gov....sitors/tourist/ Dept of I and C (Tourists Visa information) http://www.immi.gov....rs/tourist/676/ Dept of I and C (How to apply) http://www.immi.gov....ow-to-apply.htm Dept of I and C (Thailand Visa Information and Lodgement) http://www.immi.gov....information.htm Dept of I and C (Australian Visa Office in Bangkok) http://www.immi.gov....eas/t/thailand/ Dept of I and C (Compliments – complaints policy) http://www.immi.gov....olicy-06-07.pdf Dept of I and C (Internet ‘feedback’ form) http://www.immi.gov....rvices-form.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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