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Author Topic: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)  (Read 13299 times)

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Offline zengeek

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Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« on: October 08, 2014, 06:54:52 PM »
Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has recent experience with tourist visa to Australia for a Russian / Ukrainian / Belarussian girl.  I did a search on this forum and the most recent thread is from 2010, so I thought I would ask in case there are more recent experiences.

I recently met a girl from Belarus and would like her to visit me in Australia.  We are not quite ready for fiancee / partner visa yet.  There are three things that I am worried about regarding applying for tourist visa for her:

1. the tourist visa application requires evidence of sufficient funds.  I can write up a letter, say in the letter that we are in a relationship, and show that I have the funds to support her.  However, would such a letter increase the chance that the application be rejected?  Would the embassy treat it as an indication that she will have incentive to over stay?  (because she is in a relatinoship with me...)

2. right now she is in between jobs, and a tourist visa requires that she shows "information that she has incentive to return to home country".  We can mention her father and mother in the application but that might be weak.  anyone knows if this will significantly increase chance of rejection?

3. If her application does get rejected, would it affect her chance of getting the partner visa later?

If this is not the forum to ask these questions, I will appreciate any other tips about where to go.

Many thanks for your help!
-zg


Offline JayH

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2014, 07:34:23 PM »
There are threads with current info look for aussies on forum here. I am sure they will be along soon to help !!

You re in the right place to get help !!

The issues you raise are frequent situation. Giving a little more info can help save some questions here.

Good luck. :D
SLAVA UKRAYINI  ! HEROYAM SLAVA!!!!
Слава Украине! Слава героям слава!Слава Україні! Слава героям!
 translated as: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!!!  is a Ukrainian greeting slogan being used now all over Ukraine to signify support for a free independent Ukraine

Offline Chicagoguy

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2014, 06:38:57 AM »
What you are proposing wouldn't work in U.S.

Offline zengeek

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2014, 11:53:40 AM »
Thanks JayH do you mind telling me exactly which thread you are referring to?

Hi ChicagoGuy I agree with you that this seems to have high probability of rejection if it was tourist visa to USA.  I am a bit worried it's the same case for Australia, hence this post to see if others share similar experiences...

Thanks!

Offline Isthmus

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2014, 04:19:57 PM »
Hello Zengeek. A friend of mine a few years back organised for his girlfriend (at the time, now wife) to visit Australia on a tourist visa. He wasn't yet ready for a spousal visa and I think he actually stated something like that in his letter of support.

She was from Thailand but had a steady professional office position in Bangkok and she did have to lodge a letter from her employer. She also owned an apartment in Bangkok and that was included in the application.

But in the letter of support I think it stated that they were dating and not yet ready for a spousal visa and that they were getting to know each other better first.

I will find out the specifics because I will be doing the same thing in November with a view to my lady friend from KZ coming to Australia for NYE.

I think consulting a migration lawyer/agent early in the piece is a prudent idea.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2014, 04:21:30 PM by Isthmus »

Offline zengeek

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2014, 06:33:25 PM »
Hi Isthmus,

thank you for being very detailed in your answer.  It helps me a lot.  By this time I have also read other threads in the forum about spousal/partner visa where people mentioned their use of tourist visa during the wait or before starting the spousal visa process.

I am still deciding whether to start the application process (my main concern, as per my first post, is the chance of rejection) but if I do end up applying, I plan to report back how it goes.

Best Regards, -zg

Offline supraman

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2014, 07:07:31 PM »
Gday  . Tourist visa is not hard and well worth using to spend time together. .
  As for your first concern , I only ever wrote a letter stating she was visiting and staying with  me , for the purpose of us  spending more time together and to further our relationship.   Do not try to hide it , as there is no point in doing so .
  In this letter I also stated I would be supporting her here financially for the duration of her stay . My wife got two tourist visas while she was not working ( out odf the 3 we used )  so that should not be too much of a problem .. 
  As for your last question , the answer I got from immi , was , No , it will not affect a partner visa , but will possibly have an effect on later tourist visas depending on the reason she was denied the first time ..
     I know It may seem scary , but the Oz government - Immi   are actually not that hard on tourist visas as long as you supply the honest answers .. If that makes sense .. If not ,, ask away :):)
  Oops ,, ps , the last tourist visa's we got was a year ago , but I know of others more recent too.

Offline buzz71april

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2014, 04:32:04 PM »
Hi there
i applied for my now fiance but then may or June  2013 we applied for a tourist visa.visa was granted approx 3-4 weeks later. We got a 3 month single entry no further stay tourist subclass 600 visa.
Same as above, letter of support stating that she would be staying with me, proposed dates, a copy of her ticket and travel insurance, bank statements for past 3 months, payslips from 3 months plus she had to supply a letter stating she had a job to return to. She didn't own property but had a good job to return too and we clearly stated that the purpose was for her to visit Australia and develop our relationship further with a view to apply for a PMV300 down the track. We have now done that and interview on Tuesday this week. I also offered a financial bond to ensure her return to Russia but they never even mentioned that or asked for it. Basically you need to prove that she will return as that seems to be their main concern that she will come here then not return.

I would be happy to share my invitation letter with you if you PM me your email address but i wont post it here.

Regards
buzz


Offline mroz87

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2014, 04:12:43 AM »
Hi Buzz. Did your fiance (at that time) lodge the e600 application? Or did you lodge on her behalf? If it is the former, did she complain of any difficulty in completing the form? Is it possible to get a Ukrainian / Russian version of the form?

Also, was it online application? I suppose you could upload a photo of your letter as part of the online application?

Many thanks.

Ps. I am getting on well with a lady from Kiev and would like her to visit me next year.
« Last Edit: October 19, 2014, 04:14:16 AM by mroz87 »

Offline buzz71april

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2014, 01:51:10 PM »
Hi there you cant lodge electronically for russia. Check the website . i think all FSU has to be lodged in paper at the embassy. you post it in . i prepared all my end of documents, had what i needed to get JP signed then dhl 'd it to her address in moscow. it all has to be in english but there are forms in russian so not a major drama. i used a visa service to help and it cost $500. i am not sure if it was needed but it helped with some questions i had and just to make sure we had a solid tourist application and it was doubled checked in the scheme of things it was money well spent. however i am sure others here would disagree the process is pretty straight forward so you can do it by yourself.

regards
buzz

Offline southernX

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2014, 03:39:11 PM »
Quote
i used a visa service to help and it cost $500. i am not sure if it was needed but it helped with some questions i had and just to make sure we had a solid tourist application and it was doubled checked in the scheme of things it was money well spent. however i am sure others here would disagree the process is pretty straight forward so you can do it by yourself.

BUZZ i would agree mate ,

even if you where to only have a consultation with an immigration lawyer or agent it is well worth the time & money spent ime

be selective with a good reputable immi lawyer /agent though ,

you can do the applications yourself, but an initial good bit of advice is certainly helpful from a specialist who does this for a quid as they know how IMMI works/requires
SX
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Offline ampk

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2014, 08:21:18 AM »
OK We have a PMV in progress (slow like the rest) and did that on our own - but had checked by a registered agent (Mark Northam) he has done a bit for us before. We asked while waiting for 6 month multi entry (from Ukraine) and ended up with 12 month multi entry with not needing to leave Australia at all in that time. Also do not have the No Further Stay Condition on this visitor visa.

Offline I/O

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2014, 12:17:24 AM »
the process is pretty straight forward so you can do it by yourself.
I'd agree with this, the process hasn't changed much in years and to be honest, I've never heard of one being knocked back yet - simple letter of support (I think I posted a template in a thread somewhere here years back), no gory details, rates notice, phone bill, copy of your passport, outline you are underwriting her expenses and an undertaking to ensure she complies with visa requirements...

Offline Isthmus

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2014, 07:05:58 AM »
You cannot do an on line application if you are a Russian passport holder and must do a paper application via the Australian Embassy in Moscow.

However you can do on line applications in regards to several FSU States. Kazakhstan is certainly one of them because I am in the process of assisting my girlfriend do one right now.

Hoping to have her come for Christmas and New Year, will keep you posted with how the visa application pans out.

Offline sleepycat

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2014, 06:06:21 PM »
I have a lady friend from Kharkiv that is trying to obtain a tourist visa to come over to Aust. next March to visit me.
She is concerned about reading from the immigration department website that a visa applicant may have to travel to the Aust. embassy in Moscow for a visa interview.

Is the requirement for a face-to-face visa interview a common thing? Or are interviews done over the phone or do the department generally don't bother with an interview at all? The lady is fluent in English so there is no problem with doing a phone interview. She just don't want to travel to Satan's Home to do a visa interview.

Offline southernX

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #15 on: November 17, 2014, 10:06:06 PM »
sleepy ,
they used to do interviews in kiev, & it can/could be done over the phone ,
however saying that the moscow embassy may have changed in recent times given the curent situation

id call them , either IMMI in australia or the australian embassy in moscow &ask 
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Offline Isthmus

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #16 on: November 20, 2014, 02:50:46 AM »
Sleepy, I am pretty sure that UA is one of the FSU States whose passport holders are allowed to lodge online and interviews are not normally part of the process for a standard visitors (tourist) visa.
 

Offline buzz71april

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #17 on: November 25, 2014, 01:57:37 PM »
Thought i would provide an update.
We have just applied for a tourist visa to cover us for the expectant PMV300.
We lodged a tourist visa on 12th November and received a 12 month multi-entry with 3 months study.
We asked for a 6 month multi-entry and i guess at worst case we should get the pmv300 June 2015 which allows for a full 12 months from lodgement.
i applied for this visa without immi agents and it was pretty straight forward.

regards
buzz

Offline sleepycat

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #18 on: November 25, 2014, 03:47:43 PM »
Question about the online tourist visa application form...

At the moment my lady friend is trying to do the online application. In the section 'Funding for trip' she selected 'supported by another person' (which will be me).

The next question on the form is 'Relationship to the applicant' and this is the tricky part. The only selection choices are: relatives, business association, fiancee, and spouse. There isn't a choice to select 'friend'.

Me and the lady only first met in person about 1.5 months ago so we are not ready for the fiancee stage yet. Which of the relationship choices should she select on the form? I don't think she can leave that selection as a blank. I suggested to her in the box above to write that we are only close friends at the moment and that I have invited her to visit Australia so that we can further develop our relationship.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Offline Isthmus

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #19 on: November 26, 2014, 03:01:42 PM »
@ Sleepy - we encountered the same problem recently. It is a poorly drafted section of the online application form! You cannot leave it blank and must select an option from the drop down menu. We selected 'business associate' even though that is incorrect. I think that as long as you are clearly spelling out the nature of the relationship in detail, in the letter attached to the application then it won't matter.


Offline southernX

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #20 on: November 26, 2014, 06:02:46 PM »
an addition to this

 the news is the australian gov is currently looking /expecting to open a  australian embassy in kiev in 2015,

lets hope as our 2 countrys move closer together  it will become permanent over time
might help with visa or lack of visa requirments as ukraine moves closer to the EU

SX

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-03/tony-abbott-announces-interim-embassy-in-kiev/5716632

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-to-host-ukrainian-leader-open-embassy-in-kiev-20141120-11qslc.html
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Offline sleepycat

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #21 on: November 27, 2014, 12:00:42 PM »
Just one more question...

The lady has a 3 y.o. son who she will be bringing along when she comes to Aust. to visit me.
Her son is listed in her Ukrainian passport.

Is one visa application going to cover both the lady and her son? Or does she have to do an entirely separate application just for her son?

Offline Isthmus

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #22 on: November 27, 2014, 04:11:45 PM »
Don't know the answer to that question Sleepy. Considering there is a child involved, might be an idea to get some preliminary advice from a migration law professional.  Something to consider.

You can call up the Department, they are helpful with general queries.

Offline sleepycat

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #23 on: November 28, 2014, 06:39:46 PM »
Application paid for and submitted online...

Now we're up to that part where we will have to attach supporting documents to the application. From my end I've uploaded a letter of invitation along with certified stuff backing up my details. I guess from the lady's end she will have to upload a copy of her passport, birth certificate for her and child etc.

Does anyone know how strict the immigration department is with document submitted having to be certified copies? For example can my lady friend just take a photo of her passport page and upload that photo to the application?

Offline I/O

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Re: Australia Visitor Visa Tourist Stream? (class 600)
« Reply #24 on: November 28, 2014, 06:52:20 PM »
Does anyone know how strict the immigration department is with document submitted having to be certified copies?
They're usually pretty particular. Will be interesting to see how they view this one - child travelling with removes at least one major reason for her to return home which isn't usually viewed well.

 

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