Posted 2006-11-21 20:53:49
 samran, on 2006-11-12 21:51:14, said:
bronco, on 2006-11-12 09:41:05, said:
it wasnt an Oz woman I ran into it was a hi so Thai woman on many occasions,Khun W####e
Are you talking about the hi-so woman at the consular (passports) section. Curley hair, older woman? Well, she is gone now....though she was always really nice to me (I have very very good suck up Thai language skills). Having said that, I know she was a cow to most others.
Younger lady there now.....efficient is the best word for her. She tried to catch us out on my daughters passport application (my wifes maiden name on bubs birth certificate...married name on the application form), neccessitating a return trip to the embassy, but I was too well prepared. She almost looked shocked that she couldn't KB us there and then...
We may have had something to do with her demise, she had to lose a lot of face when dealing with our application. She mad some pretty bold statements concerning the polly who helped us and she happened to be the Parliamentry Under-Secretary to the Foreign affairs committee at the time.
We had our visa approved in 3 days 55555555
Posted 2007-11-17 14:16:06
vinny, on 2006-03-26 08:59:44, said:
Chris Lawrence, on 2006-09-02 11:50:51, said: Early this year the Aust Embassy advertised for a new position abt 60000 baht pcm to be a medium for applicants of visa' between front counter staff and the aussie staff (among other duties of course). Part of the job discription indicated that people that wanting to find out information about their application could contact this person? Has anyone got an update as to this person or if they were appointed? 
Does anyone know if this position was filled. I would imagine that they could help with some questions that some people may have. I don't see their position in helping with jumping ahead of other applicants just to settle the nerves.
Posted 2008-01-06 15:12:10
Chris Lawrence, on 2007-11-17 08:16:06, said: vinny, on 2006-03-26 08:59:44, said:
Chris Lawrence, on 2006-09-02 11:50:51, said: Early this year the Aust Embassy advertised for a new position abt 60000 baht pcm to be a medium for applicants of visa' between front counter staff and the aussie staff (among other duties of course). Part of the job discription indicated that people that wanting to find out information about their application could contact this person? Has anyone got an update as to this person or if they were appointed?
Does anyone know if this position was filled. I would imagine that they could help with some questions that some people may have. I don't see their position in helping with jumping ahead of other applicants just to settle the nerves.
these positions tend to get filled quite quickly. Always an Australian/NZ/UK/Canadian spouse about who needs something to keep themselves occupied. Usually go to Aussies first, esp if they've got public service experience and the required security clearances.
Nevertheless, you do help your chances if you provide good and specific responses to the selection criteria.
Posted 2008-07-02 16:40:03
This is an old thread but I have something to add......a guy I know applied for Spouse Visa and got it in a matter of days !!! How? Well he was well prepared with all the docs and photo albums etc......But possibly the main point was that he knew some guy who worked at the embassy.....I am sure this guy pushed the application through.......ok the applicant and his wife were known in the Australian expat community but it did seem quite fast and in relation to many other stories one hears about the process.....a little surprising.....as no questions were raised at all.
Bronco...what was the story with the maiden name difference on your docs ?
xiao243410
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Posted 2009-04-24 10:56:55
I agree with MM that when you go for a SV you are well awear of the waiting period. If you do all your home work and lodge a solid application then you are looking at approximately 3 months. If you get you visa in around three months then you've had good service imho, no point jumping up and and down and sending nasty letters.
Having said that I do question why the process in Thailand takes an average of 3-4 months. My cousin applied for a SV for his fiance who is American back in Janurary. They put their application in (in America) on the 4th Jan, she had an interview over the phone on the 17th Jan, and recieved the go ahead on the 24th Jan. A total of 20 days from start to finish. They are both 24 years old, have been together for about a year, and had never lived together for more than 3 months. I appriciate that she's American and the rest.....but 3 weeks vs 3-4 months certainly deserves some questions!
Posted 2009-06-04 18:07:16
bronco, on 2006-11-21 20:48:31, said: I think a "Whos who at the Embassy" is a great idea....keeping up to date contacts at Immigration and the Embassy who can assist with application enquiries when the need arises for it, without having to trawl through piles of posts to find them.
If you want to do that Burnsy, I can close and pin it, people can PM me with new additions.
I realise some of these posts are years old - so..
After a few calls to the Australian Embassy I asked our case officer who she knew of at the Embassy from the names below:
1. Rob Chambers is no longer at the Embassy.
2. She does not know of Australian officials with the names
Ross Greenwood and Damien Kilner - but that doesn't mean they are no longer stationed there.
My approach to all staff during our application process for a " prospective Spouse" visa is to tread softly,
even if you are not treated with the respect you deserve.
It is better to be 'polite but firm', and deal with each situation as it arises, and keep watching this forum for some good - and timely- advice.
deanhgn
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Posted 2009-08-23 08:05:46
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your posting.
My wife and i are just about to start the spousal visa process. We will be lodging our visa application at the THai CC building in Bangkok. We have been together for approximatley two years and we were recently married in Australia while my wife was here on a 90 day tourist visa. My wife has been granted three 90 day tourist visa's to Oz and we have abided by the immigration laws on all occasions.
We have got all the forms and checklists, proof of on going relationship, photo's, phone records etc, My questions are,
Have you got ant tips that may help this process go as smoothly as possible?
Would it be helpfull to the cause if i could get a letter from someone that was willing to employ her when she arrives in Australia?
Posted 2009-08-24 18:41:07
deanhgn, on 2009-08-23 09:05:46, said: Hi Chris,
Thanks for your posting.
My wife and i are just about to start the spousal visa process. We will be lodging our visa application at the THai CC building in Bangkok. We have been together for approximatley two years and we were recently married in Australia while my wife was here on a 90 day tourist visa. My wife has been granted three 90 day tourist visa's to Oz and we have abided by the immigration laws on all occasions.
We have got all the forms and checklists, proof of on going relationship, photo's, phone records etc, My questions are,
Have you got ant tips that may help this process go as smoothly as possible?
Would it be helpfull to the cause if i could get a letter from someone that was willing to employ her when she arrives in Australia?
You would get a better response if you posted this in the normal topics and not in a Pinned topic.
Having a job is not a prerequisite to getting the visa, therefore it wouldnt make any difference to the application.
If your wife has spent a lot of time in Oz (more time in than out) in the last twelve months than an AFP clearance maybe required.
Both of your letters detailing your history together should be totally honest, as should the whole application, it is likely that a lot of the interview questions will come from these. If they get the smallest hint that you are being dishonest then it may affect the decision.
Posted 2009-09-04 13:06:17
Hi Dean
Being married in Australia is a good start.
Just put a good application in, and yes cover everything. Put as much detail in about the relationship, telephone calls/bills (a lot of people do phone cards so sometimes this is impossible), emails, letters from friends relatives (if they are Thai get them translated into English, I had mt brother-in-law do this and verify them to be true and correct-he was a Thai government official), letter from local member, any friends in the police force? there good references. Dot the i's and cross your legs.....just be patient.
Where is your wife from? I spent sometime in the waiting rooms in Bangkok and the women doing this process on their own appeared to wait the longest for the visa's; this was just my observation when talking in the waiting area.
If you going in for an interview, wear a suit and get your wife to wear similar clothing. Very fashion conscious and I believe appearance counts a lot. No jeans or shorts.
It would be helpful to have a letter of employment opportunity; what they want to see is that you can support your wife for the next two years. Get a letter from your employer. Very important. A good amount of cash in the bank is also good evidence. If you are unable to prove financial support they may want you to enter into an assurance that you will cover any Centrelink payments that may be made to her in the 2 year period. But don't worry about this until they ask for it. They will do this by a formal letter if needed.
No one appears to have kept the names up on this site as some people get paranoid that by leaving names out in the open you may have an unfair advantage in que jumping.
This is one of the most worrying times you may spend for the next...how ever long it takes at the moment. I can understand early stages of frustration and anguish this may bring up.
As long as you have your documents prepared you should go thru OK.
I have been told of some women, having worked illegal in Australia, overstayed their visa's by 1-2 years; going back and returning to Australia with new husband after only 8 months. The only real worries I think are when there are blatant lies and misleading information in the application and then there will be problems.
The people you deal with in the Embassy are middle class university educated women; my opinion was they were a bit snobbish, but then again some of the other members feel that they developed great friendships with their case managers?
Keep your head up and be patient.
Take care
Chris  
Posted 2009-12-17 14:17:58
How are people going at the Embassy Immigration office now?
The reason I set this post up was to be a running commentary to list names of people in the embassy that have been helpful.
One thing with the offshore people (OZ employee's) was it was very hard to get to them when an issue or problem came up, against a non-compliant officer in the embassy. Not everyone will have these problems but some will. This was the intent, to find a person in Bangkok that you could speak to.
It was never set up as a queue jumpers guide to who's who in the embassy. (Some paranoid people may get the wrong impression). Then again the landscape in the Immigration at Bangkok may have changed and everyone is happy?
I suppose it would be good to hear how people have got thru the experience, if only to encourage people in the process.
I went thru the process in 2004/05, and am now in OZ. My wife has had a permanent visa for over a year; we have been back to Thailand together once and my wife and 3 yr have been back again on their own.
There is no shortcut in the process (except for Bronco getting a visa in 3 days); it is at times a very trying time for some. But we don't have to suffer if we no the right people to use.
Any way just thought I would have a stab at promoting this if there was need.
Chris
Posted 2010-04-04 20:03:24
There is no shortcut in the process (except for Bronco getting a visa in 3 days); it is at times a very trying time for some. But we don't have to suffer if we no the right people to use.
Any way just thought I would have a stab at promoting this if there was need.
Chris
[/quote]
I havent been on here for some time now but thought i would re post what I have previously posted
Back in 2006 my wife applied for a spouse visa she had the interview at the embassy and lodged the docs at the same time .Result
Granted within 24 hours We were prepared for a 3 month wait
Who did I know at the Embassy ? No one. just gained valuble information from this site did my homework and submitted a strong and truthfull application.
Posted 2010-04-04 20:16:06
How can they be approved in 24 hours when all health docs are sent to Australia to be veiwed by the medical board? I am of the belief the medical board are the ones who really control your destiny.
Posted 2010-04-04 20:32:22
rick75, on 2010-04-04 23:16:06, said: How can they be approved in 24 hours when all health docs are sent to Australia to be veiwed by the medical board? I am of the belief the medical board are the ones who really control your destiny.
The Medical docs were done prior to the interview
All docs were supplied on the day
Homework!Homework Homework !
Posted 2010-04-04 20:37:54
wozza, on 2010-04-04 23:32:22, said: rick75, on 2010-04-04 23:16:06, said: How can they be approved in 24 hours when all health docs are sent to Australia to be veiwed by the medical board? I am of the belief the medical board are the ones who really control your destiny.
The Medical docs were done prior to the interview
All docs were supplied on the day
Homework!Homework Homework !
Just checked with the missus
She went to the Korat Govt appoved Hospital In October for the tests and had the interview in Bangkok in January
Posted 2010-04-14 11:48:37
The fast track method isnt always as fast as it seems...
You ring for the appointment and will get an interview date for something like 2-3 weeks later......you will need to provide the medical and police docs at the interview so this must be done first. The medical docs are sent to the Embassy so allow 2 weeks at least for that.
The clock starts when the Embassy receives the first docs....in the case mentioned the medical was done in October so thats when the clock starts for the entry date into Oz, Obviously the three months was more than enough time for the medical to be checked in Oz. The process time for this application is around 3 months
Obviously if the application is complete and comprehensive then it will process quicker, but if further docs are needed or there are some issues that need to be addressed then it will take longer to process.
People will say 24 hours, but that is not quite correct....the application starts from receipt of the first docs for the embassy......it starts for the applicant when they get the medical, police checks or ring for the interview. Usually well before the interview stage.
Edited by gburns57au, 2010-04-14 11:49:59.
Posted 2010-04-19 09:13:37
gburns57au, on 2010-04-14 11:48:37, said: The fast track method isnt always as fast as it seems...
You ring for the appointment and will get an interview date for something like 2-3 weeks later......you will need to provide the medical and police docs at the interview so this must be done first. The medical docs are sent to the Embassy so allow 2 weeks at least for that.
The clock starts when the Embassy receives the first docs....in the case mentioned the medical was done in October so thats when the clock starts for the entry date into Oz, Obviously the three months was more than enough time for the medical to be checked in Oz. The process time for this application is around 3 months
Obviously if the application is complete and comprehensive then it will process quicker, but if further docs are needed or there are some issues that need to be addressed then it will take longer to process.
People will say 24 hours, but that is not quite correct....the application starts from receipt of the first docs for the embassy......it starts for the applicant when they get the medical, police checks or ring for the interview. Usually well before the interview stage.
An example of this in practice.
Documents delivered (received) by DIAC at Aust Embassy 12/04/07
File number allocated by DIAC 17/04/2007. The 2 year temporary visa 309 period starts from this date. It is from this date that processing of the visa application begins.
DIAC may ask for you to get the medical certificate at a later date, this is valid for 12 months from date of issue and is sent directly to the Embassy the next day by the hospital. If DIAC requires more documentation they will ask for it.
Likewise police clearance certificates are only valid for 12 months from date of issue and they require the originals not photocopies or scanned copies.
The date the applicant obtains an interview with DIAC does not affect the date from when the visa is valid from. The 2 year period in this case does not start from the date the visa is actually issued.
Posted 2010-12-04 14:25:58
kellimba, on 2009-06-04 18:07:16, said:
bronco, on 2006-11-21 20:48:31, said: I think a "Whos who at the Embassy" is a great idea....keeping up to date contacts at Immigration and the Embassy who can assist with application enquiries when the need arises for it, without having to trawl through piles of posts to find them.
If you want to do that Burnsy, I can close and pin it, people can PM me with new additions.
I realise some of these posts are years old - so..
After a few calls to the Australian Embassy I asked our case officer who she knew of at the Embassy from the names below:
1. Rob Chambers is no longer at the Embassy.
2. She does not know of Australian officials with the names
Ross Greenwood and Damien Kilner - but that doesn't mean they are no longer stationed there.
My approach to all staff during our application process for a " prospective Spouse" visa is to tread softly,
even if you are not treated with the respect you deserve.
It is better to be 'polite but firm', and deal with each situation as it arises, and keep watching this forum for some good - and timely- advice.
I know this was an old post, but WRT names remember you could always check the net to see if people may have moved on - Kilner appears to now be in Amman and Greenwood seems to have left Immigration and be working for an entirely different employer.
Posted 2011-05-19 08:32:49
Current Ambassador is Mr James Wise
Posted 2011-05-23 19:54:12
In March 2011, Senior Migration Officer/Second Secretary (Immigration) was Ms Janine Bux.
#95
fritter1970
Posted 2011-06-26 10:11:38
The key person to contact at the Oz Embassy should you have any problems is a fella called Humphrey B. Bear
Posted 2011-09-25 14:18:47
As an ex AU goverment employee (but far from the services sector) I would like to offer my insight as a student of human behavior.
(non traditional) I agree strongly with one person here on this topic, sad to be an Australian seeing this rubbish. I used to believe Aussies would make great UN decisive decisions if empowered to do so... due to their unracist and mostly unbiased deposition, however these days that has changed, perhaps it is the younger generation being more selfish? Like, what is in it for me? As opposed to the war time spirit of a young nation with values... As I travel the world and meet many peoples, the view of others regarding Aussies has been great. So regardless of whether we talk of gov staff of Aussies in general I feel our young are changing and the outside worlds view of us is also changing.. and NOT for the better...
So all you up and coming officials and whatever.. don't make your grandfather turn over in his grave.. take onboard the morals and truthfulness he had and do him proud... and all of us who serve.. military or otherwise.. actually, you who serve in the service of your fellow kin, should feel the weight of service no less than those that died to give you today the freedom you have... Do not follow the modern greed and beururatism thinking it makes you better in a job you don't like... ask yourself, as a person in a goverment position, do you really feel good making problems for your kinsmen? This just brings up you are not happy in what you do...
I have much more to add to this, but grow tired... thanks to all in this great forum who take the time to share...
This is a great forum.. and can produce an effective result if we combine our needs... please share..
as for our AU officials, come on!! we are also people.. and most likely from your state..
Lastly, but true... Power to the people.... YOU Bless u guys contributing to this great forum...
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