This is a question that we are often asked. Any visitor must be able to show that they have adequate funds, or access to adequate funds to cover their expenses in Australia. As to what amount will satisfy the adequate funds criteria will depend primarily upon the purpose and duration of an applicant’s proposed stay in Australia. For example, an independent traveler staying for 6 months in Australia would be expected to show more evidence of funds than someone staying with a friend or relative where accommodation is provided for them.
Should I deposit money into my Thai girlfriend’s bank account?
We strongly advise against this practice as it will most certainly result in a visitor visa refusal. Recently deposited funds and the lack of a savings history will raise a suspicion that the funds are not personally owned by an applicant and that they have been deposited into an applicant’s bank account to show that an applicant has adequate funds of their own. In these circumstances, a well-worded letter of support from the person providing the funds should be provided. If you have deposited funds into your Thai girlfriend’s bank account, her application should clearly state that you are the source of these funds.
It is important to note that although the adequate funds criteria can be easily satisfied in most instances, having adequate funds does not in itself evidence that an applicant’s intention is to visit Australia as a genuine temporary entrant as required by the Migration Regulations. Whilst an applicant may be able to show that they have adequate funds, their economic circumstances in their own country may lead to an assessment that they do not have a strong economic incentive to return to Thailand at the end of their proposed stay in Australia. This is particularly so if your Thai girlfriend is unemployed.
- As with any application, they will be looking for a reason to go and a reason to return. This could be, for example, family ties, strong employment, or previous immigration history.
Can my unemployed Thai girlfriend get an Australian visitor visa?
The short answer to this question is yes, however, her application must be able to evidence that her intention is to visit Australia as a genuine temporary entrant only. An application that does not meet these criteria must be refused by the Department. There are many factors relating to an applicant that the Department will take into consideration in determining whether an applicant satisfies the genuine temporary entrant criteria and being unemployed does not in itself preclude a person from being granted a visitor visa.
If your Thai girlfriend is unemployed and she would like to apply for a visitor visa, to visit you in Australia, we can assist by providing a thorough visitor visa assessment based on all her circumstances so that a professionally prepared application can be submitted to the Department for favorable consideration.