Planning to Apply for a Tourist Visa Extension

My girlfriend is in Australia on a tourist visa, can she apply for a visa extension?

Want to apply for a visa extension?
The answer to this very much depends on whether your Thai girlfriend has the no further stay condition (Condition 8503) attached to her current visit visa. If she has, then she unfortunately must leave Australia to apply for any other visa.

In very exceptional circumstances the no further stay condition can be waived, but generally speaking, she must depart Australia to apply for a new one. The only other visitor visa that can be applied for is a protection visa if the no further stay condition is attached.

If she doesn’t have the no further stay condition attached then she has a few options available.

The e676 visa
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If she only wants to stay less than 3 months more in Australia, she may consider applying online for an e676 visa.

She still needs to satisfy the genuine visitor criteria, but this can simply be applied for online through the DIAC website.

Whilst this is being processed, your girlfriend will be granted a bridging visa that will allow her to remain lawfully in Australia. It should be noted however that if she will be remaining in Australia for more than 3 months she will be required to undergo a chest x-ray as Thailand is a high-risk country, especially for TB.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will notify you of this any other documentation that may be required after you apply online.

Subclass 676 visa
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If your girlfriend wishes to apply for more than 3 months, and she does not have the no further stay condition, then she must apply for a subclass 676 by way of submitting a paper application at the nearest DIAC office. Again, she will need to undergo a chest x-ray and further satisfy the genuine visitor criteria.

As with the e676 application outlined above, she will be granted a bridging visa that will allow her to remain lawfully in Australia during the processing of her onshore visa application.

Are you in the process of applying for an Australian Visa for your partner? Looking for help and quality advice? Look no further! We at AVA are highly professional and experienced immigration consultant and we will help you bring your loved one home.