Hi All,

I seek some advice and words of wisdom, particularly from Aussies and Perthlings.

I have a Thai lady friend (34 divorced, 1 son 18 who lives elsewhere) - the relationship is platonic - and there is no intention of marrying her or maintaining a de-facto relationship.

She is a friend of a friend, is reasonably well known to me, and is of good character.

Her English skills (both written and oral) are reasonably good, and she is a chef/cook by training. She would like to come to Perth to:

a) Initially study English (say for 1 year) and then;
b) Attend TAFE College part-time to study Asian Cooking (say year 2) while working part-time (legally allowed to work 20 hours p/w on a student visa)

I have offered "food and board" and assistance in finding student work (i.e. cleaning others houses and washing dishes in restaurants, etc) if she can arrange her course fees and train fares etc.

Eventually (after 1 year?) she should have got orgnaised and can find own part-time work and accommodation etc.

When staying at my house she will be a student and guest - there will be no "payment in kind" to me and she will not be my housekeeper or sex-slave.

My offer is a genuine - free food and board only for limited time (say 1 year) - payment of course fees, etc, and on-going visa applications will be her problem.

If she fails course, or cannot pay fees, then, unfortunately, she will be required to leave (as per law and visa conditions). I will not accept "payment in kind" from her if she fails course, etc (it is cheaper to hire in professionals for this than "import" a "slave").

I do not want a Thai wife or GF living with me (I am happy as a I am).

This is simply an above board offer to provide "food and board" to a student until she can get on her feet and basically partly "self fund" further studies (via a legal visa application and legal work according to visa conditions).

It is my intention that her part-time work would above board and job related (cooking) - any p4p activities will result in her leaving my house pronto.

This will require her to submit an application for an Australian Student Visa.

Have any of you good folk got any experience in this matter, and is there any advice you can offer.

I would be particularly grateful for specific advice from Aussies and Perthlings on things to avoid and handy tips.

Thank you all.

Good luck mate, even trying to bring my wife home put me up against a brick ... wall good luck

Thanks Aardvark,

Do you think Gov made it difficult because she was your wife and likely to stay Oz - or do you think it will be more diffcult for non-wife (student only).

Did you do application / paperwork yourself or did you use agent (if agent - how much?)

How much study before you saw improvement in wife english skills (read, write, speak) - 3, 6 or 12 months?

I am thinking about initial 10 week English Course (ELICOS) at Northbridge TAFE - any advice on college / courses

Any idea of total cost involved?

Steve, like many Governments Australia has a rule of proof of relationship to a Thai national. Unless she is a Family member I think it will be very hard indeed to secure a Visa as a Student as they will think the worst of your intensions (and hers) no matter how genuine you are. That's not to say you should'nt try if that's your wish. We made all the applications ourselves which cost very little, other than the cost of the non refundable Visa application it's self Au$ 1,200.00 and that was 5 years ago now. The other Major expense was having all of her personal papers Translated and Notorised with official Govt stamps to prove authentisity and of course a Police Clearance that can only be obtained in Bangkok, and in person. Initially my wife tried to have the translations done herself but was quoted between Bt 18,000- and 30,000. In the end I went around Bkk myself and eventually found a Solicitor who did the whole thing for Bt 10,000, I left the papers with him at 1100am and for a bottle of Scotch as incentive he delivered them to us in our Hotel room at 930 the following morning My wife started an intensive English course at Balga Tafe Colledge and there was a significant improvment in three months and she was speaking like an Aussie after six. She never completed the full year but can easily read a newspaper. Her Daughter was 5 at the time and went from 2 English words when she got here to having full conversations with me in three months,Kids Huh I could only guess what it would cost today as far as a Spouse Visa is concerened, as for a student Visa I have no idea. Another thing you should consider is Health insurance. You can not get it for her in this Country unless you go through a Travel Insurance Conpany, and I would suggest that it would be very expensive. There used to be a Company about 200 metres from the Embassy near the BMW Dealership that did it for a few thousand Baht. Also, the Govt. made me sign a paper stating that I would take full responsability for food, lodgings and Medical expenses until she had her residency Visa wich was granted after two years. I applaud you for wanting to help someone out of the kindness of your heart, but suggest you should consider what it will cost out of the kindness of your Wallet I hope this has helped a little, and good luck what ever you decide

Thanks Aardvark for your effort and detailed reply - very helpfull.

You may be right - what started out as an innocent offer to provide "student board and lodging" seems to be developing into a long, difficult and costly process.

FYI - Student visa application cost is about $450 non-refundable, if enrolled in Gov approved college Student Health Insurance is available for about $450 (for year or term of study - not sure which).

Student Visa - if student fails to complete course, or fails course, Gov will unlikely issue Student VIsa extension (fair enough - best to have high standards).

As for signing a Gov paper to cover "food and board" for study period - I have no problem with that - my offer was to provide limited "food and board" to a student until they can decide if Perth is best for study and then make own arrangements for "food and board" when established.

My role would be to "show the ropes", get started in college, and learn how to move around Perth until established.

I have no intention of turning the Student Visa application process into a Spouse Visa process or for the student to stay with me for an extended period - so hopefully requirements may be less difficult than you encountered.

I had no idea of diffficulty and cost of obtaining, translating and stamping of required certificates etc - thanks for advice.

Very glad to hear that you saw noticable improvement in english after 3 months - shows that course does what is intended - a big piont in choosing to study in Oz.

Thansk for your time and effort.