10 replies to this topic

[bigbird]

Hi Guys

a couple of questions

Can anyone give me a recommendation for medical insurance for my TGF whilst she visits me next month?

She has a 3 month visa to Australia and i have booked one way air tickets but not return as we have not yet set a date

(she might freeze and want to go home in a week hehe)

I could buy a flexi fare ($700+) but they are overpriced and i can get fares to Singapore from perth for $200 with a couple of

weeks notice. My question is do I have to book a return fare before she enters Australia?

[Scumbag]

For insurance I have used 1 Cover a couple of times for a TG visit to Australian.

The way I see it she has two hurdles to clean if she only has a one-way ticket. The airline may refuse to let her board the flight as there would be a risk that Australian immigration may not let her enter.

Australian immigration is the second hurdle. Even with a visa they can refused entry if they think she will not comply with the conditions on the visa. A one-way ticket may suggest to them that she does not intend to leave. At the very least immigration will be giving her a hard time, if the airline allowed her to board in the first place. Get her a return that can be changed.

[On Borrowed Time]

My question is do I have to book a return fare before she enters Australia?

Absolutely!! I'm going through the exact same thing at the moment, but unfortunately, a return ticket is a must for the exact reasons Scumbag's reply points out.. Immigration official has every right to refuse entry, regardless of the visa issued. Don't risk her visit by cheaping out on a one-way ticket...

Immigration will want to see intent to return, but equally your ability to support her, and the reason of saving a couple hundred dollars won't instill confidence in them.

But your fare doesn't necessarily have to be flexi. I find that many return tickets are able to have the return leg changed, often for not too much extra. But be sure to check the rules before booking.

Another tip, if your girl has never left thailand before, a direct flight may be better than going via another city and having to transfer etc. it can be confusing for them. From 15 June, Thai Airways will now fly 6 times per week DIRECT Bangkok - Perth. I believe this is the first airline to fly that route direct.. http://www.thaiairwa....asp?city=perth

PS: if yours freezes in Perth, mine will die in Sydney. I try to warn her, but she insists on wanting to come in June

[Scumbag]

Another tip, if your girl has never left thailand before, a direct flight may be better than going via another city and having to transfer etc.

This is a very good tip. Mine has travelled quite a few times and a couple of times by herself. Yet travelling through somewhere that she hasn't before scares the shit out of her.

There are more tips on this page: Thai Lady Entering Australia. It's important that she understands the arrivals card and what she can and not not bring with her.

[jerry]

I don't know how things work in Austalia but for my GF's visit to Holland i had to show a return ticket when applying for a visa .
No return ticket , no visa .

[On Borrowed Time]

I don't know how things work in Austalia but for my GF's visit to Holland i had to show a return ticket when applying for a visa .
No return ticket , no visa .

Yeah different here. Aussie government advises us not to make any bookings until visa is granted (in case it's not).

But the immigration guys who let you in will want to see it before validating the start of the Visa

[bigbird]

Thanks for the replies gents
it seems that he concensus is that she will need a return ticket, even though i have vouched for her in her visa application that she will return before her visa expires as well as provide bank statements proving i have enough cash to fund her holiday. I think i will just book our return flights now to keep them happy and she then has no choice but to stick out the whole of an Australian winter. I can see her now crouched in front of the heater wearing every single bit of clothing she owns shivering her tits off telling me she may die soon and to tell her family she loves them LOL.
PS I will be traveling with her both ways so no problems with Terak getting lost in Changi airport hehe

It does seem a bit silly these days that airlines and immigration regard a return ticket is as proof that someone will actually get on a plane..I've missed plenty of flights before, some even on purpose hehe. I'm sure if a thai girl did not want to go home she could quite easily run away and just not get on the plane. So really there is no point and no guarantee is there its only a sign of good faith in the end

[Scumbag]

It does seem a bit silly these days that airlines...

For the airlines it is a financial decision. If she is not allowed entry they are responsible for removing her from Australia. They may also be liable for a fine.

Incidentally the same is true for Thailand. If you arrived on a one-way ticket and you have no visa the airline is responsible for returning you home if they refuse to allow you to enter. That doesn't seem to occur much though as they don't ask to see exit tickets often.

[rickyt]

Another tip on the travel insurance, purchase this before she leaves Thailand, I made the mistake of not doing this, I went to purchase her insurance when she was already in oz and found most would only insure her from the time before she leaves thailand, I ended up insuring her with Bupa in witch only covered her the same as medicare.

[bigbird]

Well she has been here a week now. And all is good. I purchased return tickets just in case (different airline) but didn't get asked boo...a complete stroll in the park. From Bkk thru Singas to Perth... Maybe it's because I was traveling with her that she was not asked any thing other than was she on holidays and told by BKK immigration she was very lucky and to have a good time :-)

[The Big Lebowski]

For the airlines it is a financial decision. If she is not allowed entry they are responsible for removing her from Australia. They may also be liable for a fine.

Incidentally the same is true for Thailand. If you arrived on a one-way ticket and you have no visa the airline is responsible for returning you home if they refuse to allow you to enter. That doesn't seem to occur much though as they don't ask to see exit tickets often.

Absolutely correct, especially for Australia. The fines are quite substantial too.
For Thailand its not enforced as much, especially if you are from a western country, although I was asked by Jetstar once for my return ticket when checking in, but never for other airlines.
People often exclaim, "I've never been asked about and/or to show my return portion of my ticket". This is because when you check in they can see you have a return portion booked. Try checking in on a one way ticket or two separate one way tickets and it will be different.
To the OP, good luck with the visit and I concur with what others have said. Try and get a direct ticket to make it easier for her.