In Reply to: Aussie Visa for Balinese posted by Briffa on Sunday, 3. December 2006 at 12:03 Bali Time:
As once your boyfriend has had a few holidays to Aust it's much easier to apply for Spouse/fiance!
My husband (Balinese) & I have been maries for 4ish year & he has been living in Aust for just over 3 yrs.
He had travelled on tourist visa's initially 3 times to Oz, the first time was 4 wks as they were reluctantto give 3 months so we asked if 4 wks was possible & they granted it, he returned to Bali within the designated time & 3 months later we lodged a 3 month tourist visa which was granted that very afternoon. I returned to Bali with him after the 3 months & then we lodged another 3 month visa bout 2 months later & it was again granted the same day.
Whilst he was in OZ we married & then 5 months later I returned to bali where we had a traditional Balinese wedding & lodged our Spouse visa, 4 months later it was granted & he arrived in Oz the following morning & has been here ever since!
We have not yet made it back to Bali (buying a home & having kids) but recently we organised for his parents to visit us for 3 wks. They enjoyed their stay & it was granted within 2 days of lodging it all.
I definately say go the Tourist vIsa application first...
Not sure why it cost others so much...
The visa for my inlaws was $60 ea & then ofcourse there was Fiskal, but even with my hubby his application was about $1,700.
Spouse is cheaper than fiance too, as you pay once, with Fiance there's 2 fee's!!!
Take your time to get all the documentation correct!
Good luck!