Belief

Much appreciated Brit..here goes

Pollyana

good luck

Belief

This isn't looking good.
Woman in London will not help me as I'm in Bangkok.she told me to email Hobart which I already have done.
Alternatively she told me to go to a travel agent here in Bangkok & ask for an ETA visa.

Will try that but how I've no idea yet.

Pollyana

Grrr typical that you get someone with no common sense. An ETA for UK/Ireland will now be an evisitor, which will land you in the same position. You would do just as well applying again online yourself.

Only things I can come up with now are: ring London again. b email Hobart again or in desperation, track down the esteemed George Lombard (agent) on here for his contact details and ring him for ideas (Sydney!) Tell him I sent you and he can send me the bill
I will be in Hobart on Friday, but too late then

Belief

I really appreciate the feedback Polly, many thanks, I've emailed Hobart again & the london number is now crashing, possibly due to volume of calls on day one after holidays.
Do you think Im wasting my time going to a travel agent for the ETA? Just a no brainer?
Australian Embassy in the morning is also an option?

Pollyana

Aus High Commission/embassy there could be a good option, you may be able to get them to put you through by phone to Hobart.

A travel agent will only be able to apply (again) for what you have already applied for. Its possible that it'll be granted at once, but equally the same issue may come up - depending on what the issue is that is causing the holdup.

George Lombard

Hi Belief,

Just saw your posts. Either there's a serious aspect of your previous stay - for example you may have left Australia after your previous visa expired so had become an "illegal" - or you didn't lodge the application properly, this period is way beyond what one would expect. But yes, try the Europe Service Centre and the nearest Australian embassy or high commission. Good luck!

Cheers,

George Lombard

Belief

Thanks Polly & George.

I had australian residency & left without informing them but didn't think it would be an issue. The only other thing I can possibly think of is an unpaid bill of some kind.
Anyway off to the commission in the morning for a date with destiny.

Pollyana

Good luck

Belief

Thanks for all the help,Polly especially.

I woke this morning to find my visa has been finalised.

happy new year

old.sparkles

Congrats - a little last minute but hopefully you can still make your flights, and more importantly the wedding

Pollyana

Yeay!!! Fantastic news! Enjoy the truip to Aus and the wedding

BritInParis

For future reference, if anyone needs it, the relevant email address for eVisitor-related issues is:

[email protected]

Pollyana

JAJ

The ETA is still available, although those eligible for eVisitor can't apply for ETA online. Those applying through a travel agent would still get ETA.
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

However, as far as I am aware, eVisitor and ETA applications access the same Department of Immigration data. So if there was a problem with one, there would likely be a problem with the other.

This particular instance is resolved, although it's not clear whether the previous "residency" was temporary or permanent in nature. That might have had an impact.