Being a top tourist destination and as a popular choice for stopovers to European destinations, many Australians are now visiting Thailand each year. With Bali no longer even a consideration for many Australian travellers, Thailand has now successfully lured many of us to it's shores.

At the end of this article we have Australia's Thai Consulate business hours and contact information.

The visas available for Thailand are:

• Tourist visa
• Transit visa
• Business visa
• Spouse visa
• Long-stay visa
• Working holiday visa
• Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Teaching)

The Tourist Visa

Australians along with with citizens from 43 other countries have an exemption from the Tourist Visa entry requirements. This means we can go to Thailand as tourists without a visa so long as our trip doesn't exceed 30 days per visit.

If you want to stay beyond 30 days as a tourist, you can re-enter for a further 30 days with a limit of 90 days maximum within a 6 month period from the first day you entered the Kingdom.

If you are considering abusing your tourist visa rights and looking for illegal employment in Thailand then do so at your peril. I'm yet to see a tourist site anywhere in the world that is worth a stay in a Thai prison or holding cell. Don't risk it!

Transit Visa

Transit visas are rarely needed by Australians so I won't go into them here.

Business Visa

Business visas (also known as the Non-immigrant “B” visa) are for people not only conducting business in Thailand but also for those involved in activities such as attending confrences and summits.

More about business visas and operating a business in Thailand can be found in the book How to Establish a Successful Business in Thailand.

Spouse Visa

The Spouse Visa is very straight forward since you are only eligible if your wife/husband or child is Thai.

Long-Stay Visa

The Long-Stay Visa (also known as the Non-Immigrant Visa code O-A) is for foreigners who are 50 years of age or older. It is effectively a one year visa and you must report to the authorites every 90 days and prove you still qualify for the visa.

Qualifying for the Long-Stay Visa requires that you meet certain health, criminal record and financial security checks.

You may also like to read Retiring in Thailand for more information for people of retirement age.

Working Holiday Visa

This visa is available to Australians between 18 and 30 years of age who have at least 3 years of full time tertiary study. On top of the typical health and passport validity requirements you will also need at least $5000AUD to cover living expenses and a return ticket.

This visa is valid for one year however be aware that you aren't allowed to work for the same employer for more than 3 months!

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Teaching)

This class of visa is for those who have gained employment from a school in Thailand (letter of acceptance required).

Application & Acceptance

Visa applications are assessed on a case by case basis and the decision process is purely at the discretion of the consulate officials.

If you aren't sure about your situation or which visa to apply for simply contact the consulate and ask. Application fees are non refundable so it pays to get it right.

Consulate Information

Full Thai visa information, fees and application forms can be found on the Royal Thai Consulate General web site.

Business hours (Monday to Friday):

Visa section:
9.30am to 12.50pm (lodging application only)
2.00pm to 3.00pm (collecting passport only)

(Minimum visa processing time is 2 working days.)

Thai passport section:
9.30am to 12.30pm
Lunch, then
2.00pm to 4.00pm

Contact information:

Level 8, 131 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9241 2542 or (02) 9241 2543
Fax: (02) 9247 8312

E-mail: enquiry@thaiconsulatesydney.org
(Don't hold your breath when waiting for a reply to emails sent to this address!)