Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)
Thank you for using the email enquiry source of the visa section at the
Australian Embassy in Thailand
This is an automated response confirming receipt of your email.
Please note: email enquiries asking for progress reports on visa
application processing within standard processing times will not be
responded to. Processing timeframes are provided on the information below.
Additionally, if it assessed that your enquiry is answered by the
information provided in this reply no further information can be provided
by the Embassy.
If you have not lodged an application the embassy is not able to assist you
with advice on how to lodge an application. Information is available from
the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC). See contact details in Where
do I lodge my application. Additionally, the Embassy and the AVAC is not
able to provide advice on what visa type you should apply. This information
is available on either the embassy web site at
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html or the
Department of Immigration and Border Protection website at
www.border.gov.au
There are also a large number of Registered Migration agents who are able
to assist with advice on lodging visa applications. Details are listed on
www.mara.gov.au
The Embassy aims to process 90% of applications within the processing times
shown for each visa type in the information below. Clients are strongly
advised not to pay for any travel bookings or other irreversible plans
until a visa have been granted. Making and paying for a travel booking
cannot be accepted as a reason to request the urgent processing or grant of
a visa.
As we receive a high volume of emails, the information below may answer
your enquiry. Where the information below does not address your enquiry
please go to the appropriate website links shown in each section of this
response.
Where do I lodge my application?
All applications should be lodged at:
Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC)
The Trendy Office Building on 28th Floor,
Sukhumvit Soi 13, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana,
Bangkok 10110
(BTS NANA, exit number 3)
Business hours: 08:30 – 16:30, Monday to Friday (Except Embassy Public
holidays)
- Submission of Application: 08:30 – 15:00 Monday to Friday
- Collection of visa notification letter: 10:00 - 16:30 Monday to
Friday
VFS help desk: Telephone: 02 118 7100 (8:30 – 16:30)
Email: info.dibpth@vfshelpline.com
Further information on the Australian Visa Application Centre is available
at www.vfs-au.net
What happens after I have lodged my application with the Australian Visa
Application Centre (AVAC)?
Once you have lodged your application with AVAC, it is forwarded to the
Australian Embassy in Bangkok. The AVAC will issue you with a receipt of
your
payment and tracking number so you can track your application.
TEMPORARY VISAS
Visitor Visa Tourist Stream Subclass 600 (Form 1419)
Who should apply for a Visitor Visa Tourist Stream, Subclass 600 visa?
A Visitor Visa Tourist Stream is for applicants to visit Australia for a
holiday or recreation, or to visit family and friends. This visa may also
be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less
than three months.
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
Visitor Visa Business Stream Subclass 600 (Form 1415)
Who should apply for a Visitor Visa Business Visitor Stream, Subclass 600
visa?
A Visitor Visa Business Visitor Stream is for business people travelling
to Australia for a short business visit. This includes going to a
conference, trade fair, seminar, negotiation or meeting. You cannot work
for or provide services to a business or organisation in Australia or sell
goods or services to the public.
If you are intending to do short-term work in Australia you should apply
for the new Temporary work (short stay activity) visa (subclass 400).
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) Subclass 400 (Form 1400)
Who should apply for a Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity)Visa – subclass
400 visa?
This visa is for persons seeking short-term entry to Australia to undertake
non-ongoing highly specialised work or to participate in non-ongoing
cultural or social activities at the invitation of an organisation that is
lawfully operating in Australia.
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
Student Visas Subclass 570 – 576 (Form 157A)
Who should apply for a Student Visa?
Student visas are intended for persons aged 6 years or older wishing to
undertake full-time study in a 'registered course' or in units of a
registered course (whether or not the course leads to the grant of an
award) and secondary school exchange students.
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/DIAC_Student_and_Guardian_visa.html
Transit Visas Subclass 771 (Form 876)
Who should apply for a transit visa?
People intending making a short stop-over in Australia while travelling to
other countries. If you are granted this visa you can transit Australia, or
enter and remain in Australia for up to 72 hours. For more information
please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 and 157
Who should apply for a Resident Return Visa?
The Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157) is for current or former
Australian permanent residents and former Australian citizens who want to
travel overseas and return to Australia as permanent residents. The
Resident Return visa will let you keep or regain your status as an
Australian permanent resident. Only Australian citizens have an automatic
right of entry to Australia. All non-citizens need a visa that allows them
to enter and remain in Australia.
For more information and to lodge an online application please visit:
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/155-
Work and Holiday Visa Subclass 462 (Form 1208)
Who should apply for a work and holiday visa?
The Thailand - Australia Work & Holiday arrangement is a reciprocal program
with 500 places available for Thai applicants each year (1 July – 30 June).
The program provides young people with the opportunity for a 12 month
holiday with permission to work if they wish so that they can enjoy the
cultural experience and interaction of living and working in Australia.
Participants may only work for any one employer for a maximum of 6 months.
Applicants must also have the financial capacity to support themselves so
that they do not have to rely entirely on earnings from their incidental
employment.
For more information please visit:
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-
Bangkok is unable to assist with applications being processed in other
offices. Please direct your enquiry to the appropriate office
E Visitor (651) -http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-
Working Holiday Visa (417) http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/417-
ETA (602) - If you applied through an agent, please contact the agent who
issued the ETA.
PROCESSING TIMES
Temporary Visas
Visitor, Business Visitor, Temporary Work Stream visas lodged through
our Service Delivery Partner, AVAC.
The current service standard is 10 working days.
Visitor, Business Visitor, Temporary Work Stream visas lodged
directly with the Australian Embassy Thailand by mail/courier or online
through ImmiAccount, the departmental service standard is ONE MONTH.
Transit Visa, you can expect a decision on your application
approximately within 5 business days from the day you lodge your
application.
For all other visa processing time service standards please visit:
http://www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards
PERMANENT VISAS
Partner (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 309) and Partner (Migrant) Visa
(Subclass 100) (Form 47SP and 40SP)
Who should apply for a Partner (provisional) – subclass 309 visa?
A Partner visa is for applicants who are either legally married to or in a
de facto relationship with their partner (including same-sex partners)
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) (Form 47SP and 40SP)
Who should apply for a Prospective Marriage (temporary) – subclass 300
visa?
A Prospective Marriage (fiancé(e)) visa is for applicants who are engaged
to be married to their eligible sponsor and they intend to marry within 9
months after the visa is granted
For more information please visit:
http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visas_and_Migration.html
When we receive your completed application, you will be sent an
Acknowledgement of Valid Application letter, including a request to
initiate medical exams.
For answers to questions you may have about partner visa applications,
please consult the departmental website in the first instance, at
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi
Note. It may take up to 12 months to finalise your partner visa
application. This
timeframe may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the case.
All applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
Application online: If you lodged your application online, you can check
the progress of your application from your ImmiAccount. This can be
accessed via the department’s website at www.border.gov.au
If you need to provide supporting documentation for your application, you
should submit supporting documents online via your ImmiAccount. Failure to
do so may result in delays in deciding your visa application.
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi
Through ImmiAccount you can attach to your visa application supporting
documents that are required by us for processing. To attach documents to
your visa application, go the Application details page and click on the
Attach Document button on the right hand side of the