Thailand visa requirements for Australian citizens - Options, fees, and more

Thailand is known for glorious beaches, friendly people and a range of destinations covering island getaways, immersions into untouched nature, buzzing cities and cultural hotspots. But is it easy to visit? Do you need a visa for Thailand, and if so how do you get one?

Read on to learn the lowdown on Thailand visas for Australian citizens, including what’s needed, where to apply, and what it’ll cost you. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

Do Australians require a visa for Thailand?

You can travel to Thailand without a visa for tourist visits of no longer than 60 days, assuming you have an Australian passport¹. If you wish to stay in Thailand for more than 60 days, you can extend your stay with the Thai Immigration Bureau.

So what about for work? If you’re going to Thailand for a longer trip, or to study or work there, you need to get a visa before you travel. You can learn more about the visas available on the Thai e-Visa website², which offers guidance.

Entry requirements for Thailand

To enter Thailand visa free for up to 60 days as a tourist you will need:

• Your passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• A completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which can be completed up to 3 days before travel³

There’s no need to get a visa for Thailand if you’re going as a tourist for up to 60 days, but this may be different if you’re not an Australian citizen. If you’re not a national of Australia, you can use the Thai eVisa website ‘Do I need a visa?’ page and enter your nationality and the duration of your stay⁴, to understand what visa may be necessary.

Type of Thailand Visas available for Australians

There are plenty of different types of Thailand Visas available for Australians, depending on the reasons for your trip there. Options include visas for work, study, retirement, medical tourism and more. Many visas have a digital application process for ease and convenience. You can learn more on the Thai eVisa website, or on the website of the Thai Immigration Service⁵. We’ve rounded up a few common visa options here to give a bit of an overview.

Tourist Visa (3 or 6 months)

While you don’t need a visa for a visit of up to 60 days, you can apply for a Tourist Visa for 3 or 6 months if you want to spend longer in Thailand⁶. This is a digital application and you can get a single entry or a multiple entry visa depending on the duration. You must prove you have no less than 20,000 THB to pay for yourself during your stay, and you’ll need to show you have accommodation in Thailand planned. You need to register an online account to submit your application - you can complete the process online, but the embassy may still need to request further documents or an interview depending on the situation.

Work Visa (Code B)

The Work Visa (Code B) allows you to work in a limited company or partnership⁷. You’ll need to be offered a job in the first place, as the application process requires you to provide extensive information and documentary evidence of the employer. The employer will need to provide much of this, and may take the lead in the application for a visa on your behalf. You can apply for this visa from inside or outside of Thailand.

Study Visa (ED Code)

You can get a Study Visa (ED Code)⁸ to study at a private institution, school or university, or at a government run educational institution. You’ll need to provide information about the course and the institution, including letters of cooperation which show you’ve been offered a place on the specific course.

Retirement Visa (Code O)

If you’re at least 50 years old you can apply for a Retirement Visa (Code O)⁹ subject to proving you have a rental agreement which provides a place to live, and enough money to pay for yourself. Proof of funds can be evidence from your bank account showing you have savings of at least 800,000 THB, or a guarantee from an official source showing you draw a pension of at least 65,000 THB per month.

What do you need to apply for a visa for Thailand?

The documents you need to apply for a Visa for Thailand are set according to the visa type in question.

You’ll pretty much always need the following:

• Completed application form - there are different forms depending on whether you’re already in Thailand or not
• Copy of your passport
• One 4x6 cm recent passport photograph

Then the documents depend on the reason for your trip to Thailand. To give an example, to apply for a Work Visa Code B you will need to gather:

• Company documents including registration document, VAT registration, financial statements and income tax return
• Evidence of your education and proof of your former employment experience
• Proof of the existence of the company, including images of the company location, maps and proof of utilities being paid

There are full details on the Thai authorities websites, which cover the specific common documents needed for different visa types.

Vaccinations for Thailand from Australia

There are no specific vaccinations which are required for Thailand to get a visa. However, the Australian government recommends you seek medical advice before you travel to ensure you don’t need anything extra based on your plans and your own health situation¹⁰.

Most travellers need to ensure they’re up to date with standard vaccinations. Your healthcare provider may also recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid.

Some travellers with specific vulnerabilities may also be recommended vaccination against conditions like:

• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• Malaria
• Rabies

How much is a visa for Thailand?

The visa fee for a tourist visa can vary depending on the length of the visa that’s issued and whether it is single or multiple entry. The visa application fee for the long term work, study and retirement visa options we examined above is 2,000 THB.

If you’re applying online you’ll be shown the visa fees as part of the application flow, and can pay online.

Heading to Thailand? Get more THB for your AUD with the Wise card

When planning your trip, it's crucial to consider how you'll spend in Thailand. High foreign transaction fees or unfavorable exchange rates can quickly inflate your travel costs. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

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