Going To Oz

[Explorer]

Dear all,

Got an event in Melbourne and will be going there for 1 week.

Need advice on applying visa for Malaysia nationals and Thailand nationals.

What documents required and how long is the process?

Thanks

Explorer

[samran]

First thing to understand, all foreign nationals, except NZ citizens, need a valid visa before entering Australia. There is no such thing as a visa upon arrival in Australia.

Malaysian Nationals are eligible for an 'invisible' Electronic Travel Authority visa. This is a visa that you can apply for online, and will more or less get instantly automatically. A malaysian national can apply for the visa the website http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html. It costs $20 and you need a credit card to pay.

Thai nationals have to jump through more hoops and can only apply at an Australian embassy in the country they are resident. Do a search on this site for information, or contact the Australian embassy in BKK directly to see what the applications proceedures for Thai's will be.

[samran]

Sorry, just to add, the Malaysian should apply for the 'Short Validity Business ETA' which is for people attending conferences and seminars.

[Pink Mist]

There are links to these sites at te top of the page.

[Explorer]

Thanks guys!

Explorer

[surin]

First thing to understand, all foreign nationals, except NZ citizens, need a valid visa before entering Australia. There is no such thing as a visa upon arrival in Australia.

Malaysian Nationals are eligible for an 'invisible' Electronic Travel Authority visa. This is a visa that you can apply for online, and will more or less get instantly automatically. A malaysian national can apply for the visa the website http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html. It costs $20 and you need a credit card to pay.

Thai nationals have to jump through more hoops and can only apply at an Australian embassy in the country they are resident. Do a search on this site for information, or contact the Australian embassy in BKK directly to see what the applications proceedures for Thai's will be.

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[surin]

First thing to understand, all foreign nationals, except NZ citizens, need a valid visa before entering Australia. There is no such thing as a visa upon arrival in Australia.

I think you might find that New Zelaners have to apply for a visa on arrival now!

[samran]

haha, ya got me! Visa on arrival is only available for NZ citizens!!!

[ProThaiExpat]

Visas to Australia for young Thais without demonstrable strong ties to Thailand can be VERY problematical.

Search the thread in Thaivisa as there are many posts and advice on the problems and solutions others have faced in getting a visa for the young.

PM me if the Thais you speak of are in this category and you cannot find what you need in the threads though you search. In a word, almost as difficult for a young Thai to get into Australia as the U.S.