I'm a freelance photographer (UK National) and most of my work comes out of Shanghai/HK/Singapore these days. I'm in a position where I could live quite comfortably in Bangkok and pop in and out of the other countries most months for work. Now, I know that strictly speaking I can use the standard tourist visas to do this, but seeing as I'll be renting an apartment in BKK and starting a new stage of my life there I'd really like a multiple-entry 12 month visa.

I'll be in Melbourne shortly before heading to Thailand and would like to apply there. I've done a fair bit of research but get some conflicting info. If I tell them that I'm there to look for work (but not work in Thailand itself) would this be sufficient? I've also read that you can simply say that you're on a sabbatical and there to 'observe' and get an ED visa (also relevant in my case, as it's a sabbatical from an old job in the UK and I'll also be undertaking a 'cultural study' project, although not for profit). Seems like I really need to have my reason ready to explain in a straightforward way before I go to the consulate in Melbourne.

Any help would REALLy be appreciated, and sorry for yet another non-immigration question, hopefully I'll be able to relay my own advice in return once things are settled.

Ed.

May I suggest you don't mention you are looking for work. I would go along the lines of you are looking for Investment opportunitys. You should have no problems using this approach.

I seriously doubt that he will obtain a multi entry non immigrant visa in Melbourne for any such reason. And probably not anywhere in Oz without supporting paperwork.

A friend of mine has used this reason for the last 5 years, out of the Perth office with no problems.

Perth freely issued non immigrant O visas to visit friends until recently - they now require some supporting paperwork.