Thai General Consulate Perth - Non-immigrant-o

[whatchamacallit]

Just got back last night from a successful Visa trip to Perth.

As it has been reported on TV that (it seems) the doors are closing on getting a One-Year-Non-Immigrant-O Visa based on visiting friends/relatives in the neighboring countries including Brisbane (Australia), I’ve decided to take a gamble and fly to Perth instead. I figure if they rejected my application, I will ask for a back-to-back tourist visa and figure out other ways to remain in Thailand until I reach the age of 50 (2 years from now) when I will qualify for a retirement visa (Non-Immigrant-OA).

My partner (on a retirement visa) decided to accompany me on this trip. We flew Air Asia from Bangkok to Perth with a 2.5 hour layover in KL arriving in Perth at 6:00am on Tuesday, November 17^th. We took a shuttle bus ($15.00/each) to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, checked our luggage in and walked to the Royal Thai Consulate on Victoria and Hay (about 1.1 km from our hotel).

We were there about 15 minutes early and the Consulate opened promptly at 9:00am. We informed the very helpful and friendly staff there that I was applying for a Non-Immigrant-O visa with multiple entries and had all the appropriate paperwork including an application form, 1 photo, a letter of recommendation from a Thai friend and a copy of her Thai ID, and (as I do own a condo in Thailand) I also brought a copy of the title of my condo. The cost was AU$220.00 (I think…). The staff at the embassy was going to have us return on Thursday (November 19) when they next open again to pick up my passport and visa. I told them that I would greatly appreciate it if I could pick up my passport with the new visa later that same day as we wanted to be able to do some sightseeing without having anything else on our mind. Again the staff was very friendly and helpful and agreed to return my passport that very same afternoon at 2:00pm. We returned at that time and all were ready for me. Mission accomplished.

I am hoping that I’ll be able to repeat the above process again in 15 months time as this will bring me into my 50^th year at which time I will be available for a retirement visa.

Helpful facts:

You will need a short-term visa or an ETA for Australia (Electronic Travel Authority) which can be done online (Cost AU$20.00 for Americans, Free for EU Passport holders). Visit: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ - An ETA is valid for 1 year with multiple entries and allow you to spend up to 3 months stay.

The Thai General Consulate Perth only opens Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am - 2:00pm.

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We stayed at the Crowne Plaza which is about a 15 minutes walk from the Thai Consulate. Here are a several hotels all within walking distance to the Thai Consulate:

• Travel Lodge – right across from the Thai Consulate on Victoria and Hay (AU$ 140 – AU$ 200.00)
  
• Criterion – 5 minutes walk on Hay Street (AU$ 95.00)
  
• Novotel Langley – 10 minutes walk (AU$ 180 – AU$250.00)
  
• Comfort Inn – 10 minutes walk on Hay Street (AU$150.00)
  
• Several Backpackers hotel with communal toilet and shower all within walking distance (From AU$20.00 and up).
  

Restaurants and Cafes are plentiful but you will likely to getting a bit of sticker shock if you’ve been living in Thailand for any length of time. Here are a few examples:

• A one litter bottled water from a minimart – AU$3.00
  
• Cup-O-Noodle from a minimart – AU$2.50
  
• Breakfast at a Café – starting from AU$6.00 and up (not including drink)
  
• Hamburger – starting from AU$10.00 and up
  
• Italian dinner for two with 2 glasses of house wine at a standard family restaurant about AU$100.00 and up.
  

Transportation within the city only: Buses are free (runs between 6:00am – 6:00pm); Taxi available 24hrs, River Boat, and Train.

Places to Visit:

• Freemantle – a shipping port/town about 30 minutes by bus, train, or boat. Cafes, restaurants, tourist trinket shops, maritime museum, etc.
  
• The Bell Tower
  
• The Perth Mint
  
• Kings Botanical Garden
  
• Northbridge (Cafes, Restaurant and Galleries)
  

Perth is a nice city to visit but a little bit too quiet for me to live there. After all of the hussle and bussle that goes on in Pattaya/Jomtien, whether you partake in it or not, you do get used to having it about and it becomes hard to live without having all that energy in the air. Hope the above info is of some use and interest to you.

Cheers

w.

[simcity]

Perth is nice to visit.

I did not read any hardship with Brisbane supplying visa on the merit value.

Both are top gun / helpful consulates.

You bring them some reinsurance and hard copy fact (owning a condo) & traveling with your friend, perhaps other applications will not have similar outcome.

[whatchamacallit]

You bring them some reinsurance and hard copy fact (owning a condo) & traveling with your friend, perhaps other applications will not have similar outcome.

I have a strong feeling that just a recommendation letter from a Thai Friend will suffice - but the more positive info you can give them the better.

[Mario2008]

You bring them some reinsurance and hard copy fact (owning a condo) & traveling with your friend, perhaps other applications will not have similar outcome.

I have a strong feeling that just a recommendation letter from a Thai Friend will suffice - but the more positive info you can give them the better.

A letter plus a copy of the ID card of a Thai friend should do.

[Pattaya46]

Hi,

Is Brisbane consulate able to read a letter in Thai ?

Most Thai ladies are not able to write this letter in English... (a few can, yes)

[lopburi3]

That is a Perth requirement - I would check with Brisbane what is required.

[simcity]

Hi,

Is Brisbane consulate able to read a letter in Thai ?

Most Thai ladies are not able to write this letter in English... (a few can, yes)

The vice cousul-general in Brisbane are Mrs Chamaiporn K Dunn, i presum this person will be able to read thai !

[8ball]

You think a Thai embassy/consulate cannot read a letter written in Thai? <deleted>.

8ball

[David006]

DID THE SAME THING LAST MONTH ..COPY OF HOUSE PAPERS AND PASSPORT FROM WIFE 'TIS ALL..GOT IT IN TWO HOURS. lOVELY LADY YVONNE VERY HELPFUL... I AM AN OZZIE BUT SHOULD NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE...LET'S HOPE THIS CONTINUES....

[whatchamacallit]

I think it is best to write the letter in English as it is a universal language - and any consulates or embassies overseas are always almost able to communicate in English. I guarantee the staffs in Perth do not speak Thai. Here is a sample of the letter prepared by my friend:

November 12, 2009

Royal Thai Consulate General – Perth

Visa Section, Level 8

14 Victoria Avenue

Perth, WA 6000

Dear Sir/Madam:

My name is xxxxxx a citizen of Thailand. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that my friend xxxxxx (USA Passport holder number xxxxxxxx) is planning to come to Thailand to visit me. I would like to request that you grant him a Non-Immigrant-Type-O visa with multiple entries valid for 1 year.

Thank you for your kind consideration in advance.

Sincerely

xxxxxxxxxxx

[whatchamacallit]

Hi,

Is Brisbane consulate able to read a letter in Thai ?

Most Thai ladies are not able to write this letter in English... (a few can, yes)

You may want to e-mail them first. I heard they no longer issue a Non-Immigrant-O visa based on visiting friends/relatives.

Check out this thread about Brisbane Consulate

[Pattaya46]

You think a Thai embassy/consulate cannot read a letter written in Thai? <deleted>.

You think that there is a Thai speaking people in each consulate ? You are wrong.

Some consulate are VERY small.

The one of Monaco by instance as only ONE employee most of time,

mainly for foreign businessmen visa and basic Thai administration.

The one who worked there in 2005 speak perfect English and French, but not Thai...

... and I have no idea of the size of Brisbane consulate

... and/or whether the person who managed visa is Australian or Thai (or Thai speaking)

[whatchamacallit]

You think that there is a Thai speaking people in each consulate ? You are wrong.

Some consulate are VERY small.

The one of Monaco by instance as only ONE employee most of time,

mainly for foreign businessmen visa and basic Thai administration.

The one who worked there in 2005 speak perfect English and French, but not Thai...

... and I have no idea of the size of Brisbane consulate

... and/or whether the person who managed visa is Australian or Thai (or Thai speaking)

You are right - especially if it is an Honorary Consulate - which are usually staff by locals and possible no Thais there at all. Such is the case in Perth and is likely the same for Brisbane. The key thing is to cover all your bets. Why not bring the letter in both Thai and English - it's a long way back to get another copy.

[MichaelMF]

Two months ago I got the same visa with just a copy of a Thai ID card (Cost of visa is A$ 225).

Did they explicitly ask now for the letter?

[thaiphoon]

Two months ago I got the same visa with just a copy of a Thai ID card (Cost of visa is A$ 225).

Did they explicitly ask now for the letter?

Different consulates can ask for different documents. Is always best to take, even if not needed. It also helps support the case that the visa application is genuine.

[ignis]

DID THE SAME THING LAST MONTH ..COPY OF HOUSE PAPERS AND PASSPORT FROM WIFE 'TIS ALL..GOT IT IN TWO HOURS. lOVELY LADY YVONNE VERY HELPFUL... I AM AN OZZIE BUT SHOULD NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE...LET'S HOPE THIS CONTINUES....

Email them the other day, and had a reply from Yvonne Powell, Visa Officer... "email the date you are intending to visit Perth you advise us we will put your name in the diary for a same day visa."

[oqpala]

thanks a lot for sharing

just to be sure, visa will always be delivered maximum on thursday if i drop the application on tuesday? I plan to go to perth just for one week, I would be in trouble if it takes longer than that

I tried to contact them but emails come back, apparently their inbox is full

[lopburi3]

If Tuesday or Thursday was a holiday expect there could be a delay. But you would have to ask them as they might be able to provide faster in that case.

[whatchamacallit]

thanks a lot for sharing

just to be sure, visa will always be delivered maximum on thursday if i drop the application on tuesday? I plan to go to perth just for one week, I would be in trouble if it takes longer than that

I tried to contact them but emails come back, apparently their inbox is full

E-mail them first at [email protected] attn. Ms. Naomi Stannet (Visa Officer) to make sure that they will be open on Tuesday and Thursday of the week you will be there.

Be at the office at 9:00am when they open - and tell them that you would like to have your passsport with the new visa on the same day (by 2:00pm) if possible. The lady is very nice and I'm sure she will say "Yes". To be safe plan to stay thru Thrusday (or Friday) just in case. Good luck.

[oqpala]

E-mail them first at [email protected] attn. Ms. Naomi Stannet (Visa Officer) to make sure that they will be open on Tuesday and Thursday of the week you will be there.

Be at the office at 9:00am when they open - and tell them that you would like to have your passsport with the new visa on the same day (by 2:00pm) if possible. The lady is very nice and I'm sure she will say "Yes". To be safe plan to stay thru Thrusday (or Friday) just in case. Good luck.

Thanks a lot, actually here are the opening hours in december:

"Our office will be open at the following times over Christmas/New Year: Tuesday 22 Dec 9.00am-2.30pm to lodge applications

Thursday 24 Dec - 9.00am - 12.00noon to lodge applications

Wednesday 30 Dec - 9.00am - 12.00noon to lodge applications

Tuesday 5 Jan 10 - 9.00am - 2.30pm to lodge applications

At all other times it will be our normal trading hours of Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am - 2.30pm to lodge applications."

Another question a bit off-topic, how much time to spend in Perth, many things to do there ? Im a bit on a low budget but that might be a shame to just go there for the visa and come back

[Mousehound]

As always it depends on what you like to do. I have lived here for 40years and have many visitors and they all like different things.

Some suggestions:

Burswood Casino if you are into gambling and a busy hotel ambience.

Ferry to Rottnest Island and if you can stay a day or so - great spot.

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Travel south to Margaret River by bus or hire a car (Budget is in Perth centre and about the cheapest) and "do" the vinyards. Great little town and good restaurants etc. This whole area is a lot different to Perth and a bit European.

Fremantle - go by train from Perth, is a good spot also. Lots of things to see - galleries, historic buildings and great Italian food. You could spend a few days here easily. The Maritime Museum is well worth visiting in the Port of Fremantle - walking distance from the train and the town centre.

On the way to Fremantle is a small residential but quite fun area of Subiaco which is well worth a go. They have markets and cafe areas etc. On the train line to Fremantle.

Get the ferry from Perth to South Perth (at Barrack Street jetty). Excellent view of the city over the river and a nice place to have lunch. The zoo is within walking distance and is one of the few in the world I enjoy - they do a good job there.

Great golf courses and cheap - the public courses are very good value and not at all bad - there are loads of them and you can hire gear there.

Fishing - if you are here from December to March I suggest you go on a day boat trip fishing for "Sambos", (Samson fish). They congregate off Perth in massive rafts. They are a seriously heavy and strong fish. Great fun and average about 30K

Do a boat trip up the Swan river and have lunch at a vinyard.

late night music is mostly around Northbridge and Fremantly. Plenty of nightclubs.

Just be on your guard for trouble at night in the Northbridge area - you should be OK but it can be dodgy - keep out of the way of drunken groups outside nightclubs.

The perth Tourism Authority is pretty good and there are loads og guides, leaflets and stuff at every hotel. There is no bargaining in Perth generally. You can ask for dicounts in shops however. Taxis are fixed price and very expensive.

[oqpala]

thanks a lot for all those propositions

[oqpala]

just a quick update:

I came back from Perth two days ago and successfully received a new non-imm 0 visa based on visiting my girlfriend. Just gave all the required papers (letter from my GF, copy of her passport/ thai ID). Received the visa the same day (but I had sent them an email before to ask if it was possible).

Very nice consulate and very friendly staff.

Hope it helps

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You think a Thai embassy/consulate cannot read a letter written in Thai? <deleted>.

You think that there is a Thai speaking people in each consulate ? You are wrong.

Some consulate are VERY small.

The one of Monaco by instance as only ONE employee most of time,

mainly for foreign businessmen visa and basic Thai administration.

The one who worked there in 2005 speak perfect English and French, but not Thai...

... and I have no idea of the size of Brisbane consulate

... and/or whether the person who managed visa is Australian or Thai (or Thai speaking)

Brisbane has a Thai speaking Australian Consul-General and an all Thai staff. www.thaiconsulate.org

[bdenner]

Both Perth and Brisbane are excellent Consulates with their own little quirks but NO hassles. The OP mentioned that the Non O was hard in Brisbane --- That's crap.

[KarenBravo]

At Perth, is accepting applications for visas only on a Tuesday a hard and fast rule?

Any chance of another week day?

[thaiphoon]

Reports advise the consulate is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for visa applications.

[whatchamacallit]

Both Perth and Brisbane are excellent Consulates with their own little quirks but NO hassles. The OP mentioned that the Non O was hard in Brisbane --- That's crap.

Check this out mate: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Multi-Entry-...amp;hl=brisbane

[lopburi3]

The poster of that link did not mention having any proof. Believe they would require the same proof for a visit visa as Perth, such as marriage certificate or copy of ID card if not over age 50

[whatchamacallit]

The poster of that link did not mention having any proof. Believe they would require the same proof for a visit visa as Perth, such as marriage certificate or copy of ID card if not over age 50

Lopburi3: This thread was about getting a Non-O visa based on visiting friends/relatives - Not based on Married to a Thai. Back in September I read on TV that someone applying for Non-O based on visiting friends/relatives was rejected by the Consulate in Brisbane - this is why I mentioned that even Brisbane consulate is tightening things up.