New Bilateral Visa Program

[sriracha john]

Thai-Australia "work and holiday" visas deal

Published on Aug 31 , 2005

Thai students who have graduated from university can take working holidays of up to a year in Australia under an agreement which came into effect on Wednesday, officials said.

The bilateral agreement will also allow Australians aged 18 to 30 to apply for the "work and holiday" (WH) visas to Thailand, the immigration department

said.

The WH program allows young overseas professionals to get to know Australia and its people while affording Australians the opportunity to improve their understanding of other cultures through undertaking working holidays overseas, according to Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said.

Any work undertaken must be incidental to the main purpose of holidaying in Australia or Thailand and WH visa holders are only permitted to work with

the one employer for a maximum of three months, she said.

The arrangement is different from "working holiday visas" which Australia

grants to young people from 19 countries because applicants must have the

support of their own government, hold university degrees and speak English.

(AFP)

Edited August 31, 2005 by sriracha john

[redtape]

Thanks for the infor. sriracha john. However, it seems that there're still some "minor" things need to be settled before it'll come into forces.

[NextStationBangkok]

S.Jhon, thanks for posting this.

This is actually designed for Visa run English teachers, i guess. It may be benifit for Thais looking for an opportunity in Aus. But i am not sure for other way around. If some one have a good degree in Aus, they dont need to come here and work first. Thais are smart enough and saying only 3 months a visa holder can work, i am not sure it is a multiple entry visa. Once Aus earn 3 months salary he should live with that money for rest of 9 months or again work as English teacher with lower wages to an agent and spend life here.

Anyways with the present Thai government policy, it will take atleast 100-150 years for Thai schools teaching English medium on their own.

[sriracha john]

It seems there's a whole new category of non-immigrant visa now, being a "WH".

Lack of specifics in terms of work permit procedures, tracking they are limiting themselves to 3 months, etc. but as it says, it's already in effect now.

It is certain to provoke interest for many younger people looking for a way to obtain a one year visa.

Edited August 31, 2005 by sriracha john

[Artisi]

I can see it now, hundreds of Aussie kids lined up for visas to work harvesting rice or labouring on a constuction site at 120 - 150 B /day for 3 months periods.

[george]

New visa agreement between Australia and Thailand

AUSTRALIA: -- Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday announced a new visa arrangement between Australia and Thailand.

The Work and Holiday visa program came into effect yesterday, to enable an exchange of people under 30 who hold a tertiary degree.

"The new arrangement means that 18 to 30-year-old Thai and Australian nationals who have already completed their university education will be eligible to apply for W&H visas for stays of up to 12 months in Australia or Thailand," Senator Vanstone said.

-- The Herald Sun AU, 2005-09-01

[jdinasia]

S.Jhon, thanks for posting this.

This is actually designed for Visa run English teachers, i guess. It may be benifit for Thais looking for an opportunity in Aus. But i am not sure for other way around. If some one have a good degree in Aus, they dont need to come here and work first. Thais are smart enough and saying only 3 months a visa holder can work, i am not sure it is a multiple entry visa. Once Aus earn 3 months salary he should live with that money for rest of 9 months or again work as English teacher with lower wages to an agent and spend life here.

Anyways with the present Thai government policy, it will take atleast 100-150 years for Thai schools teaching English medium on their own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

100-150 years .... for Thai schools teaching English medium on their own

[VanZam]

Im just wondering how this Visa is so different than a normal NON IMM B visa

Degree....Check

One year...Check

Open to all countires and not just Oz....Check

I guess its the type of work that can be done?

[astral]

What is "tertiary" degree? A Masters or a Doctorate?

That will limit those who qualify.

However it is a good step forward, mainly due to the liberal visa policy of Australia.

I wonder how many other countries will follow suit?

[otherstuff1957]

Does anybody remember this thread?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34908

This new visa would tie in nicely with that proposed program. Right down to moving the teachers around every three months!

[sriracha john]

Perhaps under the program it is much easier to obtain work permit, but would require a tie-in with the Labour Ministry, which normally isn't always there.

If they get some good pay, like teaching at an international school or something in the office of a multi-national company... and mix it with some savings, they could easily go 9 months income-free. The snag of course would be find to find schools and companies that want to hire them for just 3 months.

The devil is in the details... and they don't seem to be forthcoming very easily....

[Thai-Aust]

Is this news crdible? Trying to look at the website, it says nothing about this programme.

www.immi.gov.au

[Tywais]

What is "tertiary" degree?  A Masters or a Doctorate?

That will limit those who qualify.

However it is a good step forward, mainly due to the liberal visa policy of Australia.

I wonder how many other countries will follow suit?

Primary school

Secondary school = high school

Tertiary school = college (BS or greater)

[Greer]

I think some people are confused - it says "3 months with one employer" meaning that you may work with as many employers as you like during the WHOLE YEAR, but only 3 months maximum with any one of them - this is typical Australian regulations - I absolutely guarantee it originated in the Australian Immigration department's contribution to this scheme.

It's a good step forward at least - and it doesn't say it's limited to any particular category of degree, so don't all go off half cocked about it being for teachers.

Let's wait and see...

[lopburi3]

I think some people are confused - it says "3 months with one employer" meaning that you may work with as many employers as you like during the WHOLE YEAR, but only 3 months maximum with any one of them - this is typical Australian regulations - I absolutely guarantee it originated in the Australian Immigration department's contribution to this scheme.

It's a good step forward at least - and it doesn't say it's limited to any particular category of degree, so don't all go off half cocked about it being for teachers.

Let's wait and see...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is not what the OP says. It says "the" one employer. Much different meaning in my English reading. As it also says the primary purpose must be tourististic rather than work do not know how you can come to the conclusion work all year is ok. That would not be my take.

[samran]

What is "tertiary" degree?  A Masters or a Doctorate?

That will limit those who qualify.

However it is a good step forward, mainly due to the liberal visa policy of Australia.

I wonder how many other countries will follow suit?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A Tertiary Degree is simply anything above from an undergraduate and up. Of course it will limit those who are eligible, but it is a wise move to prevent the scheme from being exploited by the usual characters.

  I think some people are confused - it says "3 months with one employer" meaning that you may work with as many employers as you like during the WHOLE YEAR, but only 3 months maximum with any one of them - this is typical Australian regulations - I absolutely guarantee it originated in the Australian Immigration department's contribution to this scheme.

It's a good step forward at least - and it doesn't say it's limited to any particular category of degree, so don't all go off half cocked about it being for teachers.

Let's wait and see...

First and foremost a WHV is a primarily meant to be as a tool for travellers to supplement their travel funds while in Australia. It is not meant for professionals to come and continue work in their own fields, as there are other visa categories for that.

Australia has similar types of agreements, mainly with EU nations but also with Singapore, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and I think Malaysia. The work rules are the same for everyone, and in most cases are reciprocal. For instance, an Australian going to the UK is only allowed to work for 50% of the time they are there.

Edited September 1, 2005 by samran

[fire and ice]

YOU BEAUT!!!

So now when I find my next TFG finishing or at uni I

can get her to come over to Sydney for up to a year &

she can even work to support herself too!! I won't

have to decide to marry her etc in order to get her

over here.

If things work out during the proper trial period,

then I can marry her, if not I go back & find another

one!!

Crikey, I already know a few I could encourange to

come over....

EXCELLENT NEWS !!!

[samran]

YOU BEAUT!!! 

So now when I find my next TFG finishing or at uni I

can get her to come over to Sydney for up to a year &

she can even work to support herself too!!    I won't

have to decide to marry her etc in order to get her

over here. 

If things work out during the proper trial period,

then I can marry her, if not I go back & find another

one!! 

Crikey, I already know a few I could encourange to

come over.... 

EXCELLENT NEWS !!! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Be aware that when she applies for this visa she is already going to need shedloads of funds in the bank to fund the trip. Poms for instance need the equivalent AUD$5000, so there will be similar rules for Thai's.

Additionally, the primary purpose of the visa is for travel. You can bet she will be asked where she is going in OZ, travelling to, quizzed about how she will get from A to B etc etc to determine if she is a legitmate traveller. They'll want to weed out the ones who arent.

[Tywais]

What is "tertiary" degree?  A Masters or a Doctorate?

That will limit those who qualify.

Tertiary education, also referred to as third-stage or third level education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education such as a high school, secondary school, or gymnasium. Tertiary education is commonly higher education which prepares students for a quaternary education, but it can also be vocational education and training. Colleges and universities are examples of institutions that provide tertiary education. Tertiary education generally culminates in the receipt of a degree: vocational certification, Associate's degrees, or Bachelor's degrees (B.A. or B.S.).

Referenced from: http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Tertiary_education

[wokkawombat]

In Australia working for one employer for 3 months means work for company A for 3 months, resign, move to company B for 3 months, resign etc

John

[redtape]

interesting. have to check for more detail and how it'll work. This is quite new type of visa for Thailand.

[samran]

interesting. have to check for more detail and how it'll work. This is quite new type of visa for Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lots of precedence on this one. Check out how the agreement works for other nationalites who have had access to the australian programme for years.

It will become clear that it isn't a "lets test run a prospective wife" visa.

Edited September 1, 2005 by samran

[samran]

Interesting that Australia has an anti descrimination policy that includes age -

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This visa is designed for young people, always has been, always will be.

God help Thailand if the flood gates to the under 30 Oze's are opened

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The over 50's are already doing a pretty good job of trashing it already aren't they? At least you'd be sure that you won't see an under 30 walking down the beach wearing speedo's with his guts hanging out

[jrincon17]

S.Jhon, thanks for posting this.

This is actually designed for Visa run English teachers, i guess. It may be benifit for Thais looking for an opportunity in Aus. But i am not sure for other way around. If some one have a good degree in Aus, they dont need to come here and work first. Thais are smart enough and saying only 3 months a visa holder can work, i am not sure it is a multiple entry visa. Once Aus earn 3 months salary he should live with that money for rest of 9 months or again work as English teacher with lower wages to an agent and spend life here.

Anyways with the present Thai government policy, it will take atleast 100-150 years for Thai schools teaching English medium on their own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And not for your old farts !

[bkk_mike]

Why is everyone so surprised about this. - It was all agreed as part of the Thai-Australia FTA over a year ago.

For Thais - it's a way to let Thais be treated similarly to the existing working holiday arrangements for Brits, etc. - i.e. You can go to Oz for a year, work part of the time, but not all in one place... (with similar age restrictions, and the requirement you have a degree).

All it means for Thais is that Australia will be an easy place for graduates to take a year out, and learn better English for a job back in Thailand... (and they can pick up odd jobs as they're travelling around Australia to support the holiday).

For Australians, it means that people taking a year (or two/three) after Uni can now get a one-year holiday visa in Thailand, and they can even pick up odd jobs while they're doing it. (Diving instructor in Samui, Diving instructor in Phuket, Diving instructor in Koh Tao, Diving instructor in Pattaya).

[dr_Pat_Pong]

If its for teaching, then shouldn't it only apply to people who can actually speak english! That excludes most Ozzy filth! As for their impact on Bali - couldn't agree more.

Our Australian friends are generally losers living in the lucky country. They send their youngsters over to the UK, where most of them are allowed to work for an extended period due to their grandparents immigrant/convict status. Once there they coin it. But bless their souls they complain like whinging poms if anyone in Asia should try and come to their country and undercut their wages!

God Bless Australia, the white whore of the Pacific Rim

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

POMMY BASTARD

[pal78]

The arrangement is different from "working holiday visas" which Australia

grants to young people from 19 countries because applicants must have the

support of their own government, hold university degrees and speak English.

(AFP)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting. So the Australians will also need the support of their own government, hold degrees and speak Thai?

Edited September 2, 2005 by pal78

[samran]

If its for teaching, then shouldn't it only apply to people who can actually speak english! That excludes most Ozzy filth! As for their impact on Bali - couldn't agree more.

Our Australian friends are generally losers living in the lucky country. They send their youngsters over to the UK, where most of them are allowed to work for an extended period due to their grandparents immigrant/convict status. Once there they coin it. But bless their souls they complain like whinging poms if anyone in Asia should try and come to their country and undercut their wages!

God Bless Australia, the white whore of the Pacific Rim

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

POMMY BASTARD

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and a banned soap dodger at that......

[silk123]

I hope the skank whores or bargirls or whatever their called looking to go to oz can't get this visa then.

[astral]

What is "tertiary" degree?  A Masters or a Doctorate?

That will limit those who qualify.

However it is a good step forward, mainly due to the liberal visa policy of Australia.

I wonder how many other countries will follow suit?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Primary school

Secondary school = high school

Tertiary school = college (BS or greater)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry I forgot the Americans make a mockery of the whole degree system.

6 year olds in cap and gown.............. what a farce.

In my book only Universities are qualified to issue degrees!!