An American friend of mine living on Phuket with his Thai wife wants to come to Australia for a holiday. Previously he has taken her to Hawaii . What would they need to get a tourist visa ? Is it a simpler process than for an Australian wanting to bring his GF ? Do Americans get visa on arrival ? He has been to Oz before but some years ago and not with the wife.

Last I went to Oz there was no visa on arrival for Americans but the airline the ticket was purchased from would apply for you. Not sure about Thai passport. Call the consulate for that.

Wife has U.S. Green Card, no problemo at OZ embassy.

http://www.immi.gov.au/

Go to the Immi website.....most of the information is there if you read it...then if you still have questions come back and ask

Last I went to Oz there was no visa on arrival for Americans but the airline the ticket was purchased from would apply for you. Not sure about Thai passport. Call the consulate for that.

thai passport will need a visa, to visit australia. jamesi

For a visit of up to 3 months, the US citizen will require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which can be obtained online or via a travel agent for a service charge of A$20. Apply at least two weeks before travel.

The Thai citizen will require a Tourist Visa (subclass 676), which should be applied for at the VFS Australian Visa Application centre, Thai CC Tower, 34th floor, 889 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok. Processing times vary but consider applying at least 3 weeks before your intended travel date. The visa fee is A$110 (currently converted to THB 3,650), plus a THB 600 service fee to VFS. Cashier's Cheque, Bank Draft or cash - no credit cards accepted. You will need to provide an application form and supporting documentation as described on the the VFS web site (http://www.vfs-au.net/visitor.html). The process is no different to that for an Australian citizen wanting to bring a Thai GF to Australia.

As for all travel where visas are required, don't purchase non-refundable travel or accomodation before you have a positive result.

For a visit of up to 3 months, the US citizen will require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which can be obtained online or via a travel agent for a service charge of A$20. Apply at least two weeks before travel.

The Thai citizen will require a Tourist Visa (subclass 676), which should be applied for at the VFS Australian Visa Application centre, Thai CC Tower, 34th floor, 889 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok. Processing times vary but consider applying at least 3 weeks before your intended travel date. The visa fee is A$110 (currently converted to THB 3,650), plus a THB 600 service fee to VFS. Cashier's Cheque, Bank Draft or cash - no credit cards accepted. You will need to provide an application form and supporting documentation as described on the the VFS web site (http://www.vfs-au.net/visitor.html). The process is no different to that for an Australian citizen wanting to bring a Thai GF to Australia.

As for all travel where visas are required, don't purchase non-refundable travel or accomodation before you have a positive result.

Ive passed that on to him,...thanks to everyone.

I forgot to mention that if your friend doesn't wish to travel to Bangkok, Tourist Visa applications can be submitted through an agent in Phuket for an additional charge. Details on the VFS website under "courier applications".