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What are the best visa options for traveling to Thailand as Australian passport holders?
Thai visa regulationstourist visavisa exemptionAustralian passportvisa extensionmarriage in Thailandimmigration advicetravel planning
Jul 3, 2023
3 years ago
Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone!
My spouse and I, both holding Australian passports, are planning our trip to Thailand and we could use some advice. I will be arriving first to visit a good friend for a month, while my husband will join me a month or so later. We want to make sure we have an equal amount of time together in Thailand once he arrives.
We're considering a few options and would appreciate any suggestions:
To note I'll be arriving from Mexico and my Husband will be arriving from Australia.
1. Should I arrive on the visa exempt and extend it to stay longer?
2. Alternatively, should I arrive on the visa exempt, not extend it, exit the country, and then re-enter on a 60-day tourist visa?
3. Or perhaps it would be better for me to initially arrive on the 60-day tourist visa, extend it if needed, and then return on a visa exempt.
We want to ensure that we comply with all the regulations and avoid overstaying or manipulating the system. Our main goal is to have a memorable time together in Thailand.
Any input or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance.
My spouse and I, both holding Australian passports, are planning our trip to Thailand and we could use some advice. I will be arriving first to visit a good friend for a month, while my husband will join me a month or so later. We want to make sure we have an equal amount of time together in Thailand once he arrives.
We're considering a few options and would appreciate any suggestions:
To note I'll be arriving from Mexico and my Husband will be arriving from Australia.
1. Should I arrive on the visa exempt and extend it to stay longer?
2. Alternatively, should I arrive on the visa exempt, not extend it, exit the country, and then re-enter on a 60-day tourist visa?
3. Or perhaps it would be better for me to initially arrive on the 60-day tourist visa, extend it if needed, and then return on a visa exempt.
We want to ensure that we comply with all the regulations and avoid overstaying or manipulating the system. Our main goal is to have a memorable time together in Thailand.
Any input or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A couple of Australians are planning a trip to Thailand and are seeking advice on the best visa options to ensure they have equal time together in the country. They are considering whether to enter on a visa exemption, a 60-day tourist visa, or possibly extending their stay. Community responses suggest entering on a visa exemption and extending it, or coordinating to enter Thailand together from a neighboring country after meeting up. Others mention looking into a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) or directly applying for a 60-day tourist visa followed by extensions. The aim is to comply with regulations while enjoying their time in Thailand.
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John *******
Simple apply for 60 day tourist visa prior to departure and if need more time apply in thai Immigration for extension of 30day stay 1900baht easy
Bob **********
Look into a METV
Steve ********
@Bob *********
Pretty hard for an Australian in Mexico!Bob **********
@Steve *******
Damn it would be hard for anyone in MexicoReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Mitchell *******
One other option is that you come visa exempt or 60 day visa (depending on how long you will be there without your hubby). Then you meet him in a nearby country like Singapore and hang out for a couple days. Then THAT way, you are both now entering Thailand on the same terms and dates, and any future visas, exit stamps, and extensions will be identical.
Joanne *********
@Mitchell ******
or meet in kuala lumpur in malaysia. Much cheaper than singapore.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mitchell ******
thank youReply to
Aly *****
Reply
Kool *******
You are trying to make this more complicated than it actually is. You enter Thailand on a visa exempt stamp, extend that. When your husband gets here. He enters on a visa exempt stamp. When your extension is getting close to expiring, you both exit Thailand and visit a neighboring country, and be a tourist there for about a week, or not. Now when you both re-enter Thailand you are both on the same time frame as far as entry stamps go. You both can either get an extension, or just visit another country, and be a tourist. You can get 3-4 months together doing this no problem at all, and be on the same entry stamp timeline. It's actually pretty easy to do. Don't make it complicated.
Bob ********
@Kool ******
Aly son, I totally agree with Kool, only thing I assume you are an Australian passport, if so grab a 3-4 package across to Siem Riep, or Laos and enjoy. I was there for 90 days and visited both these places. They aren't that expensive and solves the visa issues.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *******
thank youKool *******
@Bob *******
I was going to suggest they take the overnight bus to Chang Kong, cross the border into Laos, then take the two day slow boat to LuangPraBong, spend a few days there then take the bus down to VangVien, spend a few days there, then the bus to Vientiane, and cross back into Thailand. This is the kind of trip that will stay with you the rest of your life, and in a good way.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
amazing. These are the kind of responses I'd love to here. Thank you very much.Reply to
Aly *****
Reply
Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
thanks for that. I'm just freaking out about the 2nd time re entry. 🤣🙏🫡Kool *******
@Aly ****
you are both flying into Thailand, so until you are together in a little over a month after you get here, you both have not crossed a land border into Thailand. You are allowed two land border crossings a year, but there is no limit on the number of times you can fly in. My suggestion only involves one land border crossing for each of you, and then a second one if you so desire, taking each of you to four months, with extensions. If you want more than that, just fly in and out. Myanmar is great to visit now.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
thank youReply to
Aly *****
Reply
Steve ********
A couple of things. As an Australian passport holder you do not get visa waiver, you are visa exempt (two very different things). Secondly, to get the best advice you need to say how long you wish to stay in Thailand with your husband when he arrives
Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
thanks for letting me know Steve 🫡😁 my husband would ideally like to be here on the tourist visa and extend it 30 days. But as I'm going earlier I'm just trying to work out the best way for me to utilise my time and also have time with hubby when he comes.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI thought the tourist visa can be done online. Perhaps I'm miss informed
Brandon ************
@Aly ****
only if the country you are in uses the evisa system. None of the countries in SE Asia use it and you must apply in person and wait between 1-3 business days depending on the consulate you choose.You just must apply at the Thai consulate of the country you are physically in.
Steve ********
@Aly ****
You can apply for a tourist visa online (eVisa) but this can only be done from your home country (country of your passport), and at the moment Australia is not operating the eVisa system. In a neighbouring country, you will need to attend an embassy or consulateAly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
bugga! Thank you. I'm in Mexico at the moment 😫Steve ********
@Aly ****
You could probably apply in Mexico if you have time available. Check the website and see what their conditions are***************************************
Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
cheersReply to
Aly *****
Reply
Steve ********
@Aly ****
So your husband is looking at three months here? 60 days + 30 days extension? In this case you would need four months. Perhaps get a tourist visa before you come (60 days) extend a further 30 days, and then do a simple border bounce for a visa exempt entry of a further 30 daysAly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
thank you for clarifying that. I was worried about which one I'd need to do first with the highest possibility to be let back in.Steve ********
@Aly ****
You'll have no problem being "let back in" as it seems you don't have much "history" in visiting Thailand. If you're doing a land border bounce, I'd advise you to either use a border bounce transport company, OR if doing it yourself avoid the Cambodia borders (especially Poipet). I'm not saying all Cambodian borders are difficult, but there have been some negative reports. The Laos borders are more user friendly.Aly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
thank you. What about a flight border bounce 🤣Steve ********
@Aly ****
No problem. Again, some airports are more "difficult" than others, but with no history of continually visiting Thailand, you'll have no problemAly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
sorry one more question if you don't mind. What about exempt and the initial entry then tourist visa on my 2nd. Is there a reason you suggested the other way around?Steve ********
@Aly ****
If you leave the country and apply for a tourist visa in a neighbouring country embassy or consulate, there may be different conditions and restrictions on applying for a tourist visa. If you have a plan on where you would likely be applying for a tourist visa, you would be best checking the website of the relevant consulate. I know many will use the KL embassy or the Penang consulate, others use HCMC and Singapore. I don't have personal experience, but other members of this group most certainly will have. Perhaps @Brandon ***********
can assist with this?Brandon ************
@Steve *******
I have no experience with nearby consulates. Just check their websites and plan ahead since a few require appointmentAly *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
yes I've never been. thanks again 😁Steve ********
@Aly ****
If you've never been to Thailand before you'll be warmly welcomed.Reply to
Steve ********
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