What are the requirements and processing times for the Working Holiday Visa in Thailand for Australians under 30?

Working Holiday Visa Thailand visa Australian visa Visa processing time Volunteering in Thailand Employment requirements Non-Common Visa Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Thai Embassy contact

Oct 12, 2019

5 years ago

Leann ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello! 

I'm an Aussie under 30 and I am looking to apply for the Working Holiday Visa to enable me to stay in Thailand for 12 months without the need for visa runs, and have several questions.

1. Will this visa allow me to take up volunteering while in Thailand?

2. Am I required to take up employment with a Thai business on this visa?

3. Do I have to have any/all my flights booked at the time of application?

4. How long does it generally take to process this type of visa?

The website states the processing time for this visa can take 1-1.5 months and I'm really hoping this is not the case. If it is, I would rather get the METV - would it be silly not to wait a bit longer for the former?

Looking forward to your responses!

Edit:

It seems this visa is not common as I've been ridiculed many times this week for asking 😅 so for reference, here's the link from the Sydney Royal Thai consulate website:

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian under 30 years old is seeking information about the Working Holiday Visa for Thailand, including its employment and volunteering regulations, processing times, and flight booking requirements. Respondents provide various insights, clarifying that volunteering counts as work, employment with a Thai business is not mandatory, and that proof of funds for a return ticket may be necessary. The processing time for this visa could take 1-1.5 months, which raises a question about the expediency of opting for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa instead.

James ********

@Tod ********

has suggested you contact the Thai Embassy in Australia for specific questions on this rarely seen Visa...Good Luck

I close commenting.

5 years ago

Sergejs *********

It's only for Australians basing on reciprocal inter-government agreement. Very few people here had ever heard about such visa.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

This isn't a common visa, at all, so your best bet would be to call them up. However...

1. In Thailand, "Work" basically is any activity that generates an output. This can range from being a programmer working online, changing oil on your motorcycle, or working with elephants. All work requires a work permit. It appears this visa will let you do any non-forbidden work (i.e. prostitution, working as a shop clerk, manual labor, etc. See

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for the list)

2. From my readings on the requirements, the answer is no, you do not *NEED* a job.

3. From my reading on the requirement, the answer is no, but you need to show proof of funds that you can purchase a ticket back home.

4. I'm not sure at all how long it takes. I'm assuming maybe 1 - 1.5 months if that is what it says.

About the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa:

1. It does get processed a lot faster, generally 1 to 2 business days.

2. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 9 months.

3. you must leave the country every 90 days.

4. You can not work, or volunteer on the visa.

5 years ago

Aaron ******

I’m curious what jobs are you allowed on this visa?

5 years ago

Yvonne *********

Your best bet is to contact the Thai Embassy on Sydney and ask about this visa, the Sydney Thai Embassy states the requirements needed for the working holiday visa I don’t think it is a well known visa, it states for Australian residents only.

I found the Sydney Thai consulate very helpful

5 years ago

Leann ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Yvonne ********

I've emailed them now, just wanted to see what others' experience was!

I understand now that this is not a 'real' thing to many people.

Thank you for your kind response, really appreciate it!

5 years ago

Reply to

Leann ********

Brett *********

Volunteering is treated the same as work.

5 years ago

Rosan **********

Interesting

5 years ago

Stuart *********

Where do you see the option for a working holiday visa?

5 years ago