What Passports, Visas and Vaccinations You'll Need
Because Thailand is so laid back, you're probably planning a pretty relaxing holiday. And you should be relaxed! But you should also make yourself aware of passports, visas and vaccinations in Thailand before you go so that you don't get stuck. It'll make the holiday a lot smoother and more relaxing.
Before you head to Thailand, learn about:
- Using an Australian Passport to travel to Thailand
- Do Australians need a visa to travel to Thailand?
- Do Australians need any vaccinations to visit Thailand?
- Using other passports.
Using an Australian passport to travel to Thailand
Having an Australian passport makes it pretty easy to travel to Thailand. There are a few things you still need to keep in mind though:
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you intend to return to Australia.
- You can enter the country, without a visa, for a stay of up to 30 days. You will need to get an extended visa for stays longer than this.
- If your passport is lost or stolen, you must notify the Australian Government as soon as possible.
How do you apply for an Australian Passport?
You can obtain an Australian Passport Application Form from the Australian Passports website or from your local Australia Post Office. Or, if you have a current passport or one that has expired in the last two years, you can simply renew it online.
How long does it take?
It usually takes up to 10 business days to be processed. If you are in a hurry, you can use the Priority Processing Service which can usually speed this up to two business days from when they receive the relevant documents.
If you’re having passport issues and you're currently in Australia, it's best to contact the Australian Passport Information Service. And if you’re overseas, contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate
Do Australians need a visa to visit Thailand?
Australian citizens holding an ordinary passport, do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days.
You will need an extended tourist visa if you intend to stay for between 30-60 days. You will need to apply for this.
Staying longer can be complicated. If you intend to work and live in Thailand, it is best to get in touch with the Consulate.
Do Australians need vaccinations to visit Thailand?
When travelling to Thailand, you should make sure you're up to date with your regular vaccinations.
For example flu, tetanus and measles vaccines. Hepatitis A is generally recommended for travel to Thailand as well. And if you're travelling to more remote areas you may want to ensure you have Hepatitis B and rabies vaccines too. But at the end of the day, we're not doctors. If you have any concerns it's best to consult your GP.
Travelling to Thailand using a different passport
Visa Waiver Countries:
In the same way that Australians can enter Thailand without a visa, there are a number of countries whose citizens can do the same. Therefore, they can enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. The countries included in this exemption are listed here.
Here is some information if you find you do need to apply for a visa in Thailand:
- You could be eligible for a visa in Thailand for four main reasons;
- You're a tourist who won't be employed, you have sponsorship from a Thai company, you're marrying a Thai national or you're studying in Thailand.
- To find out more about the pricing and logistics of getting a visa in Thailand, you should refer to the Thai Embassy website.
- Make sure you have all relevant documents with you to complete the application process.
