The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra is the principal diplomatic mission of Thailand in Australia. For visas, it covers residents of the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory, plus several Pacific countries. New South Wales residents apply through the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney instead.
Visa applications are made online only, at thaievisa.go.th. The embassy no longer takes paper applications. This guide covers who the embassy serves, how the online process works, and what to expect.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra |
| Address | 111 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 |
| Phone | +61 (0)2 6206 0100 |
| After-hours emergency | 0402 735 642 |
| Website | canberra.thaiembassy.org |
| Jurisdiction | ACT, VIC, QLD, WA, TAS, SA, NT, plus Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru (and, since 3 April 2026, the Federated States of Micronesia) |
| Visa applications | Online only, via the Thailand e-Visa portal |
| Stated processing time | 10 business days (up to 4-6 weeks in some cases) |
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Saturday - Sunday | Closed |
| Public holidays | Closed |
Note: The embassy closes for public holidays. Check the embassy website for holiday closures before visiting for any consular service.
Australian Nationals and Visa Exemption
Australian passport holders benefit from Thailand's 30-day visa exemption for tourism purposes. This means most Australian tourists can simply arrive in Thailand with a valid passport and receive a 30-day entry stamp at immigration.
From July 2024 until 14 September 2026 the exemption was 60 days. The 30-day rule was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and has applied since 15 September 2026 (TAT Newsroom). If you entered before that date, you keep the stay you were granted.
You only need a visa if:
- You plan to stay longer than 30+30 days (exemption plus a 30-day extension obtained in Thailand)
- You require a Non-Immigrant visa for work, retirement, education, or business
- You want a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for repeated visits within a six-month period
- You are applying for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Visa Types Handled
The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra processes the following visa categories through the e-Visa portal:
| Visa Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) - Single Entry | Tourism, up to 60 days |
| Tourist Visa (TR) - Multiple Entry | Tourism, 6 months validity, 60 days per entry |
| Non-Immigrant B | Business or employment |
| Non-Immigrant O | Retirement, marriage, visiting family |
| Non-Immigrant O-A | Long-stay retirement (1 year, age 50+) |
| Non-Immigrant ED | Education or study in Thailand |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Remote work, cultural activities, soft power |
| Transit Visa | Transiting through Thailand |
The embassy does not publish AUD fees on its visa page. The e-Visa portal shows the fee for your visa type before you pay. The embassy states that fees can change without notice and are non-refundable once processing begins, whatever the outcome.
How to Apply for a Visa
All applications go through the official portal, thaievisa.go.th. In the embassy's words, there is no longer a traditional paper-based visa application. You do not submit your passport at the counter or by post.
Steps:
- Check your jurisdiction. If you live in New South Wales, your application goes to the Consulate-General in Sydney, not Canberra.
- Create an account at thaievisa.go.th and select your visa type.
- Check the document list for your visa type in the portal. The embassy points applicants to the portal for each category's requirements.
- Upload your documents and pay the fee online.
- Wait for the decision. The embassy states 10 business days, and up to 4-6 weeks for some cases.
- Print the e-Visa you receive by email. You must show it to the airline and to Thai immigration.
Apply about one month before your departure date, as the embassy recommends.
Required Documents
The e-Visa portal lists the required documents for each visa category, and the embassy asks applicants to use that list. One requirement the embassy states directly:
- Multiple Entry Tourist Visa: a bank statement from the past six months showing a deposit account with at least THB 200,000 or the equivalent.
Most tourist visa applications also need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date, a recent photo, and your flight and accommodation bookings. For Non-Immigrant visas (retirement, work, study) and the DTV, follow the portal's checklist for your category, as the evidence required differs by type. The embassy posted a notice on 1 September 2026 adjusting DTV documents: since 31 August 2026 DTV applicants must also provide proof of permanent residence and a criminal record clearance certificate (announcement). See also our health insurance requirements guide for long-stay visas.
Processing Times
| Stage | Time stated by the embassy |
|---|---|
| Standard e-Visa processing | 10 business days |
| Some cases | Up to 4-6 weeks |
No express service is listed. Apply about a month before your intended travel date, and earlier around the Australian winter holiday season (June-July) when applications increase.
Consular Services
Beyond visa processing, the Royal Thai Embassy Canberra provides:
- Document legalization — Authentication and attestation of documents for use in Thailand
- Thai passport services — New passports, renewals, and emergency travel documents for Thai nationals in Australia
- Civil registration — Birth, death, and marriage registration for Thai nationals
- Notarial services — Certification of copies, signatures, and translations
- Assistance for Thai nationals — Emergency consular support, welfare assistance, and repatriation services
Getting to the Embassy
Visa applicants do not need to visit. These directions are for consular services at the embassy. It is located in the diplomatic quarter of Yarralumla, a leafy suburb south of Lake Burley Griffin.
By Car
- Free street parking is generally available on Empire Circuit and surrounding streets
- The embassy has limited visitor parking — arrive early for the best chance of a space
- From Canberra CBD, the drive takes approximately 10 minutes via Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
By Public Transport
- Bus: Transport Canberra bus routes serve the Yarralumla area; check the journey planner for current routes and schedules
- Light rail: The Canberra light rail does not currently extend to Yarralumla; take the light rail to a city stop and transfer to a bus
Other Thai Diplomatic Missions in Australia
| Mission | Location | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Thai Embassy | Canberra, ACT | ACT, VIC, QLD, WA, TAS, SA, NT, plus Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | Sydney, NSW | New South Wales |
Apply under the mission that covers where you live. The embassy's website also notes that the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Adelaide has been temporarily closed since December 2025. Honorary consulates do not process visas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australian citizens need a visa for Thailand?
For tourist visits of up to 30 days, no. Australian passport holders receive a visa exemption stamp on arrival. For longer stays, work, retirement, or study, a visa is required.
Which Thai mission covers New South Wales?
The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney. The Canberra embassy covers the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory, but New South Wales residents apply through Sydney.
How far in advance should I apply?
The embassy recommends applying about one month before your departure date. Processing takes 10 business days, but some cases take up to 4-6 weeks, so allow more time in peak periods (June-July, December-January).
Can I extend my visa exemption in Thailand?
Yes. You can extend a 30-day visa exemption once, by up to 30 additional days, at a Thai Immigration office within Thailand for a fee of 1,900 THB. That gives about 60 days in total. For step-by-step instructions, see our visa extension FAQ.
What if my visa application is refused?
The visa fee is non-refundable once processing has begun, whatever the outcome. You may apply again with additional documentation addressing the reason for refusal.
Can I apply at a Thai embassy in another country while travelling?
Generally no. The e-Visa portal routes each application to the mission that covers where you live, so apply through the mission for your country and state of residence.
Is an e-Visa available for Thailand?
Yes, and it is the only way to apply. The Canberra embassy takes all visa applications online at thaievisa.go.th and no longer accepts paper applications. The approved e-Visa arrives by email; print it and carry it with your passport.
Final Thoughts
For most Australians heading to Thailand on holiday, the visa exemption means no visa is needed. If you require a Non-Immigrant visa for retirement, work, or an extended stay, you apply online, and the Canberra embassy handles it unless you live in New South Wales. Check the portal's document list for your visa type and apply about a month before you travel.
