Australia to open Visa Application Centre in Thailand

The Australian Ambassador to Thailand, HE Mr Miles Kupa, today officiated at the signing of the agreement to open a new Australian Visa Application Centre in Bangkok.

Ambassador Kupa said, "The significant growth in the numbers of Thais traveling to Australia reflects the strong bilateral relations between our two countries. There is evidently a lot of interest in Australia – interest which will further bring our communities and peoples closer together, to the benefit of both countries.”

“I am confident that all visa applicants to Australia will welcome these new arrangements, which will start on Australia Day, 26 January 2005. The new Australian Visa Application Centre will be conveniently located in the Thai CC Tower Building on South Sathorn Road, opposite Surasak BTS Station.” added the Ambassador.

Commenting on the Visa Application Centre, the Regional Director for Immigration, Ms Christine McPaul said, "applicants for visas to Australia will now have increased flexibility. They no longer need to visit the Embassy to lodge their applications. Those wishing to travel to Australia will be able to apply for a visa during the extended business hours offered by the Visa Application Centre.”

The Visa Application Centre will provide a comfortable client waiting area and have sufficient capacity to ensure clients are not required to wait for extended periods. A courier service can also be provided for a nominal fee.

As part of the new arrangements, visa applicants from major regional centres including Chiang Mai and Phuket will be able to lodge their visa applications without coming to Bangkok and their applications will be delivered to Bangkok by courier service.

The Visa Application Centre will be open from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, and the service fee is 400 Baht per application.

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