Answered5 years ago

Can I convert my child's visa-exempt stamp to an ED visa while applying for a guardian visa simultaneously?

Visa Conversion ED Visa Guardian Visa Visa Exempt Stamps Thailand Immigration Non-O Visa

Jes *******************

asked Dec 14, 2021

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I am trying to understand the process of converting visa-exempt stamps to ED and guardian visas.

Our child is eligible for an ED visa through her school. As I understand, once she arrives in Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp, we can apply for her to convert the stamp to a 90-day ED visa, and this 90-day ED visa can then be extended to a full year, correct?

If we do as above, and the parent arrives together with the child on a visa-exempt stamp, can the parent also apply for a guardian visa simultaneously with the child converting her visa exempt to an ED visa, or do we need to wait until we apply for the full-year extension for our child’s ED visa?

Looking forward to hear your guidance on this, as we have received ambiguous information.

We are based in Bangkok, in case that makes any difference.

Answer summary

The process of converting a visa-exempt stamp to an ED visa for your child can be done directly upon arrival in Thailand, where you can apply for a 90-day ED visa based on the child's eligibility through school documentation. This visa can indeed be extended to a full year later. Additionally, the parent can apply for a guardian visa simultaneously, as long as the required documentation is fulfilled and there is sufficient time left on the current visa-exempt stamp when applying.

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Cole ***********

The child is a Thai national?

5 years ago

Tod *********

There shouldn't be any issue getting the in country 90 day Non-O visa issued based on being the parent of a foreign child on an ED visa.

As long as you have the 500K baht in a thai bank account in your name only when you apply for it and you have the appropriate number of days left on your current tourist visa/visa exempt entry stamp.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Cole **********

If the child is a Thai national, then the child would not be able to get an ED visa

5 years ago

Cole ***********

@Benjamin *****

Good point, so can a parent get a long term visa by sending a foreign kid to school in Thailand? Maybe but it seems unlikely.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Cole **********

yes a parent can be on Non-O based on so-called guarding or supporting a foreign child - "In the case of being a family member of an alien who has been permitted a temporary stay in the Kingdom for study in an educational institution"

This is one of the pretty common visa/extensions. The question is: can the initial visa be issued in-country?

5 years ago

Tod *********

Totally can be done. You all come in on visa exempt entries, you get the documentation from the school, go apply for the 90 day ED visa for the child. You get the 500K baht transferred into a thai bank account in one of the parents names and go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa based on taking care of a foreign child on an ED visa.

In Bangkok you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for in country Non-Immigrant visas (the ED or the O) so pay attention to the time left on the stamp.

I'd say as soon as you get here, head on out to Chaengwattana with a representative from the school, get the hand out listing the requirements for you as a parent of a foreign child to get the 90 day Non-O and the other one for a foreign student to get an ED visa. Then go from there.

5 years ago