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Can you switch from a tourist visa to a Guardian visa in Thailand, and is it legal to work on a Guardian visa?

Guardian Visa Tourist Visa Visa Regulations Working on Visa Non-O Visa Thailand Immigration Expat Visa Information

Apr 14, 2021

5 years ago

Serena ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello just enquiring about the Guardian visa and how it works, can you enter on a tourist visa and then switch to Guardian visa? Is it legal to work on Guardian visa? Thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The Guardian visa in Thailand allows an individual to support and care for a foreign child residing in the country. You can enter Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption and subsequently apply for a 90-day Non-O visa based on the condition of raising a foreign child. To qualify, the applicant must have at least 500,000 baht in a Thai bank account under their name, and the child must hold a valid visa, typically an education visa. Regarding employment on a Guardian visa, it's uncertain; while some claim it is legal, the Ministry of Labour is the authority that issues work permits and ultimately determines eligibility for work.

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Tod *********

Now as far as "is it legal to work on a visa/extension based on supporting a foreign child" the jury is out on that. Some people say yes, some say no, BUT the place you ask is the Ministry of Labour <-the people who issue work permits. IF they allow you to get a work permit, then you can work on that visa/extension, if they don't, you can't

5 years ago

Tod *********

Okay you could indeed come in on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry and apply for a 90 day Non-O based on raising a foreign child here

You need to have 500K baht in a thai bank account in your name only AND your child needs to be on a valid visa (usually an education visa).

5 years ago

Serena ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you, very helpful. Is it only 90 days extension at a time? Any chance to get something longer?

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Serena **************

nope it's not an extension you'd be applying for a 90 day non-Immigrant Type O visa based on raising a foreign child, you'd show that the funds were transferred into the country from abroad, you'd apply for the visa, you'd wait the 2 weeks under consideration period, then go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked into your passport

Once you had 30 days or less left on that new stamp you'd go back and apply for a year extension (by showing that the 500K baht was in the bank for 30 days before you apply for the extension)

5 years ago

Serena ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

ok great! Thank you. You are a wealth of knowledge 🙏🏽

5 years ago

Reply to

Serena ***************

Benjamin ******

I'm curious, what is it that you're calling a "Guardian Visa"? Can you expand on what's going on?

5 years ago

Serena ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

I read about the possibility to get a visa as a parent if you have your child (non Thai) enrolled in a school in Thailand. I thought it was called Guardian visa but could be called something else

5 years ago

Reply to

Serena ***************

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What happens to a Non O Guardian visa holder if they lose their part-time job in Thailand?

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