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Do children on a student visa in Thailand need their own visas?

Thai visa regulationsStudent visaChildren's visa requirementsOverstay rulesExpats in ThailandImmigration policies for minors
May 24, 2023
a year ago
Debbie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone!

I’m currently on student visa in Thailand, studying Thai. I’m also homeschooling my two kids, who are 8 years old and 4 years old.

Do I have to get my kids to follow my visa?

My Thai school said kids under 10 are usually fine without a visa. But I want to make sure if that’s clear in law and practice.

Thank you!🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired whether their two children, aged 8 and 4, need to follow their student visa while homeschooling in Thailand. Comments clarified that children under 15 are not fined or deported for overstaying; however, technically they are illegally in the country without a visa. The consensus was that although it's generally safe for children under 10 to be without a visa, they lack legal status. Discussions also touched on the complexities of visa requirements and homeschooling.
Chris *******
ALL foreigners require a valid stamp or visa to be legal in country.

Children under 15 yrs. will not be fined, detained or deported.

They are safe to be here.

They also cannot convert or get a visa of any kind while here on overstay.

Yes they will get an overstay stamp upon exit, that's it.

It's a generous grey area.
a year ago
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John **********
How on earth do you have time to homeschool 2 kids and attend classes?
a year ago
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Richard *********
i've always wondered< although its true kids under i think 14 or 16 cant be fined on departure

BUT technically they are illegally in the country> they have no valid visa>

so what happens if they are asked for their passports?
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Richard ********
 that probably never happened and never will happen how many kids carry passports
a year ago
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Bob **********
They are fine without a visa no fine no overstay why are you putting fear into the OP ??
a year ago
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Henry *********
@Bob *********
 Kids don't get fined or banned for overstaying but their passport is stamped 'overstay'. This shouldn't be a problem if they're not going to a proper school in Thailand. Personally I prefer my son to be here legally.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Henry ********
 it doesn’t mater because there kids
a year ago
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Henry *********
@Bob *********
 It does if they want to live here and go to school.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Henry ********
 if they go to school they’ll get an ED visa but that’s not what this post is about is it ???
a year ago
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Henry *********
@Bob *********
 No, as the OP is home schooling. One issue with getting an Ed visa is an overstay in the kid's passport can cause a problem. Always best for children to be in Thailand legally.
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Bob *********
 BS:

just cause they wont be fined if overstay, everyone needs a visa to enter Thailand, or visa exempt entry

***************************************************
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Richard ********
 There already here READ the post and how about if they entered on an exempt stamp no visa ???
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Bob *********
 yes and i bet the visa expired<

so what happens if the police ask to see the kids passports an notice the visa is expired?

just say, "ok, no problem"

read my link

Can Children Be Fined for Overstay?

Children under the age of 15 are not fined for overstaying but will still receive an overstay stamp – if they overstay – when they leave the country.

Please note that being exempt from the overstay fine does not make children exempt from needing a valid visa to enter the country, or a valid extension to stay in the country.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Richard ********
 the police or immigration will do nothing to them what don’t you understand it’s not like an adult on overstay if caught they’ll get locked up but not now or never a kid
a year ago
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Bob **********
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Richard *********
@Bob *********
 WTF:: i'd say 100% of kids that are not thais that are in Thailand have a passport 🙂

and all would have visas issued with school documents:

unfortunately the OP is home schooling
a year ago
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Richard *********
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Debbie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 That’s what I’m wondering, too. How do they do it in practice. Looking for some families who’d had similar experience.
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Debbie *******
 my daughter went to international school and she is half thai but many of her friends were 100% Farangs>

All had visas
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Richard ********
 ED visas
a year ago
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Bob **********
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Brandon ************
Children that age cannot be fined for overstay or banned from Thailand for overstay so it's fine to let them go without a visa.
a year ago
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Reply to
Brandon ************
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