Answered5 years ago

Do I need to apply for a tourist visa before arriving in Thailand for my child's education?

Tourist Visa Education Visa Guardian Visa Visa Extension Thailand Pass Visa Requirements

Ruth *********

asked Feb 1, 2022

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Hi

I am hoping to arrive 20th Feb 22 with my child who is 8. We are planning on her attending a school who will help us with her Ed visa my gaurdian visa. Im a bit concerned if I need to apply for a tourist vias before arrival.

 I can enter on a tourist visa getting it on arrival for 30 days, however my return flight ticket is dated Sept 22. 

Should I aply for a STV? Or if I have the standard tourist visa on arrival for 30 days, can I extend this visa? 

Im unsure as we may noat be rriving at the school until after the 30 days.

Any thoughts greatly appreciate, I thought I was clear but now on reading over the visa requirments etc im not clear.

TIA x

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice on visa options for their upcoming move to Thailand with their child, primarily focusing on whether to apply for a tourist visa or a Special Tourist Visa (STV). They plan for their child to attend a school that will assist with obtaining an education visa, followed by a guardian visa for themselves. Concerns also arise regarding the duration of the tourist visa, potential extensions, and whether to secure the tourist visa before applying for the Thailand Pass.

12 repliesnewest first

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Ruth *********

Thank you, I am just on now to apply for tourist visa, with regards to upload the ..the Identity of the person inviting you to stay e.g. Thai ID card, Passport, what should I do as I have nothing to upload? TIA

5 years ago

Raimund *************

@Ruth ********

hotel reservation might do

5 years ago

James ********

@Ruth ********

@Raimund ************

what is the latest info ?

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Ruth ********

I agree with James, apply for a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here. DO it for you AND the 8 y/o child as well. That way IF for some reason you can't get the ED visa sorted out quickly you at least have 90 days (60 when you enter and a 30 day extension) so you can get sorted.

5 years ago

Tod *********

you apply for a thai tourist visa in the UK on the eVisa website

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5 years ago

James ********

Also...IF you are age 50+...you could apply for the Non O as retiree. It requires deposit of 800,000 Thai baht.

But...what is your passport nation?

5 years ago

Ruth *********

@James *******

thank you for replying .. I have a British passport and under 50..

I was getting a bit confused …

I see there is also a tourist visa ( not stv ) although looking at applying on line it also asks for numerous bank statements etc etc …

I qualify for the visa excemption so on entering but unclear how LG that’s for and if I can extend it?

Ideally I was wanting to arriving and approx 4 weeks later head to the school and then apply for Ed visa , the school will

Help

Me and also with the guardian visa for me!

Do you want know if I get a visa on arrival is it able to be extended?

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me, greatly appreciate it!

5 years ago

Ruth *********

Ok thank

You , I’m in Northern Ireland .. I shall apply first then, I tried contacting embassy to see if I could get an apt to go instead of online … on hold all day to ask that question .. had to hang up in the end!

5 years ago

James ********

@Ruth ********

if you enter visa exempt you are stamped in for 30 days. That can be extended one time for 30 days at Thai immigration. Fee is 1,900 Thai baht.

However...I suggest you get the tourist visa instead. That gives you 60 days on arrival plus one 30 day extension = 90 days. This added time gives you more time to arrange for the child's Ed Visa and your Guardian Visa.

5 years ago

James ********

@Ruth ********

you are pushing it...get the tourist visa then apply for the Thailand Pass.

5 years ago

Ruth *********

@James *******

thank you for explaining this for me , I was panicking a bit .. I will try to obtain the tourist visa then as suggested , i was planning on applying for the Thai pass tomorrow , do you know if I apply for it.. as if under visa Excempt it’s ok .. then hopefully I’ll get the tourist visa still ..I can go ahead and apply for the pass even tho I don’t have the tourist visa as also I can enter via the visa exemption .. does that sound right ?

5 years ago

James ********

Do not get the STV visa as it cannot be changed into any other visa inside Thailand.

Suggest you enter on tourist visa and then get your child their Ed Visa.

Following which you apply for the Guardian Visa by depositing 500,000 Thai baht into a Thai bank account in your name only

5 years ago