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Does my 3-year-old need a visa to stay in Thailand with a DTV?
Mar 13, 2025
a year ago
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI was approved for dtv. It was much faster than anticipated. Just wondering if I have to get a visa for my 3 year old. I’m 99% sure that as long as I have a valid dtv; he can stay in Thailand.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual, who was recently approved for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), is inquiring whether their 3-year-old child needs a separate visa to stay in Thailand. Most responses in the comments indicate that while technically a visa is required for the child, enforcement is lax until the age of 15, meaning they can stay with their parent without immediate penalties. Some commenters recommend applying for a dependent DTV for the child to avoid potential complications later, especially regarding overstay issues which could arise with frequent travel.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Wannikea *********
Highly suggest you get a visa for your child if they're going to be following you for the next five years, they're probably going to enter visa exempt and only be legal for 60 days. Every time you depart if longer than 60 days the child will get overstay stamp and delay your pass through immigration as well you might create the possibility of scrutiny upon entry again.
Laibi *******
What is faster than expected? Within a few days?
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Laibi ******
a week! I just assumed it takes a while since everything else takes a long timeSeun **********
@Jessica *******
congratulations! What location did you file and under what category?Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Seun *********
I applied in Chicago. That’s what my application said. And I am an online business ownerReply to
Jessica ********
Reply
Laibi *******
@Jessica *******
Thank you very much.Reply to
Laibi *******
Reply
Rose ******
Congrats!!!!
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rose *****
thank youReply to
Jessica ********
Reply
Greg ********
Dependent DTV for children has been discussed previously 1) No overstay for children on Visa exempt but it is documented. 2) Insurance while on overstay is invalidated as not in country legally. For 10k Baht I would just get the DTV
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
I have the dtv. Should I get one for my son? He’s only 3Greg ********
@Jessica *******
I would for the reasons outlined above. He cannot be fined for overstay but what if a zealous Immigration Officer refuses entry in the future? What about insurance. Will his insurance be valid if he is on overstay ie in country illegally? That you need to check. For 2000 THB a year for his DTV it covers all of this.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Calvin ******
@Greg *******
this 👏 the exact reason I did my boys. That, and the avoidance of any “tryers” when doing the extension, or re entry.Greg ********
@Calvin *****
I just do not think it is worth taking risks for 50 GBP a year. You mention the risks with immigration but lack of insurance is a big risk too. The one I remember was a guy on overstay and a crash on his bike. Yes he had bought cover but as on overstay in country illegally. GoFundMe by family for a very expensive hospital stay and requesting MedeVac home. Taking risks is fine until the risk occurs and it becomes a big issue.Calvin ******
@Greg *******
yup very true mate. Another go fund me for a bike accident. No helmet I guess too.Greg ********
@Calvin *****
Families can complain all they want about insurance not paying up but they will try anything to get out of paying. Being an illegal alien in a country is good enough reason for them.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Jenn ********
Can I ask which passport you have and which Thai embassy location you applied at?
Jenn ********
@Jessica *******
oh wow amazingJessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jenn *******
I didn’t expect it to be approved so fast!Tammi *****
@Jessica *******
How long did you wait? What about declared travel date?Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tammi ****
only waited 2 weeks. I expected the visa to take a long timeJessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tammi ****
March 23Reply to
Jessica ********
Reply
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jenn *******
I have USA passport. And I applied in ChicagoReply to
Jessica ********
Reply
Fikree **********
From what I heard you don't need it for that age but if you can obtain one I would...
Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fikree *********
that’s what I was told. That kids are covered under the dtvGreg ********
@Jessica *******
You have to apply for a dependents DTV. If not your kids are entering on a 60 day visa exempt. If you want to extend for 30 days it is 1900 Baht. Why not just get the 5 year DTV Dependents visa for 10k Baht?Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
do I just apply for a new visa. I went on the website and try to applyGreg ********
@Jessica *******
Search the posts but yes just apply for visa for the child as a dependent on your visa.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Calvin ******
Honestly, it’s not enforced for children. But… I applied for my son as a dependent of my DTV (he’s six) and it was processed the next day after I was approved for mine.
Joey ********
@Calvin *****
Did you post/document the dependent process anywhere? Don't want to pester you too much 🙂 From where did you apply and did you need anything other than proof of relationship and proof of finances? Thank you!Jessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Calvin *****
did you just ask them to approve it? Or reach out by email:John **********
Your kid should have a visa strictly speaking but under 15 there are no repercussions to not having one other than an overstay stamp in their passport
John **********
@Jessica *******
you apply for a DTV for the kid quoting your DTV as the parent and showing proof of relationshipJessica ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
what if my kid goes to school. Can he do education visaCalvin ******
@Jessica *******
honestly mate, if I was you - just do an application for your son/daughter. Add them on as a dependant. So you just go to the application page again, and do an application but just quoting your Dtv as explained above. Sometimes, the fees for ed visa and hassle can outweigh just having them as a dependant on your visa (you’ve already got one, so it’s really not that difficult and time consuming to approve)
Hope that helps.
John **********
@Jessica *******
you would need to speak to the school you plan to useReply to
John **********
Reply
James ********
Thank You for your helpful report 👍
Congratulations 👏👏👏
PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.
That's what you should do... print it out.
You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.
Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.
Congratulations 👏👏👏
PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.
That's what you should do... print it out.
You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.
Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.
Chris *******
Technically your child requires a valid visa of their own to remain in Thailand with you.
However there is no enforcement on children until age 15.
So a child can remain in Thailand with parents on overstay without fear of fines or bans.
This will not cause problems with Thai immigration.
However there is no enforcement on children until age 15.
So a child can remain in Thailand with parents on overstay without fear of fines or bans.
This will not cause problems with Thai immigration.
James ********
@Chris ******
correct ✅Reply to
James ********
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