Answered3 years ago

Is it mandatory for my child to have a student visa if he is attending school in Thailand on a Non-O retirement visa?

Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Dependent Visa Student Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Rules

Brent *******

asked Feb 20, 2024

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Question for the experts please:

Just recently renewed my yearly extension in Phuket Town

(the so called “retirement” visa - Non-O)

My wife and kid are “following” as dependents on my visa.  

The immigration officer asked if my kid was at school (he was born here) and I said yes. 

He told me that he should be on a student visa and I should change it next time. 

Why!?

I wasn’t aware that it was mandatory? He has a valid yearly visa as my dependent.  

Is this correct? Because it hasn’t been an issue before for many years.  🤷‍♂️

Answer summary

The immigration officer suggested that your child, currently on a dependent visa, should switch to a student visa since he is attending school. While this may not be mandatory, it seems to be a newly enforced practice. You would only need to change the reason for his visa extension without any additional financial requirements, provided you have the school documentation affirming his attendance.

4 repliesnewest first

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Stuart *********

I’m not sure if it is “mandatory” but perhaps it could be something they want to see these days.

Your son wouldn’t be changing to a “student visa” but merely changing the reason for his extension of stay. The school should be able to provide you with documentation about his attendance that the immigration ask for and you’re just merely switching the reason for stay. There is no financial requirement for you or your son, just documentation from his school.

3 years ago

Brent *******

@Stuart ********

thanks Stuart. I’ll pass the info on to the other half and ask at the school 👍

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Brent ******

He’s not on any visa. That passed a long time ago. He’s on an extension of stay based on being dependent on your extension of stay - you’re not on any visa either.

All that’s happening is that he’d be changing the “reason” for his next extension to being a student. It doesn’t require any “change of visa” or having to leave the country.

Many people assume that they’re still on a “visa” even after being here for years on “extensions”. They’re not. The initial reason you got your visa is relevant in some cases (like an AO visa - because of insurance requirements) but for most there is no relevance for changing the reason for an extension if you meet the needs of that extension. Ie you can switch from a “marriage” extension” to a “retirement extension” or vice versa at will provided you meet the criteria.

Switching to a “education extension” merely requires documentation from the school. Im not aware of the exact documentation but it’s generally a letter from the schools governors that they are attending, a timetable for their studies and a previous school report if applicable.

3 years ago

Brent *******

@Stuart ********

Thanks for the reply……

hmm….but he would be changing from a non-O dependent visa to another type of visa???

ED??

And in order to do that he would have to leave the country again (Chinese passport)

That’s a lot of hassle for nothing when he already has a valid visa?

As I said…. Confused about this one….🤷‍♂️

3 years ago