Answered3 years ago

Should I apply for my son's Non-ED visa now or enter Thailand as a dependent and apply later?

Non-ED Visa Dependent Visa Visa Application Timing Kindergarten in Thailand Entry Requirements for Children

Sarah **********************

asked Apr 11, 2024

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Helloo. Moving to Bangkok on May 31st. My son will start kindergarten on August 26th. Does it make sense to apply for his Non-ED visa now, or would it be better for him to come into Thailand as dependent on my visa, and then apply for a Non-ED visa a few weeks before his kindergarten starts?

Answer summary

The user is relocating to Bangkok and is uncertain whether to apply for their son's Non-ED visa immediately or to enter Thailand as a dependent and apply for the visa shortly before school starts. A response indicates that without school documentation, applying for the Non-ED visa is not feasible currently. It is also noted that children cannot enter Thailand merely as dependents; they need to have a visa based on their nationality. Instead, obtaining a single-entry tourist visa for the child before arriving in Thailand is suggested, allowing sufficient time to secure the required school documentation for the Non-ED visa application.

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James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for her question.

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3 years ago

Tod *********

Unless you're going to have the documentation from the school he's enrolled in to apply for the ED visa at the consulate in your country before you come here, he can't get an ED visa now.

He wouldn't be able to come in 'dependent on your visa' 😕 He'll get in based on the nationality of his passport (they don't have a "stamp kids in just because the parents get in" sort of thing here).

I'd say if you can't get the documentation from the school to apply for the ED visa before you come at the very least get a single entry tourist visa for him from the thai consulate in your country before you come here.

That will get them 60 days when they enter, which should give you plenty of time to get the documentation from the school and apply for the 90 day ED visa at the immigration office in the area where you live.

3 years ago

Sarah **********************

@Tod ********

thank you for your thorough answer🙏 I have requested the kindergarten to send relevant documentation. If he gets his non-ED visa sorted before we arrive in Bangkok, would he need to start kindergarten right away to activate the visa? We arrive 2 months and 25 days before his kindergarten starts, so I’m not sure if a Non-ED visa would even be an option (in which case we would apply for a tourist visa instead and apply for non-ED visa closer to August, when the kindergarten starts).

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Sarah *********************

the visa would "activate" the day he stamps IN to the country so he'd get a 90 day stamp and during that time you'd have to get the documentation from the school so you could go to the immigration office and get an extension

I'd say get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here, that will stamp him in for 60 days when you arrive and it can be extended once for 30 more days, That should be plenty of time to get the documentation from the school and apply for the in country Non-ED visa at the immigration office and go from there

3 years ago

Sarah **********************

@Tod ********

we will do that, then. Thank you again for your help, I really appreciate it🤩

3 years ago