thailand
Ask question

What are the best visa options for a family of four moving to Thailand, including considerations for remote work and schooling?

Thailand Visa OptionsDestination Thailand Visa (DTV)Remote Work VisaLong-Term ResidencyFamily VisaEducation in ThailandInternational SchoolsHealthcare in ThailandCost of Living in ThailandDisability Considerations
Oct 8, 2024
2 months ago
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, we are a family of 4 trying to figure out how to move to Thailand for long-term.. I'm a disabled vet and my wife wil be working remote...any advice would be great
6,079
views
12
likes
180
all likes
84
replies
0
images
29
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A family of four is seeking advice on relocating to Thailand for the long term, with specific considerations given to the husband being a disabled veteran and the wife working remotely. Key suggestions from the community include researching the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which is suitable for remote workers, and ensuring dependent visas for the family. Concerns are raised regarding the costs of international schooling for children, general living expenses, and the importance of budgeting correctly for a new life abroad. Some expats also share their experiences regarding the quality of life and healthcare in Thailand compared to the Philippines, highlighting that Thailand may offer superior services and safety.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jeffrey **********
First thing you need to figure out how you're going to get a long-term Visa. More difficult being under 50 unless you have lots of money
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Guy ******
As a vet you could be a Realiter specialist in helping other vets locate and rent there
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Pertti *************
I would go business route and buy dormant company and you can go towards prđź‘Ť
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Wallace ******
If you have $80k a year in passive income I recommend the LTR visa. Lots of benefits over any other type of visa.
**********************
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wallace *****
 is that 80k usd
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Wallace ******
@Josh **********
 yes, but... military retirement, VA benefits, and SS can easily hit that mark.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wallace ******
Reply
Kenneth *******
If you have at least enough savings to equal about 3 million Baht and an income to equal 60,000 Baht or more then you will be able to make the move rather easily. Thailand is a good place to live. Be sure to be of calm temperament.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Scott *********
Stay home
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Frankie *******
Do anyone know any gd visa office in bangkok to do my retirement visa n open a bank account
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Gary ******
Travelfish.org
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Martin *****
First thing.. u need visa, health insurance, school fee for children... etc. Then house/condo, car, etc.. it will be very expensive.. do the numbers first
2 months ago
Like
Reply
John **********
There's only 2 options that cover remote workers. The DTV or the LTR visas. The DTV is the easier one to qualify for
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Kate *******
How old are you? You may have more than one option.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kate ******
 in 45
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Kate *******
@Josh **********
 ah ok, not quite there yet for the retirement visa then. Go with the DTV for now which your wife can get and then whenever one of you is over 50, you can move to the retirement visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kate ******
 thanks alot
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Jordan *******
DTV all the way man.

You’re too young for retirement and DTV is the only real option for remote working and is very cheap to get (10k baht fee)
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ******
 thank you
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Josh **********
 it’s a new visa released only a few months ago, perfect timing
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ******
 I just don't want to live somewhere.Get comfortable then have to move.. I want a little bit more of a stable life for my kids I mean as much as you can In A.

New country.. They did very well when we lived in croatiafor a year
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Josh **********
 each entry is good for 6 months and you can extend at immigration for another 6 months.

You would only have to leave the country and come back 1 time every 12 months in theory which isn’t bad.

Get yourself a short Vietnam holiday every year.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ******
 How long do you have to leave for
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Josh **********
 it’s very simple

In a 12 month period all you do is visit immigration 1 time

At the end of the 12 months you just leave and come back on a plane from a neighbouring country
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Josh **********
 it has to be the easiest/cheapest visa there is, other visas require you to do a 90 day report but this DTV visa doesn’t require that
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Wallace ******
@Jordan ******
 you need to read up on the LTR visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Wallace *****
 no I don’t.

Why would I recommend a LTR which costs $1600 to get?

And the requirements are ridiculous, you either need $1 million dollars in asssets with an $80k/year income for the past 2 years

Or be a retiree with a pension of $80k which this guy is not

Or be a work from Thailand remote worker who has earned $80k/year for the past 2 years, must have a masters degree, have at least 5 years experience, current employer must be a publicly traded company for the past 3 years has made 150 million dollars.

Why would I recommend such a ridiculous visa when the DTV is better in every way?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Jordan ******
 first of all, the LTR is still the best visa available. No worries about border bounces, now worries about 90 day reports, valid for 10 years.

Second, you don't even have the requirements correct that you area complaining about.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Wallace ******
@Jordan ******
 well excuse me for your rudeness.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jordan *******
@Josh **********
 there’s no minimum time?

You leave, and come back get a new stamp on your passports.

DTV is unlimited exit & entries for 5 years.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jordan ******
 thank you so much
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Frankie *******
Apply the retirement visa for long term to be renewed every year which requires a deposit of $800,000 baht or $23,000 us dollars in your thai bank account which u can use as expenses but never going below n maintaining $400,000 at all times for your renewel.Engage a thai visa service office in thailand n pay them n they will take care of everything including your opening a thai bank account drivers license n all visa issues gd luvk
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Pete *******
@Frankie ******
 he repeatedly said he’s 45. Not eligible for retirement visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Frankie *******
@Pete ******
 oh really.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Frankie *******
Reply
Bradley *********
How old are you?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 45 sir
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Scott *********
@Josh **********
 still a baby
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Scott ********
 I wish... The military makes my body feel like i'm sixty
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Bradley *********
@Josh **********
 retirement visas out for another five years
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bradley *********
Reply
Albert ********
Retirement visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Albert *******
 I'm 45 so can't yet
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Henrik *****
Before considering to move there, make a testrun ( at least 3 months ) on the same budget as you will have if moving there.

Then you can also explore where to stay and at what price.

Everyday life can be far from holiday life.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 We understand that we lived in Croatia for a year until that ukraine stuff happened and then they wouldn't renew our visa..
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Roy ********
I am also a retired Vet with a wife and 3 kids. We live in Bangkok for now. We moved here 4 months ago. If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask. One thing I will say is that ensure you math out the cost and logistics of your visa plan
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roy *******
 you from st louis..
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Roy ********
@Josh **********
 No. I have stopped there a few times passing through. I love the Arch! I have lived in MI, NC, WY and OK.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you guys home school your kids
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Roy ********
@Josh **********
 Yes we Home School. There are a lot of international schools here but I am not sure of the coast.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roy *******
 we live in pittsburgh right now.. but grow up in the STL
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Lien ******
@Roy *******
 are you on retirement visa?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Roy ********
@Lien *****
 No currently we are just doing Visa Runs every few months but it gives us a chance to check out other countries around Thailand. I am to young as far as I know to get a retirement Visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Lien ******
@Roy *******
 oh ok, makes sense. Thanks
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Lien ******
Reply
Ron *********
Disabled Vet here also my blue cord brother and living here with my Filipina wife.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Annie ************
@Ron ********
 why Thailand and not the Philippines?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ron *********
@Annie ***********
 Thailand has way better infrastructure, in our opinion better food choices from the restaurants to the grocery stores. Medical is far superior and cheaper here. Just love it here better then PH 
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Annie ************
@Ron ********
 probably safer, too?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ron *********
@Annie ***********
 I believe so from what I’ve heard and read. I lived in both countries, but never experienced any safety issues. However, I do know there has been lots of foreigners that have been stabbed or shot in the Philippines over the years that I have heard about.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ron *********
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ********
 blue cord all the way brother
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Jeffrey **********
If you mentioned your age it would be very helpful
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Neale *********
@Josh **********
 i thought of that but my wife and I agreed we don't want to deprived our kids of the school environment, making friends, sports days and all the activities etc that school offers. We were planning to move to Pattaya but we are in the Philippines where schools are 10% of the cost of Thailand
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neale ********
 might have to look into it
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Neale *********
@Josh **********
 I would much rather live in Thailand though. I can't say I think much of the Philippines. My wife is from here.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Neale *********
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey *********
 I'm 45 wife 36 kids 10 and 5
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Neale *********
@Josh **********
 you might want to check out schools costs first. It's extremely expensive. It will shock you how much private schools are. Or go to public school but sub standard.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neale ********
 home school is what we were thinking of doing
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Martin *****
If u got money get an elite visa..
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Julie ***************
@Martin ****
 why do you think an elite visa
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ****
 I wish I had that kinda money
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Ron ********
Are your kids school age? If they are, plan on a huge bill for a international school.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Nicky ***************
@Ron *******
 some international school here are half price of HK’s international school
2 months ago
Like
Reply
James ************
@Ron *******
 international schools aren't that expensive. The best schools in rayong are like 12,000 dollars a year.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ron ********
@James ***********
 Not expensive huh? If you say so.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *******
 Right now I pay a 180 U.S d a month
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ***********
 That's not bad.I spend way more than that here in the states for my daughter's education
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Frances ********
@Josh **********
 where in Thailand would you like to go? My nephew was looking at BKK but said the International school there was waaaay too expensive. But I’ve heard that the International school in KoSamui, up near Maenam/Fisherman Village area was quite reasonable.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frances *******
 I think we are going to try to live in bangkok
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Frances ********
@Josh **********
 my nephew & his wife were blown away how expensive int’l schools were there. They have an 8 year old. Sadly, they had to give up on Bangkok.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frances *******
 Did they try online school
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Bradley *********
@Ron *******
 homeschools is an option.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Nigel ********
@Bradley ********
 It's very hard for kids to make friends here. That's why an international school is better for their friendship and social life My 2 teenagers love The social side of it one of their friends is home schooled.And wishes he wasn't
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Nicky ***************
@Nigel *******
 that’s exactly what I think about home schooling…we just move here from HK end of last month. Haven’t put my boys in school yet but they need new friends here and I don’t see home school can help on making friends. I just join a homeschooling in Phuket group yesterday, hopefully can find out some more
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Nicky ***************
Reply
Josh ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 We were taken home school.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Josh ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
Look into the DTV visa. If your wife qualifies through remote work, the rest of you can then apply based on dependents of her visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
 The best answer. The man is 45 and not Elite level wealthy. DTV for the wife and dependance visa for the rest. đź‘Ť
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Graham ******
Look up the Destination Thailand Visa on your local Thai Embassy website for your wife and the same for you as her dependent
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What visa options are available for moving to Thailand and starting a business?
252 comments
2 months ago
What are the best visa options for a British expat moving to Thailand with an American spouse and child?
3 comments
4 months ago
What are the best long-term visa options for UK expats moving to Thailand with a family?
48 comments
4 months ago
What are the best visa options for a remote worker and student looking to live in Thailand?
99 comments
5 months ago
What long-term visa options are available for a disabled U.S. veteran and spouse moving to Thailand under 50?
65 comments
5 months ago
What visa options should I consider for moving to Thailand as a remote worker in 2025?
21 comments
8 months ago
What is the best visa option for a Norwegian family moving to Thailand for 1-2 years?
9 comments
9 months ago
What are the best long-term visa options for an American expat wishing to live in Thailand?
115 comments
10 months ago
What is the best visa option for relocating to Thailand as a type 1 diabetic on SSDI?
25 comments
a year ago
What are the permanent visa options for relocating to Thailand with a family?
9 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for a UK family moving to Thailand, considering work and schooling requirements?
40 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for an expat moving to Thailand with a partner and child while working online?
30 comments
a year ago
What visa should a US military veteran over 50 apply for to move to Thailand?
31 comments
a year ago
What visa options are available for a family moving to Thailand with a passive income of $4000 per month?
53 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for a family of four relocating to Thailand for at least two years?
19 comments
2 years ago
What are the best long-term visa options for a 39-year-old U.S. Military Veteran with a monthly pension living in Thailand?
359 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for a family moving to Thailand for a year with a child?
7 comments
2 years ago
What are some important considerations for expat families relocating to Thailand?
105 comments
3 years ago
What are the best visa options for relocating to Thailand with a partner and dog?
29 comments
3 years ago
What are the options for a long-stay visa in Thailand for a family with young children?
24 comments
3 years ago
What visas are suitable for a family moving to Thailand for education purposes?
44 comments
3 years ago
What is the best way for my family to move to Thailand and secure long-term visas?
12 comments
4 years ago
What are the best visa options for my family to move to Thailand for work at a dive school?
10 comments
6 years ago
What is the best visa option for my family and I to relocate to Thailand for a year?
0 comments
6 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.