Answered2 years ago
What are the best visa options for a family of four moving to Thailand, including considerations for remote work and schooling?
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
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.
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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
Guy ******
As a vet you could be a Realiter specialist in helping other vets locate and rent there
Pertti *************
I would go business route and buy dormant company and you can go towards pr👍
Wallace ******
If you have $80k a year in passive income I recommend the LTR visa. Lots of benefits over any other type of visa.
**********************
Josh ***********
OP@Wallace *****
is that 80k usdWallace ******
@Josh **********
yes, but... military retirement, VA benefits, and SS can easily hit that mark.
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.
Scott *********
Stay home
Frankie *******
Do anyone know any gd visa office in bangkok to do my retirement visa n open a bank account
Gary ******
Travelfish.org
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
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
Kate *******
How old are you? You may have more than one option.
Josh ***********
OP@Kate ******
in 45Kate *******
@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.Josh ***********
OP@Kate ******
thanks alotJordan *******
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)
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)
Josh ***********
OP@Jordan ******
thank youJordan *******
@Josh **********
it’s a new visa released only a few months ago, perfect timing
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.
Wallace ******
@Jordan ******
well excuse me for your rudeness.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?
Wallace ******
@Jordan ******
you need to read up on the LTR visa.Josh ***********
OP@Jordan ******
thank you so muchJordan *******
@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 thatJordan *******
@Josh **********
it’s very simpleIn 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
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.
Josh ***********
OP@Jordan ******
How long do you have to leave forJordan *******
@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.
Josh ***********
OP@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
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
Pete *******
@Frankie ******
he repeatedly said he’s 45. Not eligible for retirement visa.Frankie *******
@Pete ******
oh really.
Bradley *********
How old are you?
Josh ***********
OP@Bradley ********
45 sirScott *********
@Josh **********
still a babyJosh ***********
OP@Scott ********
I wish... The military makes my body feel like i'm sixtyBradley *********
@Josh **********
retirement visas out for another five years
Albert ********
Retirement visa.
Josh ***********
OP@Albert *******
I'm 45 so can't yet
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.
Then you can also explore where to stay and at what price.
Everyday life can be far from holiday life.
Josh ***********
OP@Henrik ****
We understand that we lived in Croatia for a year until that ukraine stuff happened and then they wouldn't renew our visa..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
Josh ***********
OP@Roy *******
you from st louis..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.Roy ********
@Josh **********
Yes we Home School. There are a lot of international schools here but I am not sure of the coast.Josh ***********
OPDo you guys home school your kids
Josh ***********
OP@Roy *******
we live in pittsburgh right now.. but grow up in the STL
Lien ******
@Roy *******
are you on retirement visa?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.Lien ******
@Roy *******
oh ok, makes sense. Thanks
Ron *********
Disabled Vet here also my blue cord brother and living here with my Filipina wife.
Annie ************
@Ron ********
why Thailand and not the Philippines?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 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.Annie ************
@Ron ********
probably safer, too?Josh ***********
OP@Ron ********
blue cord all the way brotherJeffrey **********
If you mentioned your age it would be very helpful
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 ThailandJosh ***********
OP@Neale ********
might have to look into itNeale *********
@Josh **********
I would much rather live in Thailand though. I can't say I think much of the Philippines. My wife is from here.Josh ***********
OP@Jeffrey *********
I'm 45 wife 36 kids 10 and 5Neale *********
@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.Josh ***********
OP@Neale ********
home school is what we were thinking of doingMartin *****
If u got money get an elite visa..
Julie ***************
@Martin ****
why do you think an elite visaJosh ***********
OP@Martin ****
I wish I had that kinda money
Ron ********
Are your kids school age? If they are, plan on a huge bill for a international school.
Nicky ***************
@Ron *******
some international school here are half price of HK’s international school
James ************
@Ron *******
international schools aren't that expensive. The best schools in rayong are like 12,000 dollars a year.Ron ********
@James ***********
Not expensive huh? If you say so.Josh ***********
OP@Ron *******
Right now I pay a 180 U.S d a monthJosh ***********
OP@James ***********
That's not bad.I spend way more than that here in the states for my daughter's educationJosh ***********
OP@Frances *******
Did they try online school
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.Josh ***********
OP@Frances *******
I think we are going to try to live in bangkokFrances ********
@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.Bradley *********
@Ron *******
homeschools is an option.
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'tNicky ***************
@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 moreJosh ***********
OP@Bradley ********
We were taken home school.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.
Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
The best answer. The man is 45 and not Elite level wealthy. DTV for the wife and dependance visa for the rest. 👍
Graham ******
Look up the Destination Thailand Visa on your local Thai Embassy website for your wife and the same for you as her dependent
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