Answered2 years ago

What are the implications of using ED visas vs DTV or Guardian visas for my family in Thailand?

ED Visa DTV Visa Guardian Visa International School Visa Issues Immigration Regulations

Patrick ***********************

asked Aug 31, 2024

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My family and I (wife and I and two elementary school aged children) are planning to move to Thailand in May. My kids will attend an International School that is recognized by the Thai government. While in Thailand, we plan to travel around Asia extensively during their school breaks. My kids will be on ED visas but I have heard there are issues with multiple entries on that visa type. We planned on getting the Guardian visa, but I am now considering the DTV visa for my wife and I. If we are clearly traveling during school holidays, do immigration officers still give ED visas a hard time? Would it be more advantageous for us to be on DTV vs Guardian?

Answer summary

A family planning to move to Thailand for their children's education is considering the best visa options. The children will be on ED visas for attending an International School, yet there are concerns about multiple entries on this visa type. They initially planned for a Guardian visa but are contemplating the DTV visa for themselves instead. Answers from the community highlight that formal ED visas for recognized schools shouldn't face issues with immigration, unlike informal education programs. The pros and cons of both the Guardian and DTV visas are discussed, particularly regarding banking requirements and travel flexibility.

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Jo **********

a school that is recognized by the Thai government- meaningless. Wow you should do some research.

2 years ago

Patrick ***********************

@Jo *********

oh good, someone pretending to not understand how context works. Using our context clues, I bet you can figure out what I meant.

1. Look at the name of the group

2. I’m looking at International Schools for my kids

3. The ED visa is highly abused and immigration has been turning away people on it when they leave and come back

4. We want to travel out of country during school breaks while living in Thailand

What could I possibly be asking? Why would I use the term “recognized” (hint: it’s directly related to #3 and #4)?

You got this. You can figure it out.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

The other consideration is that it’s way easier to open a bank account on a Non O visa rather than an exempt entry. You’ll need to set one up fairly sharpish to allow for the month seasoning before applying for the year extension.

With a DTV you don’t need funds in Thailand. Obviously you’ll only be allowed to stay for 180 days at a time but you say you’ll be travelling so that wouldn’t be an issue for you.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

With a guardian visa (only 1 parent per child) you have to have 500k in the bank for a month before applying for it and for subsequent years it needs to be in 3 months prior to applying.

2 years ago

Patrick ***********************

@Stuart ********

thank you for this! We knew about the initial but wasn’t aware of the 3 months renewal. Thank you so much for all of your help! I sent you a PM with another question, if you don’t mind. Thank you again!

2 years ago

Stuart *********

The issues you may have read about with ED visas are with informal ED visas like language schools or Muay Thai, etc.

Formal education visas for international schools or universities are not the same and you’d have no issue entering with those.

Whether you go the Guardian Visa route or DTV is your call.

2 years ago

Patrick ***********************

@Stuart ********

thank you! Are the visas for formal schools vs language/Muay Thai schools actually different visas? Does a multiple entry ED/Guardian visa exist? I have tried to research this and have contacted Siam Legal, who blew me off because they don’t deal with student visas, but everything I find deals with language/Muay Thai ED visas.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Patrick **********************

They are technically the same type of visa, but noted as what establishment they are issued for.

You can apply prior to arrival for the Ed visas and Non Os which will be 3 month visas. When they’re winding down you apply for the year extension for each. None are multiple entry. You buy a re-entry permit from immigration. A single one is 1,000 baht or multiple is 3,800 baht. They are valid till the end of your current “allowed to stay” stamp, so you probably wouldn’t want multiple for the initial 3 month ones.

2 years ago

Patrick ***********************

@Stuart ********

thank you so much! This is incredibly informative!

2 years ago

Stuart *********

You will need documentation from the school in order to apply online or in person depending on the consulate you are going to use.

You can enter visa exempt (if you qualify) and then get the ED visas and initial Non O in country but you may find some immigration offices may not be willing to issue the guardian Non O in country.

2 years ago