Answered4 years ago

What are the options for a dependent child visa in Thailand after losing a Non-O visa?

Non-O Visa Dependent Visa Visa Renewal Education Visa Immigration Issues Thailand

asked Dec 13, 2022

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I have a similar experience to @Jesse Mitchum. My 10yr old son was my dependent for the past 9 yrs (non O volunteer). This year we lost his visa because we renewed his passport in France and it took too long. I was told by the Thai embassy in Paris that they did not issue this visa. So he's been back here on a mix of arrival stamp/ and tourist visa. We tried to apply for ed visa with his school but CM immigration refused as it is a Learning Center, even though the education department gave us all the requiremed documents. I am currently holding a dependent non O visa (my husband has a retirement visa). CM immigration told us to apply for a similar visa for our son outside of thailand but i can't work out if it really is an option. I inquired at Thai Embassies in KL ( answered no) Cambodia and Laos (no answer). So i'm not sure what to do next.

Answer summary

The user shares their experience with the Thai visa situation for their 10-year-old son, who has lost his Non-O dependent visa due to a passport renewal delay. They currently hold a Non-O dependent visa and seek options after being denied an education visa for their son. They were advised by CM immigration to apply for a visa for their son from outside of Thailand, but attempts to get answers from nearby embassies have been unsuccessful. Another user comments on the challenges of obtaining such a visa and the potential option of overstaying without financial penalties for a child under 15.

11 repliesnewest first

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Frank **********

Hey Todd why is there so much leeway in the way the immigration offices operate. You would think they all have to follow the same rules nationwide.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Frank *********

, One tiny point is, they all are following the same laws and criteria. But all offices can set different requirements (documents) to check if the applicant meets the criteria. And laws allow each office to ask applicants for specific or extra documents for that.

4 years ago

Frank **********

@Ellie ******

ok I understand now thanks

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Frank *********

you are looking for logic where there is none to be had

4 years ago

Tod *********

You can't get the 90 day non-O visa based on someone being a dependent (trailing spouse or child) of a retirement visa holder issued inside the country.

Now whether you can find a consulate in one of the nearby countries that will issue a 90 day Non-O to your son based on your husband holding a "retirement visa/extension" is anyones guess. I think you're gonna hafta slog on over to a consulate and find out yourself. AND it might take visiting two or more to get it IF it can be gotten.

Conversely, there is no issue letting him overstay, as children under 15 can't be fined for overstay and children under 18 can't be banned and there is no risk to the parents either.

4 years ago

Esterella ***********

@Tod ********

Thank you, your answer confirms my impressions. How about a dependent Non-B visa -in the eventuality that I would hold one- is it still possible to apply for one from a Thai Embassy?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Esterella **********

If you held a Non-B visa/extension your dependent could get a Non-O visa issued inside at the immigration office OR outside thailand at a thai consulate

4 years ago

Brett ************

@T**

- could you please clarify your 1st paragraph? This is the advice I recently received from Phuket Immigration Volunteers about this same issue, plus their website link - "Thank you for contacting Phuket Immigration Volunteers.

Your wife can do the process of obtaining the Non-O visa and the 1 year extension based on retirement dependency inside the country as long she has 15 days left on her entry (this can be done via the normal 30 day extension) and she has the other required papers."

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4 years ago

Brett ************

Thanks Tod, very helpful as always! We will be trying soon for the 90 day for my wife in Phuket & will update accordingly

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Brett ***********

At this time there are no reports <- as in zero, of anyone's trailing spouse OR dependent child getting an in country 90 day Non-O from someone that has a 'retirement visa'. I'm not saying it can't be done there as it definitely does appear it can, I'm saying there are no verifiable reports OF it being done as of yet 😕

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Brett ***********

I didn't mention Phuket as the O/P lives in Chiang Mai, NOT Phuket province.

The immigration office in Phuket just recently changed their process and it appears they will allow dependents of retirement visa/extension holders to apply for first the 90 day Non-O and then the year extension based on either trailing spouse OR child of a retiree. <- I say it appears they will do it because no one has successfully done it yet from that office

BUT

Phuket is the ONLY office in the country that might do it. No other office will issue a Non-O based on having relationship to a retiree on a visa/extension here

4 years ago