What are the requirements and costs for a dependent visa and education visa for foreign children in Thailand?

Jul 12, 2018
6 years ago
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dependency visa... How much is it? Need to prove money in bank? And how much for two year old to be on education visa please? I am a single mum with a non Thai baby looking at future visa options. TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the requirements and costs associated with obtaining a dependent visa for non-Thai children in Thailand, specifically focusing on a single mother seeking options for her child. It highlights that a dependent visa requires a bank balance of 500,000 THB for fully foreign children, with specific financial seasoning rules. Alternatively, a child's enrollment in education can potentially allow the mother to apply for a non-immigrant Type O visa based on dependence. Clarifications are made regarding the necessity of the child being enrolled in school for certain visa options.
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Tod *********
I'm sorry to have caused the confusion about it. I didn't realize the child had to be legally studying here for the parent to get the visa extension. This would seem to rule out using that particular clause to support 100% foreign kids here that are infants before they actually go to school.
Robert *******
No problem
@T**
, it could happen to any of Us, It takes a real man to realize that he made a mistake 😉
Michael ********
With the amount of visa information swimming around in your head you can be forgiven ;) 555
Michael ********
I was very confused :) Yes as I thought the child needs an ED visa and then you hitch onto that with the Guardian visa. Good all sorted for Emily. So get him enrolled somewhere and get the money in the bank for 3 months and Bobs your Uncle.
Ron *******
I was confused lol
Tod *********
@Rob***
,
@R**
, and
@Em***
you guys (and girl) might be right and I could have my wires crossed. :O

It appears that yearly extension for being the parent of a foreign child here is ONLY if the child is on an ED visa studying in a school here. (or it seems that is the case)

sorry for the confusion :/
Jul ******
@Tod ********
good point I wasn't aware of that
Tod *********
@Julia ****
you are also confusing the requirements to get a Non-O visa from a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country with the requirements to get a yearly extension of stay from the immigration office INSIDE the country.

Visas outside the country are sold at the thai consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office.

Visas & extensions of stays inside the country are sold by the Immigration Division of the Royal Thai Police.

They are two completely different government agencies that have completely different rules :/
Tod *********
@Julia ****
for raising half thai kids the amount is 400K baht in the bank with NO seasoning

for raising 100% foreign kids the amount is 500K baht with 30 days seasoning the first year and 3 months seasoning every year after that. Also you can use the income method on the half thai child extension (40k baht a month in income) BUT for the extension based on raising foreign kids it's ONLY banked money

It's been like that for a long while now.
Jul ******
Did they increase the amount?? Here it says 400k and it doesn’t mention that it has to be on the account for 3 months ... that’s a real game changer 😕

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Ron *******
Not sure as i am reading this right? Anybody of any age, can come here with a foreign child of any age with no Thai in it at all ( I guess under 20 years old) and simply stay here as long as you like and as long as you show 500k in a Thai bank account?
Michael ********
Yes I am very surprised by this. I though a child needed an ED visa then you can get a Guardian visa or if they are half Thai then you can get a Guardian visa because of that. But I am not going to argue with Todd ;)
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've never heard of this
Ron *******
@Robert ******
totally makes a mockery of the retirement extension requirements and everything else if that's the case?
Robert *******
That's what I read, but the max is 20 years than the child can live on his own and the parent needs other visa. It surprise me to.
Tod *********
You COULD get a visa/extension based on supporting a foreign child in thailand. It requires 500Kbaht in a thai bank account for 30 days before you apply for the yearly extension.
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see, thanks Tod, will look into it.
Tod *********
There is no "name of the visa" it's just a Non-Immigrant Type O visa. (the O means other and they are issued for a variety of reasons; being over 50, married to a thai, married to a foreigner legally working here, raising half thai kids, raising foreign kids, volunteering etc)
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod - what is the name of the visa please? So I can look more into it. My son is 1 year
Michael ********
You are talking about a Guardian visa but the child would need to enrolled in a school.and studying. Not much studying at 2 years old.
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I wish it was!
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh - I'm not sure about that! I don't think that is true unfortunately!
Michael ********
@Emily ********
Yes I am interested in the part where the baby doesn't need to be in any school for you to get a visa.
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My son was born here - sadly doesn't make an ounce of difference! but yes you can enroll for education at schools from 2years old.
Michael ********
So a Farang lady can go to Thailand with her Farang baby and get a visa? How does that work? Not being smart, interested.
Tod *********
@Michael *******
there is no requirement the child be in school to get a visa based on supporting a foreign child.
Jul ******
Panyaden school gives ED for Nursery as well... not sure if every school does it
Jul ******
You need to proof having 400,000 THB on a Thai Bank account 😅
Jul ******
He is enrolled in a kindergarten and the visa comes “for free” you just pay the school fees
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I mean his visa is dependancy? or you don't bother with his?
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
And your son is dependant on you?
Jul ******
@Emily ********
my own ED visa from hand2hand combat
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
What are you on?
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Friends may help me there!
Robert *******
As a Single mum, on what reason would you apply for a dependent visa?
Robert *******
afaik it only counts if the child is a Thai. But let's wait till somebody with more knowledge about this gives their opinion.
@Tod ********
Do you know you can get a ED visa for a 2 year old Non Thai child and than Non Immigrant O based on dependent for the mother?
Emily ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Because I need a visa. I'm looking at our options... So one would be to put my child on education and then I get dependency. No not married, his father is not Thai.
Steve *******
I was thinking the same, if your baby is non Thai, then what is the reason for a dependency visa? Are you married to a Thai national?
Robert *******
Just ask my wife, but children start to go school when they are 6 years old, so you have to wait 4 years for the ED visa.
Colin **********
My boy started at 3 years
Steve *******
My boy started state school at 4 years old
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