Once in awhile I see posts about people wanting to move their whole family with kids to Thailand on short term visas: Ed/DTV. I don’t know much about DTV because it’s new, but a word of caution on ED visa. I don’t know if it’s assumptions or misinformation but ED visa is not a guarantee one yr visa. You will be evaluated every 90 days, and legitimate schools will need you to attend, if you miss more than a certain amount of classes, your visa will be canceled. I personally know people who have been questioned by immigration for leaving the country during their school year, for being too old to learn Thai…some had their visas denied…I know living in Thailand is a dream for many, but please please make sure you understand the consequences if you don’t have a long term visa. It’s one thing to wing it as a nomad but it’s so stressful if you try to wing it with your family and kids…not to mention quite irresponsible. 🥺
For the few people who think this makes me the immigration police or act as I have a high moral ground. I feel so sad and sorry for you. This is simply a word of caution for other fellow humans. I have a long term visa so this doesn’t concern me personally, but it’s not hard to imagine the distress of being told you can’t come back, that you only have a week to move your new life and all your possessions out of the country you thought would be home…last year I had to take care of classmate’s dog because she was denied entry and didn’t know when she could come back…This is not moral superiority, by the way it’s actually a compliment coming from those with no morals…This just means I have a heart and empathy. So what does it make you when you insult me with all kinds of names and told me I shouldn’t care…I think the answer is clear.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experiences and concerns of expats moving their families to Thailand on short-term education visas, such as the ED and DTV visas. The author warns that the ED visa does not guarantee a full year of stay since it requires regular attendance in a recognized school, with potential cancellations for low attendance. They emphasize the importance of understanding the visa regulations, as well as the risks involved in moving a family to Thailand without a long-term visa. The comments reflect varied opinions on the practicality and ethics of such relocations, highlighting the experiences of students and the administrative hurdles they face.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES