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What are the visa and financial requirements for relocating my family to Thailand?

Jul 11, 2025
3 days ago
Hello, I am seeking expert advice on relocating my family to Thailand in June 2026. My children will be 17, 14, and 13 years old, and I am unsure about the specific visa requirements. Chat GPT suggested that the DTV would be the most suitable option for us. I plan to homeschool my children initially and later explore other educational options. As a remote federal employee, I anticipate continuing in my role abroad, but I am also exploring alternative employment opportunities. I am currently pursuing TEFL and Cybersecurity certifications. Although I do not have substantial savings, I expect to receive $100,000 to $150,000 from the sale of my house and additional funds from selling our belongings. However, I am concerned about meeting the income and asset requirements, particularly if the necessary funds are not available in my account at the time of application. I wont be able to sell my house till around March when it is closer to the time we leave. The price for a monthly rental here in PA will run us at least $5000 which is a lot so if i can stay here as long as possible I will. Can someone explain the financial guidelines to me? Will my current job count as income or my house as assets? Can anyone recommend a professional in Pennsylvania who can assist me with the visa application process? Hopefully I am making sense. Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to move to Thailand with their family in June 2026 and is seeking information regarding visa requirements and financial guidelines, specifically the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa). The family has three children aged 17, 14, and 13, and the user mentions being a remote federal employee looking to continue working abroad. Concerns include meeting income and asset requirements for the visa application, as the user will not be able to sell their house until closer to the move date. Comments provide insights into the requirements for the DTV visa, including a minimum amount of funds needed in an accessible bank account, potential schooling options for children, potential rental costs, and the benefits of hiring an agent to navigate the visa application process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Chris ******
Seems like you are looking for teaching job or IT auditing in the future… the 5000 usd for renting is crazy in US, 2500 usd in prime areas in Bangkok built after 2010 can give you luxury space.

The job in Thai only give you the opportunity of visa for staying.

I can tell your the intl’ school teacher with experience of teaching IB/GCSG can earn around 5000 usd and the IT like accredited CISA , only around 2000 usd.

Thai gov only need your money come from overseas, like you buy elite visa , retirement or 800k baht over 50 years old

By the way you don’t need any visa if your child student in school which help parent to issue parent dependent visa of child education
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *****
I appreciate you sharing this information. 🤗
Jane ***********
Check this out they can do it for you
*****************
Steve ***********
Wait till most of the children are done with education. Think of them first.

They will not have proper education $$$$

Will have to leave to get decent job.
J **************
@Steve **********
let’s hope she is not a recent widow and the husband can get custody
Ernesto ********
She will sell the house, fail miserably in Thailand, and drag her kids down with her. She will then be broke with nothing to show for it. Love this plan.
David *******
Something to consider is what will your children do once they are no longer attending school? I ask because I have heard first hand of non-Thai families that have faced the reality that once their children were no longer dependent on them the child could not get a visa to continue to live in Thailand
J **************
@David ******
in escaping her trauma …she is putting her kids into it
Jim *******
The OP has blocked anyone who could tell her she is an idiot, in one way or another. Teaching us lessons without even knowing where Thailands is.
Jim *******
Hire an agent as the first step. Very likely, they may tell you are dreaming and to drop the whole idea.
J **************
Sounds like you need to stay home until

The kids are out
Ernesto ********
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J *************
Sounds like you should only comment on a post with actually answers to the questions that were asked!!
Caroline *******
And don't forget to check out Thai taxation. If you are resident in Thailand for more than 180 days then you are considered a Thai Tax Resident. Every person's situation is different but do your Due Diligence on this to be sure.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Caroline ******
Thank you very much and yes I am aware that I will have to pay taxes there and still in the US. The only thing I am uncertain about is the Visa's. Everything else was checked off my list.
Joy ********
Hire a visa agent when you arrive. They know all the latest rules and can be sure all your documents are in order,
Jim *******
@Joy *******
Noooo...do not arrive, get an agent before all the cost and travel.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joy *******
Thank you for this advice! For clarity you think it would possible be easier if we come over on our tourist Visa first and then find an agent to assist us??
Chuck **********
Crazy!
Adam ******
Am I missing something here? If monthly rental costs are $5000 per month where you presently are, why would you sell your own place for 20-30 months rent. Surely renting your present place out will go a long way to subsidising your time in Thailand. Worth considering that Thailand isn't for everybody and if you still had your property back home then it's no big deal to return.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam *****
You are definitely missing something here because you came to a post that asked about Visas and didnt answer any of the questions asked. What I do with my assets is my prerogative. Now you have any advice on Visa's?
Adam ******
@Chasity **************
I am suggesting that if you come here with three kids to support, $100k and only a TEFL teacher's pay to go on then you are in for a fright if you think you will live well.
Jeremy ********
@Adam *****
I’m guessing she’s either upside down on her mortgage or only has that much in equity in the domicile that will be her anticipated profit from the sale after taxe etc
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
I'm guessing you shouldn't assume! People generally advise against making assumptions as It's also often said that "assuming makes an a** out of you.
Jeremy ********
@Chasity **************
triggered you so in the ballpark
Mitchell *******
A few questions.

As
@David *********
asked, have you actually been to Thailand, and know where you plan to stay?

Are you remote working for yourself? Or remote working for a company? The requirements are different for each. And if you plan to work as a teacher, that cannot be done on the DTV.

Will your oldest still be 17 when you come? I think they would be considered adult at 18 (Can someone confirm this??). The requirements might be different for them.
Kim **********
@Mitchell ******
20 seems to be the cutoff.
John **********
To apply for the DTV you need to have a minimum of 500k baht in an instant access bank account. Once you have your DTV then your kids can each apply for a DTV in their names and you can sponsor them using your funds, but if you decide to send them to school many won't accept them on a DTV and want them on an ED visa. You don't mention a partner but if you have one and you are married you can also sponsor her, if not married then they would need there own one
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Thank you for this information. As a follow-up, what did you mean by an "instant access bank account"? Are you saying the money will have to be in an account I would use overseas like Wise, Revolt, Charles S. or Chime??
John **********
@Chasity **************
just like a normal bank account, not one where you have to wait to get access to the money. Wise is not a bank, Revolut is only a bank in some territories, Chime is not a bank, Charles Schwab will depend
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I think I follow now, I thought you meant accounts we can use in Thailand. I have direct deposit with Chime now so I use it as an account but I also have PFCU as well. Thank you for clarifying. 😊
Travis *********
Is your federal job guaranteed to not have you return to the office? Those kinds of arrangements are changing rapidly.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Travis ********
As I stated above if my job doesn't allow me I already prepared and started looking elsewhere for remote opportunities. My question was about the Visa requirements. Thanks!
Jim *******
@Chasity **************
Talk to Siam Legal. They have their offices in America and cater for Americans too. Never engaged them (I met, personally the owner,an Amarican, in Bangkok) but those who did, expensive but efficient.

No FaceBook characters would take you where you want to be, just like this, for free.
David **********
Serious question - have you visited Thailand before? I ask this because so many people have this 'dream' and because everything looks so wonderful on YouTube and Instagram, but the reality isn't quite the same. We live here now and are quite happy, but it takes some SERIOUS adjustment to your western lifestyle.

That being said, the DTV doesn't have specific income requirements. The only financial requirement is 500,000 Thai baht (a little over $15k) in any bank (liquid like checking or savings) and the application fee.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
To answer your question, yes I did visit. I have been to Phuket, Hua Hin and Bangkok. I wanted to make sure that this move would be okay for me and my children. I also want to know why do people assume when you ask a question they haven't visited yet or even want to visit yet before they move? Also everyone's US lifestyle is not the same. TBH mines was similar so it made me even more comfortable about this move. Thanks for the advice anyway!
David **********
The reason for the assumption is in my original comment. So many people actually just think "wow, it's so cheap to live there and it looks wonderful so I'll just move there". If you're already comfortable with the Thailand lifestyle, you'll do just fine. Sadly, the question we got asked the most when we left the states (almost 4 years ago) was " What are you going to do with all your stuff?" The materialistic mentality of most westerners doesn't work in this culture.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
I get it but some people dont have the luxury to visit first. People move all the time for different reason like domestic violence, military, health ect. In those cases visiting is not an option. People have thier reasons and all we can do is try to be as helpful as possible. Every individual is different. I dont own a single name brand item and I definitely dont mind throwing away everything. We have done it before. It just gets frustrating at times because the groups are meant to be helpful instead it seems the negativity and nasty comments always outweigh the help. I appreciate your advice though. Thanks!
David **********
@Chasity **************
I completely get it, but obviously you're not like most people. Let's face it, most people can't understand why anyone would do what you and I have done/are doing.

As you stated, unfortunately a lot of people in these groups aren't very helpful. I offered help by stating the financial requirements (or lack thereof) for the DTV. There is a Facebook group that is more specific to the DTV where you can get better advice.
Jeremy ********
If you want to work in Thailand you need to have a Work Permit not a DTV or other tourist visa (English teaching only averages around ฿45k a month unless you get a HISO international school or HISO university then the price per month goes up significantly)

DTV is the only Visa as of right now that allows you to remote work in Thailand all other touristy visas do not allow you to do this

$150k or ฿4.9 million baht for a family of 4 might last you 3 years if you manage it right

International school will cost you on average ฿375k per kid per year (฿1.2 million baht per year for your children)

…or higher…most school require the money upfront with no payment system

If you live outside the HISO high rise area you could find a 2-4 bedroom house for around ฿45k-฿60k a month

Food is on you…live like a Thai it will cost you around ฿25k a month…eat like a foreigner you’re looking at ฿40k-฿60k z month for you and your children

Transportation, entertainment, and international Travel will probably run you ฿100k-฿200k a year

And remember the FOREX rate changes daily so that means your budget will vary either up or down month to month

Good luck
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
Thank you for this information. I plan on already coming over with a remote job. That is a must for me because I didn't want to just rely on my savings. When I visited I seen just how different the prices were in certain areas and that I quickly overbought things because it was so cheap. So my goal is to have income still coming in while I really learn how to budget and adjust to the local lifestyles.
Jeremy ********
@Chasity **************
learn to make and live off a budget

Overseas there are zero safety nets on foreigners…you either sink or you swim no in-between
John *******
@Jeremy *******
the LTR also has a remote employment option.
Chasity ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I actually haven't heard of that Visa so I will do some research to see if this will work out as well. Thank you for mentioning it.
Jeremy ********
@John ******
sounds good

But very few people get into that visa due to the stringent monetary requirements
John *******
@Jeremy *******
also gave to work for a private company or a publicly traded one. If she is a federal employee, she wouldn’t meet that requirement. That is where my application got hung up
Jeremy ********
@John ******
most govt employees (GS grades) receive either the Red or Black passport to perform their duties overseas
John *******
@Jeremy *******
- that is if that is your duty station. She said she is a remote worker.
Jeremy ********
@John ******
she will have to get high level (GS15 or SES ) approval for an overseas remote worker

Sounds like a lot of hurdles to go through
John *******
@Jeremy *******
I was a GS 13 when Ieft (2016) and GS15s were super high level. They were people who managed the entire branch or division.
Jeremy ********
@John ******
and the SES was their boss
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