What are the visa and schooling options for a family of 8 moving to Bangkok in 2026?

Question

Looking to move my family of 8 and possibly mother in law to Bangkok in Summer 2026. Give me some advice please.

We currently homeschool Ages 18(interested in Culinary), 14,10,8,4,1. What would be the best option for such a big family?

We don’t have the baht requirement for us all to be on DTV., only myself would cover the Baht requirements with dependents/ current living expenses $3600 monthly

My children are US Passport holders and their mom. I’m a Jamaican Passport holder . Would the requirement make a big difference ?

Also, has anyone done a retirement visa. My mother is 80 on a fixed income. Any advice on that. (Found answer to this)

Ask Thailand · Answer

A family of eight is planning to move to Bangkok in Summer 2026, seeking advice on visa requirements, educational options, and living costs. The family has limited funds for the DTV visa requirements and the head of the household is Jamaican while the children and their mother hold US passports. Comments highlight the challenges of obtaining visas for many dependents, particularly concerning financial requirements and education costs in international schools, which range significantly. The feasibility of applying for DTVs under these conditions is questioned, with more emphasis on the potential need for a more manageable approach to residency and education in Thailand.

James ******** · Answer

New Member of this forum December 29th.... Welcome 🤗

What is the passport nation of each family member ?

Where are you now?

Which DTV visa will you be applying for?

Workcation or Soft Power Activity ?

Where will you be applying for the DTV visa?

Where will you be living in Thailand?

Iker ******* · Answer

How you are going to pay education for so many children is the main question

John ********** · Answer

Same question but to a different group. Same answers as in the other group.  Discounting the mother in law as she can make a 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement but will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for the 12 month extension of stay. That still leaves 7 people trying to get DTVs out of a single 500k baht amount, it is simply not feasible. I guess the three youngest kids could just come in visa exempt as there is no penalty for them until they hit 15 other than an overstay stamp on their passport but I wouldn't recommend this. That just leaves you, your wife and 2 oldest to apply for DTVs but whether any consulate would allow this based on only 500k baht for 1 and sponsorship letters for the other I really don't know.

Sefton ******** · Answer

Life, medical, education, and visas would be an astronomical cost to do this effectively.

That many people, visa runs, constant renewals.. As people age.. Etc.. Its a major thing.

Anonymous ****************** · Answer

Dependants don’t need to show the 500k, only the main person. Your kids need to go to school if you want education visas for them, and international schools are around 300k to over a million baht per year, per kid.

Luc ************ · Answer

You got all the info in your other post. Almost impossible what you are trying to do. Learn to live with it.

Chris ******** · Answer

The ongoing visa obstacles for that many members would hurt my brain with reporting, border runs and renewals, full time job 😂 just come in holidays for 6 months a year be easier

Greg ******** · Answer

Have you investigated the cost of education in Thailand - it is not cheap. Some Embassies want to 500k for all dependents while others just the main one - I would concentrate search on that now. As for your Mother retirement visa means 800k in a Thai bank or 65k THB income per month.

Toni ******* · Answer

I would quote siam legal from their website, its free

Anonymous ****************** · Answer

Fear not the financial requirements needed for ED or retirees non-o as its all taken care of if applying via a reputable agency, they sort it out for you

What are the visa and schooling options for a family of 8 moving to Bangkok in 2026?

Activity

Related

Resources