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What are the visa options for a family living in Thailand with a remote working partner and a child?

Jul 22, 2025
13 days ago
We're considering the DTV or education visa. Or tourist re entry and would love some advice.

My partner works remotely as well as in person in Australia

We have a 2.5yo and I don't "work".

Together 15 years but not married.

We have a 12 month lease, have brought a car and bike, have a tm30 and letter from immigration proving our residence (needed it to buy the car in our name)

A couple of questions:

- For sponsorship is defacto relationships considered or need to be married?

- if he will be flying too and from australia every month or so for work will tourist re-entry suffice or is that limited to number of times per year

- will coming too and from be an issue if he does receive the dtv visa?

We have someone in thailand helping us recommending education visa for myself and my daughter and dtv for him but would love others experiences.

Thank you 🫶
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around visa options for a family considering living in Thailand while navigating a defacto relationship. Key points include: the need for marriage for sponsorship; potential of applying for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) vs. an education visa; implications of frequently flying to Australia for work; and concerns about dependent visas for children. Community comments suggest that marriage is necessary for dependent status, and caution against overstaying on tourist visas. There are recommendations to explore the 'Soft Power DTV' as a viable option.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Dnatjugweme ************
Your child is possibly too young to get a non-ED. Not sure if it's the same everywhere but the school my first child attends accepts kids from 3 y. of age. In any event, if you go that way, you'll need to get out of Thailand to apply for both single-entry non-imm visas for your child and yourself. Besides, you'll need a legalized birth certificate (for your one-year non-O extension of stay) which is usually easier to get in one's home country.
Anonymous ******************
Each adult will need go apply for dtv as you are not married. Your child can get a dependant dtv. The only disadvantage is you can't open a Thai bank account, where as an ED the school usually helps you open one (do check with them first).

Flying into thailand on multiple visa exempts will eventually get you denied. There is no actual number as it depends on each officer and their mood that day.
John **********
If your not married you can't be a dependant. If you're daughter is going to attend school and get an ED visa for doing so it might be easier for you to get a guardian visa (a Non-O based on your child). Your partner can apply for the DTV but if he is not a true remote worker with written permission from his company to work from Thailand he would be better applying under one of the soft power options
Bob **********
No dependent if not married he’ll have to leave to get the DTV and your school will provide all that’s need for your visa
Greg ********
As for yourself why not Soft Power DTV. Longer and cheaper than Ed. For your daughter she gets dependent DTV on back of either of you.