What are the visa options for a parent of a Thai child once they reach adulthood?

Jan 13, 2025
17 days ago
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I heard sometime ago that if you had a child of Thai nationality and your name is on the birth certificate there is a visa which allows you to stay as a parent in Thailand once the child leaves education and starts work and supports a parent living in Thailand aged over 65 ?

I have currently a Non O visa with funds tied up in my bank account and would like the option of withdrawing the money and investing elsewhere

Anyone shine a light on this type of visa ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the nuances of obtaining a visa for parents of Thai citizens. It specifies that while there is a visa available for parents of Thai children, it does not permit dependency based on the child's future status once they reach 20 years of age. Comments also clarify that simply having your name on the birth certificate may not suffice; the parent must have legal rights over the child, and that to qualify for a dependent visa, conditions such as age (50 years or older) and living arrangements might apply. Seeking information directly from the local immigration office is recommended for accurate guidance.
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Lloyd ********
Were you ever married to the mother ?
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
Yes and still married 21 years already
Lloyd ********
@Joe *********
Cool, then you are already legitimised as the child's legal parent.
Mikkel *******
A parent cannot be dependent on a child for visa purposes. It's the other way around. You can get a visa for being the parent of a Thai child, until the child is 20 years. When the child is older than that, there are no visas available based on that child anymore.
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mikkel ******
wonder how complicated that process is lol

Thanks for your sensible advice anyway 🙏
Neil **********
@Joe *********
not too complicated for a marriage visa, but I have to do it every year for a Thai visa at least that’s the way it is for me. I’m from the USA been here for 10 years.
Ellie *******
@Mikkel ******
, that is when a foreign parent provides support to raise a Thai child. It's different when a Thai child supports an elder parent.
Mikkel *******
@Ellie ******
oh.. I didn't know that possibility existed. Always just read that no.. You cant get a visa off of your (half thai) children if they are older than 20. Must be a rare case if the half Thai children support their foreign parent economically for a visa.
Ellie *******
@Mikkel ******
, right, not many, still, there are some Thai children now supporting their foreign parents in Thailand for their lives and visas.
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mikkel ******
I don’t need financial support i have sufficient income from my country to live very comfortably I was just exploring different visa avenues
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Yes the administration for this procedure is worse than getting a married visa

😅

Think i will leave my money in the bank and stay with my Retirement Visa

Thanks 👍
Ellie *******
It might be able to apply for a Non-O dependent to a Thai Child with the right income and age if you are living together. Just your name being on birth certificate might not be enough. You may have to have parental rights to the child.

The age rule is a father/mother has to be 50 yo or over as a dependent.

Go to the local immigration office to get the detailed requirements.
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