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What do I need to know about applying for a DTV visa in Thailand as a Canadian citizen and are my children required to have visas?

DTV Visa Visa Requirements for Children Retirement Visa Dependent Visa Visa Status and Insurance Marriage Status for Visa Application

Nov 13, 2025

11 hours ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am a Canadian citizen and I want to start getting a DTV Visa. What do you think is the best source of accurate information in organizing this for myself. I have been in Thailand for six months now on two Visa exemptions with their extensions. I am gonna be leaving for a little bit and I guess I will be in Argentina and Vancouver Canada. Are there any particular places that are best to apply from? I don’t really know anything about it yet so I’m really just looking for a good source of information. Thank you. Also, my partner and I have two children, age 2 and 11. Do they need a visa because in general, I noticed that people do not worry about getting the children visas as long as they stay in the country and are below the age of 16.

Also next year I qualify for a retirement visa. Are the children covered under that and which age are they covered under that? And do you have to be officially married in order to get your spouse of Visa as well? Or does Thailand recognize common law marriage in some form?

Thank you so much.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A Canadian citizen in Thailand is seeking guidance on obtaining a DTV visa while in Argentina and Vancouver. They question whether their children need visas since many assume they are under 16 and can stay without one. Additionally, the individual wants to know if their children are covered under a future retirement visa and if verification of a legal marriage is necessary for a spouse visa. Comments point out the need for children to have visas, emphasize that common law marriages are not recognized for visas, and caution against the risks of illegal status regarding school and insurance.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Anonymous ******************

Partner... Means you're not married? If not, she can't be a dependent on your visa. Regarding your children, as said, it is risky not to apply for a visa as insurances may use their "illegal status" to not cover. If you're planning to send them to school, some schools would require your children to be on a ED visa.

8 hours ago

Robert *******

a visa is personal, no other person are covered by your visa.

They could apply for a Non Immigrant O visa based on visiting a Non Thai family member.

Children need a visa to stay inside Thailand unless they have Thai citizenship, people are told there are no fines for the children until they reach 15 years of age. No fine does not mean you are allowed to do, it means you do not need to pay when you get caught.

Children without a legal stay are illegal in Thailand and MOST insurance companies has that in their small print, which simply means they do not have to pay in case of.~

Schools do not accept children without an official stay, they might offer a Non Immigrant ED visa.

In order to get a spouse visa, in better terms, the Non Immigrant O visa to visit Thai Family, you must be married by law with a Thai citizen. Common marriage, Catholic marriage, Christian Marriage, Buddhistic marriage, a big party with a person declaring you are now bride and broom does not count.

10 hours ago

John **********

For a spouse to be recognised you must be married, children must be either yours or officially adopted.

10 hours ago

James ********

What's the passport nation of your partner and children?

Are you the Father of the children ?

11 hours ago

Reply to

James ********

Do children under 14 need to be applied for as dependents on a DTV visa in Thailand?

3 comments

3 months ago