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What is the best visa option for a family of four relocating to Thailand for at least two years?

Visa options Non-O visa Education visa Immigration Expat relocation International schooling Family visas Thailand long-term stay

Feb 15, 2023

2 years ago

Michelle ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Best visa option for a family of 4 looking to relocate to Thailand (Phuket initially) from Colorado, USA in July/Aug this year? 

- We will be traveling to other parts of Asia while we are there. (We won’t know where in advance of entering for the first time.)

- We wil stay at least 2 years, perhaps longer. 

- We will likely enroll our kiddos in an international school. They will be heading into 5th and 6th grade. 

- we will not require a work visa

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A family of four from Colorado is seeking advice on the best visa options for relocating to Thailand for at least two years. They plan to travel within Asia and will likely enroll their children in an international school. One suggested approach is for each parent to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on being guardians of their children, which requires certain documents from the school. This visa allows a three-month stay upon arrival, with the possibility of a one-year extension for the children based on school enrollment and financial requirements.

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Aidan **********

you cant travel if kids are going to school

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Mark *********

It seems as if you keep reposting this.

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Ikram **********

yes

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Stuart *********

If the kids are enrolled before you get here then ask the school for the documents you need to apply for their Ed visa. One parent per child can apply for a Non O based on being a guardian.

That will give you 3 months on arrival. The kids can get a year extension with no requirements other than documents from the school and some copies of passports.

You’d have to bank 500k in a Thai bank (per parent) for at least one month prior to applying for a year extension based on being a guardian.

If they’re not enrolled before you get here you can enter exempt and enroll them in the school you prefer. They’ll get the Ed visa. Once they’re on the year extension you’d apply for a non O from a nearby embassy (you can’t apply in country) and after the three months extend using the finances as above.

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Mariame ****

@Stuart ********

Hi, we are in a similar situation but only have one kid, so the other guardian can't have the Non-O visa. Is there a way to use our dual citizenship (Canada/France) to enter the country by switching passports with a tourist visa and staying for 9 to 12 months? We don't like the option of attending a language school to have an ED visa for the 2nd guardian.

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Stuart *********

No. dual passport holders are linked in the immigration system via biometrics. All previous entry records would appear regardless of what passport you use.

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Mariame ****

@Stuart ********

Good to know, thank you very much.

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Mariame ****

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Michelle ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Billy Brown I assume I have access to the money if we eventually decide to relocate elsewhere?

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Brandon ************

@Michelle *****

The money is yours to do with as you please. You can spend it is as soon as you get your yearly extension, you just have to make sure the account is back up to the requirement amount 3 months before you apply for the next extension (note this is 3 months before you APPLY, not 3 months before the extension runs out.)

It's usually easier to have one account for each of you rather than trying to do 1 million in a combined account.

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Brandon ************

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Stuart *********

For the following year’s extension the 500k must be in the bank at least 3 months before applying.

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Paul *******

@Stuart ********

Wow, that's crazy. Didn't know ED visas had a financial requirement and it's more than for being married to a Thai.

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Stuart *********

Not a requirement for an Ed visa for the children. A requirement to get a Non O for the guardian.

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Paul *******

@Stuart ********

I see, but I've never heard of an ED visa applicant (or in this case, guardian) needing 500K in the bank. Is that a new requirement?

Let's say someone (an adult) applies for a course at a university. Do they need proof of 500K in the bank?

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Stuart *********

No an Ed visa has no financial requirement other than paying for the school or course you are attending. If you want to stay as a guardian of a foreign child attending school then that’s where to 500k comes in to play.

An adult attending a course or school doesn’t need to provide funds but a parent (guardian) of a child does. Not a new rule. Has always been the case as long as I know.

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Paul *******

@Stuart ********

Odd that they wouldn't check an adult's applicants ability to pay for their studies.

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Stuart *********

Part of the process of applying for the Ed visa (for an adult) is that they’ve already paid the school for their course. Therefore the ability to pay is moot as they already have.

Whether they have funds to stay the length of the course is not checked, just as a tourist is not checked (in most cases) of their ability to fund their stay.

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Stuart *********

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Michelle ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thank you Stuart. This is great info 😊

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Judd **********

Check out BISP. We have been there 2 years and love it

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Judd **********

@Stuart ********

per person, so just keep 1M in a Thai account

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Judd **********

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