What is the best visa option for a father with a Thai child?

NON-O Visa Child Visa Parental Rights Thai Immigration Visa Options for Expats Thai Birth Certificate Family Court in Thailand

Feb 13, 2018

7 years ago

Daryl *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

What is thebest visa for me?

I have a 5 year old daughter who i support and visit regularly when i am work break

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The best visa option for a father supporting a Thai child, particularly if the father is not married to the mother, is typically a Non-O visa. If named on the birth certificate, he may be eligible for a 90-day single entry Non-O visa, but a longer extension requires a family court decree for parental rights. If the child is Thai, and he has parental rights established, he could pursue a Non-O dependent multi-entry visa for longer stays.

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Tod *********

The real question is:

Were you married when you had the child because if you weren't you were not granted any parental rights until you go thru family court and get recognized as the legal father. In thailand 100% of the parental rights is the mother's when they have children out of wedlock.

You could get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being the father using the birth certificate BUT you couldn't get a yearly extension inside the country without having the decree from family court granting you parental rights. You could get a 60 day extension though from the immigration office with just the birth certificate and the mother's thai i/d.

7 years ago

Steve *******

@T**

. Thanks for the info.

7 years ago

Kurt ********

@Tod ********

this is the way I understand it as well.

7 years ago

Tod *********

@St***

, nope, to the best of my knowledge it doesn't work that way. :/ You would still need to go thru family court to get recognized as the legal father and granted parental rights.

7 years ago

Steve *******

Tod. Can you confirm if marrying the childs mother after they were born out of wedlock entitles you to 50% of parental rights. I have a friend in this situation but not sure of the correct advice to give him.

7 years ago

Reply to

Steve *******

David ****************

Are you on birth certificate as the father?

Is the child Thai?

7 years ago

Daryl *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

All information is greatly appreciated David

7 years ago

David ****************

@Da***

. Not being ‘picky’, it’s important. I know a few guys who got a visa as a dependent. Initially there was a lot of paperwork/hoops to jump through but worth it in the long run.

7 years ago

Daryl *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes to both David

7 years ago

Reply to

Daryl *******

Jushangin ********

What Damian said

7 years ago

Damian ******

Non o dependent multi entry 1 year