This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the best visa option for my mother, who is over 60, to stay in Thailand for 10 months?
May 15, 2025
a year ago
Diana **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello,
I work in Thailand as a teacher, I am Colombian. My mother, over 60 years old, would like to come and stay for 10 months. Because she is over 60 I am working towards her arriving on a Tourist visa and then applying for a dependant one here.
My plan is to buy a 10 month ticket but I fear the immigration officer will not allow her entry with that kind of ticket when our tourist visa is max. 90 days.
I have asked at the school I work in and they mention that I should just give her a copy of my visa, work contract and house contract but I am very worried it would not be enough.
Could someone please advice on the best way forward?
I work in Thailand as a teacher, I am Colombian. My mother, over 60 years old, would like to come and stay for 10 months. Because she is over 60 I am working towards her arriving on a Tourist visa and then applying for a dependant one here.
My plan is to buy a 10 month ticket but I fear the immigration officer will not allow her entry with that kind of ticket when our tourist visa is max. 90 days.
I have asked at the school I work in and they mention that I should just give her a copy of my visa, work contract and house contract but I am very worried it would not be enough.
Could someone please advice on the best way forward?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Colombian teacher in Thailand seeks advice on the best visa options for his mother, who is over 60, to stay for 10 months. He plans for her to enter on a Tourist Visa (typically valid for 90 days) and later apply for a Dependent Visa. Concerns were raised about the potential entry problems due to her long return ticket and the necessary documentation. Suggestions from the community included checking with the airline for entry requirements, applying for a Non-O visa directly in Colombia, and considering a Retirement Visa. Ultimately, the teacher consulted the Immigration Office, which advised on necessary proof of his residency and work documentation.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted 90 Day Reporting Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Diana **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you everyone for taking the time to answer. I went directly to the immigration office and they said to provide evidence of my own working visa, contract, etc. Thank you again!
Yulia **********
We did the same for my mom some years ago and we bought her a refundable ticket. She used it to apply for her tourist visa also
Jon ******
@Diana *********
- I'm not 100% sure, but as your parent just be aware, there MAY be a requirement to show a medical reason why she's dependent on you. It might be best to stop into the immigration office that you report to and ask them for the requirements for your mother to get a Non-O as a dependent to you/your Non-B. Maybe the mods @James *******
or Lloyd Turner can confirm (they're awesome).Ellie *******
@Jon *****
, no, there is no medical reason requirement for parent over 50 to be on Non-O dependent on a foreigner with a long-term extension in Thailand.Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
David ********
It's not about the flight or s return ticket. The issue is a visa that will allow her to stay here. There seems no provision for her to stay based on your having a non B and work permit. It seems she would need a retirement visa which has specific conditions that she would have to meet. You are better to speak with immagration or Thai embassy in Colombia try a DTV she can enrol in a Thai cooking course
John **********
@David *******
i do not believe there is a Thai embassy in Colombia.Diana **********
ORIGINAL POSTERNo, just a consulate. The embassy is in Peru.
Reply to
Diana **********
Reply
Adrian *****
Why not Retirement visa?
John **********
@Adrian ****
she would need to have 800k baht in tge bank here for a couple of months before arriving.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Wolf ******
She can also apply for a 3 months non-O visa in here country and than apply in Thailand for extension.
Lloyd ********
@Wolf *****
On what grounds would she apply for an incountry Non-O?Graham ******
@Lloyd *******
"She is over 60" therefore retirement Visa is an option or, as you are working legally in Thailand, a Non-O to visit non-Thai family (over 60 days) residing in ThailandWolf ******
@Lloyd *******
avoid to have problem to show a return flight and she is save for 3 months to arrange all to get the extension of stay.Reply to
Wolf ******
Reply
Thomas *********
Many People Book a cheap Bus Ticket after 90 Days that Show she leaves the Country.
If this still work, come by Train and leaves by Bus - i don’t know
If this still work, come by Train and leaves by Bus - i don’t know
Graham ******
@Thomas ********
the airline still needs to accept this mode of onward travel, many require a flightSteve **********
@Graham *****
onward ticket does not mean flight!!some people have fear of flying,they never fly!!!does that mean they can not travel??Paul *******
@Steve *********
AgreedGraham ******
@Steve *********
but it does mean flight to some airlines and, when checking in, their rules will applyReply to
Graham ******
Reply
James ********
ASK her airline what they may require when she flies to Thailand with a return ticket departing 9 months after arrival.
She should not have a problem entering Thailand proof of her relationship with you, your address, phone number and your passport showing main page, your phone number and your current extension of stay.
She should not have a problem entering Thailand proof of her relationship with you, your address, phone number and your passport showing main page, your phone number and your current extension of stay.
Diana **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
thank you, will doJames ********
@Diana *********
especially with the ticket being a return on the same airline.Reply to
James ********
Reply
11 comments
a year ago
39 comments
2 years ago
68 comments
2 years ago
What are the visa options for moving to Thailand with my elderly mother, and should I hire an agent?
11 comments
2 years ago
46 comments
2 years ago
22 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
3 years ago
25 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
4 years ago
11 comments
4 years ago
18 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
4 years ago
14 comments
4 years ago
11 comments
5 years ago
5 comments
5 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
7 years ago
12 comments
7 years ago
12 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
8 years ago
9 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.