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What is the best visa pathway for a family with children moving to Thailand for medical treatment and long-term residence?
Visa OptionsLong-Term VisaDependent VisasMedical VisaEducation VisaFamily RelocationLiving in PattayaSpecial Needs SupportImmigration Assistance
Nov 11, 2025
6 months ago
Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone š
My wife and I, along with our four children (one of whom has special needs), are planning a long-term move to Thailand in early 2026. Our son with special needs will be receiving stem cell therapy in Bangkok, and we hope to settle down long-term near Jomtien Beach, Pattaya.
During his therapy sessions, Iāll be traveling with him to Bangkok for a week at a time, while the rest of the family stays in Pattaya.
My wife is a disabled U.S. veteran and receives a guaranteed monthly income of about USD 4,500 (~166,000 THB). We can provide full documentation of this income, along with supporting bank statements.
Weāre currently trying to figure out the best visa pathway for a family of six that:
1ļøā£ Accommodates dependents (spouse + children),
2ļøā£ Doesnāt require a large upfront 3-month bank deposit, and
3ļøā£ Allows long-term residence with minimal renewal hassle.
If anyone here has experience with family moves like this ā or can recommend a reliable visa agent or immigration lawyer who handles complex family or medical cases ā weād really appreciate your advice š
Thank you all for your time and any recommendations you can share ā¤ļø
My wife and I, along with our four children (one of whom has special needs), are planning a long-term move to Thailand in early 2026. Our son with special needs will be receiving stem cell therapy in Bangkok, and we hope to settle down long-term near Jomtien Beach, Pattaya.
During his therapy sessions, Iāll be traveling with him to Bangkok for a week at a time, while the rest of the family stays in Pattaya.
My wife is a disabled U.S. veteran and receives a guaranteed monthly income of about USD 4,500 (~166,000 THB). We can provide full documentation of this income, along with supporting bank statements.
Weāre currently trying to figure out the best visa pathway for a family of six that:
1ļøā£ Accommodates dependents (spouse + children),
2ļøā£ Doesnāt require a large upfront 3-month bank deposit, and
3ļøā£ Allows long-term residence with minimal renewal hassle.
If anyone here has experience with family moves like this ā or can recommend a reliable visa agent or immigration lawyer who handles complex family or medical cases ā weād really appreciate your advice š
Thank you all for your time and any recommendations you can share ā¤ļø
TLDR : Answer Summary
A family of six is planning a long-term move to Thailand for a medical purpose, specifically for stem cell therapy for their child with special needs. They are seeking advice on suitable visa pathways that accommodate family members, minimize financial requirements, and allow for long-term residence without frequent renewals. Comments suggest looking into specific visa types, education concerns for children, and recommend reliable visa agencies for assistance.
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Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you that sounds great
BeƔta *********
First of all, I would apply for a DTV visa. You can refer to your wife's income, but they usually grant this visa for hospital treatment as well, of course with the appropriate hospital documentation. But the first option might be good. They don't look at the 500 thousand per person, it's enough if your wife does it, and if she gets a visa, you can apply for the rest with a sponsorship letter in which your wife writes that she will cover all the costs incurred abroad.
Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes, we only have one child to worry about attending school at the present. The questions at hand were visa related not education. Thank you
Robert *********
Have you considered the cost if education for 4 children ?
4500 is probably not.enough just for there schooling .
4500 is probably not.enough just for there schooling .
Taelor *****************
@Robert ********
one child has special needs & two are infants. Yes we have considered the cost of schooling, considering school is an extremely important factor in most family relocationsā¦Taelor *****************
We donāt need advice on what to do with our childrenās educationā weāre in this group to ask about visas. Weāre really hoping to get some input from people with more than limited experience with immigration agencies or at least a little more insight on DTV visas.
Reply to
Taelor *****************
Reply
Terary **********
It's a government - expect some hassles. But the hassle should be once a year (x 6), and the 3 month check-in can be done online.
Tom ********
Why Pattaya when you have Children?
Greg *********
@Tom *******
Exactly.Greg *********
@Tom *******
Thatās what I was wondering. Theyāll see a lot of things they shouldnāt there.Tom ********
@Greg ********
It's bad there now, imagine what it will be like in a few years time if they don't get it under control, not somewhere I would want to raise Children.Reply to
Tom ********
Reply
John **********
What are the ages of both you and your wife? If you are under 50 your visa options are pretty limited. Are all of your kids under 20 and will they be attending school? If your kids attend school on an ED visa then the parents can get guardian visas, but schooling is expensive
Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks for your engagement and information.Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
we are under 50. We have a 6 year old that will attend school. A 5 year old who is disabled will not attend school. Our other two children are 1 and under. So really only one child will attend school and weāve priced that out already and can swing that cost.Maxim ***********
A lot of misinformation about cost.
My friend has 3 boys in school in Khon Kaen and he get by on 120k per month budget all included.
So if your wife get 166k in Pattaya, that alone is enough for all of you to live.
Pattaya is less expensive than Khon Kaen.
But Pattaya (Jomtien), I have no clue why you want to go there to raise a family.
My friend has 3 boys in school in Khon Kaen and he get by on 120k per month budget all included.
So if your wife get 166k in Pattaya, that alone is enough for all of you to live.
Pattaya is less expensive than Khon Kaen.
But Pattaya (Jomtien), I have no clue why you want to go there to raise a family.
Kevin ******
I believe what you are saying about your friendās schooling. Really depends on the school and location. For example, tuition is over 1 million baht at my sonās school in BKK (high school)- and that does not include uniforms, lunch, field trips.
Harlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maxim **********
appreciate the insight. Weāve never been to Thailand before. What and why is the beach so bad for families? We chose the overall location as itās close to the international school and also the hospital for our disabled son as he is often in and out the hospital. We have done research on the area and the soi streets that are not friendly for children and obviously wouldnāt take them down that street. Is it impossible to live by the beach and educational, hospital areas and still raise families? Iāve seen other families there they have playgrounds for children everywhereā¦. What am I missing? Is there a better beach you recommend in the area? Thx
Maxim ***********
@Harlan ********
Almost everywhere in Thailand is friendly, so that's not the issue. Jomtien, and even more so Pattaya, have Freelancers hookers in the streets. A lot of sexpats. Ofc, you'll know where not to go, but the exposure will never be 0. I find Jomtien beach to be quite dirty overall and overcrowded. Imo, you would be better of in a city where people actually retire there with families like Hua Hin with higher quality of other foreigners. Phuket is too expensive. Chiang Mai would be even better but no beach. People go to Pattaya went they don't know any other options to start, but it's rarely their end destination. For your situation, you don't want an overcrowded area imo.Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
Jeffrey **********
@Harlan ********
in 4 years, you will have 3 children in school and that gets extremely expensive. We are looking at our options with just one child and we cant afford most of what is available (unless your kids can speak Thai?) We are also looking into the ED Visa vs other visas and there is a lot of conflicting information. Best of luck to youJohn **********
@Harlan ********
if only 1 child will get an ED visa then only 1 parent can get a guardian visa. Other than getting a job and associated work permit (not straightforward) your options are going to be limited to a DTV visa, an ED visa but you will need to study and attend school, or if you have enough money perhaps a Thai Privilege. You can let the kids not studying just overstay until they are 15 with no repercussions other than getting overstay stamps, although I don't recommend this. You could add them as dependants for the DTVHarlan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
we were planning on getting DTV visas, the whole point of going to Thailand in the first place was to get stem cell therapy for our son, but then we thought we could stay for a while. Appreciate your contribution to my questions.John **********
@Harlan ********
under what category will you apply? The first person (adult) applies and once they have been granted their DTV the others apply using their DTV reference number. Each person needs their own application for a DTV including babiesReply to
John **********
Reply
Eric **********
A reliable visa agency is..
Thai visa centre , the ones who run this thread
Thai visa centre , the ones who run this thread
Frank **********
The only suggestion I can give you is for Visa information go to the Thai Embassy website and look at the various Visa options. Also international schools are very expensive here especially with the number of children involved. Sorry I cannot give you more info. Someone with more knowledge will help you out.
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
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