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What is the best way for my family to live in Thailand for 6-12 months while managing visas and work for my daughter?
Thai Visa OptionsDTV VisaRetirement VisaFamily Elite Privilege VisaWorking in ThailandExpat LifeVisa AgenciesTeen Education in ThailandRemote Work Regulations
Sep 30, 2025
7 months ago
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay I feel seriously overwhelmed trying to sort this all out. I have a family of 4 - myself I’m almost 50, wife is 37, kids are 15 and 18. I primarily make my income off of investing on the OTC and a very small trust check monthly as well. My trading account tends to have $100k or more liquid and $200-400k in play. We own a home in the US we plan to rent out while we aren’t there.
What is the best, simplest method to live in Thailand for 6-12 months at a time leaving to either another country or back to the US for a few weeks to a month or so annually?
My daughter being 18 would like to work there but my 15 year old will be continuing digital classes via a US school. I will continue to randomly swing trade while the wife will not work.
Best visa course of action with the process to get it done for a person who hates paperwork and really isn’t too great with crossing t’s and dotting i’s 😂
What is the best, simplest method to live in Thailand for 6-12 months at a time leaving to either another country or back to the US for a few weeks to a month or so annually?
My daughter being 18 would like to work there but my 15 year old will be continuing digital classes via a US school. I will continue to randomly swing trade while the wife will not work.
Best visa course of action with the process to get it done for a person who hates paperwork and really isn’t too great with crossing t’s and dotting i’s 😂
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on living in Thailand for 6-12 months with their family, highlighting their financial situation, desire for their daughter to work, and the challenges of managing educational needs. The conversation suggests various visa options: the DTV visa for remote work before age 50 and a retirement visa after, along with the Family Elite Privilege Visa for ease of mobility. Comments emphasize the benefits of using an agency for visa processing due to the complexities of Thai visa laws and the potential complications of finding work for their daughter.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Nitzan *****
Before 50: DTV + dependent visas
After 50: retirement visa + dependent visas
Anytime (expensive but less hassle): Thailand Privilege visa
After your daugher turns 20 she will need her own visa (work, privilege, student, etc)
After 50: retirement visa + dependent visas
Anytime (expensive but less hassle): Thailand Privilege visa
After your daugher turns 20 she will need her own visa (work, privilege, student, etc)
John **********
There's no simplest method for your situation. There's only one visa that is available to you that would legally allow you to work remotely from Thailand (to continue your trading) and that is the DTV. You can get DTV for your wife and your kids as being dependant on you. If your daughter wants to work in Thailand she would need a different visa to allow her to do so but she has no experience, no skills so would find it virtually impossible to find someone to employ her at a salary that would many times higher than a Thai person would receive
Nongnuch ********
you can buy the "Family ELITE Privilege Visa" however your daugther at age 18 is too old to still count as a member of the family, and will need her own ELITE Privilege Visa. With this visa, you can leave and return, no hassles, no Immigration checks only have to extend every year for the next year for a fee of 1900 THB
John **********
The official website chat bot says this
"No, the Privilege Entry Visa is a long-term tourist visa and does not allow for any employment or work in the Kingdom. This includes working remotely for a non-Thai business."
"No, the Privilege Entry Visa is a long-term tourist visa and does not allow for any employment or work in the Kingdom. This includes working remotely for a non-Thai business."
Mark **********
@John *********
I emailed Thai privilege member services and was told as long as I am not receiving a Thai salary ands working for a Thai company, I am clear to work remotely for my American company. I do not need a work permit. I am allowed to work remotely and receive my foreign salary under the PE visa, no taxes owed here either on that salary and if there was, I also have a tax treaty between USA and Thailand. 🤷♂️ That’s the OFFICIAL word. Do I need to screen shot it for you? 😂Mark **********
@John *********
they’re talking and working for a Thai company in Thailand. But I emailed member services and I’ll paste their reply here when I get it. 🤷♂️Reply to
Mark **********
Reply
John **********
The website you link to is not an official website, it's an agents website. Unless you can show me something official that says you can legally work remotely I'm going to stick with what I said.
John **********
@Nongnuch *******
But he can't work at all on that visa, even remotely, which he says he wants to do.Mark **********
@John *********
you can work remotely for your home country company/yourself on an elite visa. 👍John **********
@Mark *********
not legally, you can't.Mark **********
@John *********
The reason you can not on a retirement visa is because it says explicitly that you can not. That is because you’re supposed to be… retired. 😂👍***********************************************************************************
Mark **********
@John *********
oh really? You have an elite visa? I do and yes you can.How many sources do you need too accept you’re wrong? I’ll provide as many as you’d like. 😂🤷♂️
Reply to
Mark **********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@John *********
he could work online under the radar, like thousands did without any problems, before the DTV was createdRon ******
@Nongnuch *******
Most of whom I assume did not make it public knowledge on these sites.Reply to
Ron ******
Reply
Ralph *******
It is quite unlikely that your daughter can find work. Foreigners must get a work permit which is sponsored by an employer. Basic jobs are reserved for Thai people
Kim *******
You're not going to want to hear this, but you'd be way ahead just waiting until your youngest has graduated from high school before coming here to live full time. You can holiday here during school breaks in the meantime. Why? Online classes suck. Your oldest will not be able to legally work here. You'll have to use an agent for any visas.
Beverly ***************
@Kim ******
agree 100 %Graham ******
@Beverly **************
except for "You'll have to use an agent for any visas"Beverly ***************
@Graham *****
true. I missed that part. Hoping to never have to rely on an agent.Reply to
Beverly ***************
Reply
John **********
Hi Jason, I would definitely recommend you go to a visa agent who will give you the best up to date advice. You will always get many many answers to your one question on this site, although very helpful and many answers can be correct, you will end up totally confused and it will not be in your best interest. I have just completed my retirement visa, bike & car driving licence with an agent. The major benefit of using an agent is that they will have all your documentation on file and any mistakes with paperwork will be their priority of correcting. The Thai visa laws are changing all the time. I've used One Stop Services in Pattaya (DETAILS BELOW) His name is Mark and he runs the agency with his wife. Pom. He will answer any questions you have by WhatsApp within 24 hrs. Brilliant service!
SOI 6, Beach Road, Pattaya, Thailand,
LINE: onestopvisa06
Whatsapp: 083 263 8687
SOI 6, Beach Road, Pattaya, Thailand,
*****
******************************
LINE: onestopvisa06
Whatsapp: 083 263 8687
Jon ********
FYI if you live offshore most banks will not allow you to hold securities. Also, trading for a living is very risky.
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jon *******
I’ve used E*Trade and Fidelity to trade for 20 years now and have done well. I’m not sure about living offshore and buying/selling securities via the same accounts but i don’t know that anyone would care as I’d still be a citizen of my origin country and thus be paying gains taxes on that investment income correct? I am curious as the DTV seems simpler than the retirement visa especially when one requires 800k baht in Thai account which sounds like those are more difficult to acquire into alreast there and the visa requires being offshoreColin ********
@Jason *********
they do care, Amitrade and First Trade blocked my accounts because I was in Thailand so best to check. inter Brokers allow trading fro here.Jon ********
@Jason *********
I was a stock broker for Merrill and RBC. They do not want clients offshore because of tighter regulations. Wells Fargo didn’t want my business whom I was with since the 1980s. You can’t beat the market. If you have been day trading for 20 years and living solely off that you are the only retail trader that I have ever talked to that has done so. Good luck.Joseph ****
@Jon *******
I don't believe his story either.Jon ********
@Joseph ***
agreed…..Reply to
Jon ********
Reply
Dave ********
Thai visa center are great
David *********
@Dave *******
very good visa agency thai visa centreReply to
David *********
Reply
Latrice ********************
If you wait until after 50 you can get a retirement visa with up to 4 dependants.
Nongnuch ********
@Latrice *******************
most embassies do not issue "dependent" visa any moreLatrice ********************
@Nongnuch *******
so how does it work with retirement visas with a wife under 50 and kids? Is it still the non-immigrant O visa as listed on google?Nongnuch ********
@Latrice *******************
as long as you don't work or study in Thailand, or are on a DTV, you cannot get a visa based on your family "dependent" of you. You can get a "sponsor" visa as the parent of a child that is attending school in Thailand.Latrice ********************
I am basing my information off of what is posted by the Thai embassy on Google. Idk if there are recent changes, but this is what they have listed.🤷♀️
Reply to
Latrice ********************
Reply
Kim ********
@Latrice *******************
what age is considered to be dependents?John **********
@Kim *******
for kids, once they hit 20 they are considered adults so can no longer be dependantsReply to
John **********
Reply
Raymond *********
Simple, go through an agence, it's their job. A simple google search will give you à few names
Janie *********
@Raymond ********
Absolutely!! Rely on a professional service you can trust......storefront, English speakers, good vibe!Reply to
Janie *********
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