What should we do about obtaining Non-O dependent visas for children as volunteers in Thailand?

Question

Hello! I wanted to share my family’s recent visa experience to see if anyone else has had the same experience.

A few weeks back my wife and I applied for Non-O visas through the Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago to be able to return to our volunteer work in Chiang Mai through a registered Thai foundation. We also applied for Non-O (dependent) visas for our three daughters. They are all under the age of 6.

I am happy to report that my wife and I received our visas, but our daughters, however, were given 60-day tourist visas instead. The consulate official told us that an order had come from the government to stop the issuance of Non-O visas for dependents of volunteers. But, he reassured us that we would be able to switch our daughters over to dependent visas in-country.

We are now back in Chiang Mai and preparing for our upcoming immigration visit. Has anyone else dealt with this same issue? We welcome advice and/or suggestions.

Thank you in advance!

Ask Thailand · Answer

A family recently shared their experience applying for Non-O visas from the Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago to volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand. While the parents received their Non-O visas, their three daughters were issued 60-day tourist visas due to a new directive halting Non-O visas for volunteer dependents. They were advised that they could switch the tourist visas to dependent visas in Thailand. The post seeks advice from others who may have faced similar situations, especially regarding the upcoming immigration visit in Chiang Mai.

Mollie **** · Answer

Did you have your immigration visit?  I’m curious what you found out because I am in the same situation.

Tod ********* · Answer

That is a question I'm afraid you're only gonna get answered by the Thai Immigration office in Chiang Mai.

For sure IF they issue Non-O's to children of volunteer visa holders, you'd have to have 21 days or more left on their current stamps to get thru the under review period.

Worst case they don't/won't issue them and you do nothing.

Children under 15 can't be fined for overstay and children under 18 can't be banned.

Let them overstay until they're old enough to enroll in school then bounce them out and back to get OFF the overstay and on to a visa exempt entry so they can get an ED visa issued inside the country with documentation from the school they're enrolled in.

What should we do about obtaining Non-O dependent visas for children as volunteers in Thailand?

Activity

Related

Resources