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What type of visa should we apply for when moving to Chiang Mai for our child's education?
Thai visa typesGuardian visaEducation visaRetirement visaImmigration proceduresExpat living in ThailandChiang Mai International School
Mar 18, 2026
a month ago
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi,
In June my husband, our 13 yo child (we have accepted an offer for him at an international school there) and I are moving from the U.K. to CM. We are both 50+. We have already found a condo and are going to arrange the lease before our arrival. What visa should we apply for e.g. guardian, retirement or other? What is the procedure? Should we contact Thai embassy in the U.K. before we leave? Thank you 🙏 🙏 🙏
In June my husband, our 13 yo child (we have accepted an offer for him at an international school there) and I are moving from the U.K. to CM. We are both 50+. We have already found a condo and are going to arrange the lease before our arrival. What visa should we apply for e.g. guardian, retirement or other? What is the procedure? Should we contact Thai embassy in the U.K. before we leave? Thank you 🙏 🙏 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is moving to Chiang Mai with their family and is seeking advice on the appropriate visa types. It's suggested that the child should get an Education visa (ED) due to enrollment at an international school. One parent could apply for a Guardian visa (Non-O), but not both, while the other could consider a retirement visa if they plan not to work. The importance of contacting the Thai embassy in the UK to clarify visa processes before departure is emphasized. Potential concerns about property leasing practices and health issues related to air quality in Chiang Mai are also highlighted.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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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Tony ******
I'd be weary of signing a lease trusting photos. Have been to a few properties where the photos look new but the property is crap.
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERthank you, Tony. I heeded that advice and went to look. Luckily, it's all there, even more beautiful than the images.
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Elina ************
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Dutchie *******
Stay there better of
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTER??
Dutchie *******
Elina Steinbergs . Not a good time to move also thailand is not kind to foreigners
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTEROh, what bad experiences have you had, Dutchie, or heard of? do you mean increasing tightening of visa rules and expat policing?
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Elina ************
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Pietra *******
Of retirement visa if you aren't working with multiple entry and exits
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERPietra Yunga thank you for your advice. we are indeed planning to make several journeys out of Thailand. I ChatGPT-ed and it said that guardian visa, as opposed to retirement visa is more secure and less cumbersome as it is not dependent on a child. is that why it's better in your opinion, or is there any other reason?
Pietra *******
Elina Steinbergs Hi, I am not sure about the guardian Visa sorry, wish you all the best with your move 🙏
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Pietra *******
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Adam *****
Beware of paying someone for a lease upfront without knowing if they really have the right to lease the property. Many scams.
Suggest that you arrive here first and then find apartment
Suggest that you arrive here first and then find apartment
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you, Adam. We are going through an agency, called Expat Homes, via which a friend of mine is renting from
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Elina ************
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Rae ******
Make sure the health insurance is good because child lung cancer rates are high because of the burning season in that area you will be exposing him to... And life in a mask
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERon that note, are there any muay thai indoor gyms with AC and air purification ?
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Rae, do you currently live in CM?
James ***********
Rae Wang that's a ridiculous comment
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James ***********
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John **********
The implication is that one or more of you will be working at this international school in which case the workers will need to get a Non-B visa and also a work permit. You need paperwork from the school to get the Non-B visa and they should arrange the work permit. If one spouse will not work the should be able to get a Non-O visa as the dependant of the one with the Non-B. As to the kid, will they be attending school? If so they should get an ED visa, again with paperwork from the school they will attend
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you, John. sorry I did not make it clear. Neither of us is planning to work in Thailand. The kid will be studying.
John **********
@Elina ***********
then what @Stuart ********
saidReply to
John **********
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Stuart *********
The school should provide documentation for the child and one of the parents to get the relevant visa
Stuart *********
You should get an education visa for your child prior to coming. One of you could also get a guardian non O based on that but not both of you. The other could get a Non O based on being over 50 and work out extensions with the finances based off that.
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
sorry, for complicating it, another Q: later on this or next year I am also thinking of applying to CM university to do MA, can I study on a guardian or retirement visa or should I then apply for a student visa after enrolling in my MA course?Marianne ********
Elina Steinbergs You can study regardless of visa.
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Marianne ********
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Greg ***********
@Stuart ********
that's exactly how this worksGreg ***********
Elina Steinberg . . . . .and keep in mind, the guardian visa cannot be kept up once the child turns 18 years old (I am not 100% sure, I could be wrong and the age limit is 21) . .
@Stuart ********
any info on this ?Stuart *********
Age limit is 20. But you can only get a guardian visa/extension while the child is at the school (usually that means 18).
Elina ************
ORIGINAL POSTERGreg Alexander, thank you for pointing this out. I will look into it
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Elina ************
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