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What visa options are available for a US citizen with Thai children wishing to live in Thailand?

US citizenThailand visa optionsNON-O visaThai citizenshipvisa runsThai Elite visasupporting children in Thailandimmigrationexpat living in Thailand
Dec 21, 2021
3 years ago
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I am a US citizen. I am interested in living in Thailand with my 3 children. Their mother is Thai and one of them was born in Thailand (in case that might make a difference). We are no longer married. She is a permanent resident of the US and wishes to stay here.

I have a business here that does not require me to be physically present and provides more than enough income to support living in Thailand. I am not anywhere near old enough to qualify for a retirement visa yet. I'm 36.

I won't have a need or desire to work in Thailand (unless that would be my only option for a visa). Are there any options for us that you are aware of aside from entering as tourists and doing constant visa runs? (Once COVID is over or at least stabilizes, of course)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen with three children, one of whom is Thai, is seeking visa options to reside in Thailand without the need for constant visa runs. The children's mother, who is Thai, is residing in the US. Recommendations include obtaining Thai IDs and passports for the children, and considering the NON-O visa based on Thai offspring. There is also mention of the Thai Elite visa as a potential option.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Jeffrey ************
Thai Elite visa 🙂
3 years ago
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@Jeffrey ***********
 I've thought of that as an option but isn't that ridiculously expensive? I'm sure it's worth it but still, I may be financially stable but I'm certainly not rich (by American standards anyway). Besides, that wouldn't cover the kids, would it?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Brian *******
 the kids are thai by birth because their mother is thai, (whether they have thai i/d's or thai passports or not)

AND

you should definitely contact one of the 4 thai consulates that are open in the US (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York or Washington DC) and see what you can do to get them a thai passport BEFORE they wing their way here.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ellie *******
Strongly recommend you to get your children their Thai IDs and Thai passport while you all are in the US, when you can get their mother easily.

Talk with Thai consulate for Thai citizen section to see how the procedure to get all Thai related thing sorted, such as their IDs, passports, and Thai recognizable proof of your parental right, etc.

Things are going much tougher without help from their mother even in Thailand.

Once you get things sorted, you may apply for Non-O rasing half Thai child.
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
On the other hand, when considering you are family of all US citizen, you still have some possibilities of your long-term option such as maybe:

- Get your children ED visa from international school, get you non-o supporting foreign child

- establish your biz in Thailand (since US people have some privilege in Thailand that is out of this group scope, but makes it easier for you than other nationalities) get yourself non-b and get your children non-O dependant to you

Etc etc
3 years ago
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@Ellie ******
 but I will definitely contact the Thai consulate here before heading to Thailand to make sure I take all of the appropriate paperwork with me to Thailand as I don't plan on ever returning here.
3 years ago
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@Ellie ******
 their mother and I don't speak for reasons that I can't discuss openly on here. So, any communication with her won't be possible. Her rights to the children have already been taken away (in the US). I do have all the proof I need that she is their mother (birth certificates, etc.) So, while that might be easier, it's not an option in my situation.
3 years ago
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James ********
@Ellie ******
 excellent advice as the Thai mother is in the USA with him and their children.
@Brian *******
 you will be wise to follow Ellie's advice
3 years ago
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James ********
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James ********
What are the ages of your Thai children in Thailand?

Are you legally the father of each of the Thai children ? With your name on each birth certificate and registered /recognized as their father by the Amphur where they live ?

Who are they living with... if not with their mother which is now in the usa and plans to stay in the US ?
3 years ago
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James ********
And you plan to educate the children in Thailand vs US ?

Do the Thai children have Thailand passports?

Thai ID cards ?
3 years ago
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James ********
Do the children have Thai passports and Thai ID cards yet ?
3 years ago
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@James *******
 no. Only US Passports
3 years ago
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James ********
@Brian *******
 you can enter Thailand...as family. Using their US passports. All entering visa exempt...following which you should have the children obtain their Thai ID cards and Thai Passports.

You can apply for a Non O Visa as father of Thai Child. It will require deposit of 400,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in your name only.

When the children leave Thailand they will use their US Passport to depart.

And Thai passport in future entries.

As its night in Thailand ...lets await further reply from our Admin/Mod team in Thailand in the morning.
3 years ago
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@James *******
 thank you so much!
3 years ago
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James ********
@Brian *******
@Tod ********
 Admin...will likely add to our discussion in a few hours from Thailand.
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@James *******
 What James Miller said is correct - ASSUMING you can get the children their Thai passports. Unlike a one year extension of stay based on marriage, there is NO SEASONING requirements for a one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai children.

This extension of stay will also give you flexibility, and allows you to work in Thailand for a Thai company.
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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@James *******
 I was planning on home schooling in order to be able to get them US based diploma when they graduate. But I would have no problem educate them in the school system in Thailand if that would help our situation
3 years ago
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@James *******
 they are US citizens as well. I just didn't know if the fact that their mother is Thai would make it any easier. That's the only reason I mentioned that
3 years ago
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@James *******
 the children are with me in the USA. Sorry, I wasn't too clear on that. They are 4, 3, and 2
3 years ago
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James ********
@Brian *******
 and you are planning to take them to Thailand with you ? Or just you seeking to live in Thailand? Are you still married to the mother?

Or ??
3 years ago
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@James *******
 yes. I have full custody and am planning on taking the children with me. We are still legally married. The divorce will be final in June or July
3 years ago
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James ********
@Brian *******
 so you are getting divorced and children will be in your custody? With three Thai children you plan to take back with you to live in Thailand.
3 years ago
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@James *******
 yes
3 years ago
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