What visa options are available in Thailand for a 20-year-old special needs daughter who is legally an adult but unable to care for herself?

Written in the Immigration Act is a clause that denies visas to those that are mentally unsound.

How that is applied can vary.

Elite visa would solve it but very pricey

I am more worried for your visa application process which may get rejected if you bring her into the picture before it's approved.

Let's face it, you guys are not big spenders considering the visa type you are going to get. From the government perspective, there is little benefits to grant you the visa if you were to bring her with you, even if she will consume resources (income for the country).

Next is the location. Thailand is certainly not handicap friendly, even for bkk. There are very few if at all, centers for your child with her condition. If she is 20, you guys are at most 38? Without infrastructure support, it be hard to do anything with her unless you intend to keep her at home all the time.

It's a bit of a catch 22. You alert the authorities and risk your own visa being rejected or you get a definite answer before dumping money and effort into it.

I was already a patient at bumrungrad hospital and my agent who i asked to check my paperwork ( i am cognitively impaired and paperwork is hell for me) sent me a text in thai that i can show the hospital that they know exactly what confirmation i need for the visa application in Switzerland. I have a letter now that says something like i will need life long medical check ups and medicine for a chronic kidney illness and stroke. I paid a lot more than doing it myself but it was worth it. My DTV was approved in 3 days because i had all papers ready with proof of what i am doing even after 180 days. Medical treatment continues until i die. The great thing here is that if you explain once that you have cognitive issues, they just think why do you even explain? Don’t need to. Unlike in Europe where i constantly needed to explain and apologize for being "lazy" or late. My house owner helped me setting up electricity bill payment because even with reminders on my phone, i sometimes forget to pay a bill. I believe that some famous thai have similar issues, so they have at least heard of it before

Elite Visa is your best option if you have the means

In Thailand, most special needs are provided by family, in the home. We are thinking of having a elder- care center since there are less children around to provide.

Found this online,

Securing a visa for a disabled adult child (over 20) in Thailand is challenging, as standard dependent visas usually cap at age 20. However, you may be able to secure a Non-Immigrant O-Visa based on "dependent" status due to severe disability/special needs, or by using a Thai Privilege Visa (formerly Elite Visa).

Key Considerations for Dependent Adult Child Visas:

The "Dependent" Rule: Standard dependents are spouses or children under 20. For a child over 20, you must prove they are entirely dependent on you due to a permanent disability or mental/physical condition.

Visa Options:

Non-Immigrant O Visa (Family/Dependent): This is the standard route, requiring significant documentation proving the dependency and the disability.

Thai Privilege Visa: A paid, long-term (5-20 years) visa that is often easier for families with special circumstances, as it does not rely on traditional dependency criteria.

Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Allows dependents, but generally sticks to the under-20 rule, though special cases might be considered.

Documentation Required:

Comprehensive medical records, certificates, and evaluations from doctors confirming the disability and that the child cannot live independently.

Proof of the parent's financial stability to support the child.

Proof of relationship (birth certificate, etc.).

Challenges: Thai immigration can be strict, and documentation must often be translated into Thai, notarized, and sometimes verified by a Thai embassy.

Recommendation: It is highly recommended to contact a reputable Thai immigration lawyer or visa consultant to navigate the specific medical documentation required and to discuss options with the local immigration office.

Important Steps:

Contact an Agency/Lawyer: A specialist can advise if your documentation meets the stringent requirements.

Gather Medical Documentation: Get comprehensive, official medical reports detailing the disability.

Prepare Financial Proof: Ensure you have adequate, documented financial support for the dependent.

Initial Visa Application: Apply for the initial visa (usually a 90-day Non-O) outside Thailand, then extend it within the country.

Note: The information regarding dependents with disabilities can be subjective to the immigration officer, and past cases have shown it can be a difficult process.

My daughter is 30 but has adhd and is nurodivergent, I got her the bronze elite visa as it was the best for our situation and less worry.

Thailand is no place for people with disabilities, entire infrastructure isn’t there or even considered in all aspects even for their caregivers

There can be a medical exemption that allows for a disabled child older than 20, to follow a parents long term visa / extension but it’s going to be very specific to the medical condition. You’d have to go speak to immigration or a visa consultant and ask them your options.

Go to a professional, is Thailand the right place for your daughter.

Discuss with immigration.

As others have said speak to your embassy. I did some reading about this a while ago and my understanding was if there are health and wellbeing reasons it is possible but I have never seen anything on fb and I didnt get as far as speaking to the embassy. From what I recall it would be things like saying you will provide etc but I should think medical evidence etc supporting the reason would be needed. Good luck

maybe reconsider

Have one of the parents apply for a DTV and have her apply as dependant. Contact the consulate beforehand and see if they will consider waiving the age restriction for dependants taking into consideration her disabilities.

Read some fast on the matter and suggest you also do so, first step is to get correct advices from embassy/consulate in your home country.

It states that under 20 they go as dependent on your visa and over 20 it can be the same, it’s up to immigration in end. It does not say it’s impossible.

But first step so you get the correct way is to visit embassy/consulate.

It is possible for severely disabled people to get a dependant visa based on medical evidence if they are 20 or older but as far as I'm aware there is no standard for this. You are going to have to gather the medical evidence and present it to the consulate where you plan to apply for a visa and see what they say. I would keep away from visas that require regular extensions inside Thailand such as the ED visa as you'd then have to go through the same process with a local immigration office with no idea if the outcome would be the same or not.

Have you contacted your local Thai Embassy/Consulate with your particular details?

They may be able to guide you.

If there is ever a question that should go to a professional Visa agent this should be such a situation.

While keyboard warriors are keen to help, you'll get a lot of incorrect opinions (someone suggested you simply overstay the 60 day visa; breaking the law in a host country is generally not a good idea!). I would suggest seeking a professional opinion from a lawyer who specializes in Thai immigration.