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What visa options do I have for moving to Thailand with a small child?
Visa typesNON-O visaDTV visaguardian visastudent visaThai residencyimmigrationexpat adviceThailandchild education in Thailand
Jun 14, 2025
a year ago
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all I'm looking to move to Thailand in the coming years and I will have a small child with me what visa will I need
I do know that I have to hold a non-immigrant visa for 3years before I can become a Thai resident anything else will be helpful
I do know that I have to hold a non-immigrant visa for 3years before I can become a Thai resident anything else will be helpful
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around obtaining the appropriate visa for moving to Thailand with a small child. The primary visa mentioned is the NON-O visa, which can eventually lead to Thai residency after three years. Additionally, if the child will attend school, a student visa is necessary, along with a guardian visa for the parent. Other alternatives discussed include the DTV visa, which requires entry and exit every six months and has various eligibility criteria. Participants emphasize the importance of researching visa options as they may change over time, and the necessity of ensuring financial stability before the move.
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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Baran ********
Small sacrifices today lead to big lifestyle options in the future.check out Honor & Independence: Your Mission to Early Retirement
Henrik *****
Forget about being a Thai resident, only very, very few are accepted.
Charlie ********
How will you support yourself? Your SSI will cease if you are absent from the USA for 30 consecutive days I believe. You will be unlikely to be able to find work in Thailand as many jobs are reserved for Thai nationals. You would likely need some type of passive income from your home country or a nest egg of funds to rely on. Good luck
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERSince everything is changing I like to keep myself updated so just in case I do move sooner but as of now I want to focus on working and getting a degree make sure I have everything I need before I do make the move you know I just want to make sure I have enough money to support myself and my Child when we do decide to move but I really appreciate all the info I have received
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk thanks I will but I will check now and then so I can keep myself updated on the Changes
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charlie *******
I was going to save money before I moved I'm not moving right away, plus I was going to find a job in Nebraska and work for some years before moving to Thailand I know I need money to support my self and I already talked to Social security and no I won't lose my CheckJohn *******
@Nicole *******
You mentioned Thai residency, but I don’t think you would qualify for any visa that would lead to that. Your best option is the DTV visa, which is a five year visa, but you have to exit and re-enter every 6 months (180 days). You either need to work online/remote, sign up for a course like Thai cooking or receive medical services in Thailand. You also need about 16k usd in your bank accountNicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDo Thai language classes Qualify For a DTV
Kayama *******
@Nicole *******
currently yes as long as the classes are minimum 6 months in duration and from a legitimate school.Henrik *****
Most Embassies will grant you a ED-visa if you apply for Thai language classes as reason, but you will pay DTV visa fee.
But at the time you plan to move to Thailand, most of the rules will have changed, so investigate the options then, and not now.
But at the time you plan to move to Thailand, most of the rules will have changed, so investigate the options then, and not now.
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm not moving to Thailand right now but maybe in about 3-5 years
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
ok thanksReply to
Nicole ********
Reply
Lna ******
Soon refugier 🔥🤣😂
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk thanks for the info
Arpan ******
You can get a guardian visa
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy child is 4 will be 5 in December
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm almost 40 and I was wondering if I enrolled in College in Nebraska can I transfer to Thailand and finish there
Us *****
@Nicole *******
I think it is best if you just do online college and finish it. By the way, you might want to reconsider moving here as an expat woman. You will have a hard dating life and the quality of men are the bottom of the barrel. Thailand might be paradise for 2 months but the challenges are not worth it after that. This is just a warning, please really think it through.Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI've been thinking it through I'm currently living in the US on SSI been trying to work for years no luck and with the Way Trump is literally trying to control everything and Everyone i don't want that I want to live the way I want not the way he wants sorry not sorry
Us *****
@Nicole *******
you better check the law on ssi. If you leave the country you might not get it.Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
I willUs *****
@Nicole *******
I think ssi will suspend your payment if you leave the country for more than 30 days.Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
I was already thinking about going to school online anyway why do you think that Im going to Thailand to date Thanks but No ThanksNicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
I'm not looking for a man at all I don't want to date I'm married right now but separated I've been trying to get a divorce from him for four years I'm not looking to date anyone anytime soon I want to either work or go to school a man has nothing to do with me coming to live in ThailandReply to
Nicole ********
Reply
Nicole ********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy youngest is 4 and a half
Reply to
Nicole ********
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Audrey *******************
If you plan on enrolling your child in school, you will need to apply for a student visa for your child. If your child is awarded a student visa, you can apply for a guardian visa, which is attached to their student visa. You cannot work on a guardian visa. There are many different options for visas, so I recommend doing some extensive research to determine which one works best for your situation. If you are over 50 you could look into a retirement visa for example. Good luck.
Shayne **********
Thai citizenship group will give you better advice but unless you have Thai family or a very good job or good remote job options for residence are limited.
Reply to
Shayne **********
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