Answered5 months ago
Why were my children denied Non-O visas while I was approved as a dependent for my husband's Retirement visa?
Something interesting happened today. Hubby applied for his Non O-A Retirement visa and got it in May. I followed up by applying for Dependant Non-O visas for me and my children. My visa was approved but my children were rejected, saying that they need tourist visas. Im not super worried about it, because they will both be attending an accredited school and eligible for Educational visas. However I am confused, because my visa was approved as a dependant wife, but not the 2 biological children under 10... I did show my own proof of income, so maybe that had something to do with it? Im just genuinely curious is all. Has thus happened to anyone else?
Answer summary
The poster applied for Non-O visas for herself and her children after receiving approval for her husband's Non-O-A Retirement visa. While her dependent visa was granted, her children's applications were denied, with authorities indicating that children under 10 must have tourist visas instead. Despite the concerns, the poster plans to enroll her children in an accredited school, making them eligible for Educational visas soon. Community comments suggest that typically, children should be able to follow their parents' visas, and emphasize the need for clarification from immigration authorities regarding visa requirements for minors.
39 repliesnewest first
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Mary ******************
Maybe you should look into applying for a guardianship visa for the children - this way you can also have your own bank account. I’d consult an immigration lawyer for advice. I can recommend Siam Legal/ their office is near Nana BTS. I’m sure you get a complimentary consultation to see what their thoughts are.
Neil *******
Further evidence of eating into foreigners 'reserves'.
Danyeal *********
F
Magnus *********************
Sounds strange since your following a visa.
However, I’m from Sweden and Sweden got allot immigration from ME and also there kids can get deported from parents because they don’t have rights to stay…
Never heard something like this before in Thailand that kids can not follow parents as visa.
Maybe you need to go seek a agent who can guide you in this matter.
Tourist visas for kids when parents are on non-o retirement sounds like 🧐
They are going to school so why aren’t they allowed to follow…
However, I’m from Sweden and Sweden got allot immigration from ME and also there kids can get deported from parents because they don’t have rights to stay…
Never heard something like this before in Thailand that kids can not follow parents as visa.
Maybe you need to go seek a agent who can guide you in this matter.
Tourist visas for kids when parents are on non-o retirement sounds like 🧐
They are going to school so why aren’t they allowed to follow…
Lisa ******
Is this the DC embassy?
Latrice ********************
OP@Lisa *****
yes. Does it make a difference?Lisa ******
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison I just emailed them and they said a minor is still allowed.
Lisa ******
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison I would email them directly for clarity. I've been blowing up their email, lol.
Latrice ********************
OP@Lisa *****
strange. Idk why my kids were rejected. I wonder if I should reply to the email requesting clarity?Lisa ******
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison We are submitting his first so it will be a bit before ours is done.
Lisa ******
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison I'll find out! We are submitting ours at the Thai consulate in Los Angeles tomorrow when my husband gets his FBI background check redone. He had to change his name to match his passport. I'll keep you posted when it's done if you want.
Mel ************
I’m sorry that you and your family are going through this ordeal however, I would press upon and can’t stress enough to truly do your “undercover PI” work concerning the school’s lawful credentials as we’ve literally just had raids done on schools that turned out to be uncredited and unlawful that were immediately shut down. I guess what I’m saying is, definitely do your due diligence because just because they say they are credited doesn’t mean that they are!
Also, can you inbox me concerning your visa being a (dependent) of your husband’s Non Immigrant o-a Retirement Visa please. Both myself and my husband are here on the same and financially, that eats up (reserves) a significant and substantial portion of our funds! We also documented our monthly income with official retirement documents however, they were denied and only given the option of reserving 800,000 baht EACH into separate banking accounts 😫.
Also, can you inbox me concerning your visa being a (dependent) of your husband’s Non Immigrant o-a Retirement Visa please. Both myself and my husband are here on the same and financially, that eats up (reserves) a significant and substantial portion of our funds! We also documented our monthly income with official retirement documents however, they were denied and only given the option of reserving 800,000 baht EACH into separate banking accounts 😫.
Shaun ******
Mel Hallenbeck I hear they are raising it to 1 million baht in the foreseeable future.do you know if that's true. Plus they are changing the medical insurance requirements.
Latrice ********************
OPMel Hallenbeck are you both over 50? I am, but I'm aware that I will need my own visa after 50. We had planned to do an educational visa for my kids (the school offers these) with a guardian visa for me, since the financial requirements are less than 2 retirement visas. I just applied for us all to be my husband's dependants to keep everything streamlined for our initial entry. Also, my youngest is only 3, so I was hoping to be able to save $ with more of a daycare based program until she turns 5. Now it looks like she will have to be enrolled with my son at the big kids school, which is fine I guess, just a bit more expensive than some other options.
Greg ***********
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison normally, when children are on a Non-Imm-ED Visa and the extension, it is the mother who can get a "Dependent Visa" as the custodian of the child, without any financial proofs
Kool *******
Children under 15 years old can not be fined, or penalized, for overstay, no matter how long it is. They don't need a visa extension.
John **********
@Kool ******
and they can't go to school if they're on overstayChris *******
Kool Breez but what about when I bring my 14 year old son, will be be fine until he's 15, and then they give him a Visa lol?
Claire *******
He’ll be fine until he turns 20 as long as he’s approved for the DTV Dependent visa based on your DTV as the primary.
James ************
Chris Lynch just get a visa. Its not hard. And while children dont need one. An overstay can cause future problems with the wrong imm officer
Copper*******
Chris Lynch just get ed visa to be safe, Thailands a changing place not was it used to be. Don't want issues when he turns 15 or older and whole family have to pack up an leave due to doing an overstay cause of being a kid.
Brandon ************
@Chris ******
he won't be going to school?Chris *******
Wayne Lucas I'm aware
Latrice ********************
OPWayne Lucas as an American, I agree with you 100%. Their terrible education system has failed us all.
Wayne *******
Chris Lynch American learning it’s a joke right most uneducated people going around look who they elected potus. English international schools put them to shame.
Katya *********
Chris Lynch if you are not planning to enroll to school here then DTV works perfectly for kids, and better do it as later on government can reject ED application if kids overstay.
Chris *******
I have friends there currently with similar age kids, they were able to get them on a dependent DTV which is my plan. After a year or few on DTV I will likely switch to a work visa (teaching) and then switch my wife and kid over to dependents of that.
Chris *******
@Brandon ***********
online America-based school is the plan at least initially.
Tim *********
Its normal for following childern to get a visa from a school. The Thai government wants all children to be enrolled in education whilst in Thailand, hence your rejection.
Ian *******
Tim Nelhams I know this doesn't apply in this case, but I am curious. What about if the parents decided to home school their children, therefore they cannot get a visa from a school.
Latrice ********************
OPIan Whyte these were my thoughts, especially in these days, with so many online schools. Also the unacredited schools (hybrid online and the unschools with non traditional curriculums. We were considering an online hybrid in Hua Hin but decided to move to Na Jomtien instead. We would not have been able to get a visa from that school, so idk how or if that would have worked
Claire *******
For expats whose children are enrolled in accredited online schools, yes it is as simple as that.
Katya *********
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison I got DTV as workstation and my son as well but school rejected to accept him on DTV saying that in Thailand kids can study only on ED visa. Other school I send request also said me same - I need to cancel his DTV and apply for ED visa. So I believe here in Bangkok there is no choice but to get ED for kids
Ciaran ***********
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison I believe Thailand actually has laws and rules on homeschooling as well. Not just as simple as deciding you’re going to homeschool.
Richard ******
Children of a certain age don’t need a visa.
They follow the parent visa.
They follow the parent visa.
Brandon ************
@Richard *****
not accurate. Everyone needs their own permission to stay. Young children just can't be penalized for overstay.
Aslam ******
Under Thai immigration law, foreign children of any age must have a valid visa or a visa-exempt entry to legally enter and stay in Thailand. However, children under 15 years old are exempt from overstay fines. While they will receive an overstay stamp, they will not incur penalties or face bans for overstaying.A common misconception is that children do not need a visa until they turn 15.
Richard ******
@Brandon ***********
Right on.Activity
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