I'm interested in getting a DTV. I've been in Chiang Mai for a few months and I will be leaving in a couple of days, back to the USA. I want to return to Thailand in September and study Thai language and other areas of "Soft Power". I have the required amount of money in my American bank. Are there steps I should take in the next few days? Must I enroll in a Language class (I haven't decided which one)? I study Muay Thai now and will continue but that facility doesn't qualify yet for DTV. What advice can you give? Thanks.

Hi everyone,

My family and I (my wife and our two kids) are planning to move to Thailand for an undetermined period, in about two years. I just wanted to run my plan by you and get some feedback to see if it makes sense.

I own a company back home in Canada, which provides me with a regular salary. I'm considering applying for the DTV visa — would this be a suitable option in my case? Also, would my family be able to join me under this visa? If needed, I could also put my wife on the company payroll.

Lastly, would our kids be able to attend school while we're in Thailand?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Hey all. I am a noob (newbie) to this group. My daughters are coming to Thailand in 2 weeks. Both are in their early 20s. One is coming to teach and the other has applied to a university in Thailand and is waiting to hear back.

If she gets in, school won’t start until July or August so… I guess she would first have to do a tourist visa and then ask the school to start the process for the education visa so that she doesn’t have to leave the country? This is all so new and happening so fast.

My husband and I will be down there in July and he is doing a retirement visa but I was going to do a DTV visa. I wasnt sure if I can work if coming under his retirement visa. Which would be better to do?

Hi everyone! Guardian and Education visas 🙏 We need to reapply for our visas (we already have all paperwork needed, including our children’s school forms). Wondering if anyone could advise whether travelling to HK or Vietnam might be easier to apply from there? Just trying to work out flights and how long should we plan for as I read it can take 5-10 days. Thank you so much!

My son completed 11 months of a 12 month education visa for Thai language. I was on a retirement visa for a year. My visa expired a month before he was due to finish ( I got it through the Canberra embassy and it arrived faster than I thought). So he got a letter of early finalisation apparently required from the language school in CM. We then departed for another country on the day my visa finished and were gone a month. We checked everything face to face with CM immigration about leaving and then coming back on a tourist visa, returning for 3 weeks before heading home to Australia. We arrived back at Suvarnabhumi airport and no problem I was stamped through. Then they stopped my son and I came back with him and he was given a hard time about not finishing his course. He had the letter. He was asked one question in Thai and the officer was saying he hadn't studied. We had just come off a night flight without sleep. Then the officer said he cannot come back on an education visa. There were three officers. They were pretty rude and officious but then did allow him to be stamped in as a tourist. We did all the right things according to CM immigration requirements but Bangkok were upset. They also said we cannot come here to live etc. Never said we wanted to!! I love Thai people in general but is this usual?

Hi all,

I'm looking into relocating from Australia with my partner and 3 children.

My partner has a business and can work from anywhere. 2 of my children would go to an international school, my littlest is 1 yo.

We're not married but have been together for 17 years.

My partner is thinking, eventually, he would like to hire employees so I'm assuming that a business visa and work permit would be more suitable. Everything I've researched, our children would be able to apply for visas under his business visa but I would not unless we get married, which is fine, it's a piece of paper.

We're not in a hurry and want to ensure everything is done properly. I would love some advice on experiences or contacts for some solid info/assistance.

Appreciate any help. 😊

I know people talk about soft power for DTV visa and it has to be Thai culture activity. I’ve been a licensed massage therapist for 20 years. Why can’t Thai massage classes be considered a soft power? 

Does anyone know if there are any Thai Cooking Classes in Pattaya that would qualify for the DTV.

I have dtv visa and my son 13 years old will attend the school this year. He stay with TR visa now .

Can he attend the school with dtv dependent visa ? because Ed visa process is more confuse than dtv dependt.

And his school can give visa document after attend the school maybe around this june 2025. But his tr visa is just enought for may . So what should i do .? Thanks

Is anyone able to recommend any reliable and proven agencies to help with either DTV or Education visa please?