True then the latter applies.

TrustworthySeal8519

The 500,000 THB proof-of-funds is assessed per DTV applicant. If both parents apply as main DTV applicants, that’s 500,000 THB each.

But if the children apply as DTV dependents, official Thai embassy/consulate requirements commonly still list financial evidence of 500,000 THB for the dependent application (sometimes allowing a sponsor letter). See, for example, Thai Embassy London (DTV spouse/children) and Thai Embassy Singapore / Thai Consulate LA checklists. 

If the children are instead on ED visas, then they’re not DTV dependents — but ED/guardian-type visas can have their own financial requirements, and at least one official embassy page states 500,000 THB per child for parents applying to accompany a studying child. 

So it's saying depending what visa you get your kids this is the best I can find. May be ask the question to that company they not going to know if you use them or not. Take care

TrustworthySeal8519 I’d love to take the credit, but I won’t 😄

I asked ChatGPT to explain Thai Immigration law from /2025, pasted your post into it, and told it to actually take its time thinking. What came back lines up pretty closely with what a lot of people here are already saying.

Best of luck with it. I was pointed toward a company that handles the process. Naturally they charge, because of course they do, but only once the visa is approved, which takes a lot of the head-scratching out of it. That one is Relothai.org.

That said, I’ve personally just done a 2-month visa directly through the government website and it’s actually very straightforward. Upload documents, the system ticks them off, you can save and come back later. No drama.

The only reason I’d even consider using a company is because I work offshore and in remote areas, and I don’t always have reliable internet access. Convenience has a price. From memory it’s around 38,000 baht, but I’m not sure how they’d structure that for a family.

I live in Thailand but worked rotation so never needed a visa but they clamping down ans this time I got one thank goodness so I will also be looking into getting a long-term visa.

I will ask again to verify with reference for you about the kids

Either way, hope it works out smoothly for you.

Yes, the 500,000 THB proof of funds for DTV is real. That part is official.

But there is no written rule anywhere that says the money is frozen or that you’re “not allowed to touch it” after the visa is issued.

In practice:

You show the funds at application (often 3 months of statements)

Sometimes immigration asks again at entry or later

As long as you can show the balance when asked, you’re fine

People do use that money after approval it’s not a locked account

The bigger misunderstanding is the total amount needed.

For families like yours, the usual, cleaner setup is:

Both parents apply as main DTV holders (500k each)

Children go on ED visas through the school

You do not need millions sitting idle for each child

Unmarried partners are the reason this matters DTV dependents are typically defined as legal spouse + children, which makes trying to bundle everyone under one DTV messy and risky.

On working online:

DTV is the visa designed for remote/online work

ED visas are fine for kids, not for working parents

Guardian visas are usually more restrictive and not work-friendly

About Wise:

Some embassies accept Wise statements

Some prefer traditional banks

Wise isn’t illegal or disallowed, but it can cause friction

If you want less stress, keep the 500k in a normal bank account

The practical way people handle cashflow:

Treat the 500k as a buffer, not untouchable money

Spend from other savings/income where possible

If you dip into it, rebuild it before any renewal or border scrutiny

You likely need 1,000,000 THB total (500k each), not several million.

Your plan is still viable. The problem is bad explanations, not bad planning.