Thank you so much for your help!

He did apply for a green card, but the interview didn't seem to go very well and we are still waiting for the officer's decision. Honestly we applied for it solely because the kids and I couldn't get to China and he couldn't get to Thailand. Even if he gets approved we still plan to relinquish it at some point as we do not plan to return to the US for 6 months a year. So, while we are waiting for a response I'm trying to find out if he doesn't get approved (or actually even if he does) once we're in Thailand with a tourist visa can he switch to a dependent on my education visa once I have it?

Thanks, the Consulate was clear that on my husband's B2 visitor visa he's not eligible for any Thai visa, but it doesn't hurt to ask again for an exception- thanks, I'll do that. Once we are in Thailand I'll plan on getting an education visa through a language school and then a volunteer visa through a foundation doing social work. My husband isn't sure what he'll do long term but maybe something with ecotourism design. Our 3 kids will go to international school (1st one starting in fall 2022). My husband will look into if he can mail his passport to China and get a Thai tourist visa mailed back. If that is do-able, do you know if once we are in Thailand on tourist visas can he with a Chinese passport switch to a dependent on my ED visa (when I switch) without having to leave the country?

Okay, thank you all so much for this information. He can't get any visa ahead of time from the US (where we are coming from) without a green card, which he doesn't have yet, so I'm looking for other options. We're trying to avoid him going to China as we have small children and don't want to get separated b/c of quarantine requirements.