Moving to Thailand with children can be exciting, but it also raises a big question: what is the best way for a family to stay here legally and long-term? Let’s take the example of two parents with two children under 12, and explore the options.
Understanding Your Purpose
The first thing immigration will care about is why your family is staying in Thailand. Different reasons open different visa paths. Retired parents over 50 have one set of options. Working parents with a job or business have another. Families who want to put their children into international schools follow yet another route. Knowing your purpose helps you avoid wasted time and extra paperwork.
If you are unsure which path applies best to your situation, Thai Nexus can review your case and recommend the right visa strategy before you apply.
Visa Options for Parents and Children
Thailand offers several practical ways for families to stay together:
- Retirement visas (O-A or O-X) are available for parents over 50. Children under 20 can join as dependents.
- Work visas (Non-B) are possible if one parent has employment or a business. The spouse and kids are added as dependents.
- Education visas (Non-ED) cover children attending school. In this case, parents often stay on a Non-O Guardian Visa. (We will publish a separate article explaining guardian visas in detail, and link it here.)
- Long-Term Resident visas (LTR) give qualifying families the chance to stay up to 10 years.
Each option has its own financial and paperwork requirements, but the structure is clear: one main visa holder, and dependents or guardians linked to that status. Thai Nexus can prepare and submit all applications on your family’s behalf, making sure documents meet immigration standards.
Documents Families Usually Need
When applying as a family unit, expect to prepare:
- Passports for everyone
- Marriage certificate for the parents
- Birth certificates for the children
- Proof of income, savings, or employment (depending on the chosen visa)
- School enrollment letters if children are studying
Having these ready saves time, as Thai immigration always asks for family connection documents. Thai Nexus helps collect, translate, and certify these papers so there are no surprises during the process.
How Families Typically Arrange It
For many families, one parent qualifies as the “main applicant”, while the rest join under dependent status. For example, a father over 50 may secure a retirement visa, and his wife and children are then added to his application. A mother with a company job may hold the Non-B work visa, with her family joining her as dependents.
In cases where children are enrolled in international schools first, parents often follow using the guardian visa option. This arrangement is increasingly common among expat families, and we’ll explore it separately in detail. Thai Nexus regularly handles these mixed cases and can coordinate both school enrollment documents and guardian visa applications.
Choosing the Easiest Path
The right option depends on your circumstances:
- Over 50? → Retirement visa is the simplest route.
- Moving for work? → Work visa with dependents.
- Children’s schooling first? → Education + Guardian visas.
- Looking for stability? → The LTR visa is long-term but requires higher income or investment.
Families often arrive on tourist visas to explore, then switch to the visa type that fits them best once they’ve decided on work, retirement, or schooling. Thai Nexus can also assist with in-country visa conversions, so you don’t need to leave Thailand to change status.
Final Thoughts
The process may feel complicated at first, but it follows a clear pattern: one parent or child becomes the “anchor” for the visa, and the rest of the family connects through dependent or guardian status. With the right visa in place, you can focus on settling in, enrolling the children, and building your new life in Thailand.
If you want to know more about the guardian visa option for parents of children in international schools, we will cover it in a separate article with all the details. In the meantime, Thai Nexus is here to guide your family from the first consultation to final visa approval.
Can my children stay in Thailand with me?
Yes. Children under 20 can usually stay as dependents on a parent’s visa. If you have a retirement visa, work visa, or long-term resident visa, your children can be added to your application so the whole family stays together.
What visa is best for families with kids in Thailand?
It depends on your situation:
- Retirement visa if a parent is 50 or older.
- Work visa (Non-B) if a parent has a job or company.
- Education visa if children will attend school in Thailand. Parents can then apply for a guardian visa.
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa if you qualify for the 10-year option.
Each path has different requirements, but all can cover children.
What documents do I need for a family visa in Thailand?
For a family of two parents and two kids, you will usually need:
- Passports for everyone
- Marriage certificate for the parents
- Birth certificates for the children
- Proof of income, savings, or job (depending on visa type)
- School papers if children are studying in Thailand
Agencies like Thai Nexus can help prepare, translate, and submit these documents to avoid delays.
Can I move to Thailand first on a tourist visa and change later?
Yes. Many families arrive on tourist visas, then switch to a long-term visa once they decide their plan. It’s possible to convert visas inside Thailand, but the process can be tricky. Professional help makes it smoother.
How do guardian visas for parents work?
If your children join an international or Thai school, they can get education visas. Parents can then apply for guardian visas (Non-O) to stay and take care of them. This option is common for younger families. (We will publish a full article on guardian visas soon.)
Which is the easiest way for a family to stay long-term?
There isn’t one single answer. For parents over 50, retirement visas are the simplest. For working parents, the work visa path is best. For families focused on schooling, education + guardian visas are common. And for stability, the LTR visa covers everyone for 10 years.
Do I need to leave Thailand every year to renew my visa?
No. Most long-term visas can be renewed inside Thailand once a year. The LTR visa lasts up to 10 years before renewal. Agencies can handle renewals for you, so you don’t have to stress about deadlines.
What happens if one parent gets the visa but not the other?
Usually, the other parent and children can join as dependents. Immigration rules are designed to keep families together, as long as the main visa holder meets the requirements.
