Visas for families

Which visas let a family live in Thailand?

I list 3 visa routes a family could use to live in Thailand, 3 checked on an official government page. Always confirm with the embassy before you apply.

Checked on an official page

Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, 10 years

wealth / pensioner / remote work / highly skilled

Who it suits: Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, Work-from-Thailand Professional, Highly-skilled Professional

Main requirements

Four categories (official BOI figures). Wealthy Global Citizen: USD 1 million in assets plus USD 500,000 invested in Thailand; no income test. Wealthy Pensioner: 50+ and retired, passive income of USD 80,000 a year (or USD 40,000 plus USD 250,000 invested in Thailand). Work-from-Thailand Professional: USD 80,000 a year average over 2 years (or USD 40,000 with a Master's, IP or Series A funding of USD 1 million), working for a listed company or one with USD 50 million revenue over 3 years. Highly-Skilled Professional: job in a targeted industry and USD 80,000 a year (or USD 40,000 with a science/technology Master's or expertise; none for public agencies). All: USD 50,000 health insurance, Thai social security or USD 100,000 deposit.

Family: Legally married spouse (same-sex marriages accepted; unmarried partners not) and children under 20; a child's dependant visa becomes invalid at 20. Each dependant needs USD 50,000 health insurance, Thai social security, or a USD 25,000 deposit held 12 months (official). Official sources disagree on the cap and on parents: BOI Announcement Por 3/2568 (4 Feb 2025) and the BOI 2025 brochure include parents and 'no limit on the number of dependents'; ltr.boi.go.th (read 2026-10-07) and the Royal Thai Consulate-General Los Angeles table still say spouse and children only, maximum 4 dependants. The BOI dependants document list (6 Nov 2025) lists only spouse and child relationships. Siam Legal (law firm) says up to four and no parents.

School: No official BOI page found that addresses school enrolment. Law firm Benoit & Partners: 'Children can attend public and private schools in Thailand.' Relocation agency Thai Relo Services: dependants can study in Thailand. Secondary sources only.

How long: 10-year multiple-entry visa. The first stay permit is for 5 years (or up to passport expiry) and is extended for 5 more if the holder still qualifies; the second validation needs no visa fee. Annual (not 90-day) reporting.

Read on the official page (7 Oct 2026). Official page

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

remote work / soft power

Who it suits: remote workers and some activity-based stays

Main requirements

Two principal categories, both multiple entry with a visa valid for 5 years. (a) Workcation (digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent, freelancer): employment contract or employment certificate in their country, or a professional portfolio showing that status. (b) Thai soft power activities (e.g. Muay Thai, Thai culinary training, medical treatment): proof of confirmation to attend the activity or an appointment letter from a hospital/medical center. Both: financial evidence of either (1) last-3-month bank statement(s) with a minimum balance of 500,000 THB or equivalent, or (2) sponsorship letter(s); passport biodata page; photograph taken within the last six months; proof of permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted; criminal record clearance certificate from the country of nationality or of application. The page says to check the embassy/consulate's website for its specific documents.

Family: Spouse and children under 20 of DTV holders get their own DTV (multiple entry, valid 5 years). Documents: passport biodata page, photo within 6 months, proof of permanent residence in the application country, the same 500,000 THB bank statement or sponsorship letter(s), the main holder's DTV, proof of relationship (marriage, birth or adoption certificate) and a criminal record clearance certificate.

School: Royal Thai Embassy, Seoul: 'If the child of a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) holder intends to pursue education in Thailand, they are required to apply for a Non-Immigrant ED visa.' So a DTV dependant child needs a separate ED visa for school (this is one embassy's notice).

How long: Visa valid 5 years, multiple entry (all three categories). Stay per entry is not shown.

Read on the official page (7 Oct 2026). Official page

Non-Immigrant ED / guardian of a student

student / guardian

Who it suits: child enrolled at a Thai international school; parent as guardian

Main requirements

Non-Immigrant category O for parents or guardians of non-Thai students at educational establishments approved by Thai authorities (the student uses category ED; non-formal private schools are excluded). Parent/guardian documents (Royal Thai Embassy, Seoul list): passport valid for at least 6 months; colour photo taken within 6 months (not the passport photo); proof of current residency in Korea (Resident Register, or Alien Registration Card for non-Koreans) plus a 1-year Certificate of Entry and Departure; a recent 3-month bank statement or certificate of deposit with an ending balance of no less than 30,000 THB (or 1,200,000 KRW), with proof of relationship if it is a family statement; copy of the student's passport and visa stamp (if any); birth certificate or other document proving the relationship with the student; letter of invitation from the approved school. Student (ED): ending balance of no less than 800,000 THB (or 30,000,000 KRW) or the parents'/guardian's income-tax certificate, acceptance/invitation letter and the school's registration certificate; students under 20 travelling alone also need a notarised birth certificate, notarised parents' marriage certificate (or custody court order), copies of the parents' passports/IDs and notarised parental consent. Non-English documents need certified English translations. E-visa issuance takes 7-14 working days.

Family: The O visa is for the student's parent(s) or guardian(s); the document sets no limit on how many and does not mention a spouse or siblings.

School: The child studies on a Non-Immigrant ED visa at a school approved by Thai authorities; the parent or guardian accompanies on category O.

Read on the official page (7 Oct 2026). Official page

Visa rules change often, and this is not legal advice. Check the official page and the embassy before you apply.

Also: 19 international schools in Thailand ยท Visas in other countries