If you have a child who is a Thai national, or a child enrolled at a recognised school here, you may be able to stay on that basis rather than on retirement or marriage. For younger parents who do not qualify to retire, this is often the route that gets missed entirely.
It is document heavy. Immigration verifies the relationship, the school enrolment where relevant, and your ability to support the child, and the paperwork comes from the district office and the school rather than from a bank alone.
Frequently asked questions
My child is Thai but we are not married. Does that matter?
Legal recognition of paternity matters a great deal here, and it is a separate process at the district office. If it has not been done, that is the first thing to fix, and we handle it. Without it the guardian route is much harder.
Can I work on a guardian visa?
The extension does not itself grant the right to work. A work permit is a separate application, and being the parent of a Thai child can help with it.
Have a child in Thailand?
Tell us your child's nationality and school situation on LINE. There may be a route open to you that nobody has mentioned.
Related services
- Visa servicesThai marriage visa in PattayaThe extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national, with a lower financial requirement than the retirement route and no minimum age.
- Visa servicesEducation visa in PattayaA legal long stay while you study Thai, train Muay Thai or take a recognised course, with the school paperwork and immigration filing handled.
- Visa servicesNon-Immigrant O visa in PattayaThe entry category that unlocks the retirement and marriage extensions, obtained abroad or converted from your current stamp inside Thailand.
- Visa services90 day reporting in PattayaYour address notification filed for you at Jomtien Immigration, usually the same day, without you setting foot in the building.