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What visa should I get for moving to Thailand with my children and can I teach with only a TEFL certificate?

Thailand visa rules Education visa Work visa NON-O visa Teaching English in Thailand Visa for children Expats in Thailand International schools Tourist visa Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Jan 27, 2025

a month ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone! I need advice can someone help me answer this please. If I’m planning to move to Thailand in June with  my 2 small children should I obtain a visa now or once I arrive? And what visa do my kids need? 

 I would like to teach English but I don’t have a bachelor degree only a TEFL Certificate. I’m not sure if I should go for a work visa or Educational visa. 🤷🏽‍♀️

And lastly, should I book a one way ticket if I plan to stay long term.✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Thanks in advance!!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks advice on whether to apply for a visa before moving to Thailand with two children in June. They are unsure about which visa to pursue for themselves (work or educational) since they lack a bachelor’s degree but possess a TEFL certificate. Additionally, they inquire about visa requirements for their children and whether to book a one-way ticket for a long-term stay. The responses highlight that a degree is necessary for a work permit, and suggest researching various visa types. Options discussed include obtaining a tourist visa for initial entry, enrolling children in an international school to apply for educational visas, and considering online work for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) grant. There are warnings about the realities of teaching in Thailand, especially without a degree, alongside suggestions for careful financial and logistical planning before relocating.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Dan *************

Wait. Have you ever taught English? Do you really want to do that or is that just a means to get a visa? Are you good at it? Do you care about the kids you'd be teaching or just your kids. Thailand needs qualified good if not great teachers. Not just opportunists.

24 days ago

Jessica *******

@Dan ************

that is the most judgmental post, you think because she is coming with her two kids she wouldn’t be a good teacher and would only care for her kids. A mom would actually be a more caring teacher then some young kid that hasn’t been around children or only kids she has taught don’t you think.

23 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jessica ******

thanks dear. That was thoughtful of you to chime in. I have had some make false assumptions of my ability to teach as a single parent and without my bachelor degree but I have 19 years in teaching , my homeschool program I run in Dominican Republic (currently) and my TEFL Certificate. I’m learning to be a better teacher everyday . I just want help others while experiencing and exploring. I figured Thailand would be an awesome place. ✨

23 days ago

Dan *************

@Jessica ******

sorry u misunderstood. Her initial post sounded like she just was looking for any kind of job and that teaching was the easiest.. that what I was responding too. She clarified in a later post that she was a qualified teacher and loves teaching. Many people seem to come to Thailand to teach just cause it seems to be an easy visa and job to get. That was my point.

23 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dan ************

I understand where you’re coming from but if I’m not mistaken you currently living there? And would I have been wrong to judge and say you were only there for cheap sex and or to find a wife whom you could control and take advantage of because she’s poor. In reality most men who travel to these less fortunate countries go there for those reasons . They don’t contribute to the country they only take. Most men arrive with selfish motives and intentions. I have a huge heart to spread love, teach and inspire. This is why I never judged you by asking you what are you doing there and in what way were you contributing. People should learn to stop judging and not worry so much on the choices others make. Again, I merely ask a direct question and received judgement. But no worries. I love to defuse conflict with love and understanding. 😊

23 days ago

Dan *************

@Nie ********

HI. So I don't live in Thailand. I live in the States where I met my wife five years ago this week. --- so my only trips --- to Thailand-- we're with her-- and meeting her family and friends-- so sorry- no cheap sex here. No taking advantage of Thai People. I think actually we are both on the same page in our love of Thailand and Thai culture and not wanting people to take advantage of this beautiful country and it's people. I wish you and your children all the best!

23 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dan ************

thank you much and congratulations on your new chapter. Love is beautiful and sharing it is even more beautiful!

22 days ago

Jessica *******

@Dan ************

gotcha sorry I misunderstood

23 days ago

Dan *************

@Jessica ******

no worries at all! I was clearly a little quick to judge! My bad not yours!

23 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dan ************

growth is accepting accountability. Thanks for your honesty. Next time respond with humility.

23 days ago

Reply to

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dan ************

as I’ve previously stated . I have taught English and Spanish for 19 years. I’ve also been a homeschool mom of 19 years. I have even taught Chinese students Spanish. I run a pop-up life skills youth mentoring program in America. I currently live in Dominican finishing up with building our school with a library for the less fortunate students. I currently work here teaching the locals and expat families. I don’t have to teach honestly speaking because I have the money to just leave abroad and relax for awhile considering I run two business here in DR therefore money comes in monthly. I choose to work because I have a passion to teach and also learn. I love languages. I speak 4 so learning Thai would be a great way to connect with the beautiful people . I’m good at anything I touch because whatever I do is from my heart. I love and only want to spread love and positive energy. I obviously care about my children too. None of what you wrote had nothing to do with my initial post. People on facebook are very judgy and create false assumptions. In conclusion I may not have a degree but humbly speaking the last I checked God doesn’t call the qualified He qualifies the called. If it’s meant for me to teach in a school or in my home privately. It’s going to work because I’m destined to touch the soil of many lands.❤️❤️❤️

Thanks for your response!

*****************************

24 days ago

Reply to

Nie *********

Henrik *****

You have a lot of work in front of you, with figuring out how things work in Thailand and with visa’s to Thailand.

Do not expect to get a job, since unskilled work is reserved for Thai people only.

The post is very naive, have you even read the website of a Thai Embassy.

25 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Henrik ****

I appreciate your response I take everyone’s information into consideration. As I have stated I recently read the site information in full and now understand what visa will suit me best. But during the time I simply ask questions to gain opinions and advice from other foreigners who live in Thailand. I have received mixed answers, informative and helpful answers as well as judgmental responses.

As I have previously stated I have $50,000 saved my kids will be good because my friend is a digital nomad who will be going with me . She’s also a stay at home mom so babysitting is not the issue. If I was hired at a school. Understanding you need a degree. However, the way my life works I may run into a school who will hire me with my TEFL certification. I’m not looking to take jobs away from the Thai people instead I’m trying to add. However I can be a blessing to the country. I also run 2 businesses in Dominican Republic and run a a pop up life skills youth mentoring nonprofit in America. So even then the beautiful people can benefit from me. It’s all about working together. Money isn’t the issue and working is not the goal. I just wanted to know what visa would suit my children and I best and I only wanted to work because I love kids, teaching and learning languages. ✨

But I thank you for your response and I will save this picture. ✨

25 days ago

Reply to

Nie *********

Us *****

Wait, you need to backtrack and rethink what you are doing. First, how are you going to educate your 2 kids? International school is super expensive. If you can afford to send them to school, you can get a visa of stay. Also, Thailand is not cheap. I hope you have enough saved. Let's say if you can become a teacher here, who is going to watch your kids. They will work you to death here.

25 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Us ****

I have $50,000 saved my kids will be good because my friend is a digital nomad who will be going with me . She’s also a stay at home mom so babysitting is not the issue. I also run 2 businesses in Dominican Republic and run a nonprofit in America. Money won’t be the issue I just wanted to know what visa would suit my children and I best and I wanted to work because I love kids, teaching and learning languages. ✨

Dan *************

good to hear this!

Us *****

okay International school should cost 10-20k usd a year and they will give you and your kid a visa for it.

24 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Us ****

now this is great information. Is this all International schools? And can this visa allow us to be permanent residents? And where should I look to obtain this information because this could potentially work?

24 days ago

Us *****

@Nie ********

no visa will give you permanent residency

24 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Us ****

incorrect I just look this up .

Procedure for Applying for Thai Permanent Residency in 2024

Hold a non-immigrant visa for at least three consecutive years.

Maintain a valid visa at the time of application.

Meet financial requirements and have a clean criminal record.

Thanks for your response.

24 days ago

Us *****

@Nie ********

trust me, what they say and what they do is not the same thing. There are farangs here what a Thai wife and kid and they won't even give them a visa pass one year. You will always be a tourist for them. Just accept that fact.

24 days ago

Nie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Us ****

well everyone’s situation is different. I’m going to investigate more and find out once I arrive. I’m a positive thinker and generally speaking I always manifest what I want ✨✨✨

24 days ago

Reply to

Nie *********

Ravit ******************

Another way for you is to enroll kids into an international school. Then issue for one of them education visa based on the school's paperwork (school will help you with that), and then you can issue a visa for yourself as the child's guardian. We were on these type of visas for many years, since kindergarten to highschool. There's additional requirements for that (open a bank account and show min 500k thb 3 months

prior the application etc).

But for the moment, before you do that, I would suggest you to obtain a simple tourist visa from your home country for 60-90 days for yourself (the kids can be without a visa until the age of 14), and later while you are already in Thailand - find the right solution that will suit you best and change the visa to a longer term type (maybe first time with an agent, then learn your way to do it on your own in the following year).

As for a job: You might be able to find a job in international school in a position that does not require a degree, and in some you can get great discounts for your kids enrollment as an employee. But that's too early to think about. Do things step by step. The Thai embassy in your country would be able to provide you with clear info and advise.