A guardian visa is the common name for a family-based stay of the parent of a foreign child who studies at a school in Thailand. It is extended at immigration in steps of up to one year, for as long as the child studies here and you meet the financial and document conditions.
It is a stay for the parent, not a study visa for you. It is tied to your child's studies and to the child's own permission to stay, so the school, the child's documents and your own finances all have to fit together.
We check those documents first, then handle the submission and keep every following deadline on our calendar, so your family can plan the school year without worrying about paperwork.
This is for you if
- You are the parent of a child who studies at a school in Thailand.
- Your child is 20 or younger, unmarried and lives with you.
- You want to stay in Thailand for as long as your child studies here.
- You want one team for extensions, re-entry permits and 90-day reports.
This may not fit if
- You are not a parent but another carer. Guardianship cases depend on the papers that prove custody and on the school, so ask us before you plan.
- You want to work. A stay as a parent of a student does not give you the right to work.
How a guardian visa case works
- 1
Eligibility check
We review your child's school and status, your relationship documents and your funds, and confirm the route.
- 2
Document file
We list what the school and the bank must provide and what you bring from home, with translations or legalisations where requested.
- 3
Application or extension
We handle the embassy submission or the procedure at immigration in Phuket, depending on where you are and what you hold now.
- 4
Renewals and reporting
We track the yearly extension, re-entry permits and 90-day reports for as long as your child studies.
Who counts and how long you can stay
The Thai Immigration Bureau lists parents of a foreign student among the family members who can be allowed to stay. The child must be unmarried, not older than 20 and living with the family. Each permission is granted for no more than one year. The child's own stay usually runs on an ED visa through the school.
These are the published criteria at the time of writing. The office in Phuket may apply them in its own way, so we confirm them in your pre-check.
The financial proof
Parents are asked for a deposit in a Thai bank, in their own name. The published criteria name a minimum balance of 500,000 baht kept in the account for the last three months before the application. For a first application the Immigration Bureau names a shorter period of at least 30 days. You also need the bank's confirmation letter and a copy of the passbook.
Sources differ on the exact holding period, so we check the current rule before you move any money.
Guardians who are not parents
Grandparents, relatives and other carers are usually asked for papers that prove custody or guardianship as well. Whether this works depends on the school, the immigration office and your documents, so we judge it case by case before you apply.
Working and travelling
A stay as a parent of a student does not give a right to work. Work needs its own visa and a work permit. If you leave Thailand during the permitted stay, you need a re-entry permit first, otherwise the stay normally ends at the border. 90-day reporting applies as long as you stay, and our 90-day report service files it for you.
Typical documents for a guardian stay
The exact list depends on your route and the office. Most files include:
- Your passport and current visa or stay stamp
- Your child's passport and proof of the child's permission to stay
- Proof of relationship, such as the child's birth certificate
- Letter from the school confirming enrolment
- Thai bank confirmation letter and a copy of the passbook
- Application form, photos and proof of your address in Thailand
- Translations or legalisations where requested
What affects your quote
This service is quoted on request, with our fee and the government fees shown separately. See how our quotes work. The bank deposit stays your own money in your own account and is not part of our fee.
- Applying abroad or extending inside Thailand
- Number of children and parents in the case
- Readiness of the school and bank documents
- Re-entry permits and reporting you want handled
Common mistakes to avoid
- Moving the deposit too late, so the holding period is not met.
- A school letter that does not match the child's passport and visa details.
- Travelling without a re-entry permit.
- Letting the yearly extension date slip.
Frequently asked questions
Is a guardian visa the same as an ED visa?
No. The ED visa is for the student. The guardian stay is a family-based stay for the parent and depends on the child's studies.
How long can I stay?
Each permission is granted for up to one year at a time. You renew it for as long as your child studies here and you still meet the conditions.
How much money do I need in the bank?
At the time of writing the published criteria name 500,000 baht in a Thai bank account in the parent's name, held for a set period before the application. We confirm the current amount and period in your pre-check.
Can both parents stay?
The criteria cover the parents of the student. In the pre-check we confirm how many parents can be included and what each one must show.
Can I work on a guardian stay?
No, not on this basis. Work needs a work permit and a suitable visa.
Is 90-day reporting included?
Yes, we handle reminders and online or in-person filings.
Visa help across Phuket
Our office is in Wichit and we serve clients all over the island. Choose your area to see local details.
Official sources
- Thai Immigration Bureau (Bangkok office): extension of stay criteria, including family members of students
- Royal Thai Embassy Pretoria: Non-Immigrant ED visa, parents of students
- Thai Immigration Bureau
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.