If you’re applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa as the parent of a Thai child, you’re eligible as long as your name appears on your child’s Thai birth certificate or you have legal adoption documents. You’ll need to submit your application to a Thai embassy or consulate, and the general required documents are:
• Your passport (valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages)
• A completed and signed visa application form
• 1 passport-sized photo (white background, no smile, no glasses, collared shirt)
• A copy of your child’s Thai birth certificate showing your name as the parent, or official adoption papers if applicable
• Photos of you with your child (at home, at school, or in daily activities)
• A copy of your child’s house registration (Tabian Baan)
• A school confirmation letter if your child is currently enrolled
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If you’re married to the child’s Thai mother:
• A copy of your marriage certificate
• A copy of your wife’s Thai ID card and Tabian Baan
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• Proof of financial status (bank statement or evidence of sufficient savings or income; at least 400,000 THB or foreign currency equivalent in a foreign bank account)
• Proof of your current address (such as a lease or utility bill, if requested)
Once your visa is approved and you arrive in Thailand, you’ll need to open a Thai bank account as soon as possible and begin maintaining a balance of at least 400,000 THB in order to qualify for the 1-year extension later on. The money must be in your account for at least 2 months before the extension application.