Phuket officials are paving the way for a new visa category, aimed specifically at parents of children studying in international schools. However, this new visa provision is not without its safeguarding measures.

 

The approval process will include a thorough criminal background check, an effort to keep individuals with a criminal past from residing in Phuket under the guise of their children’s enrolment in international schools.

 

This new visa initiative was unveiled during a meeting held last Friday, under the stewardship of Phuket’s Vice Governor, Amnuay Pinsuwan. The meeting served as a platform to discuss potential solutions to the issue of individuals with criminal backgrounds exploiting the education system to gain residence in Phuket.

 

The gathering brought together representatives from both the governmental and private sectors. The primary aim was to recommend the government greenlight visas for parents whose children are studying in Phuket, positioning the province as the pioneer of this new visa initiative. The broader objective is to enhance education and sustainably drive the economy.

 

Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not offer a specific visa for foreign parents of children studying in Thailand. Nonetheless, the Immigration Bureau has, for some time, endorsed one-year stay permits for such parents, contingent on their children’s continued enrolment in the school.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo: PR Phuket

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The meeting served as a platform to discuss potential solutions to the issue of individuals with criminal backgrounds exploiting the education system to gain residence in Phuket.

Too late, the Ed visa has been abused for years, this one for wealthy parents will go the same way.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket officials are paving the way for a new visa category,

So they the "Officials" can just make new visa categories, no mention of Police or Government, except asking the government to "Green Light" it.

33 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

So they the "Officials" can just make new visa categories, no mention of Police or Government, except asking the government to "Green Light" it.

It seems anybody can do anything they want - except make it easier for us*, so presumably that they don't want.

 

*here they are making it easier for owners of International Schools.

And let me guess, most of the applicants for this visa type will be Mainland Chinese who will find it one way to move their family out China?