Can Apply For Student Visa If Entering On A Tourist Visa?

[thanchart]

I am planning bring my 2 older kids (grades6 and 4 this coming academic year and now in Philippines) to join my wife (their Filipina motheI), me and their 2 yr old brother for their summer vacaton. I will be applying for Tourist Visa for them. If it makes sense (if english-speaking private chools are affordable enough) and they like it enough, we are thinking of then applying for Student visas for them beofre tgheor Toursit Visa expire. Is this possible or would there be problems?

Unfortunatelty I cannot bring them here on Dependent's Visa (ideal in my opinion), like I did for ther toddler brother, as they are not my biolological offsprings . For the same reason, I also cannot claim tax deduction for them , even though to me, they are my own kids just like the baby.

[TerryLH]

" For the same reason, I also cannot claim tax deduction for them..."

Where, here? Why not?

Maybe not for last year, if they weren't here living with you, but shouldn't be a problem in the future.

Never say never for tax deductable dependents.

[merijn]

You can not change form an tourist visa into a education visa inside Thailand.

You will need to apply for an education visa outside Thailand at an Thai embassy or consulate.

When returning this Non-O education visa can be extended at the immigration office when in possession of the school papers.

[lopburi3]

An education visa is non immigrant ED; not O. With school paperwork it should not be a problem getting ED visas.

[thanchart]

Does this mean my 2 kids have to leave Thailand 1st, and go somewhere else to apply for an ED visa? Can the prospective school do something about this?

or can they even apply for ED visa if they have not yet gotten into a school? The idea was for them to come here and then we scout for for an appropriate school for next acedemic year.

If they have to leave Thailand, where would be a cost-effective country to go to 9for 2-3 days)? Are there companies in Thailand doing such visa runs? I can accompany them or bring the while family for a short holiday I guess. since my family (3 of us) here will be on a 1-year Muitlple entry Non-O by then.

As for the reason why I cannot claim tax deduction for my 2 older kids. it is because they are not my biological children (even if I see/love them as 100% my own) and if the thai man cannot do it for his own nonbiological childrean (as per my company Accounts staff), I doubt I will be able to. Any one had a difference experience?

[merijn]

Does this mean my 2 kids have to leave Thailand 1st, and go somewhere else to apply for an ED visa? Can the prospective school do something about this?

or can they even apply for ED visa if they have not yet gotten into a school? The idea was for them to come here and then we scout for for an appropriate school for next acedemic year.

If they have to leave Thailand, where would be a cost-effective country to go to 9for 2-3 days)? Are there companies in Thailand doing such visa runs? I can accompany them or bring the while family for a short holiday I guess. since my family (3 of us) here will be on a 1-year Muitlple entry Non-O by then.

As for the reason why I cannot claim tax deduction for my 2 older kids. it is because they are not my biological children (even if I see/love them as 100% my own) and if the thai man cannot do it for his own nonbiological childrean (as per my company Accounts staff), I doubt I will be able to. Any one had a difference experience?

Yes "normally" you need to apply for the ED visa outside Thailand at the Thai Embassy or Consulate with the school papers.

I don't know of any arrangement to get those initial ED visa ( via conversion ) inside Thailand when you have small children, The procedure should be the same.

The children don't attend the school yet when they apply for the ED visa abroad, the school papers only mentions that they are joining the school after the ED visa is granted. When they return to Thailand with the ED visa they should enroll the school and with the new school confirmation papers they request the ED extension at the immigration office.

[Mario2008]

Given it are children, you can try to convert at immigration and hope for the best. It is likely they wil be send abroad to get ED-visas.

However, your children will need to be registered at a school and receive paperwork from the school in order to apply for a conversion or the ED-visa abroad.