Hi there,

I know we can get 2 ED visa for both of us the parents while having the kids as dependents but I'd like to know whether it is possible to have only one ED visa for me while having the whole family (wife+3) as dependents.

Lots of people actually told me that kids - while they do need a visa like everyone else - they actually don't force it. Is it true? Would you take that risk? What can be the implications?

Thanks!

There no one visa for everybody. You and your wife will need visas and assume after your arrive here you will then get extensions of stay based upon education.

Once you have and extension of stay your children can get extensions as your dependents. They would need need non immigrant O visas to apply for the extension..It is also possible for a spouse to get the same extension.

Children under the age of 15 do not pay overstay fines. But remaining here without proper visas or extensions is not advised for a long term stay because of complications that can occur. One of these can be enrollment in schools. Some schools will not do it unless the children are here legally.

Is this a change from how it was a year ago? Right now and for the last year my wife has had an ED visa and I and our three children have non-O following her visa. In looking at a new language school today for next year they said we both need to have an ED visa now. So is this a recent change that both parents have to have the ED visa with only the children allowed on a non-O following?

There has AFAIK been no "changes

Study can be undertaken on any visa .

Perhaps the wrong questions have been asked ?

There is not and never has been a 1 visa for all the family facility.

Edited April 18, 201412 yr by thepool

Is this a change from how it was a year ago? Right now and for the last year my wife has had an ED visa and I and our three children have non-O following her visa. In looking at a new language school today for next year they said we both need to have an ED visa now. So is this a recent change that both parents have to have the ED visa with only the children allowed on a non-O following?

I also asked around in several schools and they say that "while it is possible to have one ED visa and the rest will be follower, they have never done it and that it would be better to have 2 ED visas".

Better for them for sure

Would immigration have an answer for that? Is it worth going there to ask?

Sure.

Immigration would be a good source of advice .

Is this a change from how it was a year ago? Right now and for the last year my wife has had an ED visa and I and our three children have non-O following her visa. In looking at a new language school today for next year they said we both need to have an ED visa now. So is this a recent change that both parents have to have the ED visa with only the children allowed on a non-O following?

Was that a school telling you that or immigration? Info from from a school would be highly suspect.

There is no official rule that requires that. It could be a local immigration office policy though.

I am in Chiang Mai. We are changing schools and it was the new school that told me this. My suspicion is that it forces us to pay tuition for two people and that they are saying it because it gives them twice the amount of money.

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I am in Chiang Mai. We are changing schools and it was the new school that told me this. My suspicion is that it forces us to pay tuition for two people and that they are saying it because it gives them twice the amount of money.

Sorry maybe I am missing something !

Is the school being asked to provide tuition for two ? If so tuition will cost twice as much than for one!

"Education" can be undertaken whilst on any visa entry an Ed visa is not required for study.

Read post number 2 again