Non-Imm O · Guardian
Stay close to your family. Legally, for the school year.
If your child is enrolled in school in Chiang Mai, the guardian visa lets you live here legally to support them, renewed each school year by our team.
Check your eligibility on WhatsApp →Applicant Status
Guardian Visa Benefits
Legal long-term stay for parents in Chiang Mai
The Non-Immigrant O guardian visa is designed for families, allowing parents to live legally in Chiang Mai while their child attends school.
Year-round legal stay
Live in Chiang Mai for the full school year without tourist visa restrictions or border runs.
Renewable each school year
As long as your child remains enrolled and attending, the guardian visa renews annually.
Family in one place
Avoid the disruption of one parent living abroad. The whole family can be in Chiang Mai together.
International school access
Chiang Mai has a strong range of international schools. The guardian visa supports families choosing long-term education here.
Clear financial requirement
A straightforward 500,000 THB bank deposit or 40,000 THB monthly income, verified once per year, with no ambiguity about what qualifies.
Work permit eligible
The Non-Immigrant O is the correct base visa for applying for a Thai work permit if local employment is needed.
Learn More About the Guardian Visa
Eligibility, documents, the application process, and what the guardian visa does and doesn't allow.
Who qualifies for the guardian visa
Two requirements: a child enrolled in an accredited Chiang Mai school, and meeting the financial threshold.
Your child must be actively enrolled in and attending an accredited school in Thailand. Qualifying schools include:
- International schools (IGCSE, IB, American curriculum)
- Thai government schools
- MOE-registered private schools
Chiang Mai has several excellent international schools that many of our client families use. We can discuss the options during your consultation.
This Is an Ongoing Requirement
Your visa is tied to your child staying enrolled and attending, not a one-time check at application. See "What if your child finishes school or leaves Thailand?" in the Restrictions tab for exactly what to do if that changes.
You must meet one of these three financial routes:
Bank Deposit Route
500,000 THB
Held in a Thai bank account for the required period.
Monthly Income Route
40,000 THB/month
Transferred from abroad on a regular basis.
Combination Route
Income + savings = 500,000 THB
Example: 20,000 THB/month income (240,000 THB/year) plus 260,000 THB in savings.
You must be the child's parent or legal guardian. Proof of the relationship (birth certificate, adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents) is required as part of the application.
Expert Insight
The guardian visa is renewed based on the child's continued enrolment. If your child changes schools, takes a gap term, or graduates, your visa status needs to be reviewed immediately. Contact us and we'll advise on the right transition.
Documents you'll need
Documentation from both the parent and the child's school. We prepare and check everything before submission.
- Passport valid for at least 18 months with blank visa pages
- Recent passport-style photographs
- Completed Non-Immigrant O application form
- Thai bank book and bank letter confirming the 500,000 THB deposit (or income evidence)
- Proof of address in Chiang Mai (lease agreement / TM30)
- Child's passport and any current visa
- Enrolment letter from the school on official letterhead
- School's MOE registration certificate (provided by the school)
- Child's birth certificate (and certified translation if not in Thai or English)
Expert Insight
Some international schools in Chiang Mai have handled guardian visa applications many times and know exactly what the enrolment letter needs to say. We can refer you to the right school contacts to make this straightforward.
How to apply
Most guardian visa applications are handled in-country at Chiang Mai immigration once the child is enrolled.
Typical Process
- Enrol your child in an accredited Chiang Mai school and obtain the enrolment letter
- Open a Thai bank account and deposit 500,000 THB (or prepare income evidence)
- Gather parent and child documents (we provide a full checklist)
- Submit at Chiang Mai immigration for the Non-Immigrant O
- Renew annually at the start of each school year (we handle the full process)
Processing Time
1–3 days in-country
Annual Renewal Fee
1,900 THB
Expert Insight
Timing the guardian visa renewal to align with the school year start saves a lot of administrative back-and-forth. We schedule every client's renewal 6–8 weeks before their visa expires.
Why the guardian visa for Chiang Mai families
- Legal year-round residence: no tourist visa runs mid-school-year
- Lower financial threshold than the retirement visa
- Chiang Mai has excellent international schools at a fraction of Bangkok or Western costs
- Safe, family-friendly city with a strong expat community
- Renewable each school year as long as your child remains enrolled
Annual Renewal Fee
1,900 THB
Official immigration fee. Chat with us for our full service fee breakdown.
What you can & can't do
If your child graduates, leaves Thailand, or changes to a non-qualifying program, your guardian visa basis no longer applies. You must transition to another visa category. Contact us as soon as you know so we can plan the right move.
Not without a work permit. The guardian visa gives you the right to live in Thailand, not to work. A work permit requires employer sponsorship and a separate application process.
Yes. If you remain in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days without leaving, you must file a 90-day report with immigration. We handle this for all ongoing clients.
Yes, with a re-entry permit obtained before departure. Without one, your visa status is cancelled when you exit. Single re-entry permits cost 1,000 THB; multiple re-entry permits cost 3,800 THB.
Moving to Chiang Mai with your family?
We'll walk you through school options, financial requirements, and exactly what documents to prepare. Chat with us on WhatsApp →
Bringing your family to Chiang Mai?
A free consultation gets you clarity on school options, financial requirements, and the full guardian visa process.
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