After morning training, when people sit on the ring steps catching their breath, the question changes from kicks and clinch to family life.
“Kru Chart, can my wife come with me?”
“What about my kids?”
“Do they each need 500,000 baht, too?”
Good questions. And honestly, this is one of the most misunderstood parts of the DTV visa.
Let me explain how DTV Dependents really work, for spouses and children under 20, without embassy jargon or internet myths.
What Is a DTV Follower (Dependent Visa)?
A DTV Follower is the dependent category of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
Think of it like this:
- One DTV Principal (you)
- Family members come as followers
- Same visa validity
- No independent status
The follower visa is sometimes called:
- Dependent Visa
- DTV Family
- DTV3 (in official MFA language)
All mean the same thing.
Who Can Be a DTV Dependent?
Thailand is clear, but strict, about who qualifies.
Eligible Dependents
- Legal spouse (any age, legally married)
- Children under 20 years old
- Must be unmarried
- Biological, adopted, or stepchildren (with proof)
Not Eligible
- Girlfriends/boyfriends
- Siblings
- Adult children over 20
Note: Some Thai embassies/consulates also list parents as eligible dependents, while others do not. Always follow the checklist used by the embassy/consulate handling your application.
If they’re not legally tied to you, they don’t qualify.
Spouse Requirements (This Is Where Most Mistakes Happen)
For a spouse, the key document is the Marriage Certificate.
It must be:
- Legal and official
- Translated into English (if not already)
- Authenticated in the format required by the Thai embassy/consulate handling your application (often consular legalization)
- Showing both names clearly
Legalization Matters
If your marriage certificate is not Thai:
- Follow the document authentication instructions of the Thai embassy/consulate you apply through
- Do not assume an apostille is accepted everywhere; requirements vary by mission and country
This step causes most delays. Skip it, and rejection is very common.
Children’s Requirements (Under 20 Only)
For children, the main document is the Birth Certificate.
It must:
- Show the parents’ (principal’s) name
- Be translated into English
- Be authenticated in the format required by the Thai embassy/consulate handling the application
- Match passport details exactly
Extra notes:
- Stepchildren → adoption or custody proof needed
- Minors traveling alone → parental consent letter required
Immigration is careful with children. Paperwork must be clean.
Do Dependents Need Their Own 500,000 THB?
This is the biggest myth online.
Short answer: Expect it.
Many official dependent checklists require bank evidence showing at least 500,000 THB for the dependent applicant. Some embassies/consulates may accept a family/shared bank statement, but typically only with clear proof of relationship and a sponsorship explanation.
How It Works in Practice
- The principal DTV holder sponsors the family
- Financial proof is shown in the format your embassy/consulate requires (sometimes individual, sometimes shared)
- A Sponsorship Letter explains financial responsibility
Some embassies are stricter than others, so treat the financial proof requirement as checklist-driven, not rumor-driven.
The Sponsorship Letter (Don’t Underestimate This)
Every dependent application needs a Sponsorship Letter from the principal.
It should:
- Be signed by the principal
- State full financial responsibility
- List spouse and children by name
- Reference the principal’s DTV visa
- Attach passport and bank statement copies
Weak letters cause rejections. Clear letters get approvals.
Application Order: This Matters
You cannot apply for dependents first.
Correct order:
- Principal applies and gets DTV approved
- Dependents apply afterward as followers
- Each dependent submits a separate application
- Same embassy or eVisa system recommended
Trying to bundle everything at once often causes delays.
Visa Validity and Rights for Dependents
DTV dependents receive:
- Same 5-year visa validity
- Same multiple-entry rights
- Same 180-day stay per entry (extendable)
But restrictions apply:
- ❌ No work rights
- ❌ No automatic study rights (school visas needed for long-term education)
- ✔ Tourism, living, and short courses allowed
This is a family stay visa, not a work visa.
Extensions in Thailand
Extension procedures can vary by immigration office. In general, the principal and dependents may be processed in parallel at Thai Immigration, but offices can request different supporting documents.
Requirements:
- Passport
- Current DTV
- Proof of funds (may be rechecked)
- Relationship documents (sometimes)
Fee (commonly reported):
Bangkok extensions are usually smoother than provincial offices.
Common Reasons Family Applications Get Rejected
From what I’ve seen with students and families:
- Missing authentication (legalization) required by the embassy/consulate
- Weak or vague sponsorship letter
- Bank statements are not stamped
- Names not matching across documents
- Applying for dependents before principal approval
The visa itself isn’t hard. Paper discipline is the challenge.
Muay Thai + Family: Why DTV Works Well
For students training Muay Thai long-term, the DTV family setup makes sense.
- One parent trains (soft power route)
- Spouse doesn’t need activity proof
- Kids live normally in Thailand
- No need for ED visas unless schooling
I’ve seen families settle comfortably in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket this way.
Conclusion: Simple Rules, Serious Paperwork
Let’s summarize clearly:
- Spouses and children under 20 can join on DTV
- They come as DTV Followers / Dependents
- Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificate are critical
- Documents must be translated and authenticated
- Financial proof follows the checklist (often 500,000 THB-level evidence for each dependent application, unless your embassy/consulate explicitly accepts a shared statement)
- Sponsorship letter ties everything together
Thailand allows families, but only if you respect the paperwork.
FAQs: DTV Dependents
Can my spouse work on a DTV dependent visa?
No. No work rights.
Do children over 18 qualify?
Yes, up to age 20 if unmarried.
Does each dependent need a separate bank account?
No. Shared sponsorship is normal.
Can dependents enter Thailand before me?
Do not assume. Follow the entry expectations and documentation used by the embassy/consulate that issued the visas.
Is legalization always required?
For foreign documents, the required authentication is mission-dependent, and missing it is a common reason for rejection.
Can we switch from another visa to a DTV-dependent visa inside Thailand?
Case-by-case. Safer to apply abroad.
Do dependents need health insurance?
Requirements vary by embassy/consulate. Follow the checklist used by the mission to process your application.