Parents planning to bring their kids to study at international schools in Thailand almost all struggle with one question: What can I do if I move there as a study companion?

First of all, holders of the Thai dependent visa (study companion visa) are **strictly prohibited** from working in Thailand. Full-time employment, odd jobs, work at physical stores, or working under a job proxy arrangement are all illegal violations. If caught, this will damage your visa status and immigration record, and may even affect future entry and exit.

You may enter Thailand legally on the dependent visa, live long-term and accompany your child for schooling. If you later secure a formal job offer in Thailand, your employer can help you apply for a legal work permit and convert your existing dependent visa into a work visa. Only after the visa conversion is approved can you work and pay taxes legally in Thailand.

Your viable options vary greatly depending on your education background, English and Thai proficiency, previous career experience and personal network. Over the years, we have met many study-companion families in Thailand. Below we share their real-life ways of sustaining life in Thailand, for your reference.

1. Local business startup (brick-and-mortar / trading)
Most of these parents already have business experience. They launch local ventures after relocating to Thailand, such as restaurants, trading firms, import & export businesses, small manufacturing workshops and studios.
2. Executive roles at multinational corporations
This is a very stable elite model for study-companion families. Parents work for large multinational enterprises, including Huawei, HSBC, foreign-related organizations and embassy-affiliated positions.
3. Digital nomad lifestyle
A growing popular option for younger companion families! Common paths: social media content creation, stock & fund investment, remote work, freelance careers. It offers flexible hours so you won’t miss school drop-offs and pickups, perfect for parents who want to avoid rigid full-time jobs.
4. Business owners with home-based enterprises
Many parents run their own companies, individual businesses or studios back in China, with their core operations remaining in China and flexible schedules. Their main purpose of moving to Thailand is to provide their children with international education. They manage their teams and businesses remotely online, and travel between China and Thailand occasionally, balancing kids’ education and family business.
5. Full-time mum in Thailand, father working in China
This is the most common and practical option for ordinary families. The mother resides in Thailand long-term, fully taking charge of children’s academics, daily life and school transport. The father stays in China to maintain steady income and cover tuition and living expenses for the whole family. Though long-distance separation is tough, it delivers the best cost-performance with minimal financial pressure. It remains the top choice for most families sending young kids abroad.

Whichever route you pick, advance planning of your income source and visa compliance is essential to accompany your child safely through their whole overseas study journey.

Which type of companion family are you? How will you make your plans? Feel free to share and discuss!