Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team Thailand's DTV covers your spouse and children, but the Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest says it will not accept a DTV application for a child whose stated purpose is studying in Thailand; that child needs an education (Non-ED) visa. If your kids will attend school, plan for two visa types in one household. Ask your chosen school early whether it sponsors student visas.
Moving with a family changes the visa question. You need a route for the main applicant, and then you need to check three details that solo movers can ignore: the age cut-off for children, whether a spouse may work, and whether school-age children need their own visa.
This guide compares the main family-friendly options in Thailand, Malaysia, Bali and Vietnam. Checked on 31 October 2026; rules change, so confirm with official sources before applying.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Remote-working parents in Thailand | Thailand DTV with dependants | Spouse and children under 20 can join |
| Families bringing grandparents | Malaysia MM2H | Parents and parents-in-law included; children up to 34 if single |
| Remote workers in Malaysia | DE Rantau with dependants | Spouse, children under 18 and parents |
| Families with capital, Bali | Indonesia Second Home Visa | Up to 5 years; dependants on the same term |
| Families of employees in Vietnam | Vietnam TT visa | Spouse and children under 18 of work-permit and investor visa holders |
How we chose
- Which relatives count as dependants, and up to what age.
- Whether a spouse can work.
- How schooling interacts with the visa.
- Length of stay and how closely dependants' status is tied to the main holder.
Sources: Thai embassy pages, the Thailand Board of Investment, Malaysia's MDEC and official MM2H guidelines, and consultancy guides for Indonesia and Vietnam.
1. Thailand DTV with dependants — best for remote-working parents
The Bern embassy lists spouses and children under 20 of DTV holders as eligible dependants, with the same five-year, multiple-entry visa. The main applicant still needs to show at least THB 500,000 in funds, according to the Budapest embassy. Dependants must prove the relationship with marriage, birth or adoption certificates.
The catch is school. Children enrolled in Thai schools need a Non-ED visa instead. If one parent will instead work for a Thai employer, Thailand's Long-Term Resident visa allows a spouse, children under 20 and parents with no cap on numbers, according to the Board of Investment, but it suits only high earners.
2. Malaysia MM2H — best for families bringing grandparents
Malaysia's official MM2H guidelines include the widest dependant list we found: a spouse, children under 21, children aged 21 to 34 who are single and not working in Malaysia, disabled children of any age, and parents or parents-in-law. Dependants may study up to tertiary level at government-recognized institutions.
The price is capital. You need a fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian institution and must buy a home you cannot sell for 10 years except to upgrade. See our MM2H guide for tier amounts.
3. Malaysia DE Rantau with dependants — best for remote workers in Malaysia
MDEC's DE Rantau FAQ (version 10.0) lets the main pass holder add a spouse, including a common-law partner, children under 18, disabled children and the holder's own parents. Each dependant pays a RM540 processing fee plus the immigration pass fee, and the FAQ states a dependent spouse cannot work.
The pass runs up to 24 months under current rules, and covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan only.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. Indonesia Second Home Visa — best for families with capital in Bali
According to Emerhub's guide, the Second Home Visa allows up to five years for a USD 130,000 deposit at an Indonesian state bank or a USD 1 million property. Spouses, children and parents can hold dependent permits for the same period with no extra financial requirement; children qualify up to 18, or 25 if unmarried students.
Remote workers on the one-year E33G can also add family members, but the main applicant needs USD 60,000 in foreign income and the permit must be applied for again each year. Confirm details on Indonesia's official e-visa portal.
5. Vietnam TT visa — best for families of employees and investors
Vietnam has no family visa for remote workers. Emerhub's guide describes the TT visa for the spouse and children under 18 of foreigners holding work, investor and some other long-stay visas; parents of foreign workers are not eligible. Family members can then move to a temporary residence card tied to the sponsor's status. The TT visa does not allow work.
If no one in the family has a Vietnamese employer or company, each member is left on short-term e-visas.
What to check before you decide
- Children's ages: under 20 for Thailand's DTV, under 18 for DE Rantau and Vietnam's TT.
- School visas: ask the school whether it sponsors student visas.
- Spouse's work rights: neither DE Rantau nor TT dependants may work.
- Documents: apostilled or certified birth and marriage certificates, with translations.
- Family health insurance: several visas require it; compare cover before you apply.
FAQ
Which Southeast Asian country is easiest for a family visa?
For remote-working families, Thailand's DTV, because spouse and children are included without a separate income test. For families with capital and older relatives, Malaysia's MM2H.
Can my parents come with me?
Yes under MM2H, DE Rantau, Thailand's LTR and Indonesia's Second Home Visa. Vietnam's TT route does not cover parents of foreign workers.
Can my spouse work on a dependant visa?
Usually not. MDEC and Emerhub both state that dependants on DE Rantau and Vietnam's TT visa cannot work.
Related guides
- Immigration services
- Best cities in Southeast Asia for families
- Best family health insurance for expats
- Best long-stay visas for remote workers
- Destination finder
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy Budapest — DTV — dependants, student exclusion, funds requirement
- Royal Thai Embassy Bern — DTV — dependants under 20
- Thailand Board of Investment — LTR brochure 2025 — LTR dependants
- MM2H official guidelines — dependant categories, study rights, deposit and property rules
- MDEC — DE Rantau Pass FAQ v10 — dependants, fees, spouse work ban, coverage
- Emerhub — Indonesia Second Home Visa — deposit, property, dependants
- Emerhub — Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) — income threshold, family members
- Emerhub — Vietnam TT family visa — eligibility, ages, work restriction, residence card
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