Can I use dual citizenship to apply for a marriage visa in Thailand despite passport discrepancies?

Thai marriage visa NON-O visa Dual citizenship Visa application process Border run Marriage certificate Extension of stay Passport issues

Oct 26, 2019

5 years ago

Kyriakos **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Complex question :

I have been living in Thailand for the last 6 years and married to a Thai national. I have a non o multiple entry visa based on marriage which i received in Savannakhet Laos since living in Thailand.

I used to go to the Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron *border )* to do my 90 day border run being the most convenient as i live i Hua Hin but since the beginning of this year they stopped accepting South African passports at this border for some unknown reason so now i have to either use Laos . Cambodia or Malaysia which is a schlep.

Now my question is i have dual citizenship one being South African and the other a passport from Cyprus i need to know with my next visa application in Savannakhet in a couple of months can i fly to Laos with my SA passport but enter Laos with my Cyprus passport and then get my marriage visa on my Cyprus passport which might be accepted at Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron border *).*

*There is another question a difference in my Cyprus passport and my SA passport is that my surname has a different spelling . My SA passport it is Lambrou and my Cyprus passport is Hadjilambrou the prefix is added because my late grandfather made a visit to the Holy Land ( Israel ) then the Hadji gets added to your surname but the problem i think will be because we were married in SA and my surname on my marriage certificate is Lambrou without the Hadji. Can anybody please help.*

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, a South African citizen married to a Thai national, is facing issues with their non-O multiple entry visa due to a change in border crossing regulations. They question whether they can fly to Laos on their South African passport and enter with their Cypriot passport, considering discrepancies in their surname on different documents. Responses suggest that while it's possible to use different passports for travel, issues may arise with their marriage certificate name matching, and obtaining a visa via extension within Thailand could be a more straightforward option.

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Steven ***************

The money for a spouse extension can't be touched for 2 months prior and the 1 month approval period. Once you have the extension, you can do what you want with it until 2 months prior to your next extension., when the process starts again.

5 years ago

Federico **********

David O'Brien-Gamble the extension is the way to go. I guess the 2 reasons i can think for NOT doing are:

- People who regularly leave for other reasons and dont mind it

- Money in the bank u gotta show plus the money u then "cant touch" during the year etc etc

Can u leave Thailand w 1 passport and enter Laos w another passport: YES

Done it.

BUT it cannot be done over land crossing as the stamps should correlate (on a land crossing its expected that u come from TH, so they do verify stamps)

If u come to BKK and take a flight to Vientianne, no problems. When u arrive in Vientiane u "could" be coming from ur home country.

Thats the reason passport swapping works only through airports.

The next issue is ur marriage certificate.

They WONT give u the NonO w a different last name.

The long term solution would be the extension. If u cannot gather the money u could always get a job (work permit) or transfer money from abroad regularly.

Both will have a monthly cost (taxes for option A and transfer fees for option B). But leaving every 90 days to Laos, KL, etc wont be cheap either so i would def look into an extension scheme.

5 years ago

Kyriakos **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Federico *********

thank you.

5 years ago

Reply to

Kyriakos **************

Mazi *****

Thats well.be mess paper work

5 years ago

Steven ***************

How is your name spelt on your marriage certificate? Could be an issue when swapping passports for a new spouse visa.

As David said , an extension is a much easier alternative.

5 years ago

David ****************

Can I ask why you don't just do an annual extension inside Thailand? Going for a new visa every 90 days sounds like a headache.

5 years ago

Kyriakos **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David ***************

will most probably have to think about it

5 years ago

Kyriakos **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David ***************