Answered9 years ago
Can my wife use her Thai passport to enter Thailand after leaving the USA on her US passport?
Thank you for letting me join this group, My wife is going back to Thailand for 5-7 months to build our house. She has Thai and USA passports, some have told her to use her USA passport when leaving the USA but enter Thailand with her Thai passport, ok that means she doesn't need a visa to stay but leaving she neither has a USA visa on her Thai P. or entry stamp on her USA P. what am I missing here? is there a way around this scenario ?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the travel plans of a dual citizen (Thai and US) who intends to return to Thailand. Key points include the necessity for her to exit the USA using her US passport and to enter Thailand on her Thai passport. Travelers highlighted that she should present both passports during check-in and be prepared to show them if questioned by immigration authorities. Concerns were raised regarding potential complications or misunderstandings due to dual citizenship, such as the absence of an exit stamp from Thailand when using her US passport. Overall, the consensus indicates that as a Thai citizen, she can enter Thailand without needing a visa with her Thai passport.
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Nanthana **********
Hi! I am Thai live in USA.
1.Leave 🇺🇸 with USA passport also return in USA with USA passport
2.Enter Thailand 🇹🇭 with Thai passport also Leaving Thailand with Thai passport.
3.connection flight show USA 🇺🇸 passport.🤗
1.Leave 🇺🇸 with USA passport also return in USA with USA passport
2.Enter Thailand 🇹🇭 with Thai passport also Leaving Thailand with Thai passport.
3.connection flight show USA 🇺🇸 passport.🤗
Gordon *********
OPthank you
Adam *********
Said in the first two posts.
Tod *********
Just so we're clear on the topic of whether thaiz can hold dual citizenship, they can, there is NOTHING in thai law stating they can't.
The rule says IF a thai who has dual citizenship is asked by the thai gov't to choose a nationality they will pick one.
As far as I know, in the history of thailand NO one has ever been asked.
The rule says IF a thai who has dual citizenship is asked by the thai gov't to choose a nationality they will pick one.
As far as I know, in the history of thailand NO one has ever been asked.
Gordon *********
OPI appreciate all the advice given here ....my wife concludes with everything you guys have said.....I should have listened to her but this has been a good discussion and a great way to start my membership here, thank you all.
Steve *******
She has to leave the US on the passport that she entered on. Of course, as a Thai citizen, she can enter Thailand on her Thai passport
Al *******
@Tony *******
if my wife has both passports, how can we not be ready?Tony ********
@Al ******
thats why I said you better be readyAl *******
@Tony *******
we have been splitting our time between Thailand and the US for a number of years now. Sometimes they ask and sometimes they don’t.Tod *********
@Tony *******
, correct (y) in fact checking in is usually the ONLY time you need to have and show both passports. The US passport shows the airline that you as a thai can get into the US without needing a visa in your thai passport, and comin here the thai passport shows the airline you can get into thailand without needing a thai visa in your US passport. ;)
Tony ********
@Al ******
when departing on a trip to thailand you better be ready to show the thai passport to the airline ticket agent or they wont let you board as there is no visa in the us passportAl *******
Steve Greir yes, Thai citizens can hold dual citizenship.
Al *******
@Tony *******
always use the US passport except when entering and departing Thailand.Tod *********
@Steve ******
A thai loses NO rights as a thai when they acquire citizenship from another country. :/ Who ever told you they did was totally misinformed about it.Tony ********
@Gordon ********
those two guys will be up on any changesGordon *********
OP@Tony *******
It will be at least a year before I retire there , rules can change pretty quick just need to be ready to adjustTony ********
@Steve ******
lol!Steve *******
@Tony *******
Well she's Thai and that's what she told me, I guess she would know.Tony ********
@Steve ******
do you know that for a fact?Steve *******
@Gordon ********
You never give up the 'citizenship', just some of the rights that come with itTony ********
@Gordon ********
tod on here and ubonjoe on thaivisa seem to have the advice on retirement visa that is easiest to comprehend. 90 day Non-O to start and apply for 1 year extension once you arrive and get the money in the bank and/or the proof of income from your embassyGordon *********
OPShe will never give up her Thai citizenship...anyway we intend to retire over there so I will be back on here looking for advice on the routine of maintaining visas.
Tony ********
@Steve ******
well i have no idea what she's on about. my wife doesnt seem to have lost anySteve *******
@Tony *******
Id guess any rights they have as a Thai only citizen. A Thai friend of mine was quite dubious about obtaining UK citizenship because she'd would lose all rights as a Thai only citizenTony ********
@Gordon ********
why would she not keep her thai citizenship?Gordon *********
OPNon-Thai cannot own land so that is one good reason to keep her citizenship
Tony ********
@Steve ******
what rghts do they lose. never heard of that. they used to lose the right to own land but that was changed years agoSteve *******
@Tony *******
@Gor***
could be right, Im not sure if Thais can hold dual citizenship, they dont lose their Thai citizenship just some of the rights that come with it in ThailandTony ********
@Gordon ********
then they would demand proof of relinquishmentGordon *********
OPI just seem to remember something in her naturalization application that says you have to relinquish your citizenship of your home country as a condition of receiving US citizenship but cannot find any info in her file to back it up.
Tony ********
@Gordon ********
no problem, just follow advice givenTony ********
@Steve ******
probably not but my wife feels that she is treated with more respect by immigration officials when they see her non-thai passport. especially during transfers at other airportsGordon *********
OPShe is a naturalized US citizen and acquired her US P. two years ago but this would be first time going back to Thailand..
Steve *******
Tony Dadson Maybe, I dont know the scenario, the OP didnt mention that she'd just aquired a US passport
Tony ********
if a new immigrant comes in on their home country passport and then acquires a US passport, they can leave on the US passport
Gordon *********
OPWhy not show Thai immigration both passports?
Stephen *******
@Tod ********
Yes but what a hassle for nothing!Al *******
My wife and I have been doing this for a number of years with no problems. When we enter Thailand I keep my wife’s US passport so if immigration asks, I have it. We just want to make sure that immigration does not accidentally stamp her into Thailand on her US passport. If that happens, she would only get a 30 day visa free entry and would have to deal with immigration as a US citizen for that entire visit.
Tod *********
@Stephen ******
IF a thai with dual nationality gets stamped in on their foreign passport they DO not get fined for overstay. In fact, if they want they can go to the immigration office show their thai passport, pay 1900baht and get a year extension stamped into the foreign passport because they're thai.Tony ********
@Stephen ******
or ignore it and leave on the thai passportStephen *******
There was a recent case on here where a Thai with dual passports showed both on arrival and the IO stamped the foreign passport for 30 days. She was going to have to leave and return to not be on overstay. Don't give them the chance to stuff it up.
Tony ********
@Gordon ********
they wont ask and in any case: U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so. InGordon *********
OPOk makes sense..but one more nickpickin Q. wont USA Immigration question why there is no Thai exit stamp on P? she cannot show her Thai P to them because the USA does not recognize dual citizenship and have the right to confiscate the second passport...or am I getting a little paranoid
Tony ********
no need to and why make it more confusing for them than necessary. they dont care where she's going or coming from . the more info you give them, the more nitpicking they can get up to.
Tony ********
leave US with us passport but show thai if they ask why no visa. enter thailand on thai passport. leaving, show both to ticket agent but thai to immigration. if transferring thru other airport, show us. we do it every year.
Greg **********
We used US to board plane in US,Thai to enter Thai,US to board plane in Thai then Thai to depart Thai then US to enter US no problem.
Adam *********
@Tony *******
- and you also my friend.Tony ********
@Adam ********
be carefulAdam *********
@Tony *******
- did the extra oxygen help you clear your mind?Tony ********
@Adam ********
thats much betterAdam *********
@Tony *******
- breath my friend, breath. 🙂Tony ********
@Adam ********
personal attacks wont do you much good hereAdam *********
@Tony *******
- some people are very slow. Take a breath and think what you are saying my friend. Maybe you should not be allowed to board due to mental challenges.Tony ********
@Adam ********
no they dontAdam *********
@Tony *******
- so then they ask for it! Hello!Tony ********
@Adam ********
or unless they tell you that you cant board because you dont have the required visaAdam *********
@Greg *********
- you never show another countries Passport unless it is asked for. Summary: Too much information.Tony ********
@Greg *********
thats what we doGreg **********
Delta would not allow our kid to board the plane in the US with a US passport because no visa for Thailand over 30 day stay. So showed Thai passport no problem get on plane.
Adam *********
Stop reading at the above 3-posts as it sums-up all you/your wife will need to do; and as my wife has also done for 10+years.
Richard *****
Point to note. It’s a legal requirement to use the USA passport on entry and exit from USA. After that any passport can be used. I concur with the advice of Steven and Tony.
Steven ***********
Shouldn't be an issue. Leave the USA on the applicable passport and Enter Thailand on the applicable passport. That's it....
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