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Can my wife use her Thai passport to enter Thailand after leaving the USA on her US passport?

Thailand VisaThai PassportDual CitizenshipUS PassportImmigration RulesVisa ExemptionsTravel Advice
Mar 31, 2018
7 years ago
Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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 ?
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TLDR : 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.
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.🤗
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you
7 years ago
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Adam *********
Said in the first two posts.
7 years ago
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Adam *********
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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.
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I 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.
7 years ago
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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
7 years ago
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Al *******
@Tony *******
 if my wife has both passports, how can we not be ready?
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Al ******
 thats why I said you better be ready
7 years ago
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Al *******
@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.
7 years ago
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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. ;)
7 years ago
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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 passport
7 years ago
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Al *******
Steve Greir yes, Thai citizens can hold dual citizenship.
7 years ago
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Al *******
@Tony *******
 always use the US passport except when entering and departing Thailand.
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Gordon ********
 those two guys will be up on any changes
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 It will be at least a year before I retire there , rules can change pretty quick just need to be ready to adjust
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Steve ******
 lol!
7 years ago
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Steve *******
@Tony *******
 Well she's Thai and that's what she told me, I guess she would know.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Steve ******
 do you know that for a fact?
7 years ago
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Steve *******
@Gordon ********
 You never give up the 'citizenship', just some of the rights that come with it
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@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 embassy
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
She 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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Steve ******
 well i have no idea what she's on about. my wife doesnt seem to have lost any
7 years ago
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Steve *******
@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 citizen
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Gordon ********
 why would she not keep her thai citizenship?
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Non-Thai cannot own land so that is one good reason to keep her citizenship
7 years ago
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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 ago
7 years ago
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Steve *******
@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 Thailand
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Gordon ********
 then they would demand proof of relinquishment
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I 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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Gordon ********
 no problem, just follow advice given
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@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 airports
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
She is a naturalized US citizen and acquired her US P. two years ago but this would be first time going back to Thailand..
7 years ago
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Steve *******
Tony Dadson Maybe, I dont know the scenario, the OP didnt mention that she'd just aquired a US passport
7 years ago
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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
7 years ago
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Tony ********
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Why not show Thai immigration both passports?
7 years ago
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Stephen *******
@Tod ********
 Yes but what a hassle for nothing!
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Stephen ******
 or ignore it and leave on the thai passport
7 years ago
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Stephen *******
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.
7 years ago
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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. In
7 years ago
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Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok 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
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
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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.
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@Tony *******
 - and you also my friend.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Adam ********
 be careful
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@Tony *******
 - did the extra oxygen help you clear your mind?
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Adam ********
 thats much better
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@Tony *******
 - breath my friend, breath. 🙂
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Adam ********
 personal attacks wont do you much good here
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@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.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Adam ********
 no they dont
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@Tony *******
 - so then they ask for it! Hello!
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Adam ********
 or unless they tell you that you cant board because you dont have the required visa
7 years ago
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Adam *********
@Greg *********
 - you never show another countries Passport unless it is asked for. Summary: Too much information.
7 years ago
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Tony ********
@Greg *********
 thats what we do
7 years ago
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Greg **********
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.
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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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.
7 years ago
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Richard *****
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Steven ***********
Shouldn't be an issue. Leave the USA on the applicable passport and Enter Thailand on the applicable passport. That's it....
7 years ago
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Steven ***********
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