thailand
Ask question

Does my Thai wife need a visa to enter Thailand if she has a UK passport?

Visa RulesImmigrationThailand Visa ExemptionThai Passport UsageUK PassportLife in ThailandExpat Advice
Nov 15, 2023
a year ago
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m coming to Thailand with my Thai wife if she enters on her British passport does she require a visa
4,874
views
7
likes
106
all likes
41
replies
3
images
28
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK passport holder can enter Thailand without a visa for stays of up to 30 days under a visa exemption. However, if your wife uses her Thai passport, she can stay indefinitely without a visa, even if it is expired. Several commenters suggest it's less complicated for her to enter using her Thai passport and recommend checking in with that passport despite its validity issues. Alternatively, she can leave the UK on her UK passport and enter Thailand on her Thai passport. If the Thai passport is expired, it is still possible for her to enter Thailand, as Thai citizens are allowed entry without the six-month validity rule usually applicable to foreign nationals.
Nick *******
a year ago
Like
Reply
Nick *******
You have a Thai wife, and you don't know this?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Simon **********
No
a year ago
Like
Reply
Daniel ************
nope - 30 days visa excemption
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob ********
AS others say, use the Thai passport, even if expired, she can even get in with her ID card in an emergency, You can get a new passport in 24 hours. MBK has a walk in, several more all around, you can lodge and have it express posted back in next morning. My wife did it in Jan, and 2 daughters 3 months ago.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Peter *********
She will only get stamped in for 30 days
a year ago
Like
Reply
Glenn *********
No but if she stays over the visa rules she will be on overstay...
a year ago
Like
Reply
Jay *********
My wife is Thai and was able to enter Thailand with her Thai passport with less than six months validity, she renewed it after we arrived and it was fine. Just have her do that
a year ago
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the information
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gary *********
Why doesn’t she enter on her thai passport ?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Chris ********
She can enter on a thai passport at any time with any validity. She’s not a foreign national so the 6 month rule doesn’t apply to her Thai passport. As others have said it’s possible to enter on an expired passport and get it renewed in Thailand. It take 3 days to get the new passport in the mail or you can pay extra to get it on the same day.
************************************************************
a year ago
Like
Reply
Andreas *********
@Chris *******
 what kind of "6-month rule" are you talking about? There isn't any such rule
a year ago
Like
Reply
Chris ********
@Andreas ********
 the one where the OP says that a passport must have at least 6 months validity to travel.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Andreas *********
@Chris *******
 ah, okay. A Thai citizen can enter Thailand even with an expired passport, see the answers above. Can she check-in to the flight from the UK to Thailand, with an expired passport? That's a good question. Technically yes, because she can enter Thailand with a passport of less than 6 months validity and even when it is already expired
a year ago
Like
Reply
Chris ********
@Andreas ********
 it’s possible. I’ve entered on an expired Thai passport before.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
Buy the ticket on British passport

Check in with Thai passport (no visa needed, no onward travel proof needed)

Leave UK with British passport

Enter Thailand with Thai passport

Return:

Check in with British passport (no visa for UK needed!)

Exit Thailand on Thai passport

Enter UK with British passport
a year ago
Like
Reply
Marc *******
That's the way
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Marc *******
Reply
Colin ***************
Thai passport. Less hassles.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Phil ******
@Stuart ********
 yes. Leave uk on uk passport and enter on thai passport. It used to work
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Phil *****
Can’t do that

Must use sane passport used at entry

When landed in uk at boarder then can fast track with uk passport

We do it that way after info from thai and UK boarder controls
a year ago
Like
Reply
Phil ******
@David ******
 thats funny as my thai friend has done this from Australia before with no issues....has things changed?

Oh as a side note recently a friend who has a kiwi passport and a UK passport did leave Australia on his NZ Passport and entered Thailand on his UK Passport with no issues. He was marrying and wanted his UK divorce registered for his upcoming marriage to his thai wife. Another reason is he was worried about having a record in NZ that this would be investigated by the embassy (clean record in UK).
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Phil *****
You can ask directly

Immigration or boarder customs

They will tell you

If your a thai use thai passport to enter and leave Thailand

UK you can renter with UK passport

If you use a UK passport and your UK citizen or a Thai citizen and you use a UK passport to enter Thailand then regardless of nationality you are liable for visa

Above is a fact believe me
a year ago
Like
Reply
Sean **********
@David ******
 ran into this same subject with my Ex in Colombia. Colombia is adamant that citizens enter and exit using their native countries passport
a year ago
Like
Reply
Phil ******
@David ******
 yes totally agree. My friend Alister used his kiwi passport to exit Australia as he was resident here under the treaty he entered thailand under is UK passport. THERE WERE NO ISSUE S.

MY THAI FRIEND LEFT AUSTRALIA UNDER HERE AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT AND ENTERED THAILAND UNDER GER THAI PASSPORT. NO ISSUES.

Did I clarify myself?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Phil ******
Reply
Michael ********
a year ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Actually doesnt matter which passport she uses rules changed about six months ago

******************************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
9/permalink/
*****
*****
*****
1/?mibextid=Nif5oz
a year ago
Like
Reply
Tal **********
It is better for her to go to the Thai consulate and ask them to issue a one-time transit permit for her, and in Thailand renew her Thai passport.
a year ago
Like
Reply
John ********
@Tal *********
 you’re joking right? Transit ?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
John ********
Reply
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your advice

I only asked because her Thai passport expires in December so couldn’t use it to check in online

Because didn’t have 6 months
a year ago
Like
Reply
Edna *******
@Stuart ********
 get it renewed, pay extra to expedite it.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
@Stuart ********
 that doesnt matter

If her passport is expired can still enter.

If she has ID card very easy to get new passport now got machines in several malls
a year ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@Stuart ********
 She can enter Thailand on an expired Thai passport (then renew it before exiting), just exit the UK on her British passport
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Kal *********
Tell her to come in to Thailand with her Thai passport... less headaches... can stay as long as she wants without visa ect ... if she comes in using her foreign passport she will need to pay for extended stay and visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
If shes thai why would she need a visa, she not have a thai passport?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Will ************
Leave the UK on UK passport. Enter Thailand on Thai passport, use the passport you booked the ticket on to checkin at departure
a year ago
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
If she uses a UK passport then she’d require a visa (for a stay of over 30 days). There are options for getting a year extension and stuff but probably best to use the Thai passport on arrival and departure if that’s possible.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
@Stuart ********
 last month a rule was put in place that a Thai citizen entering on a foreign passport could never be charged with overstay, so once that person is in Thailand, how they entered is no longer of any concern. This is new.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
 Ok.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Stuart *********
Yes I realise she could get an extension so technically 60 days.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Andi ***********
No, she gets 30 days visa exemption which can be extended for 30 more days.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Henry *********
No. UK passport holders get 30 days visa exempt.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Henry *********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Do UK citizens need a visa to stay in Thailand for 4 months a year, and what type would they require?
20 comments
3 months ago
Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand for 30 days as a UK citizen?
68 comments
3 months ago
What is the best visa option for a 72-day trip to Thailand for UK passport holders?
6 comments
4 months ago
How long can a UK passport holder stay in Thailand without a visa?
12 comments
4 months ago
Can my Thai wife travel to Turkey without a Schengen visa?
15 comments
9 months ago
Can a UK passport holder re-enter Thailand for another 30 days visa after a recent visit?
16 comments
a year ago
What visa should I apply for to stay in Thailand for 60 days after entering on a British passport?
7 comments
a year ago
How long can a UK citizen stay in Thailand for a holiday without a visa?
3 comments
a year ago
Can I extend my stay in Thailand after arriving without a visa?
12 comments
2 years ago
Can UK passport holders stay in Thailand for 90 days without a visa and re-enter for another 90 days?
20 comments
2 years ago
What should we do if my Thai wife's passport is expired but she has a remain to stay visa?
11 comments
2 years ago
Do UK passport holders need a visa to stay in Thailand for 45 days, and is it easy to apply for a 60-day visa?
12 comments
2 years ago
Can UK passport holders enter Thailand multiple times under visa exemption while traveling in Southeast Asia?
16 comments
2 years ago
What are the visa options for UK citizens traveling to Thailand for under 90 days?
9 comments
2 years ago
Can UK passport holders get a visa on arrival in Thailand for 60 days?
18 comments
3 years ago
Does my wife need to apply for a Thai Pass if she's leaving the UK on her British passport?
27 comments
3 years ago
Does a dual national with an expired Thai passport need a tourist visa to enter Thailand on a UK passport?
2 comments
3 years ago
Can I travel to Thailand using a visa on entry from the UK and how long does it last?
31 comments
3 years ago
Can a UK passport holder travel to Thailand for 85 days without a visa?
8 comments
3 years ago
Do Thai passport holders need a visa to visit family or partners in the UK for 6 months or less?
9 comments
3 years ago
Does a UK Passport Holder Need a Visa to Enter Thailand from Guyana?
5 comments
5 years ago
Can a UK citizen enter Thailand with a 3-month ticket and get a 30-day visa on arrival without a visa in the passport?
6 comments
5 years ago
What are the current Thai visa rules for Australian and UK passport holders entering Thailand?
7 comments
6 years ago
What is the best visa option for a UK passport holder visiting Thailand for 34 days?
38 comments
6 years ago
Do I need a visa for a 2-week stay in Thailand with a UK passport?
22 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.