Is it standard procedure for Thai dual citizens to receive a 1-year extension on a Visa Exempt stamp without financial requirements?

Question

My friend from USA traveled to Thailand (dual citizenship).  Her Thai passport had expired so she used her USA passport to enter and was given a 30 day visa exempt.   She later went to immigration and asked for a 30 day extension and they literally stamped her in for 1year without any steps to show any banking requirements.

They told her that since she’s a Thai citizen w a Thai ID card she’s immediately eligible for 1year resident extension on the 30 day “Visa Exempt” stamp in her USA passport.

Was this a mistake by immigration or do they automatically give out 1yr extensions to a Visa Exempt stamp for Thai ID card holders w out having to meet any financial requirements similar to other visas???

I was in the impression that dual citizens are governed solely by which passport they use upon entry.  But it seems they make exceptions to dual citizens?
Pls advise.

Ask Thailand · Answer

A U.S. citizen with dual Thai citizenship entered Thailand using her U.S. passport, was granted a 30-day visa exempt status, and later received a 1-year extension based on her Thai ID card. This situation raises questions about immigration procedures for dual citizens. Generally, while it might seem that entry on a foreign passport would classify one solely as a foreigner, Thai citizens can often secure longer extensions with proof of their Thai nationality. The consensus is that it is not uncommon for dual citizens to obtain a year-long extension effortlessly, typically with minimal requirements.

James ******** · Answer

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies ☺️

Comments Closed

Tod ********* · Answer

𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟭𝘆𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗜𝗗 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀???

Nope totally normal, (y) the year extension based on a thai entering the country on another countries passport is the easiest extension to get, 😮

You pay 1900baht show that you ARE thai and they stamp a year extension into your passport

Nope totally normal, (y) the year extension based on a thai entering the country on another countries passport is the easiest extension to get,  😮

You pay 1900baht show that you ARE thai and they stamp a year extension into your passport

Peter ************ · Answer

I have herd a Thai citizen can enter the country with no passport if they have a Thai Id

Alastair ******** · Answer

I do believe that a Thai citizen, whose Thai passport has expired, can enter Thailand without any issues. (Using the expired passport)

Ellie ******* · Answer

Usually, this group doesn't allow the post "for a friend".

As you say, basically people would be treated as foreigners if enter on foreign passports. But there is a valid reason for an extension.

In her case, as she has an expired passport or Thai ID, definitely she can apply for a 1-year extension based on the "In the case of a person who used to have Thai nationality or whose parent is or was of Thai nationality visiting relatives or returning to his or her original homeland:" for any type of entry, not only for visa-exempt or tourist visas.

It's not "automatically" as proof of Thai nationality is required. But it's not difficult, it's quite normal not rare.

Is it standard procedure for Thai dual citizens to receive a 1-year extension on a Visa Exempt stamp without financial requirements?

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