What are the current visa requirements for foreign children born in Thailand when leaving and re-entering the country?

Visa Rules Foreign Children Thailand Immigration Overstay Visa-exempt Thai Nationality Laws NON-O Visa Immigration Procedures

July 13, 2023

a year ago

Bradley **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. Have the rules recently changed regarding foreigners born in Thailand...specifically...if the child leaves Thailand for the first time, and re-enters after a week, will the child need a visa? Or will the child stil be visa free until the age of 15? Both parent's are foreigners... thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The current rules state that foreign children born in Thailand can stay in the country until they leave for the first time. After leaving, they will require a visa to re-enter Thailand based on their nationality. Specifically, if both parents are foreigners and the child re-enters after leaving Thailand, they will need to have the appropriate visa, even if they were born in Thailand. There has been no change in these rules.

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Bradley **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

The reason I ask is that recently, a Filipino couple I know, crossed over the Malaysian border with their child who was born in Thailand. The immigration officer allowed the child back into Thailand without a visa and said to the parents that a visa is not required until 15 years old.

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Bradley *************

, it's just because the Philippines is one of the visa-exempt countries. They can enter Thailand without a visa. And as John stated, minors are waived from overstay fines or penalties, but still they would be stamped as overstaying at some point.

a year ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Andrew *********

Unless born to at least one Thai parent they are foreign and need a visa according to their nationality to reenter.

No rule change. Just don't get hit by overstay until 15 same as any kid that overstays.

a year ago

John **********

Just to add to what

@Ellie ******

said, while kids entering Thailand don't get fined for being inside Thailand when their permission to stay expires they are still technically on overstay and will likely get a stamp in their passport to that effect the next time they leave.

a year ago

Ellie *******

As far as I know, the rule hasn't been changed. Children born in Thailand are free to stay until a certain age OR when they leave Thailand for the first time. Of course they need passports to leave Thailand. Then they need to have a proper visa or status (visa-exempt or waiver, etc) based on their nationality (passport country) to enter Thailand again. Doesn't matter even if the baby is days old.

a year ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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Does my child need a NON-O visa to re-enter Thailand after traveling abroad?

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