Answered2 years ago
What documents does my son need to travel to Thailand alone and can he stay with his stepfather?
My 15 year old son is travelling alone here to Thailand to visit me in June. He holds an American Passport.
What documents does he need to bring? If he is a tourist does he need a follow on ticket?
If he decides to stay with me what documents does he need to be my husbands (his step father) dependant on his visa?
My ex is ok with him visiting me and even staying but doesn't understand why he needs to provide anything other than his passport. He is treating this like he is moving next door instead of to another country. Any actual sources I can site would help. I have given him the Thai embassy information and he still is reluctant on why.
Please be kind this stressful 😭
What documents does he need to bring? If he is a tourist does he need a follow on ticket?
If he decides to stay with me what documents does he need to be my husbands (his step father) dependant on his visa?
My ex is ok with him visiting me and even staying but doesn't understand why he needs to provide anything other than his passport. He is treating this like he is moving next door instead of to another country. Any actual sources I can site would help. I have given him the Thai embassy information and he still is reluctant on why.
Please be kind this stressful 😭
Answer summary
A 15-year-old traveling alone to Thailand needs proper documentation, particularly a passport and possibly a notarized letter of consent from the other parent. Depending on the visa type (tourist or otherwise), an onward or return ticket may be required, along with proof of accommodation and funds. If he intends to stay longer as a dependent of his mother's husband, legally recognized adoption is typically required unless other arrangements, like an education visa, are made.
48 repliesnewest first
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Tullio *******
I suggest you ask the same question on Thai Visa Advice you will get very specific answers
Tullio *******
@Donna *********
you got your reply reply he cannot get a dependent visa unless legally adopted. For unaccompanied children you need to get the regulation from your country of origin, it’s not a Thailand related question.Tullio *******
@Donna *********
depending on what visa he will be arriving he will need a return ticket within the maximum stay he is allowed on first entry, if he comes on no visa required he will get a 30 days he will need a exit ticket from Thailand to ANYWHERE (also neighboring countries) within the 30 days, even if he can renew that. He will also need a hotel booking or something stating where he is staying and the equivalent of 20,000 baht cash in any currency. All this information will be on the website of the Thai embassy. But bear in mind that the airline will check then onward ticket, while the possibilities of him getting stopped at immigration are very very scarce. Maybe for extra security just have him a carry a letter where he is going and where he is staying that is with you and his step dad, just for extra care, but nothing to worry. I do understand your worry!Donna **********
OP@Tullio ******
I never asked if you could fly alone I'm asking about immigration issues such as him getting stopped at immigration on his way into the country. What documents do I need for that?Donna **********
OP@Tullio ******
yes I understand 😊 just showing my reply 🙂
Frances ********
To start off, check with your airline if your son would be considered unaccompanied minor. They may ask for notarised letters from parent(s), that parent gives permission to travel, and proof of round trip ticket.
Donna **********
OP@Frances *******
at age 15 you can fly unaccompanied. I bought his tickets the airline's won't let a single ticket go through without checking the age. And the age went through and the airline's website states it's allowed. So which is why my ex doesn't think documents are needed.Frances ********
@Donna *********
ok. Good you checked; so if nothing more than his boarding pass & passport is needed, he’ll be fine. Going through immigration upon arrival, just tell him to look for the right lines; people will help him. Pick a meeting place when he clears baggage; if BKK airport, I like to meet down at the last door, by the food court on street level. It’s nerve wracking, waiting for your kid; been there, done that😅.Donna **********
OP@Frances *******
thank you 😊Jennifer ****
Get a notarized letter from his father stating that your son is allowed to travel on his own and that YOU are allowed to travel with your son without his father/your ex.
Thailand requires this when flying out. If you did a short holiday somewhere you could be asked to present a letter of parental consent for traveling.
Your son may need this for his flight home as well.
Apply for a 60 day tourist visa online. Can extend one time.
If you can get the multi tourist visa better. Then he can stay much longer with exits and extensions.
He NEEDS an exit ticket. Can be by boat even. Just an exit ticket for his first visa allowance.
Thailand requires this when flying out. If you did a short holiday somewhere you could be asked to present a letter of parental consent for traveling.
Your son may need this for his flight home as well.
Apply for a 60 day tourist visa online. Can extend one time.
If you can get the multi tourist visa better. Then he can stay much longer with exits and extensions.
He NEEDS an exit ticket. Can be by boat even. Just an exit ticket for his first visa allowance.
Donna **********
OP@Jennifer ***
I have asked him he says it's not needed.Jennifer ****
@Donna *********
“U.S. citizen children traveling abroadPorts of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction. If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel.
If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.”
*********************************************************
%20letter%20should%20say%20%22I,of%20the%20other%20parent's%20letter.
Chris *********************
@Jennifer ***
very true my wife and I took our to daughter's to Vietnam last month, we went through DM.we were separated at passport control, my wife couldn't go through until I was prossest, to make sure, I was dad and we were going together, so he would have a big problem trying to leave Thailand.Jennifer ****
@Donna *********
here is more information to pass to your Ex husband. I wouldn’t just send a 15 year old off on a one way ticket to thailand *****************************************************************************
%20Child%20Travel%20Consent%20Letter,by%20another%20adult%20or%20alone.********************************************************************
Jennifer ****
@Donna *********
it’s super easy to find online on multiple websites. Here is a 2 min search for a USA site “For minors under 20 years old, please provide additional documents:
– Copy of a birth certificate
– Copy of a marriage certificate, in case of sole custody notarized copy of the court order, must be provided.
– Copy of passports or ID of mother and father/ legal guardian.
– Original letter of notarized consent for the minor to travel abroad from mother and father/ legal guardian if the applicant is traveling alone”
***********************************************************
Donna **********
OP@Jennifer ***
we share the same last name. The thing is his dad could intercept the mail. His dad likes to have control. He (my ex) only speaks to my husband and goes to him (step father) instead of me. My son is worried he will withhold his passport if he makes him made anytime during this month. We have a custody agreement in our divorce. My ex gets him in middle school and up. But my ex has threatened to kick him out several times (to my son's face). And has asked me to take him several times but back out at last minute. This is a control issue. My son wants to live with me now. And my ex has stated it's his choice. But with him refusing to help provide these documents I think he is trying to pull a fast one on me. So I am keeping documentation of our text messages.Jennifer ****
@Donna *********
does his father have legal custody? Do you share your child’s last name? Do you appear on his birth certificate? There are 2 issues here. One is leaving the USA. And one is entering/leaving Thailand. Both countries seriously protect children from trafficking and kidnapping. Both immigrations could ask. You could also write the letter, have it notarized and mail it to him for the immigrations which he will go through alone. This might work unless his father holds sole physical custody.
It’s ridiculous his dad would send him off alone without doing this. I literally got the travel letter notarized in Canada for $15 and took me 30 mins.
Donna **********
OP@Jennifer ***
I will try. I am so worried my son's whole visit will be ruined because his dad doesn't want to do the letter. He wants him to visit and some months begs him to live with me. But now that's it's here he is refusing to help with any of the work.
Jon **********
No overstay for in
Bill *********
Maybe your son will hate the oppressive heat day in day out . Maybe he won’t like the food . Maybe he won’t like a lot of things . And why does his dad willing to dump him so easy ?
Simon ********
@Bill ********
what concerns of yours is it why the father has allowed him to visit? And what bitterness have you experienced that has you automatically assuming his father has dumped him so willingly?Bill *********
@Simon *******
under 16 doubt the airlines are letting him fly alone . They won’t chaperone him either with layovers and a flight of at least 21 hours . Who who let their kid fly that long with a layover . The airports are. Confusing enough .Donna **********
OP@Bill ********
15 and older can fly alone internationally. He has been traveling since 3. And he had been traveling alone domestically since age 7. And I chose an easy airport as the layover ( one I have been to) so he just has to get to the gate. None of this is an answer to my question.
Chrisna **********
I don't think step dad visa will allow a dependent on if not legally adopted...
He can get an ed visa at a school. As he will be studying probably. Will be the easiest option to enrol him in a school for ed visa.
He can get an ed visa at a school. As he will be studying probably. Will be the easiest option to enrol him in a school for ed visa.
Scott *******
I would contact the airline first. Ask them what documents they accept for him to travel. Get him to take the reply email to the check-in desk. Next go to Thai immigration and ask them what is required. If you go by all replies on here you may get it wrong. Good luck 🙏
Kool *******
Talk to an attorney. Siam-Legal.com could be a big help in getting you on the right track. From what you are asking it sounds like you and his step dad are separated. It is best to talk to an attorney.
Donna **********
OP@Kool ******
no me and his biological dad are divorced. I am married to his step father. He works here in Thailand and we're attached to his visa.Kool *******
@Donna *********
no matter, but in the case of him traveling internationally contact an attorney so there are no problems with him traveling alone at just 15.Donna **********
OP@Kool ******
I have spoken to them. They keep referring me to the US and telling me basic Thai visa information. They aren't very helpful.Kool *******
@Donna *********
best to talk with an attorney. Siam-Legal.com is very good.Donna **********
OP@Kool ******
he turns 16 in August. We move to Europe next April. We just need him to be able to stay until then.Kool *******
@Donna *********
not exactly sure, but, Thailand will not recognize him under your husband's visa, as he is not blood, or legally adopted. If he is under 15 years old he will not be penalized, or fined, for overstay. Keep that in mind.Donna **********
OP@Kool ******
no. But he's still my son and if I have a Visa (even though it's attached to my husband's Visa as his dependent) they wouldn't separate us would they?Kool *******
@Donna *********
has your husband adopted him? That makes a difference.Donna **********
OP@Radost *************************
can I add him to my visa if my visa is dependent on my husbands visa (he works here and we're his dependents) he is my biological son's step father. We have emailed immigration and are eating on a reply but any help would be great!
Radost **************************
@Kool ******
there is no problem at all, he just needs a letter of the father or mother for check-in, why he should be dependent on the step father? This would not work as he has no family relationship to him l, he has to be dependent to his mother and when she hold a valid visa or extention he will get also one until he is 20 years old
Sharon *******
You don't say what passport your son holds but if he is coming on a tourist visa or visa exempt you may have to show a return ticket. Some airlines require this before they will allow you to board & it is rarely asked for at immigration. Try googleing onward ticket & book anything out of Thailand. Don't forget that immigration may ask him for proof of accomadation, so an invitation from you & you can also be asked to show proof of funds, I think
With regard to if he wants to stay longer as a dependent, I think he would need to have been legally adopted by his step father to be able to piggy back on his visa as you have to show proof of relationship. At 15 I assume if he stays he will go to school so may be able to apply for an education visa. You don't say what visa you hold so would it be possible to be your dependent?
I think it would make sense to talk with your local immigration office to see what they suggest or call the Thai embassy in the country he is from.
*****
BT or equivalent. With regard to if he wants to stay longer as a dependent, I think he would need to have been legally adopted by his step father to be able to piggy back on his visa as you have to show proof of relationship. At 15 I assume if he stays he will go to school so may be able to apply for an education visa. You don't say what visa you hold so would it be possible to be your dependent?
I think it would make sense to talk with your local immigration office to see what they suggest or call the Thai embassy in the country he is from.
Nick *******
@Sharon ******
did you not read the post properly? It says he holds an American passport.
Darren *******
@Nick ******
the post was edited to include this information so it may well be it was edited after this comment was madeSharon *******
@Nick ******
OopsDarren *******
You asked the question about your son and being his step-dad's dependent last year, the rules haven't changed since then.
Ziggy ******
How long is he visiting?
Donna **********
OPCan I do that on his behalf from here? His father doesn't want to do any work. He is an ass. 😩
Ziggy ******
What does this comment in your thread mean? Darren Grist
You asked the question about your son and being his step-dad's dependent last year, the rules haven't changed since then.
You asked the question about your son and being his step-dad's dependent last year, the rules haven't changed since then.
Ziggy ******
I don't know about that, some countries have online applications for Tourist Visas, it varies. Best to check his current country of residence's website.
Donna **********
OP@Ziggy *****
60+ days. But wants to stay longer. His dad had me buy a one-way ticket.Ziggy ******
Tourist visa organised outside of Thailand through an Embassy and approved before arrival.
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