For Returning Thai Nationals – My Immigration Appointment Experience (Inheritance Visa for Adoptees / Thai Descent)

I wanted to share my experience with Thai Immigration for those who, like me, are returning Thai nationals — especially adoptees or individuals born in Thailand. This is for those reclaiming Thai citizenship or status.

If you have a Thai birth certificate and also your civil registry form issued by a district office, you may qualify for what's commonly called an "Inheritance Visa" — an extension that is valid for up to one year and renewable. This is a route available to people of Thai descent who are not yet listed in the Thai national registry (tabien baan) or holding a valid Thai ID but are in the process of reclaiming it.

Here’s a summary of my appointment process and some helpful tips:

Where: Immigration Division 1 – 3rd Floor, IT Square, Bangkok

Why: I booked the appointment online under the category for "Returning Thai National Reclaiming Thai Status"

When: I arrived around 8:00 AM for an early spot in the queue

Link to Online Appointment: [members only]

Documents I brought (and what they required):

TM07 form filled out correctly (I will upload a sample for reference)

Copies of my Airbnb receipt + payment history as proof of residence

Copies of my TM30

Copies of entry stamp

Certified translated name change document with MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) stamp

Copies of my Adoption Registration in Thai

Copy of my U.S. passport (bio page)

Most importantly:

Original & copies of my Thai birth certificate ( I had a recently issued copy by the district office)

Original & copies of my civil registry form also issued by the District Office.

Tips from my experience:

They are extremely meticulous about document accuracy and completeness. Be sure your translations are official and certified by MFA or else you'll be asked to provide them in both original form and copy form.

Have extra original copies and multiple photocopies on hand — just in case.

Even though my appointment time had technically expired, they acknowledged my Thai status and gave me a priority queue card, allowing me direct entry to the immigration office.

The longest part of the process was the initial queue, which took about 2 hours, but this is necessary for your documents to be verified before the immigration officer can process your extension.

The process is very manageable if you are organized and respectful, and the staff were professional and helpful once my documents were confirmed.

Hope this helps someone going through the same journey! Feel free to message or comment if you have any questions.

Make sure you have cash only on hand to pay the €1,900 baht extension fee.

NOTE: Depending on your reclamation timeline, you have to report your residence information every 90 days, it can be done online on the immigration website.