Taking the kids to Japan for a holiday....(without the EX Thai Mum)

[Clifford S]

Hi

 

So I'm a Brit and would like to take my half Thai/Half Brit kids age 9&11 to Japan for a holiday without the ex (Thai Mum). Looks like the kids can get in for upto 15 days without a Visa. I dont need a Visa. Just wonder if I'll have any trouble at Thai immigration leaving Thailand with the kids without the mother perhaps ? Any similar experiences anybody ?

 

Thanks,

Cliff.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

You need to get written consent from their mother in order to avoid problems leaving with them.

[Bung]

I've travelled with my son many times and never been asked. Between the age 11-16. Maybe if they are younger you will need mothers consent? 

[Clifford S]

Maybe best I get written consent then just in case ....

[SGD]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You need to get written consent from their mother in order to avoid problems leaving with them.

Not true. Bit of an urban rumor in fact. That said, nothing lost in taking it as seemingly the mother has custody.

 

I've never needed it, from a babe in arms through aged 11.

 

However, why don't the kids have UK passports ?

 

 

[Classic Ray]

Copied from an old post :  we always get one of these even when my Thai wife travels outside the country without me.

 

 

Go to local Amphur for a paper: Bai rapp rong bott,

Kor Ror 13 for sole custody

Bring documents when travelling:

Thai Birth Certificate of child

Thai/Foreign Passport of child

-Or-

Kor Ror 11 (shared custody)

Documents needed when travelling:

Consent letter from his Thai Mum in her handwriting

Signed copy of mother's ID card from mother

Thai Marriage certificate

Thai Birth Certificate

Thai/Foreign Passport of child

 

 

[HHTel]

54 minutes ago, SGD said:

Not true. Bit of an urban rumor in fact. That said, nothing lost in taking it as seemingly the mother has custody.

 

I've never needed it, from a babe in arms through aged 11.

 

However, why don't the kids have UK passports ?

 

 

They may have.  He didn't say they didn't.  Their UK passport if they have one would not be used in Thailand.

[sometimewoodworker]

While technically Thai's don't need a visa for Japan some (personal knowledge) have been refused entry into Japan and returned on the next flight.

It is extremely unlikely to be the case for your children but if you have thier British passports using those entering Japan will avoid any possible problems.

[Clifford S]

3 hours ago, SGD said:

Not true. Bit of an urban rumor in fact. That said, nothing lost in taking it as seemingly the mother has custody.

 

I've never needed it, from a babe in arms through aged 11.

 

However, why don't the kids have UK passports ?

 

 

They do, just that one has expired ...

[mikesensei]

Hello Cliff. I am living in Japan at the moment. If you and your children have British Passports then I would use these.

You will get a 3 month visa automatically in Japan. However if the kids name dont match yours they may ask for extra proof. A photocopy of their birth certificates will help. If thats not enough they may interview the kids away from you. It might be a good idea to prepare your children for this interview. It might be something inane like what music does Dad like? Whats his favourite colour? What does Mummy call him? I have had this done to me and daughter in the UK.

If they have Thai passports with a different family name to you this might set off red flags upon departure and arrival.

Make sure this matches the plane tickets. You may also have to show ID cards and complete a departure form for them.

Return tickets and hotel bookings will also be useful.

[Clifford S]

4 hours ago, mikesensei said:

Hello Cliff. I am living in Japan at the moment. If you and your children have British Passports then I would use these.

You will get a 3 month visa automatically in Japan. However if the kids name dont match yours they may ask for extra proof. A photocopy of their birth certificates will help. If thats not enough they may interview the kids away from you. It might be a good idea to prepare your children for this interview. It might be something inane like what music does Dad like? Whats his favourite colour? What does Mummy call him? I have had this done to me and daughter in the UK.

If they have Thai passports with a different family name to you this might set off red flags upon departure and arrival.

Make sure this matches the plane tickets. You may also have to show ID cards and complete a departure form for them.

Return tickets and hotel bookings will also be useful.

 

Thanks Mike, One Brit passport has expired so the plan is to use the  2 Thai passports which are in my family name ( the kids have British first names too)

 

 

 

[Topah]

If you leave Thailand with Thai passports without mother you need a consent from her. Ignore other comments here. I tried once without any consent and it did not work. 

[madmitch]

Consent only needs to be a handwritten note below a copy of the ID card. Nothing formal. I've done this three times: once a cursory glance at the letter, another time an interview in a private room (though I did take my daughter's friend as well) and the last time the Immigration Officer phoned my partner just to confirm everything was OK, so I'd suggest putting the phone number on the note from mother as well.

 

And having just returned from Japan with my family, you are right abut the admission policy without a visa: 90 days for a UK citizen, 15 days for a Thai.

[mikesensei]

Hello Cliff. I am living in Japan at the moment. If you and your children have British Passports then I would use these.

You will get a 3 month visa automatically in Japan. However if the kids name dont match yours they may ask for extra proof. A photocopy of their birth certificates will help. If thats not enough they may interview the kids away from you. It might be a good idea to prepare your children for this interview. It might be something inane like what music does Dad like? Whats his favourite colour? What does Mummy call him? I have had this done to me and daughter in the UK.

If they have Thai passports with a different family name to you this might set off red flags upon departure and arrival.

Make sure this matches the plane tickets. You may also have to show ID cards and complete a departure form for them.

Return tickets and hotel bookings will also be useful.

[mikesensei]

Hello Cliff. I notice the mother is the ex wife. Is she willing to sign a document? Also the Japanese immigration authorities may well phone her up  make sure everything is OK. Its doubtful but Japanese authorities may insist on a translation of the documents. I would make sure its in English as Thai may completely throw them. The Airline may well give you the heads up on what to take,because if Japan refuses entry the airline have to repatriate you ie pay.

[Clifford S]

1 hour ago, mikesensei said:

Hello Cliff. I notice the mother is the ex wife. Is she willing to sign a document? Also the Japanese immigration authorities may well phone her up  make sure everything is OK. Its doubtful but Japanese authorities may insist on a translation of the documents. I would make sure its in English as Thai may completely throw them. The Airline may well give you the heads up on what to take,because if Japan refuses entry the airline have to repatriate you ie pay.

Yes she'll sign, I think....Might not risk it otherwise !

[Clifford S]

Quick update ...

 

Didnt go Japan, kids didnt fancy the 6 hours flight so popped over to Singapore for the week. (took ALL relevant documents with me incl. the letter from the Mother.), presented Thai passports at DMK, Immigration lady just said to my kids in Thai wheres your Mum, they said she's in Bangkok, and we were on out way...

 

I still think I'd take all docs with me each time just in case though ....

[ChakaKhan]

On 7/21/2018 at 12:11 AM, mikesensei said:

Hello Cliff. I notice the mother is the ex wife. Is she willing to sign a document? Also the Japanese immigration authorities may well phone her up  make sure everything is OK. Its doubtful but Japanese authorities may insist on a translation of the documents. I would make sure its in English as Thai may completely throw them. The Airline may well give you the heads up on what to take,because if Japan refuses entry the airline have to repatriate you ie pay.

Well Japan is Def my Bucket list place to live If only I could afford it---hence my 6 yrs in Thai...any places in japan that are affordable as Thai or is the whole place just $$$$$?  

 

As for the consent note ala Welcome back Kotter....Please excuse Epstein from school today, Signed Epstein's Mom

[ChakaKhan]

32 minutes ago, Clifford S said:

Quick update ...

 

Didnt go Japan, kids didnt fancy the 6 hours flight so popped over to Singapore for the week. (took ALL relevant documents with me incl. the letter from the Mother.), presented Thai passports at DMK, Immigration lady just said to my kids in Thai wheres your Mum, they said she's in Bangkok, and we were on out way...

 

I still think I'd take all docs with me each time just in case though ....

Id say better to have em and NOT need em--then need em and NOT have em!!!!  esp in asia with kids......blah!

[sometimewoodworker]

On 8/6/2018 at 6:12 AM, ChakaKhan said:

Well Japan is Def my Bucket list place to live If only I could afford it---hence my 6 yrs in Thai...any places in japan that are affordable as Thai or is the whole place just $$$$$?  

Japan doesn't have to be expensive if you live there mostly it is about 4 to 5 times the cost of Thailand, food is only about 2 to 3 times the cost, and that is Tokyo but outside the Yamanote line

 

If you are only visiting then it's more like 10 times the cost 

[ChakaKhan]

16 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Japan doesn't have to be expensive if you live there mostly it is about 4 to 5 times the cost of Thailand, food is only about 2 to 3 times the cost, and that is Tokyo but outside the Yamanote line

 

If you are only visiting then it's more like 10 times the cost 

Sadly still seems out of my budget  ?