Visa for a child

[Buckers]

Hi Everyone,

I am a British national living in England and I am interested in studying for a degree in Bangkok at a school which is recognized worldwide. I have no intention of working while I am studying.

I have a 9 year old son who was born in Thailand, but has lived with me in England since he was a baby. His mother and I were never married and she gave her consent for me to raise him. He has a British passport and both British and Thai birth certificates.

 

My question is; what visa should I apply for for my son when I am studying? Although I am not with his mother, we do get on and if I need her help with documents etc, then I'm sure she will help. I know that my son could get a Thai passport, but I would like to know what options are available if he keeps his British passport.

Also, if my son and I decided to stay in Thailand after my studies have finished, is it possible/easy to change his surname in Thailand to mine? He was born with his mother's surname, but I changed his surname to mine a few years ago by deed poll here in England, which was very straight forward.

 

Many thanks in advance

[elviajero]

Your son can enter with his British passport using a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption and then apply for a 1 year extension of stay as a Thai national. They will need proof of his Thai nationality or relationship to his Thai mother.

 

Normally his Thai birth certificate would be proof, but the name change complicates things. I honestly don’t know what you will need to do as this situation is new to me, but I would imagine you’ll need to get the change of name paperwork translated and certified by the Thai embassy in London, or the MFA in Bangkok. And, or formally change his name in Thailand too. It might be worth contacting the London Embassy for advice.

[Buckers]

Thanks Elviajero. I know it's a bit of a tricky one this so I appreciate your feedback. Regarding the 1 year extension of stay, can this be renewed every year?

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, Buckers said:

Thanks Elviajero. I know it's a bit of a tricky one this so I appreciate your feedback. Regarding the 1 year extension of stay, can this be renewed every year?

In theory, yes; but I am not sure how long they would keep renewing this type of extension.

 

If your son is staying long term it would be better to get a Thai passport, leave as a Brit and return as a Thai.

[jphasia]

Can't you get a Thai passport for your son at the London Embassy?
Just asking, because my son (Thai/French) was born in Bangkok. As I had to move quickly to Netherland when he was less than 1 year old, I could manage to get him his French passport in Bangkok to travel to Europe but couldn't get a Thai passport on time. Once we were in Netherland, we applied for his Thai passport at the Thai Embassy and he returned to Thailand 6 months later with his Thai passport. This was 20 years ago, so maybe the rules have changed.

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[Buckers]

Thanks Jphasia. Yes, I can get my son a Thai passport, but I was just curious about what options are there for him with a British passport. Anyway, I appreciate the feedback