My 16 year old daughter wants to go to Sweden, early next year, to stay with her Thai grandmother who is married to a Swedish man. My daughter has an expired UK and Thai passport.

My question is which passport is better to travel on UK or Thai ? Thanks.

32 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

My 16 year old daughter wants to go to Sweden, early next year, to stay with her Thai grandmother who is married to a Swedish man. My daughter has an expired UK and Thai passport.

My question is which passport is better to travel on UK or Thai ? Thanks.

I'm willing to bet she would have to apply for a visa to travel on the Thai passport. With the UK passport, probably does not have to apply for a visa.

But when you say "to stay", what exactly do you mean? I doubt the UK passport would just allow her to live there permanently.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

But when you say "to stay", what exactly do you mean? I doubt the UK passport would just allow her to live there permanently.

"to stay" means to stay with her grandmother for a month.

Need a UK passport to enter Sweden. Need a Thai passport to enter Thailand.

Yes her UK passport would certainly be better and would negate the need for a Schengen Visa application, though as a third country national she would still need to register for the new EU entry/exit system on arrival In Sweden, this is a requirement for UK and Thai passport holders, as they are now both third country nationals.

As the previous poster has advised she should check for her outward flight using her UK passport, this shows the check in agent that she doesn’t need a visa, and clear Thai immigration with her Thai passport, using her UK passport for the rest of her outward journey.

On her return journey she should check in using her Thai passport, this shows that she doesn’t need a Thai visa or a return ticket, clear Swedish Border Control with her UK passport and enter Thailand with her Thai passport.

As the two posters above me allude, she should have both passports renewed and use them appropriately.

As a 16-year old she would also likely need a Parental Consent letter, signed by all/both legal guardians. My son was asked, weirdly enough, only around half of the time for it, when he travelled as an unaccompanied non-adult.

What I do not know is, if she would need a proof of residence/guarantee letter when going to Sweden when travelling on a UK passport, surely somebody else knoweldgeable can comment on that.

2 hours ago, theoldgit said:

. . . . though as a third country national she would still need to register for the new EU entry/exit system on arrival In Sweden . . . .

She should pre-register using the Travel to Europe app to save time at the border. This is currently only available for destinations in Sweden.

Also recommend both passports. For our Thai born son we use Thai passport to exit and enter Thailand. The other for entering and exiting USA//OZ.

On 12/31/2025 at 4:30 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

My 16 year old daughter wants to go to Sweden, early next year, to stay with her Thai grandmother who is married to a Swedish man. My daughter has an expired UK and Thai passport.

My question is which passport is better to travel on UK or Thai ? Thanks.

UK passport, but you will need both Thai and UK passport. As minor, she might also need an affidavit from the local Amphor-district office, where her mother or registered guardian permits her to leave Thailand, if she don't travel together with a parent or registered guardian.

With a UK passport your daughter can enter Sweden (Schengen area) without visa and permitted 3-months stay (90 days). British citizens can apply for extension of stay under EEC-rules.

IMPORTANT (don't mess up here):

Your daughter shall check in on a flight to Schengen (Sweden) using her UK passport (only), as she has no Schengen visa.

Your daughter shall leave Thailand (immigration) showing her Thai passport (only).

Your daughter shall enter Schengen – Sweden if direct flight – using her UK passport (only).

When later travelling to Thailand, she shall exit Schengen-area with her UK passport (only) – i.e., same passport as she entered on, showing a Thai passport will stop her in immigration, as she don't have a Schengen visa – when re-entering Thailand sha shall use her Thai passport (only), as she othewise will enter as an UK citizen on visa exempt entry and limited period of stay.

UK - better to have it always valid!