Visa Extension For Dual Citizen (us And Thai)

[dimsum2495]

I'm currently living in Thailand on a 90 day non-immigrant O visa which expires at the end of November. I'm a U.S. citizen (23 years old), but I also have citizenship in Thailand. I don't have a Thai passport, but I do hold an active Thai ID card and am included on the housing census at my Uncle's home. I was planning to live in Thailand for the next year as a trial period to see if I wanted to move here permanently. When I applied for my current visa in the US, they said I could only get the 90 days and would have to keep extending it while I was here in Bangkok. Is there any way for me to extend my visa for 1 year as I don't want to keep making visa runs throughout my stay? Thanks in advance!

[lopburi3]

As you are of draft age believe it may be opening Pandora's box to display your ID card/dual nationality at Immigration. Normally extension of stay is an easy matter; but I would obtain legal advise in your case.

[dimsum2495]

As you are of draft age believe it may be opening Pandora's box to display your ID card/dual nationality at Immigration. Normally extension of stay is an easy matter; but I would obtain legal advise in your case.

I forgot to mention it in my first post, but I'm female so the draft stuff doesn't apply in my case. So is there a way to extend my visa for a year?

[lopburi3]

In that case do not believe you will have any issue in obtaining a one year extension of stay from immigration.

If you may want to travel in the future I would check into obtaining a Thai passport and use that for entry here next time.

[dimsum2495]

In that case do not believe you will have any issue in obtaining a one year extension of stay from immigration.

If you may want to travel in the future I would check into obtaining a Thai passport and use that for entry here next time.

Thanks so much lopburi3 for your quick replies. From reading other posts, I'm seeing that getting a Thai passport would definitely be beneficial. As this is the first time I've ever stayed in Thailand for an extended period, I don't have any experience with visas. Especially since the Thai embassy in the US wasn't too much help. I left with the impression that I could only extend it for 3 months each time. What is the process for obtaining a 1 year extension? Documents, where to go, etc.

[lopburi3]

You fill out a TM.7 form (for most offices you can use the download in pinned items) and attach 4x6cm current photo. Fee is 1,900 baht. You apply at any major immigration office and will need passport and proof of former citizenship. In your case it would be best to call immigration (call 1111 and ask for immigration) and ask them what you need. Bangkok can take several hours waiting when you apply. In Bangkok main office is on Suan Phlu just off South Sathon Road and there is an office in Novotel at new airport.

[mackayae]

If you are a Thai citizen you do not need a visa nor an extension. Get a Thai passport. When in Thailand show your Thai ID card and/or Thai passport. If you show your US passport you are liable for overstay of visa.

[lopburi3]

She is in Thailand on a foreign passport entry and needs an extension of stay to remain legal.

[dimsum2495]

You fill out a TM.7 form (for most offices you can use the download in pinned items) and attach 4x6cm current photo. Fee is 1,900 baht. You apply at any major immigration office and will need passport and proof of former citizenship. In your case it would be best to call immigration (call 1111 and ask for immigration) and ask them what you need. Bangkok can take several hours waiting when you apply. In Bangkok main office is on Suan Phlu just off South Sathon Road and there is an office in Novotel at new airport.

On the TM.7 form, what do people normally put in the reasons section? I just wanted to check if there are certain reasons that are more likely to be approved than others. And do I have to wait until my current visa is about to expire before I can apply for the extension?

Edited October 14, 2007 by linlin2840

[TerryLH]

"She is in Thailand on a foreign passport entry and needs an extension of stay to remain legal."

What's the downside if she gets a Thai passport and uses that to exit Thailand. She wouldn't ever have to show her USA passport to immigration.

Entering other countries shouldn't be a problem because she can show she used her Thai passport to exit Thailand.

It seems silly to keep worrying about extending an un-neccesary visa.

Terry

[JimGant]

Linlin, based on my wife's experience, you should have no problem with Thai Immigration. She, with her US passport, didn't even bother to get a visa, but entered on the 30-day visa exemption stamp. With proof of Thai nationality with her Thai ID card (as you have), it was a snap to get a one-year extension stamp. She did this for several years, but didn't bother to report every 90-days (she, being Thai, was told she didn't have to). However, this proved erroneous info, so when she finally was told to report every 90-days, it became a lot easier to get a Thai passport, which she did in Bangkok, and then enter Thailand on it.

When she next headed Stateside, she had to exit Thai Immigration with her US passport in order to clear her last entrance via that passport. However, returning to Thailand, she flashed her brand new Thai passport. They wanted to see her old passport and exit form, which, of course, she didn't have, having exited on her US passport. She merely said she didn't have it, and they then stamped her in without any further fuss. Now, in country, no need to go to Immigration for either extension stamp or 90 day reporting. Nice.

So, get your extension of stay (with re-entry stamp if you plan to travel). And, plan on 90-day reporting (but no border runs). If Thailand looks like your long term home, get that Thai passport. And even if it doesn't, probably a good idea to get one anyway -- helpful for current and future flexibility.

[madjbs]

If your going to mess about with going to immigration and paying for an extension then you might as well just go and get a Thai Passport. It only takes an hour or two and you just need to pick it up 3 days later or I think yo can get it mailed to you. You will need to leave Thailand on your U.S passport and when you return use your Thai passport. If they ask why there is no exit stamp in your Thai passport you can tell them you have dual nationality or show your other passport if they still wont let you in.

[samran]

Check out this thread of a Thai-US national named 'tonsils'

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=123271

As others have said, if you go the visa extension route, you are going to have to put up with 90 day reportings- which is a hassel.

Obtaining a Thai PP for those with an ID card and tabieen baan is extremely easy and quick to process.

Exit Thailand on the US PP, re-enter on the Thai PP.