Dual Citizenship Travelling On Nz Passport

[melanie_c]

My baby was born in October last year in Bangkok - he has Thai nationality and is registered in his father's 'tabien baan' (?) book. Through me (his mother) he has New Zealand citizenship by descent and a New Zealand passport. We will go to New Zealand for a holiday in July but I am worried about what will happen when we return to Thailand in August ... the visa officers at my company have told me that if my son comes back into Thailand using his New Zealand passport that he will need a non-immigrant visa even though he has Thai nationality. Other people have told me that if he also gets a Thai passport he can enter and leave NZ using his NZ passport and re-enter Tahiland using his Thai passport.

Which is true and what do I need to do before going on our trip? What about if we travel to a country other than New Zealand in the future?

thanks for any help that can be given.

[The_Moog]

Outbound

Thai passport at Bangkok airport. .......Thai stamp out

NZ Passport at Auckland ....NZ stamp in

Inbound

NZ passport at Auckland.......NZ stamp out

Thai passport at Bangkok......Bangkok stamp in.

That way he should avoid all visa issues.

[samran]

Mel,

I have dual Thai/Australian citizenship. Best thing to do is leave Thailand on the Thai PP and enter NZ on the Kiwi PP.

On the way back, get stamped out of NZ on the KIWI PP, and re-enter Thailand on the Thai PP.

I come and go from Thailand very often (sometimes to NZ as my wife is a Kiwi) and it has never been a problem for me. You'll be fine.

For all other countries, around SE Asia I tend to use the Thai PP. Thai's don't need visas and other countries (Malaysia, Singapore, HK) can be a bit stamp trail conscious, but not so bad that it will be a problem.

If travelling to Europe, US, UK, I just use my Aussie PP to enter those countries.

Edited June 1, 2005 by samran

[lopburi3]

Will just add that the airline in Bangkok will likely have to be shown the NZ passport to prove he needs no visa but exit through immigration with the Thai passport.

Even without a Thai passport the child could return on a normal 30 day stay stamp as there is no overstay charge for young children but the principal is correct that if using NZ passport to enter would need a visa.

[melanie_c]

thanks for the help - this is a great website!