Questions About Baby Born In Thailand

[westybrook]

Hi everyone

When I head back to Thailand, by the way what does LOS stand for? I hear many people say this, is this just Thailand for short?

Ok back to the topic Il be back in Thailand in October to see my first baby enter the world When Im there I should have the visa 90% complete, all I need is a few details from her and her signature.

But what about our newborn? It will be born in Thailand I know, but what do I need to do to put the newborn in on the visa? Also Scouser told me about getting a British Passport for the baby. How can I do this, and will it be ready in time for when she comes over, hopefully 3 months after the babys born (Taking into account its a 3 month waiting list) Also does anyone know if a 3 month year old will be ok to travel on plane? I believe it should be free as well.

Many questions I know, thanks for reading and hope you can give som good feedback.

Thanks!

[Cossi]

Hi everyone

When I head back to Thailand, by the way what does LOS stand for?  I hear many people say this, is this just Thailand for short?

Land of Sex

Ok back to the topic   Il be back in Thailand in October to see my first baby enter the world   When Im there I should have the visa 90% complete, all I need is a few details from her and her signature.

But what about our newborn?  It will be born in Thailand I know, but what do I need to do to put the newborn in on the visa?  Also Scouser told me about getting a British Passport for the baby.  How can I do this, and will it be ready in time for when she comes over, hopefully 3 months after the babys born (Taking into account its a 3 month waiting list)  Also does anyone know if a 3 month year old will be ok to travel on plane?  I believe it should be free as well.

Many questions I know, thanks for reading and hope you can give som good feedback.

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[westybrook]

Cheers Cossi, at least I know what that is now

[the scouser]

You can come up with your own meaning for the acronym, polite or rude, but it's generally taken to mean Land of Smiles.

If your new-born qualifies to be a British citizen then you make the application for a passport at the British embassy in Bangkok. Here's the link. I don't know how long it takes, but I would think it'd be a lot less than 3 months.

I would think the airline would not have a problem with a 3-month-old, but don't know what the other passengers might think!

Scouse.

[westybrook]

Yeah I know, a lot of crying isnt good on a long flight

I must admitt I like Land of Smiles more

You say about the baby having to qualify to be a british citizen, whats involved in this? I am British and hold a passport, birth certificate, my wife is Thai. Sorry I dont know too much about this, but some info would be great for us.

Thanks!

[the scouser]

If you open the link, Westy, and read the bit "Notes on British nationality". Basically, if you were born in the UK, are British and are married to the child's mother then your new-born will automatically be British.

Scouse.

[westybrook]

Sorry Scouse, I read it only quickly, Il check it out now, and thanks again mate!

Your a legend!

[samran]

You should realise that the baby will be eligible for Thai citizenship as well, and it will be able to get a Thai Passport to depart the Thailand.

[westybrook]

Thanks Samran, but I think that in order for me to bring the baby with us to England, it would need a visa, and so would have to go through the same process as my wife.

But getting a British Passport would mean it doesn't need the visa.

If Im wrong please say

[samran]

Thanks Samran, but I think that in order for me to bring the baby with us to England, it would need a visa, and so would have to go through the same process as my wife.

But getting a British Passport would mean it doesn't need the visa.

If Im wrong please say

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not wrong at all, but if the baby ever wanted to go back to Thailand for more than 30 days, own land and generally have an opportunity to live and work there (that most people on this board would deperately love to have), then having a Thai Passport in hand helps too. Call it an investment.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with your child having dual nationality. With both Thai and British PP's your child can come and go from either country as he/she pleases.

[westybrook]

Very good points Samran, thank you!

I will first claim British passport for baby as we will be against the clock when we hand in VISA application, as we need the baby to have a passport by when shes hopefully accepted for a visa. (3 months)

Would when we get to England, be able to apply at the Thai embassey in England for the Thai PP or would we need to do this only in Thailand?

If so we are planning to come back to Thailand after 6 months in England, for her to see her family. So I guess we could go to Bangkok and get the Thai PP there.

Another question: Will my wife be able to travel back and forth Thailand to England while shes on a settlement visa, not that shes gonna do it regulary as we would have to save a lot for that, but after 6 months in England can she then travel back to LOS and then stay for 1 month and then come back to UK.

Also can she travel to any EU country on a weekend break or anything.

Thanks!

[grahamb]

When I get around to it, I'm going to post a thread about getting our baby's British and Irish passports. Until then, here's the quick details...

To get a British passport, you need to be British and you need to be married to the mother at the time of birth. The embassy will want to see a marriage certificate (translated to English if necessary) to prove this. If you are not married, there are probably ways to get the baby registered so that they are eligible for British citizenship but I don't know the details (we were married before the baby was born).

The passport itself is pretty quick - took just over a week for our son. You can download the forms for the passport application and it's easy to fill in. There are a few things to note:

- The photos are supposed to show the baby's face straight on and they are supposed to be on a white background. If you are holding the baby in position, your hand can't be in the photo.

- The photos need to be countersigned by someone and according to the form, that person needs to have known the parents for 2 years. They are also supposed to be upstanding citizens (doctor, etc.) and British citizens. If you don't know any upstanding British citizens, an equivalent Thai is acceptable. This was a problem for us as we've only been in Thailand 1 year. We got our son's paedatrician to sign it. She noted that she had only known us a couple of months and the embassy didn't question that. Generally, I think they are quite relaxed about it but I mention it just in case

Assuming the baby qualifies OK, the passport application is very straight forward. Also, as you are going for a consular service, you don't have to line up in the visa line at the British Embassy. The consular section is open limited hours (I think it is something like 8:30 - 11:30 and 14:00 - 16:00; their website has details) but there was never more than a 5min queue when I went. It is upstairs when you go into the visa building.

Regarding being on a plane at 3 months... Ours will be taking his first flight at 3.5 months so we're assuming that it's going to be OK! Seriously though, we did ask his paediatrician and she was OK with that - check with your baby's one.

One bit of bad news for you though - it will NOT be free. I'm still very p1ssed off at Thai over this but they have a particularly baby unfriendly policy when it comes to tickets. Under 2 years old, the baby pays 10% of the published adult fare for a bassinet (no seat). The published adult fare is generally much more than the cheapest discount fare. I discussed with them that it should be 10% of the fare that is available at the time of booking but they refused and said 'rules are rules'. [What really p1ssed me off was the fact that I had been told on the phone that it was free with an award ticket which my wife is travelling on. In the Thai office, they told me that I was given the wrong information...] I think the European airlines are more baby friendly but they still charge. If I remember correctly, a friend paid £100 to fly BA from BKK > London return.

[westybrook]

Cheers grahamb!

That was interesting, over a week sounds good to me for the passport. I think the photo might be interesting to do.

Congratulations by the way, with your new baby

Its sucks about having to pay for the baby, but then again I guess 10% isnt too bad, if it means bringing it over then I will have to, I just hope it doesnt cry to much

Thanks again mate for that post, very good!

[samran]

Very good points Samran, thank you!

I will first claim British passport for baby as we will be against the clock when we hand in VISA application, as we need the baby to have a passport by when shes hopefully accepted for a visa. (3 months)

Would when we get to England, be able to apply at the Thai embassey in England for the Thai PP or would we need to do this only in Thailand?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing to stop you from getting the Thai passport in Thailand while you are waiting for the British Embassy to sort out your wife's visa and your childs UK Passport. The Thai passport will probably be issued faster than the British passport in Thailand - around 3 days I think.

Having said that, you can get the Thai passport once in the UK frm the embassy here in London. It will will probably take a month to come through though if you apply for it in the UK.

Another question:  Will my wife be able to travel back and forth Thailand to England while shes on a settlement visa, not that shes gonna do it regulary as we would have to save a lot for that, but after 6 months in England can she then travel back to LOS and then stay for 1 month and then come back to UK.

Also can she travel to any EU country on a weekend break or anything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problems travelling back and forth on a settlement visa. Unfortunately, she won't be able to go to any other EU country unless she gets a visa for those countries, as Thai citizens do not get visa free acess to Europe. So you'll have to go through the hassel of applying for a tourist visa for your wife if you are thinking of popping over to France for the weekend!

[cmsally]

Dual UK/Thai nationality.

Both my children are in this position. When we travel Thailand/UK

they use their Thai passports which have lifelong multiple entry resident visas

for entering the UK and staying as long as they wish.

This solves the problem of Thailand not really recognising dual nationality.

They exit on Thai passport, enter UK on Thai passport with their visa (use same channel as UK nationals when clearing passport and customs).

Then bAck into Thailand on their Thai passport.

If they want to visit other countries while in UK can do so on their UK passport.

Brit. Embassy issues these visas easily to dual Thai/UK citizens.

[samran]

Dual UK/Thai nationality.

Both my children are in this position. When we travel Thailand/UK

they use their Thai passports which have lifelong multiple entry resident visas

for entering the UK and staying as long as they wish.

This solves the problem of Thailand not really recognising dual nationality.

They exit on Thai passport, enter UK on Thai passport with their visa (use same channel as UK nationals when clearing passport and customs).

Then bAck into Thailand on their Thai passport.

If they want to visit other countries while in UK can do so on their UK passport.

Brit. Embassy issues these visas easily to dual Thai/UK citizens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thailand and Thai law hasn't had any problem with dual nationaity since the early 90's when previous nationality legislation was ammended.

I have Australian/Thai nationailty (and live in the UK) and travel between Thailand and the UK from time to time. My Thai passport is filled soley with entry and exit stamps from Thailand and nowhere else. This does not pose any problems for me.

[grahamb]

Cheers grahamb!

That was interesting, over a week sounds good to me for the passport.  I think the photo might be interesting to do.

Congratulations by the way, with your new baby

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks!

I forgot to add earlier how I managed to get the photo done: the magic of digital cameras... Over the space of a few days, I tried to get him to pose and any time it was halfway suitable, took a shot. Eventually I managed to get one shot that I cropped and printed for the passport application. Only took about 20 photos to get there... I've no idea how we would have done it with a regular camera or a photo booth!

By the way, a week is the standard time for getting a passport from a British embassy - much quicker than applying in the UK!

Edited June 25, 2005 by grahamb

[capco1]

Seeing as to how I just went through the whole process, I would assume I'm pretty qualified to give you some advice! Keep in mind that I am American but I'm told the process is all the same.

1. Your baby will need to go with you and the babies mother along with a certified birth certificate in Thai and also one translated in English (which can be done at any English school). Your name will need to be on the birth certificate showing as the father.

2. You and your Thai lady do NOT need to be married! The embassy will ask you a series of questions about you and your lady i.e. how you met, where you met, what her what you do for employment....basic stuff! he will then ask you under oath if you are in fact the babies father and willing to care for and support the child.

3. The embassy will issue you a receipt and will ask you to come back in about three days to pick up the Certificate of Consular Birth Abroad and also the babies UK passport. ( during your first visit they will make you go next door and pay for passport photos). One thing that you may want to consider is telling them when your return flight home departs or they might want you to come back in six to eight weeks.

4. After all this process is complete your baby will be free to travel with a passport that is good for one year. My wife had already completed all her visa interviews a few months prior so we left town the following day. When you get home you will need to file the birth with Social Security or whatever agency is in your area.

5. The airfare for your baby will NOT be free! however it's pretty cheap! Most airlines

charge you either 10% of the adult fare or only the tax on the ticket...Word of advice make sure you tell the airlines that you want seats that have the bulk head baby beds!....a very long flight with a newborn~!

6. Your wife or girlfriend depending on the type of visa she is on will need to file additional papers in your home country and get a change of status before she can travel freely. If she were in the need to return home before her status papers return she can file for emergency travel and get permission with in a few hours.

I hope this info helps you! I'm sure a few things will be different put now you have an idea!

Cheers and best of luck with your new family! My daughters the best thing that ever happened to me! I'm a very proud papa!

[samran]

You are correct Capco, a majority of the process is similar, but there are some important differences.

2. You and your Thai lady do NOT need to be married! The embassy will ask you a series of questions about you and your lady i.e. how you met, where you met, what her what you do for employment....basic stuff! he will then ask you under oath if you are in fact the babies father and willing to care for and support the child.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As Westybrook is applying for a Settlement Visa for his wife, for all intents and purposes for her to go to the UK on a settlement visa, they need to be married. UK law allows for Defacto relationships too, but this is a lot more difficult to prove, so I won't even go there for now.

6. Your wife or girlfriend depending on the type of visa she is on will need to file additional papers in your home country and get a change of status before she can travel freely. If she were in the need to return home before her status papers return she can file for emergency travel and get permission with in a few hours.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Once Westybrooks wife has entered the UK on a spousal settlement visa, there is no need for her do anything else. She will free to come and go for holidays from the UK as she wishes. She can then get on with the challenge of applying for a National Insurance Number and opening a bank account, which I can guarantee, will make obtaining a UK settlement visa seem like a piece of cake!!!

Edited June 25, 2005 by samran

[westybrook]

Cheers for all the replys and Samran please follow up with what you said about a NI number and bank account. This is one thing I havent looked into really. I guessed they woud have issued this (NI) when she got the visa and that a bank account was easy?

When you have time mate, please fill us all in, in why these are problems.

Cheers mate!

[dereklev]

Dual UK/Thai nationality.

Both my children are in this position. When we travel Thailand/UK

they use their Thai passports which have lifelong multiple entry resident visas

for entering the UK and staying as long as they wish.

This solves the problem of Thailand not really recognising dual nationality.

They exit on Thai passport, enter UK on Thai passport with their visa (use same channel as UK nationals when clearing passport and customs).

Then bAck into Thailand on their Thai passport.

If they want to visit other countries while in UK can do so on their UK passport.

Brit. Embassy issues these visas easily to dual Thai/UK citizens.

Thailand and Thai law hasn't had any problem with dual nationaity since the early 90's when previous nationality legislation was ammended.

I have Australian/Thai nationailty (and live in the UK) and travel between Thailand and the UK from time to time. My Thai passport is filled soley with entry and exit stamps from Thailand and nowhere else. This does not pose any problems for me.

When I left Thailand on Tuesday with my dual nationality (Thai/UK) baby, I showed both passports to the airline.

When we went through immigration I only showed the baby's Thai passport.

The immigration officer asked my wife where we were going and was told London.

She checked the baby's Thai passport which has no visa for the UK so she asked me if the baby had Dual Nationality.

So very clearly Thailand has absolutely no problem with Dual Nationality as Samran rightly points out......

[capco1]

Sorry, I thought he was asking about getting the baby a visa.....The babies parents need to be married to get the baby a passport? In America you don't need to be married as long as the fathers name is on the birth certificate.....Now if you're talkaking about a visa for mama...thats another issue.

[samran]

Cheers for all the replys and Samran please follow up with what you said about a NI number and bank account.  This is one thing I havent looked into really.  I guessed they woud have issued this (NI) when she got the visa and that a bank account was easy?

When you have time mate, please fill us all in, in why these are problems.

Cheers mate!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Moving to the UK as a foreigner isn't made easy. Everything seems to be a catch-22.

First, you have to apply for an NI number. This requires that you be looking for a job. They won't issue you one if you aren't intending to work, but because it is such a useful thing to have, it is worth lying and saying that you need one. To do this, you actually have to call a certain number (which they change every few months), which is always engaged, or is on hold. One friend was litterally on hold for 6 hours once.

Once you get through, you have to make an appointment to go an apply for the NI number at the local DWP centre. Depending on where you live, it can take weeks/months for the appointment to come up (added to the length of time that it takes to actually get through on the phone!!). They'll send you out a list of things you need take to the meeting.

You should go down to the DWP centre with your wife, as they will fill out the application form, asking lots of questions, so you should be there if here English isn't that strong. Once done, it will take about 12 weeks for the NI number and card to come through.

Getting a bank account is a true pain in the @rse. Recent anti-money laundering legislation has really tightened things up. Technically, you need a valid visa and proof of address. But for most banks this won't be enough. Most want to see that you have lived in the UK for at least a year (as evidenced by utitlity bills), or want a letter from your employer. Obviously, without an employer to vouch for you, many banks won't want to know you.

Best bet is to get one of the house bills put in your wifes name, and then basically go from bank to bank asking if they will open an account. The people you bank with will be the best bet.

Having said all this, for some people, especially outside the cities, things are really easy and achiveable, and won't take anywhere near as long. From the experince of my wife and myself who moved here a year ago, it took us a good 5 months till all our paperwork was in order.

[grahamb]

1. Your baby will need to go with you and the babies mother along with a certified birth certificate in Thai and also one translated in English (which can be done at any English school). Your name will need to be on the birth certificate showing as the father.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For a UK passport, the baby and mother do NOT need to go along with you. My wife and baby have not been inside the British Embassy but he has his passport!

2. You and your Thai lady do NOT need to be married! The embassy will ask you a series of questions about you and your lady i.e. how you met, where you met, what her what you do for employment....basic stuff! he will then ask you under oath if you are in fact the babies father and willing to care for and support the child.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For a UK passport, the baby's parents should be married at the time of birth. As I mentioned earlier, they will want to see the marriage certificate and will check it (they kept our original marriage certificate document for the week so I assume they did something with it.) There is probably a way to register your child for a UK passport if you are not married but it is extra work. I don't know the details but the British Embassy website probably has more details.

[GU22]

Utility bills in joint names, joint bank accounts, letters from Govt. departments; all will be useful when she comes to apply for ILR. So keep them.

Don't forget to register with your doctor and dentist. As a resident she will be entitled to NHS treatment.

[Buff-horns]

if you have all the right paperwork in english and thai it takes a day thats all.

mind you ,you need all the marriage certs etc .

without that you are stuffed .DNA tests and all that .

i took the papers in 1 day and next day picked up babies passport