Dual Citizenship Visa Problem

[pokerjoe]

My son, 1/2 1/2, recently finally got his Thai passport. But he is facing a (to me) bizarre dilemma. He was told he had to depart the country on his USA passport, then re-enter on his Thai passport. So he went to Ventiane.

But when he tried to reenter Thailand, they told him he had to reenter on his US passport because he had no departure stamp on his Thai passport. But when he later tried to exit on his Thai passport, so that it would have a departure stamp, their computer spat out his name and said he had to exit on his US passport because that's what he had entered on.

Obviously this illogic will be perpetual. He will never be able to get the passports in sync.

Personally, I struggle to understand how it can be that a citizen of a nation needs a visa to enter that nation, but as of now he's being pressed into applying for a 1-year visa on his US passport.

Is there anyone here who can explain what he should do? Or understand this dilemma? Because I can't. Especially considering he's going in the army next year, so I'm really confused how someone required to fulfill a draft commitment (although he's actually planning on volunteering) could possible need a visa.

Thanks if you can help.

[samran]

It isn't illogical - need to depart on the same passport you entered on. As your son first entered Thailand on the US passport, he is subject to immigration rules unfortunately, despite also being a Thai citizen.

As a general rule, doing the 'passport swap' at land borders is neigh impossible. They check for stamps in and out.

A bit like accounting, there are debits and credits and they must match.

Where was your son born? Thailand or the US?

Best bet is to re-enter Thailand by air. Immigration at airport don't check for stamps for other countries, and in this day and age, many many Thai's either are born overseas and have their passports issued there, or they live overseas for great lengths of time and have their passports re-issued overseas (although they all are produced in Thailand these days).

So he gets off his flight at BKK airport. Shows his Thai passport and then gets stamped in.

In the UNLIKELY event they ask 'why haven't you got an exit stamp', calmly explain the reason, and insist that he speak with a superior - who in my experience has the power to over-ride the situation and get stamped in as a Thai citizen (as is his right). Explain etc he needs to do military service next year etc etc etc.

Hope this helps.

[pokerjoe]

It isn't illogical - need to depart on the same passport you entered on. As your son first entered Thailand on the US passport, he is subject to immigration rules unfortunately, despite also being a Thai citizen.

As a general rule, doing the 'passport swap' at land borders is neigh impossible. They check for stamps in and out.

A bit like accounting, there are debits and credits and they must match.

Where was your son born? Thailand or the US?

Best bet is to re-enter Thailand by air. Immigration at airport don't check for stamps for other countries, and in this day and age, many many Thai's either are born overseas and have their passports issued there, or they live overseas for great lengths of time and have their passports re-issued overseas (although they all are produced in Thailand these days).

So he gets off his flight at BKK airport. Shows his Thai passport and then gets stamped in.

In the UNLIKELY event they ask 'why haven't you got an exit stamp', calmly explain the reason, and insist that he speak with a superior - who in my experience has the power to over-ride the situation and get stamped in as a Thai citizen (as is his right). Explain etc he needs to do military service next year etc etc etc.

Hope this helps.

It helps, yes, TY. Can he fly in and out of any country, or does he have to come home probably? I mean it would save a lot of money if he could just fly to a neighboring country. If so, a recommendation? Would Udon to Laos be okay, for example?

[samran]

Personally, I'd fly to/from BKK.

Best bet, probably Singapore or KL as flights are cheap.

Unless he was only given 15/30 days on arrival in his US passport, then I wouldn't rush it. Just the next time he travels out, just use the Thai PP to re-enter.

[pokerjoe]

Thanks much, seriously.

[Mario2008]

He even doesn't have to enter the other country (pass immigraiton), just transfer for a flight back at the airport. But check with the airline.

As samran says, don't rush it. Children under 15 are not fined for overstay, so as long as his next flight out and into Thailand is before that there is no need to rush.

[lopburi3]

As he is getting ready for army suspect he is over 15.