Passport, Visa From Ghana...

[robertcox]

So here's the situation:

A woman who was born in Thailand (father Tai & mom from Ghana). She left Thailand at the age of 28 and moved to Ghana, where her mother lives. She became a citizen of Ghana. It is ten years later, and she wants to return to Thailand to live. What does she need to do--can she apply directly to Thai immigration in Thailand for a passport? Or, must she travel to Thailand with a passport from Ghana, along with a visa? By the way, she doesn't curently have Ghanaese passport.

She is my girlfriend. I'm a retired American who lives in Thailand. I actually contacted a travel agent in Ghana, and he gave me a quote for a huge amount of money to make it happen for her--Ghanaese passport, Thai visa, etc. I'm led to believe that there are tribal considerations in the background, which might make it difficult to directly apply to the immigration office of Ghana. So, if at all possible, obtaining a passprot directly from the Thai government is preferable.

Goodness, what webs we weave. Thanks

[caledonia]

I would imagine that provided she has proof of her parentage and the fact she lived in LOS (I assume as a citizen) then she should be able to get a Thai passport no problem - well the problem being how she goes about getting it ofcourse.

From what I can see their is no Thai representation in Ghana so she will have to find out what embassy she should contact - Thai Ministry of Affairs will know.

She probably could apply to Thailand but this will all be dependant on Thai rules. Certainly in the UK you apply through the nearest embassy - although granted UK embassies are probably more likley to be nearby or at least in the country.

Ofcourse this may lead to the problem of when she leaves Ghana they may question where her visa is for there and question whether she has been staying there illegally!! It really is very complex!!

What I would say is it unlikely that your girlf would have any problems getting a passport from Ghana regardless of tribal issues. If there is a local problem then she could just travel to another issuing office - where they are less likely to have knowledge of any local issues. Although I am still not sure what could cause the problem - was it the Travel Agent guy saying this to justtify the high cost?

Seriously though records in West Africa are very unreliable and I have a friend from Ghana who was going back the other way (was in Thailand with no Ghanian passport) and got a passport with very little questions asked (via Malaysia as no Ghana rep in Thailand - at that time anyway). Either way your girlfriend is going to need to find out what Thai mission she gets either a visa or passport through so that should be the first step.

Sorry I have probably confused matters a little bit more there - it really is a complex one though!!

Edited January 15, 2006 by caledonia

[vinny]

Contact PROTECTION OF THAI NATIONALS ABROAD DIVISION to see if they can help or have any suggestions.