Work Permit/citizenship Am I Eligible?

[trickmaster51]

Ok so here's my current family situation and issue:

I'm currently 21 years old and plan to teach English in Thailand after I graduate college in May of next year with a bachelors degree. By that time, I've would of already acquired a TEFL license giving me the basics to teach. I understand that you'll also get a work permit for one year. After talking to fellow forum members I understand that I may be a citizen because of my family situation? So here's my family situation:

My mother was born and raised in Thailand. She came to this country 22 years ago and gave birth to me here in the US. My father passed away when I was 16 and my mother's also a citizen of the US. I'm told by other forum members I may be eligible for Thai citizenship because my mother is a Thai national? If so, this would be much greater than just a work permit.

If I'm eligible, what steps do I have to take and where do I start? What are the documents I need and what documents are required of my mother.

Much help would be great!

[lopburi3]

My mother was born and raised in Thailand

In another section you say Thai national and that is the key requirement. Being born in Thailand does not make a person Thai (unlike the USA).

So if she is Thai you will need to get a Thai report of your birth at Thai Embassy/Consulate in USA using your US birth certificate and mothers proof of being Thai (old passports/ID cards or such). Once that is obtained you can obtain a Thai passport and enter Thailand on that and once here have yourself listed on a Home Register (perhaps a family member) and then get a Thai ID card to make you completely Thai. But remember you will be eligible for Thai military service and will have to register for that. Suspect you will get first hand information from members who have done this process when they read your post.

[trickmaster51]

My mother was born and raised in Thailand

mothers proof of being Thai (old passports/ID cards or such).

Yes I know for a fact she has an old passport. So it's as easy as that? Once I get the passport. Just register at my cousins house or something and register for service? And I have an ID card?

[lopburi3]

Yes. It should be easy once you have the Thai version of birth certificate from Embassy. Several members here in the same position and have done it.

[trickmaster51]

Wow this is great news. I'm turning 22 soon. Will that be a problem? Also, if I have a Thai Passport do I still need to get a work permit?

[ubonjoe]

Your age is not a problem. The only thing to worry about is the conscription issue. Thai men unless they get a waiver normally participate in the draw at the age of 21. Since you apparently have been living outside of Thailand you may get a waiver. The the Thai embassy or one of the 3 consulates should be able to answer your questions about that.

Since you are a Thai citizen by birth you have all the rights any Thai has. Which means you do not need a work permit.

[trickmaster51]

Thai version of birth certificate from Embassy.

Out of curiosity how long does that usually take?

[lopburi3]

Really do not know but expect someone will see this topic within 24 hours and have an answer for you.

[lopburi3]

One post with misinformation removed. US does not forbid dual nationality so also having Thai citizenship is not a negative to obtaining US pensions.

[submaniac]

Dear Nong Chai,

What Lopburi3 says about the passport is correct. Contact the embassy, do the Thai translation of your birth certificate. The embassy or consulate can issue the passport in the United States (no need to go to Thailand for that).

Now for Thai nationality, you really need two things. The first is the passport, which was already explained, and fairly easy to do.

The second thing you will need to do is get the Thai ID. This is the problem that I had (and yes I did it probably 6 or 7 years ago). I am in my 30's so I would have gotten it later in life than you did.

My situation is that I was actually born in Bankgok, so I didn't have to deal with the extra problem of a Thai translated birth certificate. But it took me almost a year of attempts to finally get it right.

You have to bring the Thai translation birth certificate to the Amphur for where you reside. They issue the Thai ID. WIth me, and since it had been so long, it wasn't easy. I had to get my birthcertificate, then that wasn't enough, and they wanted to get a DNA test on my mother to prove that we were related (yes!) and we had to wait for the results. The thing is that the Amphur is not an easy place to deal with, as is all of Thai bureacracy. The rules are supposed to be national, but the Amphurs do what they want require what they want, and make you jump through their hoops.

THe passport can be handled by yourself. But for the Thai ID, I strongly suggest you go with her. As I said, they made me take a DNA test. And hey also required that three Thai citizens swore under oath that I was a Thai citizen. (Yes Thailand does it a little weird than the states.) But in the end I did get it.

And P.S. the Thai ID is the more important document than the passport. It is proof of national resident as a citizen.

Tak care Nong Chai. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to ask me.

[paz]

Hi trickmaster,

I think the legal and practical advice you've been given here is right on the spot. I just want to add about something that was not mentioned yet. If you want to live, work and be a citizen of Thailand, hopefully you will have command of the Thai language, hopefully passed by your mother. If you don't, get busy on it urgently!

[submaniac]

Thai language is good to learn and know. EXCEPT for the conscription issue. In order to get a Thai ID you have to be placed on a house book (Tabien Bahn) (like at your cousins' or whatnot) to say that is where you live. Now, once you get placed on the housebook, the army looks at the names on the housebook to do conscription selection. If you are under 30, you are subject to conscription in the army (over 30 and you are exempt). There are ways around this; you can pay 30,000 baht (approx. $1k USD) LEGALLY to avoid conscription. Of course if you also feign all knowledge of the Thai language, you aren't really a "prime candidate" for army conscription either because they really can't deal with someone who doesn't speak Thai, if you get what I mean.

[chris1dna]

I believe want to also keep your US citizenship correct? Serving in a foreign military can possibly be a cause of concern for you if you wish to retain US citizenship. Might be something you want to take a look at?

[lopburi3]

It is not an issue unless done for the purpose of losing citizenship.

Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1481), as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain specified acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship.

.

[trickmaster51]

(old passports/ID cards or such).

Does it matter if my moms passport is expired? She's also having a tough time trying to find her old ID card. Will the passport be enough?

[asiaexpat]

Just some advise about obtaining a Thai registration of birth in USA (Thai birth certificate.) Your mother must apply for this for you and it requires special documents. I suggest you speak directly with the Thailand Embassy consulate section about this (they also have website information in Thai only.) My four children went through the process at adult ages and it took a lot of effort by their mother to get the registration of birth. However, once they had that, the passport was easy to get through the Thailand Embassy. Good luck and do not let the process stop you.

[trickmaster51]

Yes and it's such a hassle because the Embassy is in DC and I'm in Wisconsin. Ohhhhh phewwwww

[samran]

(old passports/ID cards or such).

Does it matter if my moms passport is expired? She's also having a tough time trying to find her old ID card. Will the passport be enough?

shouldn't be a problem.

Does she have her Thai birth certificate as well?

[lopburi3]

There is an official and large Consulate in Chicago that can likely help with advise.

[trickmaster51]

(old passports/ID cards or such).

shouldn't be a problem. Does she have her Thai birth certificate as well?

There is an official and large Consulate in Chicago that can likely help with advise.

I'm not too sure, I'm having a really difficult time communicating with her about this because her knowledge of the English language is extremely slim. Also, could the Thai consulate in Chicago issue me a birth certificate? Or is that a job of the embassy only?

[asiaexpat]

Any General consulate should be able to help you.

[asiaexpat]

This is the Chicago Consulate information in Thai. Have your mother follow read and follow the report of birth information.

http://www.thaiconsulatechicago.org/clate/birth_death.html

[bakery2012]

It is not an issue unless done for the purpose of losing citizenship.

Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1481), as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain specified acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship.

.

What about a US Citizen who apply for Thai Citizen at the Special Branch Police? The Special Branch Police issue the letter to the US Consul that this US Citizen apply for Thai Citizen and as part of the process, they need the certificate of intention to relinquish the US Citizens once granted the Thai nationality. Will this fit under this Section 349? Will this US Citizen who apply for Thai citizens loss the US citizens right away even they haven't got the Thai nationality yet?

[lopburi3]

Do not believe the US Consul has anything to do with any letter you may provide Special Branch but as have no experience can not say. But you do not lose US citizenship easily and believe can safely say pro forma type paperwork for new citizenship would not be an exception.

[bakery2012]

Do not believe the US Consul has anything to do with any letter you may provide Special Branch but as have no experience can not say. But you do not lose US citizenship easily and believe can safely say pro forma type paperwork for new citizenship would not be an exception.

Thank you for your comment!