Hi There,

Great forums!

I am a dual citizen (British/Swiss) I am currently in Bangkok on my second entry of a Triple entry tourist visa in my Swiss passport. I have approximately 10 weeks remaining on this second entry (30 day ext at immigration)

I am in the process of trying to marry my Thai girlfriend of 4 years and the Swiss embassy are making it very difficult for me to get an 'Affirmation of freedom to marry' They are requesting many documents and making things very complicated.

I know this process is very simple for a British citizen but due to the fact that I am in Thailand using my Swiss passport the British embassy obviously can't help me.

So my question is this:

Can i get a re-entry permit for this 2nd entry on my Swiss passport, Fly to KL or HK and then come back to Thailand on my British passport so I can get the affirmation of freedom to marry from the British embassy and get married. After i get married I would like to fly out again and re-enter Thailand on my swiss passport using the re-entry permit on the 2nd entry. Would this be legal? I would prefer not to lose the 10 weeks remaining on the second entry.

Many thanks, and apologies for the long winded question.

Seems possible but a re-entry permit will only protect your second entry up to the "permission to stay" date in your passport.

Returning on British passport would give you a thirty day visa exempt entry.

Be aware the British embassy will want to see evidence that any previous marriage has been legally ended.

Edited August 18, 201312 yr by jrtmedic

Seems possible but a re-entry permit will only protect your second entry up to the "permission to stay" date in your passport.

Returning on British passport would give you a thirty day visa exempt entry.

Be aware the British embassy will want to see evidence that any previous marriage has been legally ended.

Many thanks for the reply jrtmedic

Yes, I am aware of the evidence that the British embassy require. I have the original 'Decree Absolute' from the UK.

The 'permission to stay' date is very close to the date that the visa expires (I used the visa within 2 days of issue). I will be sure to enter Thailand before this date for my 3rd entry.

Again, Thanks for the quick reply.

Edited August 18, 201312 yr by fxchrisbkk

I would try to get the affirmation from the UK embassy. I don't think it would matter to them what passport you used for entry. The only restriction they have about which passport you use is assistance if you have legal problems (jail maybe) for example.

You could then get the translation and MFA certification done. You might even able to register your marriage. I don't think the Amphoe checks for entry stamps.

If no marriage you could fly out and back using UK passport for 30 day entry. Get married then go out for a non-o visa. Or get a 60 day extension at immigration to visit your new wife.

Edited August 19, 201312 yr by ubonjoe

Thanks ubonjoe

I already attempted to get the 'affirmation of freedom to marry' from the British embassy in Bangkok, and unfortunately they did not allow me to do so. They stated that they could only issue it when I had entered Thailand using my British passport

Cheers!

Edited August 19, 201312 yr by fxchrisbkk

Then flying out and back using UK passport for entry is best option.

"Fly to KL or HK and then come back to Thailand on my British passport so I can get the affirmation of freedom to marry from the British embassy and get married."

"After i get married I would like to fly out again and re-enter Thailand on my swiss passport using the re-entry permit on the 2nd entry ..."

I seem to recall another recent thread regarding some complications for someone leaving and entering using different passports. Since your name and other data are the same in both passports (I assume), the same person coming and going several times using different passports might raise some red flags.

What you are doing is probably legal, but in this day and age, with people having multiple passports for illegal purposes, you might be required to explain why you are doing what you are doing.

Also if you are re-entering using the British passport using the visa exemption, are you sure you can do all that is needed in the 30 day time available to you?

Are the papers you need only available from the British embassy? Aren't there one or two British consuls in Thailand who might perform the same task?

Not to through a spanner in the spokes but if you plan to live in Switzerland you should get married there first. A second

ceremony can be held here. Many countries like the US and Switzerland will take years to approve a foreign bride visa

if ,the marriage takes place outside the country. Much quicker from inside. Of course if you plan on living here no big issues.

There is no problem doing a passport swap by Air people do it all the time. By land it is almost impossible because they look for stamps from the other country.

A 30 day entry is more than enough time to get married.

After marriage OP can get a 60 day extension to visit his new wife.

Not to through a spanner in the spokes but if you plan to live in Switzerland you should get married there first. A second

ceremony can be held here. Many countries like the US and Switzerland will take years to approve a foreign bride visa

if ,the marriage takes place outside the country. Much quicker from inside. Of course if you plan on living here no big issues.

I would say that 99% of the countries in the world recognize marriages done here. All that would be needed in most countries is a certified translation to their language.

There are many countries that require marriage before the process is started.

The US does not take all that long to get a visa plus there is a is a special visitor visa that allows the spouse to go to the states until paperwork is done.