Hi everyone. Would really appreciate some advice on my current situation:

My fiancee is a permanent resident here in the USA and she still has citizenship in Thailand. She needs to travel back to Thailand for a couple weeks to visit her parents. The problem is that not only is her Thai passport expired, it's also in her maiden name as she was married and now divorced(she still has her ex-husbands last name). I looked around and I can only find two options:

1)Take the US citizenship test and get a US passport

2)Contact Thai embassy to change her name in Thailand and renew passport with her new name(seems to be a complicated process).

I'm hoping there's a simpler option and if anyone could weigh in it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

She can enter Thailand on her expired passport. If name on ID card matches the passport

Accidental early post.

If name on her ID card matches the passport it should not be a problem.

She could then sort out all the name changes and get a new passport here.

Unless she registered a change of name in Thailand she will still be considered by her maiden name in Thailand. She can travel to Thailand on an expired passport as long as the airline will let her board. When in Thailand she can get a new passport in a few days. If she wants to change her name she needs to register the new name at the District Office. Otherwise, she just needs to be sure she has a current ID card and enjoy the visit.

She will not have a problem boarding the flight. Fill out info on this webpage and you will get same info from IATA that airline will be able to pull up. http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/#

Thanks Ubonjoe and asiaexpat. I appreciate the responses.

Her current US drivers license and permanent resident card are in her married name so it will not match her expired passport that has maiden last name on it.

If that's still okay, will there be any possible hiccups with returning to the USA on the expired Thai passport with her DL/perm resident card in different last names? She has a job here so definitely can't afford to get stuck in Thailand!

Thanks

Another though is that she could change her name back to her maiden name if her divorce was done in the states. The divorce decree in most states even include it as being allowed in it. Then just change her name with the US government for the residency card.

She would have to get a new passport while here she would not be able to return to the states on the expired one. It only takes a few days to get the new one.

It can take as much as 2 months to get a new passport from a Thai embassy or consulate.

I think she can change her name on drivers licence and residency card easier in the states than to have her name changed here.

Alright thanks for the clarification. Won't bother with the name change if it's not needed.

So she can travel to Thailand with the expired passport and renew it there within a few a days and then use the new Thai passport with her maiden name still listed to return to the USA correct?

Sorry for all the questions just want to make sure I have everything covered, we'd be screwed if she got stuck there.

Best also to ensure the airline tickets have the same name as the passport!

Alright thanks for the clarification.  Won't bother with the name change if it's not needed.  

So she can travel to Thailand with the expired passport and renew it there within a few a days and then use the new Thai passport with her maiden name still listed to return to the USA correct?

Sorry for all the questions just want to make sure I have everything covered, we'd be screwed if she got stuck there.

It is just a few days for passport (5 days if sent by EMS to her at the most) after applying in person. She will need her ID card and house book to get the passport. If ID card is expired she can get a new one in just an hour or two at the most at an Amphoe.

Info about getting passport here: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/1415

She should have her marriage certificate with her just in case there are any questions about different names on passport and residency card when traveling.

OK great, thanks everyone. This info helps a lot and now has me on the right path so she can visit her parents as she has not seen them in 15 years.

^{One other issue to consider. If you wife utilizes a new Thai passport to return to the US, she may need to get updated US visa from the Embassy. Something else you may need to check.}

^Cheers!

A US visa remains valid in old passports just as the case with most visas. You just show both.

Simple matter of contacting the Thai Consulate closest to you. Why guess? I am sure they will ask you to send in what you have and correct the passport issue.

Thai passports cannot be renewed by mail. Applications have to made in person because they take a digital photo and it takes up to 2 months to get them if done outside the country.

Thai passports cannot be renewed by mail. Applications have to made in person because they take a digital photo and it takes up to 2 months to get them if done outside the country.

Excellent reason to plan ahead. Especially if your passport expires in less than 6 months/or is already expired. Guess it is a trip to the Consulate. But in my country, for an American, we can mail it to the Thai Consulate...at least for a visa. I do not know why Thai's do not have that right....but so be it!

Thai passports cannot be renewed by mail. Applications have to made in person because they take a digital photo and it takes up to 2 months to get them if done outside the country.

 

Excellent reason to plan ahead. Especially if your passport expires in less than 6 months/or is already expired. Guess it is a trip to the Consulate. But in my country, for an American, we can mail it to the Thai Consulate...at least for a visa. I do not know why Thai's do not have that right....but so be it!

Since she a Thai she can enter here on an expired passport.

I explained why passport renewals have to be done in person.

The name on her passport must match the name on the airline ticket otherwise TSA will not allow her to access the departure gates. Just last month I flew and the name on my airline ticket had an extra M at the end of my surname (too many letters to my name so only the "M" from "MR" got printed out). The TSA agent looked at it then looked at my drivers license and told me I had to go back to the check-in counter and get then to reprint the ticket without the M.

I told him there was no way in hell I was going to stand in line again at the check-in counter to get a new ticket then stand in line for the TSA review. I told him I wanted to speak with a supervisor and wasn't going to move out of the line until I got to speak with one. Another TSA guy came over and soon a cop showed up and I told them the same story. A supervisor eventually came, looked at the ticket and my DL then told the TSA guy to let me in.

According to the TSA supervisor, the practice now is to have the passenger state his first and last name then have the TSA cop verify it on the documents. If your wife has a name different on the ticket from that on her passport she likely will not be allowed past the TSA barricades.

thai GF renewed passport 2 weeks ago, made her application on the tuesday received new 1 by post saturday

As long as her LPR(Green card) is valid, no worries.

The name on her green card does not have to match her Thai Passport

Her airline ticket must match her Thai Passport.

When she arrives in Bangkok, go immediately to the passport office.

The closest one to the airport is at Central World Bangna/Trat( Not the one near Siam Square that burnt down and was re-built)

The office is on the fifth floor of the mall.

My wife was in and out in 20 minutes to apply.

She picked up her new passport in 2 days, again in and out in 20 minutes.

I recommend against having it sent by EMS, my wife"s original passport was "misplaced " by EMS.

Watch out for Thai holidays, the office is closed. Also closed on Saturday.

Don't bother trying to change name on passport, it is not necessary and adds un-needed complications.

She must have a valid Thai ID card that matches the name on her expired passport.

Try to arrange her arrival for early in the week to allow for the 2 day processing.

When she returns to the USA, she just shows her new passport and current US greencard, there are no stamps or visa involved. She will get to keep her old passport.

The ICE officer at the airport will scan her greencard and have all of the information regarding maiden name and married name, no worries.

I hope she has a great trip.

E-mail me if any ????

But won't she have a name on her new passport that is different than on her return ticket? How does that work?

But won't she have a name on her new passport that is different than on her return ticket? How does that work?

She will have same name on her new passport because she has not changed her name here.

Appreciate everyone's feedback and personal experiences. It really adds a level of reassurance here!

I emailed border control a few days before posting here and they finally emailed me back today and confirmed no issue with her leaving or returning to USA. At this point I'm just waiting on some airlines to email me back. Will print out their response if they approve and have her take it along in hopes of avoiding being hassled at the gate.

My only final concern is perhaps the actual expiration on her passport. It's not just expired. It's EXTREMELY expired. We're talking expiration date of 1993. She does still have her Thai ID card, expired as well though.

Anyone think there will be any raised eyebrows at the significant expiration date?

There has been a report of a person returning with one that was expired at least that long or longer. She will need to get a new ID card and perhaps get updated on her parents house book before she can apply for the passport.

There are passport offices in all regions of the country now not just Bangkok.

The airline shouldn't be a problem. All the IATA info says is that a Thai can enter on an expired passport no time limitation.

Okay cool. Actually I just looked around and can't see her Thai national ID so may be lost but she is still on her parents house book so no problem with getting new ID and then updating passport.

Will update everyone on the outcome of the flight.

Thanks again.

I went through the same situation with my Thai wife.

The advice I see posted is good.

My wife and I live in Thailand now.

Did you know that if your wife leaves the US for more than 12 months she will lose her permanent resident status?

Even though my wife was only 6 years into her 10 year visa, she lost the status when she couldn't return before the 12 month date due to an illness.

Now to return to the states we would need to go through the entire visa process again.

The first time took almost 3 years for approval.

I debate weather it is worth returning or not.

Choke Dee!

I went through the same situation with my Thai wife.

The advice I see posted is good.

My wife and I live in Thailand now.

Did you know that if your wife leaves the US for more than 12 months she will lose her permanent resident status?

Even though my wife was only 6 years into her 10 year visa, she lost the status when she couldn't return before the 12 month date due to an illness.

Now to return to the states we would need to go through the entire visa process again.

The first time took almost 3 years for approval.

I debate weather it is worth returning or not.

Choke Dee!

At one time there was no limit.

But it is possible to file paperwork to prevent loosing it.

A stay out of the US of more than 6 month requires a re-entry permit that costs about $150.

I went through the same situation with my Thai wife.

The advice I see posted is good.

My wife and I live in Thailand now.

Did you know that if your wife leaves the US for more than 12 months she will lose her permanent resident status?

Even though my wife was only 6 years into her 10 year visa, she lost the status when she couldn't return before the 12 month date due to an illness.

Now to return to the states we would need to go through the entire visa process again.

The first time took almost 3 years for approval.

I debate weather it is worth returning or not.

Choke Dee!

At one time there was no limit.

But it is possible to file paperwork to prevent loosing it.

A stay out of the US of more than 6 month requires a re-entry permit that costs about $150.

Is this a relatively firm rule? Or is it at the discretion of the agent at the US port of entry?

Are there any guidelines available for how many months per a Thai citizen must stay in the US to maintain permanent residency status. The reason I am asking is that we would like to stay in Thailand more than half of the year. It seems that my Thai fiancee (soon to be wife) would have a problem getting a tourist visa to the USA for 3-6 months per year as she does not now have a job and no longer ownes property in Thailand.

Thanks

430xc

I went through the same situation with my Thai wife.

The advice I see posted is good.

My wife and I live in Thailand now.

Did you know that if your wife leaves the US for more than 12 months she will lose her permanent resident status?

Even though my wife was only 6 years into her 10 year visa, she lost the status when she couldn't return before the 12 month date due to an illness.

Now to return to the states we would need to go through the entire visa process again.

The first time took almost 3 years for approval.

I debate weather it is worth returning or not.

Choke Dee!

Actually, a legal resident alien (LRA) risks the residence status after 6 months abroad. The 12 month period is almost automatic lose of LRA status. The INS looks to see if you are bonafide resident in USA and expect 6 months a year residence in USA. Apply for a Re-entry Permit (form 131) at least 90 days before you leave to ensure status for 2 years (cost about $500.)

Edited October 31, 201312 yr by Mario2008
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