Entry to and from Thailand and UK

[Heyal]

Hello, I was wondering whether any of you knowledgeable folk might be able to help please (as trying to get through to the UKBA enquiry line during the day is a nightmare, although I'll keep trying).

My wife has dual Thai and British nationality, but has not yet applied for a British passport. Also her Thai passport expires August 2014. As we wish/need to head to Thailand in March and therefore which isn't going to allow for the 6 weeks for a new Thai passport from the Thai Embassy in the UK, or a British passport. Therefore, are there likely to be any problems with my wife flying back to Thailand and renewing her passport there before returning to the UK? The current Thai passport has an ILR stamp and I've read that provided the new passport and the old passport are used together this should not present a problem retuning back to the UK. Does anyone know if that's the case? Is there an added complication that my wife is actually British, but entering UK on Thai passport? Also, is there likely to be any issues flying/entering Thailand on a Thai passport with less than 6 months remaining? My working assumption is that it isn't.

Any clarifications much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Heyal

[howerde]

Well there is no problem travelling with a new passport with visa in old passport, both presented at same time, not sure about Thailand but as a thai i'm sure there is no 6 month 'rule' like a uk passport holder visiting thailand.

[Heyal]

Thanks howerde. That's good to know about the passports. I had assumed that the 6-month rule doesn't apply to people returning to a country where they are a national. In fact, I've read that even for foreigners visiting Thailand that the passport only needs to be valid for the length of stay*, although it seems that not all airlines and "authoritative" websites are up to date with the latest advice. (*Source: The online Timatic database is provided by Delta Airlines for free here (http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/)).

The only thing that I wasn't really sure of was whether there is any difference coming back as my wife is also British. I've read that the ILR has no meaning once becoming British as it's, in effect, superseded. Although there's nothing concrete on the UKBA website about this, I note that the immigration officers look for the evidence about your right to enter the UK and therefore you would expect the IRL to still count towards showing this.

[ubonjoe]

There is no restriction for entering Thailand on a Thai passport it can even be done with a expired passport.

Fill in the info here to confirm: www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

No problem using old passport with valid ILR stamp in old passport along with new passport.

She should get her UK passport which would make it easier.

She would leave the UK on it showing her Thai passport to airline to prove she can enter here and just UK passport to immigration and then enter Thailand with her Thai passport. Then show both passports to airline on departure and only Thai passport to immigration and then the UK passport on entry there.

[Heyal]

Thanks ubonjoe. Sounds like we shouldn't have a problem then. Ideally we would get the British passport to avoid any complication, but unfortunately there isn't time for the date we wish to travel. We'll definitely sort it out when we return to avoid future stress!

[ubonjoe]

Not sure if it can be done for first adult passport because it not mentioned on this page but urgent service for a passport can be done in a week. Suggest you contact the passport office. https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

[Heyal]

Unfortunately the service is not available for first adult passport. It's also possible (and likely) that an identity interview would be required too. However, it sounds like we shouldn't have a problem doing it when we come back from Thailand from what's been said.

[Thongkorn]

My wife went to Thailand with me last year , She had 5 months left on her Thai passport, We got a new one while in Bangkok. She just kept the old one and produced it at the airport when asked., we did not have any problems,

[7by7]

Thanks ubonjoe. Sounds like we shouldn't have a problem then. Ideally we would get the British passport to avoid any complication, but unfortunately there isn't time for the date we wish to travel. We'll definitely sort it out when we return to avoid future stress!

The USA insists that US nationals only use a US passport to enter or leave the US; other countries have similar rules.

As far as I am aware, the UK has no such rule. So she should be able to use her Thai passport and ILR to enter the UK.

As said, her ILR is still valid even if the Thai passport the vignette is in has expired; simply show both old and new Thai passports when required.

In the extremely unlikely event of her being questioned about using her ILR to enter the UK instead of a British passport, simply say that as it takes up to 6 weeks for a first adult passport application to be processed she didn't have the time to obtain one before traveling.

She may also want to carry her naturalisation certificate to prove that she is now a British citizen and so has the right to enter the UK without restriction, if required.

Obviously obtaining a British passport as soon as possible is recommended. Not only for entering the UK but also for travel to Europe and other countries where Thais need a visa but Brits don't.

[bobrussell]

I am not sure if ILR lapses when someone becomes naturalised so it is possible it will show up on the system. I would agree that taking the naturalisation certificate (plus an explanation) would be a good idea.

Naturalisation trumps ILR after all!

[samran]

Two people I know, A very good mate and as well as my own sister have become naturalised uk citizens. I know for a fact that after becoming naturalised they continued to use their original passports with ILR in it until they were in one place long enough to get a uk passport

[Heyal]

Brilliant! Thanks for all the replies. It all points towards the fact travelling under the Thai passports shouldn't be a problem, but that we really need to get the British passport sorted as soon as we get back. As others have mentioned, we'll have the certificate of naturalisation with us just in case. I'll post back if we encounter any issues after travel.

Cheers.