Since moving to the UK at the beginning of the year, my Thai wife has got to know a number of ex pat Thais. One such, a lady, has dual British and Thai citizenship and holds a British passport. She was married to a Brit and they have 10 year old daughter who also has dual British and Thai citizenship and who also holds a British passport. The marriage took place in the UK.

The Child was born in Thailand but came to the UK with her parents when she was three months old.

The child has been living in Thailand with her father for just over two years. I understand that the divorce was in Thailand less than two years ago. However, the mother now wishes to have her daughter return to the UK to live with her.

Some of the ex pat Thais to whom she has spoken have told her that there may be problems bringing the child into the UK as she has been living in Thailand for over two years. Is this correct? Can anybody shed any light on the matter? All help/advice will be much appreciated.

Not correct. If the child has a British passport then she can prove that she has the Right of Abode; she can return to the UK whenever she likes, using her unexpired British passport when entering the UK. If her UK passport has expired, then she can renew it or apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to be placed in her unexpired Thai passport.

The two year limit only applies to Returning Residents who do not have the Right of Abode.

Not correct. If the child has a British passport then she can prove that she has the Right of Abode; she can return to the UK whenever she likes, using her unexpired British passport when entering the UK. If her UK passport has expired, then she can renew it or apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to be placed in her unexpired Thai passport.

The two year limit only applies to Returning Residents who do not have the Right of Abode.

Not correct. If the child has a British passport then she can prove that she has the Right of Abode; she can return to the UK whenever she likes, using her unexpired British passport when entering the UK. If her UK passport has expired, then she can renew it or apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to be placed in her unexpired Thai passport.

The two year limit only applies to Returning Residents who do not have the Right of Abode.

Thanks Vinny. That was very helpful and demonstrates that a little knowledge in the wrong hands can be dangerous.