Hello There,

My wife and I are planning and extended stay in Thailand soon. We are going to use an O visa extension based on marriage. When we called to the Thai Embassy in New York we were told that my wife was going to need to enter Thailand on her US passport and, like me, apply for an O visa. I found this confusing and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? Could it cause any problems for me when I apply for the 1 year extension based on marriage? Could it cause problems for my wife if we leave Thailand for travel or come back to the States?

To be clear, my wife is a Thai national. We were married in the States after which she acquired US citizenship.

thanks for any help!

Your Wife is Thai. She does not need a Visa.

She should use her Thai passport.

She should enter Thailand on her Thai passport. If she entered on her US passport she would fall under the immigration rules for a forefinger and would need to apply for an extension of stay as a returning Thai national..

I am not sure why they provided such incorrect info at the embassy.

In order to apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage you must register your marriage at an Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22 that immigration will require. You will need to a self certification of your marriage certificate by doing an affidavit at the US embassy. Then have the affidavit and your marriage certificate translated to Thai. Then have the translation certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

My wife holds both US and Thai passports,

Always enters Thailand on her Thai Passport,

never a problem, none it several times now.

She Just came back from Thailand a few of weeks ago, she said that now they have automatic passport scanning machines both in BKK and NYC so she never even talked to an immigration officer.

So here is the sequence for your Thai wife: leave US on US passport, enter Thailand on Thai airport,, leave Thailand with Thai passport, enter US with US passport.

At least that's how we do it

Thanks folks!

It didn't make sense to me that she would enter on her US passport( ... just did a role reversal). I wasn't sure if I was missing details or if the rules were simply different in Thailand. If anyone else is being told this I would love to hear the story.

Best, and Thanks again.

We seem to be talking some time ago and perhaps she had to renounce Thai citizenship for new citizenship? If so she can regain as citizenship is not required to be lost.

The issue of your marriage must be resolved prior to your extensions however - copies will have to be recorded at a local District Office in Thailand. But as said she should enter as Thai so not faced with foreigner requirements such as 90 day reporting and such.

Even if she does not hold current passport she can return on expired one if citizenship is not an issue.

Why would a Thai citizen ever want to enter Thailand using any other passport than her Thai one? Spectacularly bad advice from the embassy, they should be ashamed.

She should book her ticket in the US using the details of her Thai passport. Check-in at the airport in the US using her Thai passport. If she is questioned by the airline about the legal basis for her being in the US she can show them her US passport (but she shouldn't show them her US passport unless she is asked and she won't be asked.) If there is immigration exit control in the US (which there usually isn't, but I've heard they may be doing it at some airports on a trial basis), she should show her US passport. When she arrives in Thailand she should use her Thai passport. She qualifies to use the automatic passport scanning gates so she could use those. If she goes to a gate manned by an immigration officer she need only show her Thai passport.

In general a dual national should show only one passport (the correct one as outlined above) to anyone. Showing two passports and letting the person figure it out for themselves is not only unnecessary but is a recipe for confusion and delay.

Because it is much easier to travel the world on a US/UK passport. For short tourist visits it can make it easier to just use the same passport everywhere.

If she is a dual citizen with both Thai and U.S passport.....it is always advisable to enter and depart Thailand with her Thai passport and to enter and depart The U.S, with her U.S passport.

For one thing it makes both countries immigration happier and less a paperwork for both.

As a Thai citizen with a Thai passport she does not need a visa for Thailand and her U.S. passport means she does not need a visa to enter the U.S. either.

Take advantage of that fact.

Because it is much easier to travel the world on a US/UK passport. For short tourist visits it can make it easier to just use the same passport everywhere.

To each his own. The price of using two passports seems worth it to me for the benefits one receives for being regarded as a national and not a foreigner in a country. You don't have to deal with immigration in Thailand at all, even if your plans change. If the person decides to visit some of the surrounding countries they can do so visa-free.

A dual US-Thai friend came to Thailand on a short trip with only her US passport. What was supposed to be a less than 30 day trip ended up going past 30 days. This Thai citizen ended up waiting for hours at the immigration office just like other foreigners. At the cost of carrying (and using at the appropriate time) her Thai passport all could have been avoided.

But unlike other foreigners she likely obtained a one year extension of stay with only proof of her Thai citizenship. For some use of more than one passport can be problematic - for others it is easy. Not the same size fits all.

That said not all countries allow use of foreign passport for entry if a citizen (USA for one) - but Thailand seems to have no problem with it.

A number of years ago I called the Thai Embassy in Washington DC and recieved the same advice as the OP. However Thai Visa veterans offered better advice. Leave the US on her US passport and enter and leave Thailand on her Thai passport. We live part time in Thailand and have done that for several years now with no problems.

We never show US officials her Thai passport and never show the Thai officials her US passport.

But unlike other foreigners she likely obtained a one year extension of stay with only proof of her Thai citizenship. For some use of more than one passport can be problematic - for others it is easy. Not the same size fits all.

That said not all countries allow use of foreign passport for entry if a citizen (USA for one) - but Thailand seems to have no problem with it.

Yes, as long as you're down with being treated as a foreigner in your own country: waiting at the immigration office like the other foreigners, paying your own country money to let you stay in your own country (or conversely paying an overstay fine), and reporting your address to immigration every 90 days. In my limited experience Thais don't get treated any better at immigration than other foreigners. The immigration officers seem to take the position that the Thai person doesn't really need to be there like the other foreigners, look at them as creating unnecessary work for them, and treat them accordingly. I don't think this compares to carrying a second passport and using it when appropriate. If figuring that out is too much for the traveler I would worry about them navigating the airports by themselves.

My words are for vacation type tourist travel (which does not require any contact with immigration or extra paperwork). I agree for OP and anyone staying for an extended time the use of Thai passport for entry is indicated. But do not believe they are treated badly by immigration or that immigration feels it is extra work - it is actually very easy for them to get fee, speak in own language, and no chance of making a mistake so only basic paperwork check is required. Am sure than would love all extensions to be that easy and stress-free.

Simple question that is not clear. Is she a Dual citizen (US/thai) or just a US citizen. Does she have one or two current passports? It makes a difference.

Simple question that is not clear. Is she a Dual citizen (US/thai) or just a US citizen. Does she have one or two current passports? It makes a difference.

The lady is and always will be a Thai who just happens to also a have US passport !

Simple question that is not clear. Is she a Dual citizen (US/thai) or just a US citizen. Does she have one or two current passports? It makes a difference.

Fair question. However, the OP states that she is a Thai national so she is and would have been eligible to get a Thai passport at some point. The OP also states that she came to the US prior to getting married to the OP. Since she is a Thai national and came to the US it is reasonable to assume that she had a Thai passport at that time, else how did she travel to the US. Also, the OP expresses surprise that the Thai Embassy advised that she enter Thailand on her US passport. Such surprise would be easy to understand if she were in possession of a Thai passport. So from the circumstantial evidence it would appear that she at least had a Thai passport at one time.

Here's why it doesn't really matter:

1) If she has a currently valid Thai passport, she should use it to enter Thailand.

2) If she has an expired Thai passport, she should use that to enter Thailand. (Thais can enter Thailand on an expired Thai passport.)

3) If she has lost her Thai passport, she could use evidence that she is Thai: certified copy of Thai passport, Thai ID Card, Thai House Registration (containing 13-digit personal number), etc., which she could use to enter Thailand. (Thais without a Thai passport must prove to immigration that they are Thai nationals.)

4) If she wishes to she could procure a Thai Passport in the US, which she should use to enter Thailand.

In any of those cases she is better off entering Thailand as a Thai than she is entering Thailand as a US citizen. Obviously 1 and 4 are the most straightforward and therefore recommended, but according to reports 2 works, and 3 work also with some additional hassle. If time permits, it is obviously more desirable to do 4 instead of 3, if she doesn't currently have a Thai passport. Getting a Thai passport outside of Thailand is possible in 5-7 working days by express mail.

Lite Beer has it right. She just uses her Thai passport and does not need a visa, just like you do not need a visa to enter the USA

She should enter Thailand on her Thai passport. If she entered on her US passport she would fall under the immigration rules for a forefinger and would need to apply for an extension of stay as a returning Thai national..

I am not sure why they provided such incorrect info at the embassy.

In order to apply for an extension of stay based upon marriage you must register your marriage at an Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22 that immigration will require. You will need to a self certification of your marriage certificate by doing an affidavit at the US embassy. Then have the affidavit and your marriage certificate translated to Thai. Then have the translation certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sir, Whatever you read here. ubonjoe is the way to follow.

Sir, Whatever you read here. ubonjoe is the way to follow.

Actually nobody has said anything different

We have the same situation as the OP. My wife is a dual Thai/US citizen, and we returned to Thailand last year for a long stay. She was told by the embassy in Washington that she should obtain a Non-O visa and use her US passport. At the time, there was a lot of confusion as to whether or not US immigration would have a problem later with re-entering the US with a US passport that has no record of entering another country. (Since then, several experts here on TV have indicated that this is no problem).

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

On our next trip back to the US, we'll be taking the advice of the experts here, and she'll re-enter Thailand on her Thai visa when we return. She will obviously need to show the Airline her Thai passport to show she doesn't need a visa upon checking in for her US -> BKK flight. The only potentially sticky bit is that her Thai and US passports don't have matching names because she uses her Thai surname in Thailand, and her married surname in the US. We've never had a problem before, as her US passport shows her middle name as being her Thai surname, so most people can figure out that the two passports are for the same person.

My wife is dual citizen, Thai and U.S....has Thai and U.S. passports....been doing below entry/exit procedures for many years.

Enter and exit Thailand on your Thai passport at the Thai immigration checkpoint (only show your Thai passport)....at the airlines check-in you can show them both or either passport if they need confirmation you can enter the destination country. This way when the wife enters Thailand she is not doing so as a foreigner...does not need any visa.

Enter and exit the U.S. on your U.S. passport at the U.S. immigration checkpoint...at the airlines check-in you can show them both or either passport if they need confirmation you can enter destination country.

Hey mates I find it incredible that any one would need advice on this.

Say I am Thai and I am going home and I use the Thai Passport

Where would the advantage be in flashing a USA passport on the way home to your home country?

Amazing stuff! Absolutely amazing!. <removed>

Regards

We have the same situation as the OP. My wife is a dual Thai/US citizen, and we returned to Thailand last year for a long stay. She was told by the embassy in Washington that she should obtain a Non-O visa and use her US passport. At the time, there was a lot of confusion as to whether or not US immigration would have a problem later with re-entering the US with a US passport that has no record of entering another country. (Since then, several experts here on TV have indicated that this is no problem).

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

On our next trip back to the US, we'll be taking the advice of the experts here, and she'll re-enter Thailand on her Thai visa when we return. She will obviously need to show the Airline her Thai passport to show she doesn't need a visa upon checking in for her US -> BKK flight. The only potentially sticky bit is that her Thai and US passports don't have matching names because she uses her Thai surname in Thailand, and her married surname in the US. We've never had a problem before, as her US passport shows her middle name as being her Thai surname, so most people can figure out that the two passports are for the same person.

The problem is when the Thai Embassy/Consulate attempts to provide advice on how best to enter the U.S. That is not their area of expertise and they are merely guessing.

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

It was very wrong that you wife had to pay and stand in line in order to stay in her country. a right she has by birth. Would you do that in your own country ?

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

It was very wrong that you wife had to pay and stand in line in order to stay in her country. a right she has by birth. Would you do that in your own country ?

And, of course, she must also do the 90 reporting as well. Seems like a silly process for a Thai citizen.

Simple question that is not clear. Is she a Dual citizen (US/thai) or just a US citizen. Does she have one or two current passports? It makes a difference.

Fair question. However, the OP states that she is a Thai national so she is and would have been eligible to get a Thai passport at some point. The OP also states that she came to the US prior to getting married to the OP. Since she is a Thai national and came to the US it is reasonable to assume that she had a Thai passport at that time, else how did she travel to the US. Also, the OP expresses surprise that the Thai Embassy advised that she enter Thailand on her US passport. Such surprise would be easy to understand if she were in possession of a Thai passport. So from the circumstantial evidence it would appear that she at least had a Thai passport at one time.

Here's why it doesn't really matter:

1) If she has a currently valid Thai passport, she should use it to enter Thailand.

2) If she has an expired Thai passport, she should use that to enter Thailand. (Thais can enter Thailand on an expired Thai passport.)

3) If she has lost her Thai passport, she could use evidence that she is Thai: certified copy of Thai passport, Thai ID Card, Thai House Registration (containing 13-digit personal number), etc., which she could use to enter Thailand. (Thais without a Thai passport must prove to immigration that they are Thai nationals.)

4) If she wishes to she could procure a Thai Passport in the US, which she should use to enter Thailand.

In any of those cases she is better off entering Thailand as a Thai than she is entering Thailand as a US citizen. Obviously 1 and 4 are the most straightforward and therefore recommended, but according to reports 2 works, and 3 work also with some additional hassle. If time permits, it is obviously more desirable to do 4 instead of 3, if she doesn't currently have a Thai passport. Getting a Thai passport outside of Thailand is possible in 5-7 working days by express mail.

My wife has valid Thai and US passports.

We have the same situation as the OP. My wife is a dual Thai/US citizen, and we returned to Thailand last year for a long stay. She was told by the embassy in Washington that she should obtain a Non-O visa and use her US passport. At the time, there was a lot of confusion as to whether or not US immigration would have a problem later with re-entering the US with a US passport that has no record of entering another country. (Since then, several experts here on TV have indicated that this is no problem).

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

On our next trip back to the US, we'll be taking the advice of the experts here, and she'll re-enter Thailand on her Thai visa when we return. She will obviously need to show the Airline her Thai passport to show she doesn't need a visa upon checking in for her US -> BKK flight. The only potentially sticky bit is that her Thai and US passports don't have matching names because she uses her Thai surname in Thailand, and her married surname in the US. We've never had a problem before, as her US passport shows her middle name as being her Thai surname, so most people can figure out that the two passports are for the same person

Same here, the names on my wife's passports don't match. She chose to change her last name to mine when we were married. The US passport has my/our family surname and the Thai passport her family surname. This is something that concerns me.

In our case, we both obtained Non-O visas from the honorary consulate in Miami. Further to what the embassy in Washington told us, the consulate in Miami told us, when we applied for our visas, that they weren't sure if she could re-enter the US easily if she entered Thailand on her Thai passport, which we now know is not the case.

In any event, we both got Non-O visas, made a couple of visa runs during the first 180 days, then my wife went to Phuket immigration to get a 1 year extension. Very easy - she only had to show proof of citizenship and was out the door within an hour or so with a new 1 year extension stamp in her US passport (no need to come back in the afternoon or the next day, as is the case with foreigners applying for an extension).

It was very wrong that you wife had to pay and stand in line in order to stay in her country. a right she has by birth. Would you do that in your own country ?

And, of course, she must also do the 90 reporting as well. Seems like a silly process for a Thai citizen.

Which is why we won't be doing it again, since ubonjoe and several others have confirmed that the information that was being given out by the embassy in Washington, and the consulate in Miami was wrong. That reminds me, her next 90 day report is due in a couple of weeks

My wife has valid Thai and US passports.

<snip>

Same here, the names on my wife's passports don't match. She chose to change her last name to mine when we were married. The US passport has my/our family surname and the Thai passport her family surname. This is something that concerns me.

I don't think its a big concern. The only issue we've had is with frequent flyer miles. The ticket needs to be issued with the exact same name as the gov't id used when checking in for the flight. In order to get FF credit for the flight, that name must also match the name on your wife's FF account (assuming she has a frequent flyer account). You can't just arbitrarily change the name on the account - in our case, with United Airlines, I had to fax a copy of our marriage certificate when changing the name on my wife's account after we were married. I don't think I'd be able to change it back to her Thai surname. So - if you use her US name on the ticket and her FF account, everything should be fine. Show the airline the US passport or driver's license as ID, as well as her Thai passport to prove she doesn't need a visa when checking in for the return flight to Thailand.

Prior to us getting married the UK, my future wife had already obtained UK Passport and residency. We talked to Thai Immi at DM airport concerning passports and was advised by them for her to use UK passport to leave and enter UK, and Thai passport to leave and enter Thailand. Never had a problem. I should add that she never changed her name on marriage.