Dual passports but flying off from a foreign country

[millerjuice]

Hey guys, hoping the resident experts can answer this for future reference;

I hold US and Thai citizenship and dual passports. I originally flew into Thailand on my American passport and got my Thai citizenship a few years later. My American passport expired so i got a brand new one along with my first ever Thai passport last year.

I'm thinking about visiting the US again but I want to make a quick stop by in Hong Kong to visit one of my buddies there.

What passports do I use and show for a trip from Thailand > Hong Kong > US?

I fly from Thailand to Hong Kong and show my Thai passport at the Thai airport.

When I land in Hong Kong, should I show my American passport? (to get it stamped with a 30 day visa stay and make the passport active again so to speak).

Then from Hong Kong i get a flight to the US and just use my American passport for departure from HK to land in the US.

Depart Thailand - show Thai passport

Land Hong Kong - show American passport

Depart Hong Kong -show American passport

Land US - show American passport

Is that possible? Will it create problems with Hong Kong immigration you think?

Thanks in advanced for any advice

[richard_smith237]

Depart Thailand - show Thai passport

Land Hong Kong - show American passport

Depart Hong Kong -show American passport

Land US - show American passport

Makes perfect sense and there shouldn't be any issues whatsoever unless I'm missing something...

I hold two separate passports (both British) and frequently Enter & Depart Thailand on one passport (which has my Visa) and enter other Countries on another Passport (which holds a Work Visa etc). There are never any issues switching passports in the Air, of course, never switch once in country.

It is possible that if you entered Thailand on your US Passport (which has expired and been replaced) you may be on overstay. I'm not sure how that would be dealt with or even recognised if you are departing using your Thai Passport.

[7by7]

As you were naturalised as Thai after entering Thailand on your American passport, I doubt that there will be any issues departing Thailand on your Thai passport.

Other than that, when departing any country always use the same passport you entered on.

Except when checking in, show the airline whichever passport allows you entry to your destination as they want to be sure you wont be refused entry.

[Richard W]

Except when checking in, show the airline whichever passport allows you entry to your destination as they want to be sure you wont be refused entry.

If the OP is naturalised as Thai, as opposed to being born Thai, it might be better not to show his US passport in Thailand lest he be accused of using it. His Thai passport should enable him to board the flight to Hong Kong.

[johnatong]

If the OP entered the country on a US passport he must exit on the same,

He must show both old and new US passports on exit..

[Richard W]

If the OP entered the country on a US passport he must exit on the same,

Not if he naturalised as Thai. Naturalisation is the one exception to that rule that I know of.

[johnatong]

If the OP entered the country on a US passport he must exit on the same,

Not if he naturalised as Thai. Naturalisation is the one exception to that rule that I know of.

I am pleased to be corrected by an "expert" who is mistaken.

[samran]

Important question here:

- were you naturalised as a Thai (ie applied for Thai citizenship, jumped through all the qualification hoops, waited years and years and then had your application approved by the minister and likely signed off by the king?)

Or

- did you apply register yourself here as a Thai citizen by virtue of having a parent being a Thai citizen?

[thaihome]

People should be clear that you "show" your passport 3 times when flying.

First is at airline check-in were they verify you have legal entry to your destination and second when departing at Immigration (except US that does not have exit immigration).

You "show" it again at Immigration on arrival at your destination.

With dual passports one should be aware of the purpose for each "showing" of the passport at each location in order to present the correct one.

TH

[millerjuice]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies. I have the bona fide answer to this question. At least half of it for all future reference. This is guaranteed.

To answer, my mom is Thai and she reported my birth to the Thai city hall or something like that from the states when i was born. So that's how i was entitled to my citizenship and dual passports.

This is how it works.

Buy your ticket with your Thai name on the Thai passport

Check in etc. and depart from the Thai airport with your Thai passport

On the airplane they will give you an arrival card to fill out. Put your American name in there.
When you land at your destination airport, only show them your American passport and tuck your other passport away! Score a longer stay on your visa, whatever.

When i exit, i must exit on my American passport (of course cuz of the stamp card in) (need stamp card out).

I'm writing this in Hong Kong as i speak, (really nice here btw. Wish i knew about this place sooner. Damn expensive though)

I can report back when i complete the mission but it's smooth sailing now that i'm "American" again in Hong Kong. I can easily fly back to the US on my American passport now. If choose, i could re-enter Thailand on either of my passports..........well, maybe.......if entered on my American, i don't know if i'd have to pay any arrears overstay fees. But they don't show up on my passport cuz it's brand new. (unless they got records).......but that's not the point of this thread.

Cheers everyone!