Child travelling to UK has both Thai and UK passports questions

[jji23]

Hi,

 

In December my family and I are travelling to the U.K for Christmas. My adopted son was recently granted UK citizenship via a certificate of registration and we have now sent off for his UK passport. I have a question about the immigration process on the Thai side.

 

It seems logical that he would depart Thailand and arrive in the U.K on his British passport. On the return journey he would do the opposite departing England and arriving in Thailand on his Thai passport. Is this correct/allowed? Will the immigration officer in Thailand ask where is his visa for Thailand? This seems like a grey area and I really want to get it right.

 

Last Christmas when we visited England he flew out on his Thai passport with UK visa. We experienced a hold up at immigration because his surname (same as mine) was different to his mother's. They took a photo of us and informed us that next time we should travel with the adoption certificates. So we'll be doing that this time to try and make the process as smooth as possible.

 

On another note is dual nationality allowed? I've heard reports that it is, it isn't and/or a child must choose a nationality at 21.

 

Cheers

[Jip99]

Depart Thailand on Thai passport (having checked in using British passport).

 

Arrive UK on British passport - same for departure.

 

Arrive Thailand on Thai passport.

[Franky Bear]

I've been to the UK twice with my 8 year old. Once with my wife, once, in may this year with just me and her.

Leave Thailand using her Thai passport. 
Enter the Uk with UK passport

Leave UK with UK passport
Enter Thailand with Thai passport.

Take all the paper work you have about him. It just makes things easier.

When we did it the first time as a family we didn't have any paperwork with us. The officer asked my daughter a few questions in Thai.

When i took her alone my wife came to Swampy with us. They talked to her for half an hour and took photo copies of her ID card and Thai passport. It was a formality and we were never going to have a proplem.

That's my experience the last two years
 

[jji23]

Just now, Franky Bear said:

I've been to the UK twice with my 8 year old. Once with my wife, once, in may this year with just me and her.

Leave Thailand using her Thai passport. 
Enter the Uk with UK passport

Leave UK with UK passport
Enter Thailand with Thai passport.

Take all the paper work you have about him. It just makes things easier.

When we did it the first time as a family we didn't have any paperwork with us. The officer asked my daughter a few questions in Thai.

When i took her alone my wife came to Swampy with us. They talked to her for half an hour and took photo copies of her ID card and Thai passport. It was a formality and we were never going to have a proplem.

That's my experience the last two years
 

Hi and thanks for your reply.

 

If he leaves Thailand on his Thai passport will the officer not ask where is his UK visa? Will this not be an issue at check in as well?

[Franky Bear]

2 minutes ago, jji23 said:

Hi and thanks for your reply.

 

If he leaves Thailand on his Thai passport will the officer not ask where is his UK visa? Will this not be an issue at check in as well?

No. Don't worry.
When they swipe his passport his details will be in the UK system. 

[brewsterbudgen]

8 minutes ago, jji23 said:

Hi and thanks for your reply.

 

If he leaves Thailand on his Thai passport will the officer not ask where is his UK visa? Will this not be an issue at check in as well?

 

Show his UK passport at check-in, but use his Thai passport at Passport Control.

[krabicriminal]

Last year I took my 1 year old half Thai daughter back to the UK for a holiday, she has both Thai and British passports. As my wife was not present on this trip I had to present all documents and a letter from my wife allowing my daughter to leave. Immigration stamped her OUT on her British passport, I assumed this was standard procedure. When coming back IN to Thailand I showed the Thai passport and when they asked me where the exit stamp was I showed the british passport. This caused a lot of hassle and we almost missed our connecting flight. In the end they stamped her back IN on her Thai passport and told me next time she leaves I should not show the British passport. 

My worry is that next time I try to take her out of the country, immigration will ask why there is an entry stamp but no exit stamp. If they start asking questions I will obviously have to show the British passport with the origional exit stamp. Has anybody had a similar experience? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks. 

[jji23]

1 minute ago, krabicriminal said:

Last year I took my 1 year old half Thai daughter back to the UK for a holiday, she has both Thai and British passports. As my wife was not present on this trip I had to present all documents and a letter from my wife allowing my daughter to leave. Immigration stamped her OUT on her British passport, I assumed this was standard procedure. When coming back IN to Thailand I showed the Thai passport and when they asked me where the exit stamp was I showed the british passport. This caused a lot of hassle and we almost missed our connecting flight. In the end they stamped her back IN on her Thai passport and told me next time she leaves I should not show the British passport. 

My worry is that next time I try to take her out of the country, immigration will ask why there is an entry stamp but no exit stamp. If they start asking questions I will obviously have to show the British passport with the origional exit stamp. Has anybody had a similar experience? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks. 

It's becoming apparent that you should exit on Thai passport so as to get the exit stamp in Thai passport.

[elviajero]

9 hours ago, jji23 said:

On another note is dual nationality allowed? I've heard reports that it is, it isn't and/or a child must choose a nationality at 21.

Yes it is allowed, and there is no requirement to choose a nationality at age 21.