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What are the implications for a Thai-American dual citizen entering Thailand on a US passport and wishing to stay long-term?

Dual CitizenshipThai PassportUS PassportVisa RegulationsImmigrationVisa ExemptionThailandVisa ExtensionPassport ControlTravel Advice
Sep 7, 2023
a year ago
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ve been married to a Thai girl for 40+ years. We have travelled back and forth between Thailand and the USA for vacations and to see family. My wife has always gone to Thailand on her USA passport ( she also has a Thai passport). What happens if she travels on her USA passport to Thailand ( visa on arrival ) and then decides to stay for 6-12 months. What happens when she decides to fly back to the USA at Thai airport passport control?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Thai citizen with dual citizenship (US and Thai) traveling to Thailand on her US passport may face complications if she intends to stay for 6-12 months without the correct visa. It has been advised that she should ideally enter and exit Thailand using her Thai passport, as this avoids issues with overstaying and complicated visa requirements. Recent changes in Thailand's immigration policies suggest that dual citizens can enter on any passport as long as they possess identification confirming their Thai citizenship. If she enters Thailand on her US passport, she may be treated as a foreign national and could incur fines for overstaying unless the correct visa or extension is applied for.
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Michael *********
NOT 'visa on arrival', it's a 'visa exemption' - totally different animals.

On a Voa (which she isn't eligible for anyway and would have to pay for) she's get 15 days, but a visa exemption (which she is eligible for) would give her 30 days free and then can be extended for a further 30 days fr 1,900 baht.

If you've been travelling between Thailand and the US for so many years, I am astonished you don't seem to know the rules yet.
a year ago
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Jo **********
i have 3 passports I use the passport from the country i am going to enter. it’s not difficult to understand
a year ago
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Chris *****
Leave US on US passport only. Enter Thailand with Thai passport. Leave Thailand on thai passport. Re enter US on US passport. Easy peasy. Stay as long as you’d like. Don’t fuck around and find out by mucking with immigration even if a thai. They don’t appreciate it even when Thais pull that. shit.
a year ago
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Warren ******
I just have to ask Why :)
a year ago
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Diego *********
I still find it amazing that Thailand hasn't yet made illegal for its citizens to enter the country with a foreign nationality passport. That is illegal in
a year ago
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Andy **********
Why not ask at the embassy directly? They know for sure...
a year ago
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Tony *******
Stupid idea.
a year ago
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Bill *********
Just use the Thai passport. Why even consider using the US passport?
a year ago
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Edwin ********
@Bill ********
 not all countries stamp your passport when you leave. Hong Kong and Canada and the USA in my experience as a Canadian
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Bill ********
 because returning to the US, or many other countries, requires a lengthy visa application process if using a Thai passport, and when entering another country your passport must show that you left a country legally, shown by the exit stamp.
a year ago
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Chris *****
@Kool ******
 just don’t change passports when transitioning out/in or out of same country. You certainly can change passports to your county of citizenship. If you have two. Use two. Yes, you have to follow all laws regarding said country as well but you most certainly benefit from having two passports and citizenship when travel between thuja two countries. Every country is different. So enter and leave on the passport that benefits you the most. Duh 🙄
a year ago
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Dimitri ********
@Kool ******
 must show? Most countries, including the US, do not give you an exit stamp. I doubt that countries care about exit stamps of other countries.
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Dimitri *******
 don't forget what shows when immigration first scans the bar code on your passport. This is not 20 years ago when everything wasn't connected.
a year ago
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Dimitri ********
@Kool ******
 You want to say that immigration records of different countries are connected in such a way that a missing exit stamp from Thailand will show on the screen of an immigration officer in another part of the world ?
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Dimitri *******
 that's how it works now.
a year ago
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Dimitri ********
@Kool ******
 I am sure it is not 🤣
a year ago
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Dimitri ********
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Ken *************
If she has entered with her Thai passport before, they have her fingerprints on record. When she tries to enter with her US passport they might flag her fingerprints on file with the Thai passport and question her at that time. Its anyone's guess how they handle her case from there.
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Ken ************
 it all changed three weeks ago. It no longer matters.
a year ago
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Ken *************
@Kool ******
 Ok, read your comment above. Sounds reasonable, but I might be a little nervous testing it out.

I wonder if all airlines are up to speed on the new procedures.
a year ago
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Ken *************
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Frank **********
Not too bright are you? This is not rocket science.
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Garrett *******
 I just looked. I don't see how "at" got there, lol.
a year ago
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Frank **********
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a year ago
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Kool *******
As of three weeks ago it no longer matters. As long as she has her Thai ID card, or Thai passport, for ID perposes she can enter on any passport, and will be treated as a Thai citizen, going through the Thai citizen line at immigration using her US passport, and have no concerns what-so-ever about overstay. She is Thai, she can't overstay anymore because she used her dual citizenship passport. This went into effect about three weeks ago. She can enter and exit on her US passport, and as long as she has her Thai identification she is treated as a Thai, with no overstay concerns.
a year ago
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Sumai ********
@Kool ******
 finally a sensible rule for those of us who have Thai dual citizenship with different names on passport. Makes it easier with the Thai ID.
a year ago
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Sumai ********
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Martyn ***********
The question is why do that? Enter on the Thai passport...?
a year ago
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Nick ****************
Simple thought. If she enters on her US passport she needs visas etc including 90 days. If she enters on her Thai passport she needs nothing and the new government will even give her
*****
baht to spend!!!!
a year ago
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Neil ******
She should be carrying both passports. Enter on Thai. Leave on Thai. Enter US on US. Leave on US. If any immigration officer asks, she only has to tell them she’s a dual citizen and traveling between her countries of citizenship.
a year ago
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Sturgess ********
@Neil *****
 Many dual nationals in my family and this is how they do it.
a year ago
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Dar *****
@Neil *****
 they will pull her into the back area interrogate pay a fine and transfer the stamp. Happened to my wife and son previously
a year ago
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Sturgess ********
@Dee ****
 Time was, this is how immigration workers in the US behaved, also. I have many dual citizens in my family and they say, 1) don’t flaunt the fact that you have 2 passports. 2) Enter each country with the appropriate passport. Then there are no stamps involved.
a year ago
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Neil ******
@Dee ****
 this is how all dual citizens do it. Enter in your passport of that country. There is no stamp to get.
a year ago
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Dar *****
@Neil *****
 yes agree but the OP asked what happens if.
a year ago
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Dar *****
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Wayne *****************
Going to Thailand Thai passport going to the USA USA passport. Easy 😊
a year ago
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Rob *************
Just out of curiosity, you never knew this after 40+ years? Honest question….
a year ago
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Michael ********
@RobandMichelle *****
 Actually regulations for thai dual passport holders changed last month
a year ago
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Rob *************
Not sure how I was trying to make fun of anyone with my question. I mean, he put his question out here and you think I’m doing something wrong by asking? I mean, who are you?
a year ago
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Rob *************
You sound like an unelected FB Police who thinks can read minds. But hey, thank you for being so concerned. ✌️✌️😎
a year ago
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Levent **********
@RobandMichelle *****
 I appreciate your kind words. I wanted to emphasize that asking for or giving advice can often be more constructive than just giving a personal opinion. While everyone is entitled to their own point of view, advice tends to be more helpful, don't you think? I may have reacted violently in your situation, which I must admit was inappropriate. I hope that this doesn't seem too politically charged and now stamps me as a politician 😄. I wish you a pleasant evening and thank you for your time!
a year ago
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Rob *************
@Levent *********
 thank you and please accept my apologies if I’ve given any any negative vibes. Take care! ✌️
a year ago
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Levent **********
@RobandMichelle *****
 Likewise 🙏
a year ago
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Levent **********
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Levent **********
@RobandMichelle *****
 Who I am doesn't really matter, but what's important is providing a thoughtful response to a question instead of responding provocatively. I've noticed that you're not the only one who sometimes responds with counter-questions rather than offering clarity on the original question.
a year ago
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Levent **********
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Levent **********
@RobandMichelle *****
 Perhaps you could keep your sincere questions to yourself as they don't seem to have any value to the question. It's important to remember that everyone has different priorities in life and everyone needs advice at some point. This site is probably more about helping people than making fun of others, after all there are many other sites for that.
a year ago
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Levent **********
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Darrell ********
Not to hijack this thread, as I’m going to need to get this done, too. For you gentlemen, that have a wife with a U.S. passport, are there any online “study” groups etc, or programs that your wife went through? Thanks in advance.
a year ago
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David *********
@Darrell *******
 yes indeed. It’s been years but wife says try Thai American Facebook groups or google.
a year ago
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Darrell ********
@Da***
, appreciate it!
a year ago
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Darrell ********
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James *********
@Darrell *******
 Better to ask on a new thread Darrell. Cheers
a year ago
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James *********
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Ruth *******
Why would she not exit and enter US on her US passport and enter and exit Thailand on her Thai? That’s the least hassle.
a year ago
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Patrick ************
Like others have mentioned, just have her enter and exist Thailand using her Thai passport. There is no issues and no headache, that's what I do.
a year ago
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Todd *******
We travel (ticket on USA passport) but enter/exit on Thai passport. Never ever an issue at any port. This is 20 years or so.
a year ago
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John ********
Use the Thai passport to enter and leave Thailand..

What have you been doing for the past 40 years???
a year ago
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Andreas *********
check-in to the flight with her Thai passport, exit USA with her U.S. passport. Enter Thailand with her Thai passport. On return, check-in with U.S. passport, exit Immigration with the Thai passport, enter USA with US passport
a year ago
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Alastair ********************
Absolutely nothing
a year ago
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Phil ********
You say you've been flying back n forth for many years but now you don't know what to do? 🤷‍♂️

Leave USA on USA passport.

Arrive in Thailand show Thai passport.

Leave Thailand show Thai passport. If asked for visa for USA show USA passport.

Arrive in USA show USA passport.
a year ago
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Ken *************
@Phil *******
 yep, the airlines will ask for the USA passport.
a year ago
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Ken *************
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Sri ***
If a person has dual citizen, as per legal requirement they must enter passport of that country( if she has thai passport , she must enter with thai passport not to make things complicated)
a year ago
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Alistair **********
a year ago
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Alistair **********
They're changing how they treat Thai citizens who enter Thailand on a foreign passport now. So they will be seen as Thai rather than foreign nationals by immigration.

What that actually means, who knows as it's a recent change. Maybe no need for extensions or fines? But you can also just get a 12month extension at immigration for 1900B, just by proving her Thai citizenship (ID card, Passport etc.)
a year ago
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Mike ********
Save a headache and do a border run stamp out on your American passport and return on your Thai one
a year ago
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Kal *********
I made that mistake in 2021... I had to pay penalty for overstay and also visa extension..: dumb move ... use the thai passport to come into Thailand and go out (plus thr lines are shorter) then use the USA passport to come back in to USA and also leave USA
a year ago
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Kal *********
Forgot to add , I also have a Thai passport, but I just got my new USA passport and wanted to fill my pages with many immigration stamped like I did my older passport... paid the price for playing stupid games ..
a year ago
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Lincoln *******
@Kal ********
 exactly
a year ago
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Lincoln *******
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David *****
Why would she use her US passport and not her Thai passport? My wife travels on her US passport but always enters and exits on her Thai passport
a year ago
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Graham ******
"What happens if she travels on her USA passport to Thailand ( visa on arrival ) and then decides to stay for 6-12 months. What happens when she decides to fly back to the USA at Thai airport passport control?" If she doesn't get the correct extension she will be fined
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B (the maximum amount) for overstay.
a year ago
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Keith ************
@Graham *****
 not a visa on arrival, but a visa exemption.
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Keith ***********
 I know, not my words
a year ago
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Graham ******
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Brandon ************
I guess my first question is why would she even consider it? A Thai citizen can enter Thailand even on an expired passport. Why go through the trouble? If she enters with her US passport she is going to have to get in the normal line (not the Thai citizen line) and wait like everyone else, and then once she gets into Thailand she will be considered American for immigration purposes and will need to go to immigration and apply for the 1 year "Thai citizen" extension.

Why would anything happen when leaving at passport control? When you enter a country you show a passport. You show the same passport when you exit that country.
a year ago
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Phillip ***********
@Brandon ***********
 brilliant
a year ago
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Phillip ***********
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