I have a dual citizenship, UK and Thai. My current Thai passport has no UK Indefinite Leave to Remain/visa sticker (UK resident status) in it but it is in the expired one. Therefore, I need also to carry the 'expired' Thai passport (which I've clipped on to the current Thai passport) along, in order to enter/leave Thailand so they can see I have a right to enter UK. The problem is.....
They (British passport people) will soon cancel my UK Indefinite leave to remain sticker because it is no longer valid (since I am no longer a UK resident but a British citizen). That means I will not have any valid visa to UK in my current Thai passport.
Does that mean I have to use Brit passport to enter Thailand forever? And only be able to stay there for 30 days!
This is so complicated.... 
.......mmmmmmmmmmmm. Odd done this.
You have dual UK/Thai citizenship - but do not have a UK passport, just and indefineate leave to remain sticker, which is in an expired Thai Passport - which means that the sticker is around 5 years old (
plus a bit - because Thai passports are valid for 5years ) - Yes, youre right - it is complicated!
Is your tie to the UK thorugh one of the "overseas territory" type rules?
If you have dual UK/Thai citizenship then your inefineate leave to remain sticker is a mute point - and you do not require any kind of visa to visit the UK.
I am a little perplexed how this situation has come about. Stemming from a "Indefineate Leave" sticker (
however that came about) means you have had a good few years to obtain your British Passport
(if entitled to one) - which can be done through any UK embassy overseas.
Either way, all the above aside, if you are a UK citizen then you are entitled to an Emergency Passport - basically a piece of security printed paper with your photo and details, which UK embassies can issue to any "UK citizen" to get them back to the UK in urgent/unusual/exception circumstances. Remember embassies cannot replace or issue passports without a "go/no-go" decision form the Passport agency in the UK - this document does allow them to exercise some independant decision taking and they can issue it in a flash - meaning : there and then over the counter (
if satisified that the circumstances warrant it) e.g. if someone needs to get back to the UK in a rush for a funeral, or to see a dieing relative in hospital ect ect .... and it falls over a long weekend when the UK offices are all closed. These are the sorts of instances in which passport officers can make a balanced decision. But note, it is a one way-one time use document that will only get you into the UK (
no other coutnry will accept it) and on arrival at Heathrow (
or where ever you enter the UK) it will be
a) scrutinised (
to ensure it is not a forgery - ask me, I had to use one a few years back and they went over it with a fine toothcomb when I got to Heathrow)
your claim to citizenship will be confirmed one way or the other before you are allowed to clear immigration, and then if all is in order
c) it will then taken away from you, and you will be sent on your way (
i..e allowed to enter).
That seems to me to be the best plan of action. This indefineate leave to remain issue is a mute point if you are a UK citizen - you need to get a passport issued in Thailand, or an Emergency Travel/Passport, and then get a so-called full passport once back in the UK (
where/why everyone uses thsi term full passport is beyond me - ever seen half a passport?? - its a passport or it ain't a passport, and other than for very rare circumstances the time limited 5 year passports are usualy only issued to under 16yr olds).
Thats my take on the situation youre in.
All the best.
Edited by Maizefarmer, 2008-11-17 16:05:41.
