Travelling Internationally on GC

[khwaidee1 196]

Once my wife gets her green card, will we be able to travel internationally, say Europe, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. on her green card with her Thai passport just as if she was travelling on a U.S. passport or will she need visas for her Thai passport? Thanks.

[didopage 337]

Sure she will. Her green card will be her proof of residency in the US, not need for a US visa anymore.

One thing though, did she decide to change her last name and take yours? If yes, and that her name on her passport (maiden name) doesn't match with the name on her green card (married name), she will have to book tickets with the name on her passport and carry a marriage certificate with her, in case she gets questioned at POE in the US. Obviously, it will become not necessary when she will have a new passport with her married name.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Once my wife gets her green card, will we be able to travel internationally, say Europe, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. on her green card with her Thai passport just as if she was travelling on a U.S. passport or will she need visas for her Thai passport? Thanks.

Her greencard will not change that she is still a Thai national and as such, she will still need a visa for all those countries that require them for Thai passport holders. There are some exceptions, such as Canada and Mexico, which allow green card holders to enter the country without a visa, even if the nationality of the holder would require a visa otherwise.

Having said that, it should be far easier for her to obtain visas as a resident of the US. The greencard does make things easier to that effect.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Once my wife gets her green card, will we be able to travel internationally, say Europe, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. on her green card with her Thai passport just as if she was travelling on a U.S. passport or will she need visas for her Thai passport? Thanks.

No. She has to be a USC with a US passport for that.

The GC only allows her to come back into the US without a visa. She would still need to get appropriate visa, if applicable to Thai citizens, on her Thai passport for each country she intends to visit.

[khwaidee1 196]

Thanks guys, that's kind of what I thought, just wanted be sure before we start booking trips. She will use her married name on her GC so we will book flights with her maiden name as in her passport and bring a copy of the marriage certificate for use of the GC. We will be going back to Thailand shortly after getting her her GC (or sooner on the AP based on a family health issue), would it be adviseable for her to get a new passport with her married name or just leave as is? Thanks.

[Enigma11561 336]

Just make sure the name in the passport matches the plane ticket. If you buy a RT ticket, change the passport while you are in Thailand, then the names will be different. My wife never changed her name in her passport. Uses it for travel but uses her GC ( married name) for entry back to the states. Was never asked about her marriage certificate. Go figure.

[Anh map 2,098]

*Moved from Adjust Status forum to Working and Traveling forum*

[Karee 4,190]

Here's a good website for figuring all that out:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

[ThaitoUSA 15]

My wife has decided to maintain her maiden name in her Thai passport and not to register our marriage at her Amphur (district) office. We do not want for any future property inheritence or acquisition to be complicated by marriage to a foreigner. As recent as the past year or so, the Thai government has vowed to strip Thai citizens of property ownership if it believes the finances have come from a foreign spouse.

[Karee 4,190]

My wife has decided to maintain her maiden name in her Thai passport and not to register our marriage at her Amphur (district) office. We do not want for any future property inheritence or acquisition to be complicated by marriage to a foreigner. As recent as the past year or so, the Thai government has vowed to strip Thai citizens of property ownership if it believes the finances have come from a foreign spouse.

Yeah that's a good idea. They change their minds on that every 6 months it seems.

Unfortunately, that wasn't an option for us since we married for a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa in Thailand. After the coup, the army said no more living here on 30 day tourist visas.

[churawan 14]

Once my wife gets her green card, will we be able to travel internationally, say Europe, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. on her green card with her Thai passport just as if she was travelling on a U.S. passport or will she need visas for her Thai passport? Thanks.

Bahamas are fine with the GC in place of visa.. My Thai wife and I where there last year and going again Thanksgiving .. You have to verify with each country to see if she can eneter on GC.. Bahamas website clearly points this out.. As stated before we did Canada this summer again with no issues... Just verify and go where you are allowed (or wanted)....

[hkl 9]

Just make sure the name in the passport matches the plane ticket. If you buy a RT ticket, change the passport while you are in Thailand, then the names will be different. My wife never changed her name in her passport. Uses it for travel but uses her GC ( married name) for entry back to the states. Was never asked about her marriage certificate. Go figure.

If she want to change her passport it should be done in Thai consulate in US, not in Thailand.

[bigdog 376]

Have fun on your trip.

[Karee 4,190]

If she want to change her passport it should be done in Thai consulate in US, not in Thailand.

Why? What's the difference?

[hkl 9]

Why? What's the difference?

Well there are few reasons. You normally apply for a passport where you reside. If you have a Green Card then your residence country is USA. There maybe some other benefits related to letting Thai government know that you reside now abroad (e.g. tax, consular assistance in emergency). Then finally related to this thread topic you would avoid entering and leaving Thailand on 2 different passports with 2 different names.