Dear editors,
My question is about visiting Thailand with F card and proof of identity -12 years.
In 2013 I got married in Thailand. My wife has been here in Belgium since July 2014 and has an F card which is valid from 15/7/2014 to 15/7/2019, but her Thai passport has a D visa valid from 5/6/2014 to 2/12 2014(180 days). Last year we also got her 5-year-old daughter and she delivered a “proof of identity for child less than 12 years old on 27-1-2015 and valid until 26-1-2017 and the same in her Thai passport with a D visa valid from 10-12-2014 to 8-6-2015.
Now we want to go to Thailand on vacation in July. Is this possible or do we need special papers? If they check their passports-visas upon returning to Belgium, have they expired? Do customs in Thailand, THAI Airways and customs here in Belgium have problems with this?
Thanks already for your help.
Best regards,
Si and Paul
Dear Si and Paul,
In general, it can be said that a foreign national who lives in Europe no longer needs a visa to move within or travel to the Schengen area: a foreign national can enter the Schengen area with a valid residence card or residence permit. These residence cards prove valid residence in the home country and also replace a visa for travel (up to 3 months) in other Schengen member states. See also the reader's question from last April 10 about traveling with an F card: https://www.thailandblog.nl/visumvraag/f-kaart/
- So Paul's wife can travel between Thailand and Belgium with her Thai passport and F card.
- The daughter who is under 12 years old does not yet have an F card and can travel with her Thai passport plus “proof of identity for child under 12 years old”.
- NB! When traveling with minor children, keep in mind that there can be no misunderstanding whether both legal parents/guardians have given permission (in connection with child abduction control).
More information about travel for foreign nationals living in Belgium can be found at:
– https://sif-gid.ibz.be/NL/membre_de_eee.aspx
More information about the proof of identity for foreign children under 12 can be found at:
- http://www.ibz.rrn.fgov.be/nl/identiteitsdocumenten/identiteitsbewijs-vreemde-kinderen-12-jaar/
More information about traveling with minor children:
- http://diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/Diensten/Op_reis_in_het_buitenland/Bijkomende_reisinformatie/reizen_met_minderjarige_kinderen/
NB! The above is based on a normal holiday of up to 3 months, when staying outside Belgium for longer than 3 months, certain rules apply to foreigners! For example, a foreign national on a holiday of 3 to 12 months before departure must inform the municipality about the intention to leave and return to the country. You will then receive appendix 18 (certificate of departure, Article 39, § 6 Residence Decree). For more information see:
http://www.kruispuntmi.be/thema/vreemdelingenrecht-internationaal-privaatrecht/verblijfsrecht-uitwijzing-reizen/terugkeer-na-afwezigheid/je-bent-minder-dan-1-jaar-afwezig
If in doubt about travel options, please contact the DVZ!
Yours faithfully,
Rob V