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News that various embassies have begun strictly verifying whether American-born babies with Chinese household registration can obtain Chinese passports has caused quite a stir in the birth tourism community. How can one successfully renew a Travel Document, and how can it be done in the shortest time possible?
1. Are Travel Documents no longer issued to American-born babies with household registration (but without a Chinese passport)?
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It's not that absolute; it depends on the policies of different embassies. For example, the Seoul embassy does not issue Travel Documents to those with household registration. Some embassies do issue them but require review, meaning the processing time will be extended. Others issue Travel Documents to those with household registration without review, and expedited service can provide next-day pickup.
2. So, which embassy is better for American-born babies with household registration to renew their Travel Documents?
There is no standard answer to this question. Even with household registration, each family's situation is different. Therefore, decisions must be based on factors such as whether the Travel Document has expired, whether there is a marriage certificate, whether there is a green card, and whether the birth certificate has three levels of authentication, to determine which country is more suitable for renewal.
Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, and other neighboring countries are all worth trying!
3. If asked by the embassy whether the baby has household registration, how should one respond?
If the embassy insists on this issue, the response requires skill. How you answer largely determines the final outcome of whether the embassy will issue the Travel Document. For reference, consider the case of a mother who went to Seoul to renew a Travel Document. Despite initially being refused at the counter, she successfully renewed it through her persuasive communication.
4. Can the embassy actually check whether an American-born baby has household registration?
Many families of American-born babies have started to think they can outsmart the system, claiming that embassies are not connected to domestic household registration police stations. How can they verify whether the baby has household registration? Can they even check? The answer is simple: you are underestimating the embassy's capabilities. If they truly want to verify, they will find a way. Therefore, it's best not to lie to the embassy. If asked, you must disclose the information, but how you answer requires skill.
5. If an American-born baby has both household registration and a Chinese passport, are they completely ineligible for a Travel Document renewal?
Based on the current situation, if the Travel Document has expired and the baby has both household registration and a Chinese passport, attempting to travel using a Hong Kong/Macau Travel Permit or a Chinese passport will definitely result in refusal. Unless you can obtain a one-time exit-entry permit (which is highly unlikely), you might still have a chance. Before going, let us assess which embassy offers a higher chance of success. If the Travel Document has not expired, there are still ways to resolve the issue.
6. If an American-born baby has both household registration and a Chinese passport, can they renew the Travel Document after canceling the Chinese passport promptly?
Since having a Chinese passport disqualifies an American-born baby from renewing a Travel Document, can't I just cancel the Chinese passport immediately? Unfortunately, it's too late. The definition of "having a Chinese passport" for Chinese embassies and consulates is: as long as the American-born baby has a record of applying for a Chinese passport, regardless of whether it has been used, even if it was canceled immediately after issuance, it still counts.
7. Since U.S.-born children with Chinese passports cannot renew their travel documents, can't I just use the Chinese passport to exit the country instead of renewing the travel document?
Well, every time I hear this, I feel particularly speechless. I've said it countless times: it won't work. Regardless of whether immigration authorities have started checking U.S.-born children with Chinese passports, or whether they will allow exit if a Chinese passport is discovered (previously, a mother from Shanghai mentioned that immigration authorities wouldn't allow exit if they found out the child had a Chinese household registration, though this still needs verification), even if exit is permitted, you still won't be able to enter the United States.
Unless your child never returns to the U.S. before turning 18, not having a travel document is simply not an option. If immigration authorities start strictly checking U.S.-born children with Chinese passports, just like embassies and consulates have been doing, the consequences would be unimaginable. Our U.S.-born children might truly be unable to travel abroad before turning 18. Let's hope that day never comes.
8. What lessons can U.S.-born families learn from this incident?
1. If your U.S.-born child hasn't registered for a Chinese household registration, avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary. Give up the idea of trying to benefit from both China and the U.S.
2. If your U.S.-born child already has a Chinese household registration but hasn't applied for a Chinese passport, absolutely do not apply for one. Remember, if the travel document expires and you can't obtain a one-time exit-entry permit, use the household registration to apply for a Hong Kong and Macau travel permit and transit through Hong Kong to Bangkok to renew the travel document. At least for now, Bangkok still allows renewals through this method.
Reposted from WeChat Moments
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