capt330

Sorry, typo error. "at the moment Fiance visas were not being processed."

It's been awhile since I helped anyone with getting a U.S. visa. A friend of mine had been communicating with a Thai young lady and over time he decided to visit and if compatible, get married. I suggested getting a fiance visa because they usually process rapidly. However after arriving they talked with someone that told them that Fiance visas were, at the moment being processed ant to get a registered Thai marriage and then apply for a U.S. Spouse visa. They were told if she wanted to visit the U.S. she could get a U.S. Tourist visa while they were awaiting the processing of the Spouse visa. The marriage is recorded in Thailand so a Fiance visa can no longer be applied for.

Two questions I would like to ask for your input.

1) Several years ago I was told getting a Tourist visa for a Thai girl was next to impossible because they kept skipping out and disappearing in the U.S. Anyone have any idea of the processing time for a U.S. Tourist visa for a Thai young lady with a recorded Thai marriage? (Factors guaranteeing her return to Thailand - She has a Master of Business Administration and is a very successful accountant, she has a daughter that will be staying in Thailand while she visits and she maintains real state assets along with a reasonable amount of savings in a Thai bank.)

2). Was I correct that the Fiance visa is processed faster then the Spouse visa?

Thanks

First off, "Hello" to everyone, I have enjoyed and learned a lot reading your posts. With all the expertise I have seen in the past, maybe someone can offer some helpful input into a problem my wife and I have run into.

My wife and I are already in the U.S. and she has her unrestricted green card. For a Birth Certificate we have a photo static copy with a certifying stamp from the Chumponburi, Surin sub-district office. At age 13 she legally changed her first name. On the name change document the Thai official started to misspell her fathers name, whited it out, and then typed it correctly. Problem is there are occasions here in the U.S. ( like getting a drivers license ) when she is required to present her original Birth Certificate and Name change documents. They (MS state gov't) will not accept the photo copy despite it being certified, and 2. they will not accept any legal document with any kind of white out or alteration on it.

Her parents have gone to the Chumponburi sub-district office and the officials have adamantly refused to produce official, legal duplicate (not Photostats) documents. They say, "You only get one when you are born and change your name.". They have the originals on file because they keep giving her parents photo copies of the originals with stamps on them.

I know with floods and fires there are Thai people that have their documents lost or destroyed. Not all, but some of these people work for the government or are in positions with international companies that would require them to be able to validate their identify. It seems there would be some established procedures for obtaining new documents.

Basically I'm asking for assistance from forum members that would have some pertinent knowledge that would aid us.

Three things I would like to find out:

1. Is it possible to get legal duplicates in Thailand?

2. If so, how and where is this accomplished?

3. Ref. #2. Where in the Thai laws is this found? (Incase we need to present this documentation to an unknowledgeable sub-district level government bureaucrat.)

We have been battling this now for over 3 months now. If anyone has any knowledge of this subject your assistance would be greatly appreciated!!!