daboyz1

That's easy. You need look no firther than the coup makers in 2006 right here in Thailand. It ended pretty well. Elections were called etc. etc.

It wasn't until the meglomaniac in Dubai hired a bunch of paid thugs to hold Bangkok hostage for two months, and subsequently burn and loot a good portion of it because he didn't like the fact that his party wasn't running thing, so he couldn't pull the strings.

Ohh and edit to add, both times that a coup occured in 2006 and 2014, there was no legally elected government in power. People seems to skip over that small detail.

The coup of 2006 worked so well that they decided to do another within a decade...

And luckily the city was only held hostage for 2 months, and not much longer as this year happened.

Maybe people skip over the small detail that there was no elected government in power because it is just that; a small detail based on a formality. It must be pretty clear for most what the outcome of an election must have been giving the efforts one party made to block elections.

Well Mr T. and company came back with the same vote buying policies etc. Not to mention the rice scam which almost sent the country in to bankruptcy. In case you have noticed, there's a difference bewteen peaceful protests, and setting up an armed encampment in the middle of Bangkok. I noticed that no one rioted or set any fires when these last protests came to an end, unlike in 2010.

While this coup may not fit the western style of "Democracy" it has brought stability to the country both times. In 2006 and this year. Western style democracy is not a "one size fits all" solution for every country.

Other nations' leaders came to learn from the success of Thaksinomics. Other countries award him honorary degrees and invite him to deliver lectures on various subjects. He is welcome in every country in the world except for the one infested by his jealous, vindictive opponents.

Here's alist of some other folks that have gotten honorary degrees from universiities:

Robert Mugabe

Fidel Castro

Kim Jung Un

That's a small sample. Shall I continue?

I am well aware of his criminal history and i surely dont approve of it (nor of him or many of his ill conceived policies). But unlike other people that does not automatically make me a supporter of a military coup and one person taking absolute power.

Maybe you can google a bit how other countries did in the past when a person took absolute power. There are examples enough and it almost always ends in the same way. Days and days reading pleasure for you.

That's easy. You need look no firther than the coup makers in 2006 right here in Thailand. It ended pretty well. Elections were called etc. etc.

It wasn't until the meglomaniac in Dubai hired a bunch of paid thugs to hold Bangkok hostage for two months, and subsequently burn and loot a good portion of it because he didn't like the fact that his party wasn't running thing, so he couldn't pull the strings.

Ohh and edit to add, both times that a coup occured in 2006 and 2014, there was no legally elected government in power. People seems to skip over that small detail.

If it were me, I would give the guy a whole chapter in the textbook. A chance to point out what a crooked, vote buying, selfish person he really is. Thaksin only cares about Thaksin. Always has, always will. There's a multitude of evidence proving that. Why not point it out?

I know a girl that came on a K-1 visa to Green Bay about a year ago. She seemed to adapt just fine. The marriage didn't work out and she's still in Wisconsin.

Maybe he's just naming it after Elephants.

Rucus7 has the right answer. K-1 fiancee is NOT the way to go if you can prove residency in Thailand (Non-O, Non-B etc. for 6 months) K-1 will definitely take longer than 2 months. Also, take into consideration that a K-1 is a single entry non-immigrant visa. A K-1 visa holder will still have to adjust status once in the U.S. which costs another ~$1100. Also, while the adjustment of status is processing, there's no working, no driving, etc. etc. Filing at the consulate in Bangkok will result in an immigrant visa where the spouse will be able to work immediately, get a driver's license etc. etc.

If the OP is eligible to file for the immigrant visa in Bangkok, there is not ONE good reason to go the K-1 route.

I dont know much about the marriage visa process so I have no opinion on the subject, Dont know if it is better or worst

but I do know about the K1 process as my then fiance, now wife came to the US with a K1

The process was easy. and relatively fast.

It is not true that you cant , work, drive, etc while waiting for the change of status process,

upon arrival you can apply for a temporary SSN with it You can get a temp work permit , and I believe a drivers licence,though I am not sure about that as we did not until she got her Green card, also if you like you can get permission to travel all of which ware not necessary in out case as the change of status process was quick and she had her green card with in three months from application.

But I don't believe it is a real concern anyway, because I don't think anyone's fiance would be working immediately after arriving in the US anyway.

If some one has not suggest it already, visajourney.com is a good forum to get info about visas to the US

The temp work permit (EAD) still takes 2-4 months as does the travel permit (Advance Parole) The actually issue these as the same "combo" card now. With the marriage visa, it is immediate. The visa placed in the passport has an endorsement that says I-551. I-551 is the same designation as a green card, so that endorsement acts as temporary green card until the actual green card arrives in the mail. Also, there's the matter of the extra $1100 you have to pay to adjust status.

source: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/eadstats.php

The EAD/AP combo card is taking about 80 days according to VJ. Again, I can't see any reason why someone would want to go the K-1 route if they are eligible for DCF, which it appears that the OP is eligible. I've heard so many people complain on VJ "my wife is here, she can't work, she can't drive, she can't leave the country" etc. etc. With the marriage visa, none of that is an issue. I think it takes like an hour to get legally married at the Amphur, although you do need an affidavit from the U.S. embassy saying you are legally able to marry. I think that took about an hour and 2000 THB as well.

Just to add to the CR-1/IR-1 conversation, it's not that big of a deal if you get the 2 year green card. You just have to file form I-751 to remove conditions on the 2 year green card and get the 10 year green card. It costs $590 though. I've known people that have put off the arrival for a month to get the 10 year green card, which makes sense. It probably doesn't make sense to put it off for 6 months or a year.

The spousal visa is the way to go, it will save you money in the long run, but since you will have been married less than two years your wife will get a CR (conditional Green Card), which is valid for two years and then you will need to file for removal of conditions. You get to skip the adjustment of status step.

If you were married more than two years she would get a 10 year as soon as she arrives.

Please clarify/verify the two year rule.

You get the visa in hand after being married for 1 year and 11 months, then enter the US after being married for 2 years and 1 month........does this result in 2 year or 10 year Green Card?

It will result in a 10 year green card. It's not based on when the visa is issued, rather when it is used. So in your scenario, a CR-1 visa will be issued by the embassy, but since you entered the U.S. after your 2 year wedding anniversary, it will result in a 10 year green card. Be sure to point this out to the CBP agents. Sometimes they miss this.

Overall if you are currently here and aren't in a rush to get back (ie extend by a few months), it is best to file a spousal visa instead of the K1. An example:

K1 general Timeline to Green Card

6 months from time of filing til Visa in hand

1 month (marry immediately in the states, file for AOS)

5 months to wait for 2 year Green Card

CR1/IR1 general timeline to GC

8 months from time of filing til VIsa in hand

Arrive in the USA, Green Card in hand (No adjustment of status)

DCF CR1/IR1 general timeline to GC

3 months from time of filing til Visa in hand

Arrive in the USA, Green Card in hand (no adjustment of status)

Obviously the time can be shorter or longer for each type of filing, but these are about the average times I have seen on VJ and what several of my Friends have done over the years,

As has mentioned VJ is a good resource and there is a Thai forum with plenty of people who can answer questions and help out.

I'm the OP: thanks to everyone who has posted a reply.

I understand a K1 visa is for a fiance. What is "CR1/R1" and "DCF/CRI/RI"?

What is VJ? Can you provide a link if it is a website?

I am living now in Thailand on a retirement visa (Non Im O/A visa i believe). I have a long timeline (18-24 months) before i would like to relocate to Hawaii with my fiance (by then we will be married). So it sounds like the best course of action is to apply for a visa at the US Consulate here in BKK? Should she apply as a fiance or should we get married first? Anyone who has a similar experience or whose friends have had similar experience as mine would be most helpful. Thanks.

I am living here in Thailand now on a retirement visa and i have time before i would want to relocate back to the US.

CR-1/IR-1 visas are immigrant marriage visas. The only difference between the two, is one results in a 2 year green card (CR-1) after arrival in to the U.S. and the other results in a 10 year green card (IR-1) after arrival in to the U.S. It depends on how long you've been married when your spouse enters the U.S. If she enters the U.S. prior to your two year wedding anniversary, she will get a 2 year green card and then have to file to remove conditions. (CR-1 means conditional resident)

DCF refers to Direct Consular Filing. In certain cases such as yours, if you can prove residency in the foreign country for more than 6 months, you can file direct with the consulate in the foreign country. This drastically reduces the time between filing and receiving the visa. I was not aware of this when I filed for my wife back in 2008. It took a year for my wife to get her IR-1 visa filing from the U.S. I know a member here and on VJ that just recently went through the DCF process and it took two months from start to finish.

The marriage visa is the way to go in my opinion because you can't file DCF for a K-1 fiancee visa, only CR-1/IR-1. As Aaron stated, check out visajourney. There's no place better on the web for family based visas to the U.S. They even have a Thai specific forum there.

http://www.visajourney.com

Rucus7 has the right answer. K-1 fiancee is NOT the way to go if you can prove residency in Thailand (Non-O, Non-B etc. for 6 months) K-1 will definitely take longer than 2 months. Also, take into consideration that a K-1 is a single entry non-immigrant visa. A K-1 visa holder will still have to adjust status once in the U.S. which costs another ~$1100. Also, while the adjustment of status is processing, there's no working, no driving, etc. etc. Filing at the consulate in Bangkok will result in an immigrant visa where the spouse will be able to work immediately, get a driver's license etc. etc.

If the OP is eligible to file for the immigrant visa in Bangkok, there is not ONE good reason to go the K-1 route.

Head over to visajourney there is a lot more information on immigration to the states on that website.

Just tried to connect and my Avast antivirus blocked the site and told me there was a serious virus there. Not sure if that was a false positive or not?

You're the second person from Thaivisa that said they had a virus warning when browsing to VJ. I visit that website multiple times a day and there's no issues with a virus.

Seems there's a topic on your anti virus issue. Appears you're not the only one. Looks like it's an issue with Avast.

Hi,

I don't know why but recently everytime I try to read some posts here in VJ, my Avast antivirus pops up and tells me it blocked part of the content of the website.

Maybe it's running a script that my antivirus blocks?...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/510468-virus/

Head over to visajourney there is a lot more information on immigration to the states on that website.

Just tried to connect and my Avast antivirus blocked the site and told me there was a serious virus there. Not sure if that was a false positive or not?

You're the second person from Thaivisa that said they had a virus warning when browsing to VJ. I visit that website multiple times a day and there's no issues with a virus.

A photocopy of the translation company's certification issued to them by the Thai government must be obtained from any translation company that is not on the US Embassy's list. In other words, a copy of their occupational license must be obtained. They should be able to scan this and email it to any client who makes a request.

Where did you get this requirement? I've never heard of this, and if true is a new requirement.

Looks like you're all set to me. There's been a few members here that have went the DCF route very recently. Hopefully they'll stop by and post their experience.

I doubt this guy will be going back to jail.  I suspect the cops will shoot him dead when they find him for making them look like fools.

I'm confused. Was the original divorce decree in Japanese?  If it was, you need to supply that document in Japanese with a translation into English or Thai.  You can't just give them the translation without the original document.  USCIS in the U.S. wont accept that either.  At least they're not supposed to.

There's also a waiver application form I-192, but that does not appear to be relevant (unless the US border has been 'exported' to Thailand).  On reapplication for a *single-entry* tourist visa, it seems the OP's wife should announce that she wishes to apply for a non-immigrant waiver.  The descriptions of the process are confusing - one seems to say that she should have been offered a visa waiver application pack at the initial refusal.

You can only use I-192 if you already have been issued a visa.  It's for people that already have a visa, but have become inadmissible for whatever reason.  Let's say someone gets a 10 year tourist visa, and then 2 years later get busted in a raid at Nana for prostitution ( I know, not likely to happen)  That would make them inadmissible to the U.S.  They could then file an I-192 and hope for the best.   Even then, it's a long shot for CBP to allow entry.

It would not be fun for the OPs girl to come all the way to the U.S. only to be told "Sorry, we're not letting you in"  and then have to turn around and fly back to Thailand.  A visa does not guarantee entry in to the U.S.  People get turned around all the time by CBP for a multitude of different reasons.  If she flys to the U.S. with a tourist visa and CBP gets it in their head that she's planning on staying, they'll deny her entry.  It happens a lot for people that are going through the marriage visa process, that haven't gotten approved yet, but want to visit their spouse. 

When people are denied immigrant visas at an interview, they are given instructions on how to apply for a waiver.  Since there is no waiver for a tourist visa, the OP's girl was denied, and that was the end of it.  That was why she was given no information on a waiver.

 

I assume the lawyer is talking about an I-601 waiver, which is a waiver for people that were denied immigrant visas.  Tourist visa is not an immigrant visa.

 

There are at least two types of waiver - one for immigration visas and another for at least some other types of visa.
 

 

Yes, there are two types of waivers.  I-601 and I-212.  I-601 is for people that were denied immigrant visas.  I-212 is for people that were deported or removed from the U.S.  Neither applies to the OP, who's girl was found inadmissible by the interviewing C.O. when applying for a non-immigrant tourist visa  The only recourse for the OP's girl is to apply for another tourist visa, or go the immigrant visa route.  Unless there's something that has changed, a tourist visa will be denied again based on the 10 year ban.  The OPs ONLY chance is to get married, file for an immigrant visa, have that get denied based on the 10 year ban, and then file a waiver.  Probably looking at 18 months minimum, and there's always the very real possibility of the waiver being denied.

It's the OP's money, but IMO he would just be funding some lawyer's golf trips or his mia noi's trips to Siam Paragon.

I assume the lawyer is talking about an I-601 waiver, which is a waiver for people that were denied immigrant visas.  Tourist visa is not an immigrant visa.

Is the couple planning on staying in the U.S.?  If so, K-1 (Fiance Visa) is the best bet.

I don't know when you'll be traveling, but the Thai consulate has been going around the country renewing passports.  They were at the big temple here in Dallas for 5 days last month renewing passports.  If you decide to go that route, you can register online for an appointment.  My wife didn't do that and we were there all day, just to have them tell us no because my wife had more than a year of validity left on her passport.  They call it Mobile Service.  Here's a link to it, but it's all in Thai:

http://www.thaiembdc.org/dcdp/?q=both/Mobile_Service

At 3x earnings that 81K. I will assume that has to be non-retirement accounts vs property assets or retirement accounts?

And for a family of 3 then 243k even though 2 are US citizens?

CB

They look at household size when computing the income requirements, so the citizenship of the household members isn't relevant.
 

Sounds like a PR stunt.

If you want to see a real PR stunt, look at the rice pledging scheme.  That PR stunt cost the country roughly 1 Trillion Baht.  That's a PR stunt of epic proportions!