Taking the wife and baby home for christmas - baby is a US citizen by default, but I'm thinking that because we have no intention of moving back to the US anytime soon, a tourist visa for my wife would be the way to go. The only thing I'm concerned with is that since wev'e been married less than two years, it might be problematic (or so it seems from anecdotal evidence from various sources).

Anyone have any similar experience? Recommendations?

Get your wife and child a Thai passport. Get your child a US passport. Have your wife apply for a US visa. The US consulate can issue up to a 10 year multiple visa. It is all doable. It is done everyday.

Get your wife and child a Thai passport. Get your child a US passport. Have your wife apply for a US visa. The US consulate can issue up to a 10 year multiple visa. It is all doable. It is done everyday.

Thanks mackayae, that's kinda what I thought too - just wanted to get input from others in a similar situation. Appreciate the reply. =)

What you need to do is make your case for the wife to return to Thailand and to counter any thought that this is a move to the USA and a later request for adjustment of status to avoid the normal immigrant visa wait.

You can do with with your status as well as wife. If you have a job here show that. If you are happily retired show that. If you/she has property here show that. The more ways you can prove her and your ties to living here the better. Although the visa is for her the fact you are married with a child makes your status important.

But as said, visa are issued every day and do not make the mistake of avoiding trying because of peoples talk. Most real visa requests will pan out in the end.