US Tourist Visa for my Thai Wife

[AcuDoc]

Just wondering if I used a visa service here in Thailand how hard is it to get, how long does it take and what is the cost to get a 30 days US tourist visa for my wife... Or is it easier and better to get a marriage visa... we got married in thaiand 3 years ago... I'd like to take her to meet my family and vacation a little around the west coast... Any suggestions for a good and reasonable vusa service appreciated also... TIA larry and pla

[BrandonJT]

A marriage visa isn't for a family vacation.  It can take more than a year and it is issued with the intention of moving to the US and living there.

 

Getting an appointment for a tourist visa interview can take months as well, but not nearly as long as a marriage visa.

[JimmyJoe]

You don't want a "marriage visa" unless you intend to live permanently in the US.  It's not for temporary visits, takes a year or two (or maybe more now, who knows), and costs a few thousand dollars.

 

It can be difficult for a Thai married to an American to get a tourist visa.  They will assume your plan is to live in the US permanently, and you are just trying to avoid the long expensive process of getting a marriage visa.  To have a chance at getting a tourist visa she will need to show strong ties to Thailand and have a strong reason to return.  If she has a job, owns property, has kids or aging parents in Thailand that she needs to return to, she will have a chance to get a tourist visa.  

 

The process is outlined on the US embassy website.  There is nothing any visa service can do for you except hold your hand while you complete the process.

[spidermike007]

My experience was that getting a tourist visa and a student visa that we applied for, for My Thai wife was very difficult and we were turned down both times. Once we were married and we applied for a marriage visa it was easy, it took a short amount of time and she got a 10-year multiple entry visa. I was advised beforehand for her to bring MY original passport with her, which was great advice since all the visa guy at the embassy did was study my passport to determine how often I go back and forth from Thailand back to the US. Once he saw that that was frequent she was issued the visa, no hassles at all. 

[bunnydrops]

Go here

https://www.visajourney.com/

 If you are in Thailand you may be able to get her a greencard in 4 months. Anyway that was how I did it before the latest administration.

[bunnydrops]

3 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

Go here

https://www.visajourney.com/

 If you are in Thailand you may be able to get her a greencard in 4 months. Anyway that was how I did it before the latest administration.

This is the one to try for

https://www.visajourney.com/guides/ir1-spouse-visa/

[david rucker]

JimmyJoe is spot on

[Presnock]

20 hours ago, JimmyJoe said:

You don't want a "marriage visa" unless you intend to live permanently in the US.  It's not for temporary visits, takes a year or two (or maybe more now, who knows), and costs a few thousand dollars.

 

It can be difficult for a Thai married to an American to get a tourist visa.  They will assume your plan is to live in the US permanently, and you are just trying to avoid the long expensive process of getting a marriage visa.  To have a chance at getting a tourist visa she will need to show strong ties to Thailand and have a strong reason to return.  If she has a job, owns property, has kids or aging parents in Thailand that she needs to return to, she will have a chance to get a tourist visa.  

 

The process is outlined on the US embassy website.  There is nothing any visa service can do for you except hold your hand while you complete the process.

I, a former US Embassy Thailand assignee (4 tours) wanted to go with wife to take daughter to college (scholarship and acceptance) and yessir they said NO because she was married to a citizen and therefore probably would not return to Thailand so they said had to process for a green card - during the Afghan exidus - over a 500K backup in immigration with maybe 30-35K processable a month!  I am not exaggerating at all!  It took 13 months for our approval, and then she would still have to go to the Embassy consulate for an interview.  Our daughter said what a joke! and opted to go to Chulalongkorn University, #1 in Thailan and 1/10 the cost compared to what i t would have cost in the US.  Getting a B of Arts so acceptable paper and then masters in a Seoul Umiversity.  We'll see.  But anyway, I have seen others express how easy it was for them or how difficult but for me and former employee there and treated as such just made me mad.  Now I note that the Trump team is going shutter a lot of consulates throughout the world - seeing that huge CM building, I wonder if that will get a bit of the chopping block.  But for any US citizen wanting to take thei Thai wife, good luck - if she is working in Thailand at a good job, owning the house, cars etc - then possibly but I doubt it.  Too many people got them and then had problems.  I understand that during the VN war when US soldiers were stationed in Thailand and got married and took the wives to the US, there was a "waiting list at the Thai consulates in the US of 5-6 hundred Thai spouses every day " wanting to come back to Thailand and that began the problem for people still today.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

The consular official performing the interview will want to know about your ties to Thailand, not just hers.

 

If you have been in Thailand for a long time and have a job, that will count in her favor as it indicates that you both will return to Thailand after your visit to the US.

 

She needs to bring your passport to the interview so they officer can establish your immigration status here.

 

Good luck.

[bunnydrops]

I also tried the tourist visa route for my wife two times. It's a crapshoot. I know a young woman who got a 10 year. I have no idea what she did to get it, but on her second trip to the US they took it away and told her she would have to re-apply.

[brewsterbudgen]

3 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

I also tried the tourist visa route for my wife two times. It's a crapshoot. I know a young woman who got a 10 year. I have no idea what she did to get it, but on her second trip to the US they took it away and told her she would have to re-apply.

 

Was that when she applied for another visa after she'd used up the 10 years on the first visa?  

[cjinchiangrai]

For the next four years, don't waste your money.

[bunnydrops]

20 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Was that when she applied for another visa after she'd used up the 10 years on the first visa?  

No, it was on her second visit. She had the visa for only two years.

[cjinchiangrai]

33 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

No, it was on her second visit. She had the visa for only two years.

What year was that please. 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

No, it was on her second visit. She had the visa for only two years.

 

So it was taken away from her on arrival at the airport in the US and she was sent back?   That seems outrageous!  

[bunnydrops]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

So it was taken away from her on arrival at the airport in the US and she was sent back?   That seems outrageous!  

No, They let her in but told her she couldn't use it anymore.

[brewsterbudgen]

4 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

No, They let her in but told her she couldn't use it anymore.

Very strange. Did they 'void' it in her passport or is it all done electronically?  Did they give a reason?

 

It's difficult enough getting a US visa for a Thai tourist, but to be successful and then have it arbitrarily cancelled in the US is astonishing.  

[TigerandDog]

why would you want to travel to the US with all the crap going on at the moment with ICE. legit visas being cancelled in the Immigration systems and people trying to enter the USA LEGALLY being arrested, placed in a detention center for up to 14 days AND put in chains before being deported.  At the very least wait until the convicted orange felon is no longer dictator/emperor of the US.

[bunnydrops]

11 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

why would you want to travel to the US with all the crap going on at the moment with ICE. legit visas being cancelled in the Immigration systems and people trying to enter the USA LEGALLY being arrested, placed in a detention center for up to 14 days AND put in chains before being deported.  At the very least wait until the convicted orange felon is no longer dictator/emperor of the US.

I just saw the video of the arrest at Tufts. It looks like 7 masked ICE arresting an international graduate student at Tufts on the street. They handcuffed her and took her away. Neither the school nor her lawyer know where she is at. Her visa was terminated without her or the school being informed. Her crime was signing a petition asking the school to condemn Israel's attacks in Gasa.

[bunnydrops]

2 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

I just saw the video of the arrest at Tufts. It looks like 7 masked ICE arresting an international graduate student at Tufts on the street. They handcuffed her and took her away. Neither the school nor her lawyer know where she is at. Her visa was terminated without her or the school being informed. Her crime was signing a petition asking the school to condemn Israel's attacks in Gasa.

Here is the video

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-immigration-authorities-detain-international-tufts-graduate-st-rcna198158

[brewsterbudgen]

31 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

Here is the video

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-immigration-authorities-detain-international-tufts-graduate-st-rcna198158

 

Shocking. 

[topcat333]

My wife obtained a US Tourist Visa B2  here in Bangkok from the US Embassy. I have read numerous threads on this issue, and most are from people asking questions. Like many others, we spent hours researching because most of what we read was discouraging and often lacked credible information. There is no doubt that each application is processed based on its merit, but there are some standard components that are key to obtaining approval. I want to share our experience, and hopefully, someone will find something helpful in this thread.  

Our stats for filing. Married, with a son, "not my son." Wife had never traveled outside Thailand. Wife owns property and has strong family ties. Wife has a bank account with the required amount of money needed to travel to the USA. My wife has no police record.

 

After reading a lot of confusing info, our first thought was to find and hire an expert to increase our chances of approval. I wrote many emails to those who came up in a Google search and was disappointed over and over again, as none seemed to offer any real hope of success. Some provided no information, and others advised first obtaining a tourist visa for Europe, traveling there, and then applying for a U.S. visa. My first thought was, This is stupid. I'm a US citizen, and I'm unable to travel to my country with my wife. We were so discouraged that it seemed our best option was not to try at all. I then spoke to an American immigration attorney living in Bangkok, who provided advice that made the most sense. It's still not giving us much hope, but at least it moved us forward.  

 

US attorneys advise against hiring anyone to do filing, and since Visas are a part of his business, that surprised me. He said that some Visas are complicated, but the B2 visa initial form is straightforward and can be completed online in a few hours. It looks better for immigration if you complete and file it personally. He still said only a few out of 100 will ever get approved, but the cost and time needed to file is minimal, so why not try?

 

I can't tell you everything we did to file, but I can help point you in the right direction with some vital key information that could make a difference. First, the website for filing is a real pain in the ass. It's outdated and slow. You can expect to be kicked off and re-enter the info several times. Much of this is because you will likely have to research to provide details and dates for personal information, and a lack of activity is not your friend. Still, it was workable, and eventually, we had all the necessary information compiled, so when we finally filled out all the blanks, we were able to move forward to completion. There are instructions, and I recommend that you read them before starting. Note, this initial filing is just that. Once you file and pay the fees, you will get an interview date. At the time we completed the form in July 2024, my wife's interview was scheduled for a good 100 days out, which was more than ample time to gather all the necessary proof documents for the interview.

 

The best advice I can give anyone is to avoid lying. If you are even suspected of lying, it's an automatic no, and there are no second chances. If there are gray areas, try to categorize them as best you can. Maybe you won't tell the whole story, but at least tell the parts of the story that lend credibility to a specific period. The part that needs the greatest detail is the strong Ties to Thailand. Immigration's biggest problem is not enough proof that once in the USA you will not try to overstay. My wife spent a lot of time reading what other Thais wrote about interview preparation and experiences, which I couldn't read because it's all in Thai. Pay attention to detail and follow the guidelines for the interview. All of this matters. 

 

My wife was interviewed late October of last year, 2024. Although she was nervous, her interview turned out to be brief and lasted barely a few minutes. Looking back, it was clear that she had been approved before the interview started, and the interview was merely a formality. She stood in a line with several others, going one at a time. She watched the other interviews, and mostly one denial after another, with many leaving angry or crying. She said the immigration officers were stern and unemotional. However, when it was her turn, she walked up and was greeted with a friendly smile and hello. He asked her two questions, Why do you want to travel to the USA, and do you own property here in Thailand? She answered, he pushed a few buttons on the keyboard, and said, Enjoy your travels in the USA, never once inspected a single document we provided. 

 

My wife is from ISAAN, the daughter of farmers, and has never traveled outside of Thailand. Everyone said the odds of her ever being approved were less than 1%. When I reflect, it was the attention to detail that made this happen.  We have traveled to the USA, staying almost 5 months, and we will return in August with the goal of selling assets and moving back to Thailand permanently. It's worth noting that my wife has absolutely no desire to live in the USA and was only interested in visiting. It's also worth noting that since her last visit, she has even less desire to go back a second time but will do so to be with me.

 

I have no idea if this will be helpful to anyone, but feel free to write if I might be able to answer a specific question. Cheers!

[BrandonJT]

8 hours ago, topcat333 said:

He still said only a few out of 100 will ever get approved, but the cost and time needed to file is minimal, so why not try?

The denial rate of B category visas from the US embassy in Thailand was 22.5% in 2024.

So if you consider 77 out of 100 being approved to be a "few" then....

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY24.pdf

[KhaoHom]

My wife is on her second 10yr. 2nd no interview. First was given about one year into our relationship, unmarried.

 

Owning stuff, big bank account and having kids here means nothing imo. Kids probably detriment imo

 

 

To my mind this is what counts:

 

YOU being established in Thailand. Serious expat. Includes extensive world travel in passport.

 

She may be asked where you or how you support yourself. She should be prepared to answer that. Hopefully if you're teaching it is in a recognizable School within Bangkok with a salary of 50,000 or more.

 

I would say that a teacher just struggling to get by might have the bright idea of going to the United States and teach bringing his wife along with him. So, forewarned about that. If you're over 50 then that ? Might not arise

 

HER corporate job with employment verification letter. Min three years employment. No kids. My wife had a passport with five or six country stamps in it. I'm sure that helped.

 

Living in Bangkok not fu cking Issarn

 

Make the application yourselves online.

 

If you get an interview see she shows up looking like Snow White not a bar girl. Minimal makeup done right, no heels.

[KhaoHom]

On 3/27/2025 at 6:50 AM, bunnydrops said:

I just saw the video of the arrest at Tufts. It looks like 7 masked ICE arresting an international graduate student at Tufts on the street. They handcuffed her and took her away. Neither the school nor her lawyer know where she is at. Her visa was terminated without her or the school being informed. Her crime was signing a petition asking the school to condemn Israel's attacks in Gasa.

 

What does this have to do with anything related to Thailand or a so obtaining a B visa to the United States?

[KhaoHom]

On 7/8/2025 at 10:54 AM, topcat333 said:

she has even less desire to go back a second time but will do so to be with me.

 

Sure. Imagine her English skills are sketchy at best and she has no marketable skills to offer in the US. She's never been out of the country. She's  smart enough to understand all that

 

Why not save the money and not take her? Confused little soul in a big world

 

You're selling everything you have and moving it all to thailand where she has all power. Imagine she's elated.

 

I bet my wife is visited close to a dozen times and it's only been in the last few that she's come to realize what a hellish place the US has become. That's been primarily because we have holiday there taking numerous camping trips and visiting relatives that are fairly well off. Post covid lives really taken the shine off the Apple. She sees the 24/7 struggle

[dubai thai farang]

My wife was denied a tourist visa to the states when we were living in Dubai. It was a 2 minute interview I think in which time she has to prove / present evidence to obtain the visa. She didn't present my salary statement from my work which was the key evidence as it would prove we had a reason to return. That I think was the reason it was denied. The interview was a surprise and I think caught her off guard. therefore my advice is be prepared!

[NanLaew]

9 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

Living in Bangkok not fu cking Issarn

 

What's your problem with "Issarn" exactly?

 

Meanwhile...

 

On 7/8/2025 at 10:54 AM, topcat333 said:

My wife is from ISAAN, the daughter of farmers, and has never traveled outside of Thailand.

 

And she got a visa with only two questions asked.

[KhaoHom]

8 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

What's your problem with "Issarn" exactly?

 

Meanwhile...

 

 

And she got a visa with only two questions asked.

 

She was fortunate. Good for her.

 

My wife was only asked a few questions as well. So what. The analysis largely takes place prior 🤷‍♂️

 

Issarn is a bottomless pit of poverty and despair. Outside of Khon Kaen there is little if any infrastructure that supports life in the 21c century. It will only get worse as Thailand itself continues to implode

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

She was fortunate. Good for her.

 

My wife was only asked a few questions as well. So what. The analysis largely takes place prior 🤷‍♂️

 

Issarn is a bottomless pit of poverty and despair. Outside of Khon Kaen there is little if any infrastructure that supports life in the 21c century. It will only get worse as Thailand itself continues to implode

 

Good grief. She probably not only broke your heart, she must have ripped it out and stomped it flat.

 

Expensive was it?