Anyone Successful In Bringing Girl Friend To Usa On A Tourist Visa?

[flying]

Hi All,

Just curious as somebody here in Thailand said it is possible if all conditions are met.

My girl friend & I will probably do a K1 in the future but for now just wanted a tourist visa for her to meet the family & see how she likes it here in US.

Seems logical with out the long haul of a K1 as we are not positive yet.

Has anyone heard of this being possible or does the fact that she is to visit a boyfriend automatically make it a risk?

We are both professionals with business & bank accounts as well as property. All of her family is in Thailand same as her business & property. She wants badly to give it a try & we will but I was just curious if anyone here was successful?

Thank You for any info.

[ProThaiExpat]

Following the Department of State mandate that all visa applications for foreigners must be tested for "significant reasons to return" to originating country, I would suggest that she apply without any mention of you.

A love interest who lives in America is a death knell in my opinion. If you had long stay status in Thailand and lived here full time, mentioning you in her application would be a plus, but in your current situation, better stay out of it.

If she has a business to return to and property and money in the bank in Thailand, she should be able to get a tourist visa. Her application should have an itinerary that makes sense for her visit, ie. if a tourist, tourist destinations, hotels etc.

Of course if her business lends itself to supporting a visit for business reasons or exploring avenues of education to improve her business, that would be a plus.

[flying]

Following the Department of State mandate that all visa applications for foreigners must be tested for "significant reasons to return" to originating country, I would suggest that she apply without any mention of you.

A love interest who lives in America is a death knell in my opinion. If you had long stay status in Thailand and lived here full time, mentioning you in her application would be a plus, but in your current situation, better stay out of it.

If she has a business to return to and property and money in the bank in Thailand, she should be able to get a tourist visa. Her application should have an itinerary that makes sense for her visit, ie. if a tourist, tourist destinations, hotels etc.

Of course if her business lends itself to supporting a visit for business reasons or exploring avenues of education to improve her business, that would be a plus.

Thanks for the reply

Actually that was my 1st course of action.

I even had a invite from a lady & man here for her all done & ready.

But then a lady who is usually succesful at getting girls tourist visas told me

that it could mess up my K1 later this year.

Saying that if they see her tourist visa time as now when they do our K1 later this year it will destroy our ability to use our history which starts quite a bit before this trip.

So..............she says it is best to go this route & if she shows good enough reason for return to Thailand then all is well. Surprisingly they want a lot of my info too.

Like bank statements & tax returns etc.

I always thought it made no difference on a tourist visa but they say yes & helps??

So I guess we are hoping to be like #1 here from the FA manual

(N11.1-1 of the Foreign Affairs Manual):

(1) Simply to meet the family of his and/or her fiance;

(2) To become engaged;

(3) To make arrangements for the wedding; or

(4) To renew a relationship with the prospective spouse

I hope it works as my girl really has her hopes up.

Thanks

[flying]

Flying,

I was in the same situation last year, didn't want to go the whole nine yards with K1 but wanted her to come over and meet the family. I wouldn't use an agent, especially one who wants your tax returns and bank statements. The embassy really doesn't care, it's all about a reason for her to return to thailand. Fill out both forms (be completely honest about 'Purpose of your trip') and get a letter from her company showing time off given during the period of the trip. From your description in the first post that will probably be enough. My gf had a letter (from her uni in her case, she was studying full-time) and this was all they looked at when she applied. Bank books, relationship history, financial documents, they didn't want to see any of it. After a 1 minute interview she had a 10 year tourist visa. In addition to thaivisa, there are thai language websites about the process that your girlfriend will want to look at, Pantip.com is one. Good luck.

Hi Andy

Thanks for the tips

Yes I was wondering too about all my info.

Although it is too late since I sent it already.

This lady agent is a friend of our friend & seems to

have a good record. I am guessing she just makes the app look

very complete. I while it is true the thai has to stand on their own

to prove they will return to Thailand. This lady seems to imply that you

can still help by showing you are invitining & paying expenses.

Im not sure but like I said I am in this far so will probably just continue & see.

Thanks again!