Which First: Marry In Thailand Or Apply For Visa To U.s.

[Chingatchgook]

Why can't you just get a tourist Visa and get married later? Or is that somehow frowned upon?

I personally know someone who has a Thai ole lady and she just scored a 10 year B1/B2 visa to the US and they are not even officially married.

It's not frowned upon it's illegal. A ten year B1/B2 doesn't mean she can stay for 10 years. It means, if it is multiple entry, she can enter the US as a tourist for multiple stays of what usually is limited to 6 months. Intent is important. If the inspector determines her intent is to live in the US, she won't be admitted on that visa because the visa is for tourism.

I understand it its up to the immigration officer in charge on the length of stay to issued.

It is my opinion that this visa can be successfully be converted later on depending on the background and specifics of the case in question and that each case would be judged on its own merit. In short given she got the 10 tourist, I feel it can be pulled off.

[KozureOkami]

Why can't you just get a tourist Visa and get married later? Or is that somehow frowned upon?

I personally know someone who has a Thai ole lady and she just scored a 10 year B1/B2 visa to the US and they are not even officially married.

It's not frowned upon it's illegal. A ten year B1/B2 doesn't mean she can stay for 10 years. It means, if it is multiple entry, she can enter the US as a tourist for multiple stays of what usually is limited to 6 months. Intent is important. If the inspector determines her intent is to live in the US, she won't be admitted on that visa because the visa is for tourism.

I understand it its up to the immigration officer in charge on the length of stay to issued.

It is my opinion that this visa can be successfully be converted later on depending on the background and specifics of the case in question and that each case would be judged on its own merit. In short given she got the 10 tourist, I feel it can be pulled off.

True, the inspecting officer has some leeway, but Port policy in Honolulu was to stamp applicants for 6 months. Anything else would require permission from the supervisor. Department of State issues the visas. Most US multiple entry visas are valid for 10 years. That has nothing to do with the length of stay. Each entry requires inspection and the purpose will be questioned. Basically, if you enter the US on a tourist visa, intending to live there, they would consider that as a fraudulent entry.

[jstumbo]

I understand it its up to the immigration officer in charge on the length of stay to issued.

It is my opinion that this visa can be successfully be converted later on depending on the background and specifics of the case in question and that each case would be judged on its own merit. In short given she got the 10 tourist, I feel it can be pulled off.

Yes you can actually start out with this visa and file for adjustment of status in the US and remain. The key is what your intentions were when you entered.

If you came on vacation for 4 months, and met someone, fell in love and got married after 3 months, then you could file for adjustment of status and remain in the US. If you came on a tourist visa to see your US boyfriend, and got married, it would a little more tricky, because they could claim that it is visa fraud because you planned on remaining in the US when you entered. I had a friend that had his girlfriend come in on a business visa, along with their infant daughter. Idea was to meet his family. They wound up getting married after a few months, filed for adjustment of status and were successful. I would have thought they would be in trouble, but they hired an immigration lawyer to handle their case.