Us visa application for thai wives

[tutsiwarrior]

I am a US citizen married to a Thai national. I may sometime soon have to return to the US to find work and need guidance regarding obtaining a visa for my wife. We have been married for 3 years and own a house in Thailand. I have been advised by associates that the US Embassy in BKK considers all Thai women to be of ill repute and to expect the worst when applying for a visa regardless of the status or stability of one's marriage.

Anyone got any info?

[lopburi3]

You have been told wrong.  But you do have to meet requirements.  You first have to deal with the US Immigration folks.  If you have lived here in Bangkok, and can prove it, believe you can submit the paperwork here (and probably save most of the usual processing delay).  If not you have to submit to the office that serves your section of the USA and that takes a few months to a year.  When that is approved she applies at the Embassy for the immigrant visa.  Do not believe you can take her to the USA without meeting minimum financial requirements in some form or other, but that would be in the visa process so I would get started on the immigration partition.  You should be able to find paperwork/forms on the internet for download.

[tutsiwarrior]

Lopburi...thanks for your info...I am aware of the requirements. What I wanted to know from readers is with regard to dealing with the embassy immigration nazis when they get to the interview stage. I want to spare my wife any humiliation that may result from an interrogation. I don't need to go back to the US that badly.

That the application process may take months to a year would separate me from my wife for an unreasonable amount of time...in most civilized countries this would be viewed as a violation of human rights. But after 9/11 the US presumes that they can do what they want in the name of Fatherland Security.

Anyone got any info with regard to dealing with the US Embassy on the issue of visas?

[lopburi3]

What I wanted to know from readers is with regard to dealing with the embassy immigration nazis when they get to the interview stage

Lose the attitude would be my first advise; although you seem to be blowing me off and don't really seem to want it.

When it gets to an interview it should be a very civil affair, in Thai, and not a problem as long as her answers match what has been reported in paperwork.  The fact you have a history together should make it more routine than most.

 

As for the delay, however much we my dislike it, it is not unique to the USA nor is it a result of 9/11 (although it may be slightly longer now).

[tutsiwarrior]

Lopburi...you cool. I'm not blowing you off...just wanted to distinguish between the visa application process and the reality at the US Embassy. You wouldn't believe the nightmare scenarios that I have heard from others. Now with this terrorist business we could maybe exponentiate.

Where you from, dude?...you sound like a home...

[lopburi3]

Believe most of the stories you hear are very much of only one side and often the result of the person/persons trying to hide or mis-represent something.  As on any official paperwork if you lie it can come back to bite you.  There are those who travel from home/bar/district office/Embassy all in the space of a few days and suspect that often their stories are far apart.  These are likely where most of the horror stories originate.

Born US but have also lived about 35 years overseas in Europe/Africa/Asia (mostly).

[tutsiwarrior]

I trust my sources as they were commissioning a plant shoulder to shoulder with me in the Middle East in the heat of the Summer. They didn't have any reason to b*llshit or impress. Just simple guys with Thai wives that didn't expect problems with US immigration and came in for a shock when a nazi put it in their face. Lets face it...immigration restrictions worldwide are a racist subterfuge perpetuated by idiots that trade in such activity.

I respect you lopburi but let's look at the wider picture...

[lopburi3]

Well immigration and the Embassy are two quite different sets of people.  And I also heard all kinds of horror stories.  Put off getting a tourist visa for my wife because I believed them.  Turned out to be a five minute interview to obtain, the fact I was retired and living here was proof enough she intended to return.

For your marriage immigrant visa it should be open and shut.  They are just trying to keep those who are not intending to remain married out - not those with a real relationship.  The system may suck some times but overall it is designed to be fair to all.

Also had the same concerns you have about wife being subject to third degree; but it was nothing like that.

What these guys may have assumed was they get married and go to states the next day.  When the reality becomes apparent it can become a nightmare.  Think the positive approach will usually pay dividends when dealing with civil servents.

[easymoney]

At homeland security which I am sure you apply here at. By the way that is immigration of old and actually still is but under the aspices of the prior. It takes about 3 weeks and 30 USD. After you receive notice go to US Embassy pay 345.00 USD and submit paper work and takes about three months. The dollar figures are for wife only and can really get screwey with kids as it is open to daily change if they accept on single or singualar app's . You say you are aware of other requirements so will leave at that. Do remember this though that after your wife immigrates to US  you must file a report at the 2 year point or really paper work #### begins . I have had many freinds caught in that trap.