Contacting Us Immigration In Bangkok

[Misplaced]

Geezzzz... Getting someone from the U.S. Immigration service in Bangkok to answer my email is like pulling teeth. I called them and was told that it's easier to contact them via email. Tried that suggestions without any results either. I just have some simple questions for them to help me with. GOD HOW RUDE! a little acknowledgment would be nice! Any advice the best way to contact these people and get some results?

Also, does anyone know if there are any "legitimate"company in Bangkok who could help with getting my mother in-law a 6 months to 1 year visa to visit us in the U.S.? She in her 60's so running around and doing these tedious leg work would be tiring and confusing for a woman of her age.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[ubonjoe]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

[Misplaced]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

[ubonjoe]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

You could contact one that is a sponsor of this forum. Integrity hadles visas for the US.

They can help with the paperwork but she will still have to go to the consulate twice. Once to submit the application and then for the interview.

[Misplaced]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

You could contact one that is a sponsor of this forum. Integrity hadles visas for the US.

They can help with the paperwork but she will still have to go to the consulate twice. Once to submit the application and then for the interview.

TERRIFIC! Thank you very much. I will give them a try.

[Krub]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

You could contact one that is a sponsor of this forum. Integrity hadles visas for the US.

They can help with the paperwork but she will still have to go to the consulate twice. Once to submit the application and then for the interview.

if I am not mistaken, interview AND hand over of application are done at the same time

Will need to make an appointment and go in person

[DirectorIntegrityLegal]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

You could contact one that is a sponsor of this forum. Integrity hadles visas for the US.

They can help with the paperwork but she will still have to go to the consulate twice. Once to submit the application and then for the interview.

if I am not mistaken, interview AND hand over of application are done at the same time

Will need to make an appointment and go in person

Krub,

Generally, yes the interview and application submission occur simultaneously. However, if you get a 221 (g) consular request for more information you may need to return one or more times until the interviewing consular officer feels that all of the requirements have been met.

The nice thing about hiring a US attorney in Thailand (and NOT a Visa agency because so-called visa agents cannot deal with the Embassy on your behalf) is that they deal with all of these type of requests for more documentation so that the client doesn't have to. Basically, the Thai applicant needs only to show up at the interview and after that, they usually don't need to return again. The attorney handles the rest.

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

In Thailand: 02-686-3447

USA Toll Free: 1-877-231-7533

[Misplaced]

The problem may be that you are trying to contact the wrong place. The US consulate handles non immigrant visas.

Contact info and lots of help can be found at this link.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/visas.html

That's the location and that's the email address, but thank you anyway

Anyone with info regarding the "legitimate" company who can be paid to do the visa leg work?

You could contact one that is a sponsor of this forum. Integrity hadles visas for the US.

They can help with the paperwork but she will still have to go to the consulate twice. Once to submit the application and then for the interview.

if I am not mistaken, interview AND hand over of application are done at the same time

Will need to make an appointment and go in person

Krub,

Generally, yes the interview and application submission occur simultaneously. However, if you get a 221 (g) consular request for more information you may need to return one or more times until the interviewing consular officer feels that all of the requirements have been met.

The nice thing about hiring a US attorney in Thailand (and NOT a Visa agency because so-called visa agents cannot deal with the Embassy on your behalf) is that they deal with all of these type of requests for more documentation so that the client doesn't have to. Basically, the Thai applicant needs only to show up at the interview and after that, they usually don't need to return again. The attorney handles the rest.

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

In Thailand: 02-686-3447

USA Toll Free: 1-877-231-7533

So if I'm trying to get my mother-in law to come to U.S. for a 6 month - 1 year visit, it would be a good idea to hire an attorney to help her? Quite frankly, anything to help to make the process easier for her is great for me since I'm here in the US, and can't really fly back to Bangkok to do the leg work for her.

Does anyone know what type visa she need? tourists?

Edited December 10, 2008 by Misplaced

[ubonjoe]

It will be a B-2 visa for tourists. The amount of time she is allowed to stay will depend upon what she is given when she arrives. It is up to the officer stamping her passport. If things have not changed she can probably get that extended.

It will not be easy to get her a visa. There are many hurdles to get over. The biggest is proving that she is not an immigrant. If you do a little research starting on the webpage I gave you you will get a better idea of what that means.

In her case the biggest problem is that your wife her daughter is in the states. That can almost cause an automatic assumption by the consular officer that she is an immigrant meaning that she does not plan on ever coming back to Thailand. She will have to prove strong ties to Thailand to overcome this hurdle. That can mean a job that she has to come back for. Owns a buiness. Family ties are considered but don't carry much weight as far as proof goes.

My suggestion would be that you and/or wife don't get involved in any way. She would then have to show means of support for while she is in states. Completly on her own.

A lawyer will know all the ways to do the above and could make some suggestions and voice his opinion as to whether he thinks she can get a visa. He can help get the paperwork together and as he stated be a lot of help.

Does your wife have US citizenship yet? If the answer is yes then the best option might be for your wife to get her an immigrant visa. It takes a long time to get but it might be the best way in the long run.

[Misplaced]

It will be a B-2 visa for tourists. The amount of time she is allowed to stay will depend upon what she is given when she arrives. It is up to the officer stamping her passport. If things have not changed she can probably get that extended.

It will not be easy to get her a visa. There are many hurdles to get over. The biggest is proving that she is not an immigrant. If you do a little research starting on the webpage I gave you you will get a better idea of what that means.

In her case the biggest problem is that your wife her daughter is in the states. That can almost cause an automatic assumption by the consular officer that she is an immigrant meaning that she does not plan on ever coming back to Thailand. She will have to prove strong ties to Thailand to overcome this hurdle. That can mean a job that she has to come back for. Owns a buiness. Family ties are considered but don't carry much weight as far as proof goes.

My suggestion would be that you and/or wife don't get involved in any way. She would then have to show means of support for while she is in states. Completly on her own.

A lawyer will know all the ways to do the above and could make some suggestions and voice his opinion as to whether he thinks she can get a visa. He can help get the paperwork together and as he stated be a lot of help.

Does your wife have US citizenship yet? If the answer is yes then the best option might be for your wife to get her an immigrant visa. It takes a long time to get but it might be the best way in the long run.

ubonjoe,

You have been a tremendous help. Thank you for that.

My wife is not / has no plan of become U.S. citizen. We are both planning to retired in Thailand so changing her citizenship is not a priority.

As far as my mother in-law goes, the whole reason to bring her to the U.S. is that we want her to be able to experience other cultures, country and experience the American & Canadian way of life. She's has traveled all over Thailand but have never out of the country. I guess all we want for her is to have a nice long enjoyable vacation after all these years of working her butt-off.

[thaihome]

Generally, yes the interview and application submission occur simultaneously. However, if you get a 221 (g) consular request for more information you may need to return one or more times until the interviewing consular officer feels that all of the requirements have been met.

The nice thing about hiring a US attorney in Thailand (and NOT a Visa agency because so-called visa agents cannot deal with the Embassy on your behalf) is that they deal with all of these type of requests for more documentation so that the client doesn't have to. Basically, the Thai applicant needs only to show up at the interview and after that, they usually don't need to return again. The attorney handles the rest.

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

In Thailand: 02-686-3447

USA Toll Free: 1-877-231-7533

The consulate would issue a 221 (g) refusal for a B2 visa application (the subject of this thread)?

TH

Edited December 11, 2008 by thaihome

[DirectorIntegrityLegal]

Likely not, they would probably simply either grant the visa or reject the application. Although, the visa at issue in this post is a tourist visa, the original poster expressed frustration in dealing with the Embassy and USCIS office in Bangkok. My reply was meant to elucidate the added convenience of utilizing an appropriate representative to deal with the various US governmental agencies in Bangkok, particularly where the American loved one is not in Bangkok to deal with the situation firsthand.

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

[bh00502]

I''ve got some firsthand experince at this.... and it hasn't turned out pretty. I live in the States with my Thai wife who is not a U.S. citizen. We also are trying to my wife's folks here for a 3-6 month visit. I applied for the appointment with the consular officer on line via that one website. That part works good. They showed up at the Embassy and quickly were denied based on.... i forgot the legal paragraph but it was because they did not prove to the officer about returning back to Thailand. All the things were stacked up againest them --- poor farmers from Issan, daughter in U.S. (married to an American), a new baby in the house, unrest at the airport. As they left the Embassy, they were approached by a man who said he could "help". Well, that place took us for $600U.S. and they were denied a second time. I told my wife all along that the "agency" was crooked but she really wanted her parents to come. I was hoping for some corruption under the table kind of thing but that didn't happen as far as I know. Bottom line - it's next to impossible to bring a mother in law/father in law over here, especially if they are poor. Save your money go over there.

[Misplaced]

I''ve got some firsthand experince at this.... and it hasn't turned out pretty. I live in the States with my Thai wife who is not a U.S. citizen. We also are trying to my wife's folks here for a 3-6 month visit. I applied for the appointment with the consular officer on line via that one website. That part works good. They showed up at the Embassy and quickly were denied based on.... i forgot the legal paragraph but it was because they did not prove to the officer about returning back to Thailand. All the things were stacked up againest them --- poor farmers from Issan, daughter in U.S. (married to an American), a new baby in the house, unrest at the airport. As they left the Embassy, they were approached by a man who said he could "help". Well, that place took us for $600U.S. and they were denied a second time. I told my wife all along that the "agency" was crooked but she really wanted her parents to come. I was hoping for some corruption under the table kind of thing but that didn't happen as far as I know. Bottom line - it's next to impossible to bring a mother in law/father in law over here, especially if they are poor. Save your money go over there.

Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like you had an ordeal and it's something I really hope it does not happen to us.

My wife family is not poor perse', but they don't have a ton of money to throw around either. I would considered them to be middle income. Their family class status concerns me to the extent of thinking about hiring someone to help to ease the pressure. I know Thailand is a tough place to find honest help, but I have to keep an open mind. We'll see!. It could be that my wife or I might have to take time off work and fly there to get it done. Not sure yet really how this is going to work out. We just might settle for a shorter visit .

Anyone with anymore similar experience (positive or negative) please let me know. It 'll help us to determined what our plan of attack should be.

[TheJoker]

Embassy's are are world of their own. They make there own rules. The only way you can do this is hard work. You will need somebody of knowledge of the immigration and law systems to do the work for you. Unfortunately in Thailand a lot goes under the table as well. YES visa's can be bought... Money can do everything in Thailand.

So what you need to do is seek professional help to do the work for you. Don't show weak to them as you will loose the battle for visa

Edited December 14, 2008 by TheJoker

[Misplaced]

Embassy's are are world of their own. They make there own rules. The only way you can do this is hard work. You will need somebody of knowledge of the immigration and law systems to do the work for you. Unfortunately in Thailand a lot goes under the table as well. YES visa's can be bought... Money can do everything in Thailand.

So what you need to do is seek professional help to do the work for you. Don't show weak to them as you will loose the battle for visa

Thank you. I will either hire a company like Integrity of do the work my self. However, since I am living in the US at the moment, it's difficult to find, interview than pay taht "honest" person. We shall see. I hope it'll work out well.

BTW, I love your avatar. Jack Nicholson was good as the joker, but Heath Ledger was the best "Joker". ....Just like Michael Keaton was "the Batman" not Val Kilmer, George Clooney or Cristian Bale.

[TheJoker]

If you decide to do it yourself make sure you can, and you need to be in Thailand for it. Otherwise if you would like somebody to do it for you in Thailand, than come here on a short stay and find this person yourself so you can be sure the work is done right.

I never thought myself Embassy's could be this difficult but they are. And Thailand is still 3rd world country, so the step from a country like this to a modern western country needs a lot of paperwork and proof.

I'm having problems with my own Embassy here ( The Netherlands ) and as I know since I called the IND ( Immigration ) in our own country, what they told me...the Embassy has it's own right to decide.

And thanks, yeah i loved the joker character;)