Has Anyone Apply For A Tourist Visa To Usa

[craigrs]

Well anyone who has went threw this please tell me best way to start and how long does it take before we know yes or no..and if you know the total cost.

Thanks

Oh its for the wife.. I know we must provide proff she will return back to Thailand, and think perhaps i stay out of it. or should i?

[ubonjoe]

The first place to start is to have a look at this webpage on embassy website: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html

You will find all the application procedures, costs and etc. there. It can be done in as little as a couple of weeks.

If your marriage is registered here you will not be able to stay out of it. So that makes it very hard to overcome the fact that the consular officer is going to assume she is an immigrant and the possibility that you will apply for her a change of status while she is in the States and short cut the normal procedures to get residnecy for her.

You are going to have to show that you have a reason to return to Thailand as well as your wife unless you can show some very very strong proof that she will return.

You might try doing a search of this forum. There have been several multi page topics on this.

[j0hnga1t]

I'm going through it now with my gf.  Here is some general info

1 - you can schedule appts at the US Embassy through their website (referenced above).  You have to buy a pin number (about $12USD?). 2 - you have to go to a thailand post and pay approx. 5,000 baht for the visa fee. 3 - you have to fill out a DS-156 and DS-157. 4 - get a letter of invitation from someone in the states?  If she is going their to spend time with your family have someone write a letter. 

If you live in thailand then that maybe good proof that she will return, esp if you are married and have a good job.  She should have at least 200,000 baht in the bank (a travel agent told me that that was enough for a tourist visa, 1,000,000 baht for a student visa)

Consider getting a travel agent to book you a round trip ticket before she goes in for the interview with the agreement that you will pay for the ticket only if she gets approved.  Granted you don't have to take the flight back, but it doesn't hurt to show a round trip ticket. You will know at the end of the interview if she will get the visa.  You will not be allowed in to sit with her during the interview.  

Appointments are easy to get and are generally at 730 or 830am only......you'll see it on the website.

that's my 2 satang .....

GOOD LUCK

[keg]

craigrs,

ubonjoe's advice is spot on. You will definately have to be involved as much of the info your wife will need will pertain to you. The advice to stay out of the picture would only apply to a GF not a wifes application. My wife and I applied after being married for a little over a year and having a son together with dual US/Thai nationality, and she was given a 10 year tourist visa with no problems. I do however reside in Thailand with her and our son and have documentation to show that. There is no requirement for her to have a set amount of money nor a letter of invite. My wife does not work and they only looked at my income info. That being said, your issue will be as ubonjoe stated, will be to show that she will in fact be coming back to Thailand since you reside in the US. The process is fairly straight forward per the website but if you have not been together very long nor does she have a permanent job she can document a return to, it may be diffucult. The case officer when applying for my sons report of birth abroad told me that my immigration status in Thailand will have an impact on her application as my Non O was about to run out and he suggested I extend it prior to her applying. All you can do is try as it is fairly cheap and quick and if disapproved go the immigrant route later, which does take time.

keg

[craigrs]

Thanks for the great replys.. Yes are marriage is registered and we have been married 2 1/2 years.. Seems i must now find a way to prove i will be also living in Thailand.. I know its a long shot but to be honest with you guys as you know if i do not even try then my wife will really wonder if i infact want her to come to the states.. so if we get a not at this time from the embassy thats not a no on my end(that said would be great for her to see the land of free)LOL

Craig