Getting Married In Thailand

[tangmo_boo]

I'm a 24 year old American living in the states. I resided in Thailand for a time in my mid to late teens, and have visited many times since. I have a relative who is a long-time resident (30+ years).

My girlfriend is 20. I've known her a long time. She is not and never has been employed in a bar or similar situation. She is currently finishing her last year of High School equivelance. Her family is financially stable, but suffered some during the economic meltdown a few years ago. They are not wealthy.

I have a good job and good prospects. My job is such that I can do it over the internet and future prospects within the company could allow me to live in Thailand.

What I hope to do is split my time between Thailand and the US with my girlfriend travelling and living with me. We hope to be married in Thailand this summer (2005).

Apologies if this post is too broad, but I'm interested to hear any comments about 1. Marrying a Thai national, 2. Requirements or difficulties in being Bi-continetal, and 3. Requirements or difficulties about working in Thailand for an American company.

Thanks for any help.

[tangmo_boo]

Sorry...I posted too quickly and just read the info on marriage the British man posted on this same page. Is there any difference for Americans (besides going to the US Embassy)?

Still interested in the other two questions.

Thanks.

[lopburi3]

No paperwork is required by the US Embassy - you just fill out form and sign/notorize at the ACSU office across from the new Embassy building.

Getting a visa for your wife may be a major problem. Your idea of working here in Thailand will not have legal status (from what it sounds) so you can not use your tie to Thailand as a reason for her return after a visit. As I am sure you understand a tourist visa requires strong reasons for that person to exit at the end of the visit.

As she apparently has no carrier as yet I would suggest you plan to have her obtain immigrant visa and green card before you plan any half year here/there travel.

But perhaps you can do it your way if you can convince Embassy of your sincere intentions but it really seems like a lose/lose situation for someone starting off in life to have to pack up every 6 months and set up again with all the expense that entails.

[tangmo_boo]

Thank you, Lopburi3.

I'm fairly confident that I can convince the US Embassy of our sincere intentions. My girlfriend has a Thai passport, but has not used it to travel abroad.

I'll leave off questions about the working arrangement, but I was a little confused about some of your answer.

"As I am sure you understand a tourist visa requires strong reasons for that person to exit at the end of the visit".

I'm aware of the limitations and difficulties of myself travelling to Thailand, but are you saying that once we are married and she has permission to enter the US that it will be difficult for her to return to Thailand?

I apologize for not being up to speed on the jargon of immigration. At any rate, I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks again.

[lopburi3]

I mean that it will be difficult for her to convince US Embassy that she intends to return to Thailand at the end of visit rather than this being a plan to enter the US and apply for change of status to shortcut the immigrant visa process. You say you can do it but without strong reasons for you or her to return to Thailand and no track record would not want to base my future on it. Her having a passport means nothing - getting a tourist visa to the US is the problem.

No real reason you can not try to do as you outline but I would be prepared with a fullback plan.