Usa Visa For Thai National Help

[scottydel]

Hi,

Wasn't sure if this was the best forum for this topic but here it goes.

Has anyone had to apply for a visa to the USA (via the US Embassy in Bangkok) for their Thai girlfriend, boyfriend or friend?

I have a Thai son (2 1/2 years old) with dual citizenship, and his Mom is a Thai National. We are not married. I am trying to apply for a visa for her so the three of us can visit my family in the USA for the first time, and I had a few questions.

• Is the visa interview given in English or Thai?
  
• Any extra documents or information you found helpful?
  

I just found out via the US Embassy's website that I am not allowed to accompany her into the interview. Here are the basic facts about my son's mother that have me a little concerned about her chances of being approved:

• She does not have a bank account
  
• She hardly speaks any English
  
• She is from a poor, under-educated muslim family in the deep south (her spoken Bangkok Thai isn't that strong)
  

On the bright side (I think) here are the basic facts about her that might make her chances good:

• She has a solid employment history in Thailand (8 years in a resort)
  
• She has another Thai son (good family ties to Thailand)
  
• Our son is a US Citizen (good family ties to the USA)
  
• I am by no means super wealthy, but I should be able to show that I can support her financially in the USA
  

If anyone has been through the interview process before, I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Thanks,

Scott

[sirineou]

Hi Scot

I think you will have a better chance of getting a good answer if you posted this question, in the Visa to other countries Forum, there you will also find other similar posts that you might find informative.

I could advise you in the fiancé visa to the USA process, since I went through that process my self and have some experience, But I don’t have any personal experience in the Tourist visa other than what I have read in the “ Visa to other countries Forum” . and of course there is the Wife visa option if you decide you want to get married.

Good luck

[gosompoi]

A Tourist Visa is going to extremely difficult. You will need to prove she is not trying to immigrate to the USA and she has the means to support herself in America without you. You prove this by showing reasons to return to Thailand, for example owning a house, land, car, enough money in the bank and also you having a work permit to show you have settled in Thailand is very helpful. They want to see her have her own bank account with 500,000 baht for at least 9 months. You both must show strong ties to Thailand, i.e. home, work and family. My wife works for the Thai government for 14 years at a high level but USA embassy told her that her current employment had no affect. So sorry, your gf's job does not matter; they do not see that as reason to return to Thailand. I did successfully get a tourist visa for my wife and who has an American/Thai daughter. And yes the interviews are Thai or English. I know there are 100's more questions but the above is key for a tourist visa. A Fiancee Visa might be easier but that is a whole different visa.

[scottydel]

Thanks for responses, very helpful.

Gosompoi you've got me worried, I thought having a Thai/American child might help things. My son's mother does not come from money and if she had 500,000 baht in the bank I think her and her families heads might explode! She makes 5,000 baht a month during the high-season (7 months of the year, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day), and supports her mother and father who still work part-time at 67 and 71 years old as manual laborers. It is a relief to know that the interview will be conducted in Thai though, her English would not make it through.

I'm going to repost this to the Visas to Other Countries forum...thanks for the tip Sirineou.

[thaitot]

I think you are in a position that many people experience.

I recently went thru the Fiance k-1 process it was for me very straight forward.

I think based on the information you posted there is more evidence that

might suport her failure to want to return.

There is sometimes a gentleman from the Us embassy that chimes in on thai visa posts

maybe he will on this one.

I might suggest that you visa a web site called visa journey dot com

It will have all the answers for you on this subject

Tourist visas are hard to obtain for a poor Thai

Good luck on your journey.