Advice from any americans here

[phazey]

Hi,

I've been summoned to an Xmas family reunion in Dallas, and obviously very eager to go (to see the old girl of course).

I'm taking my missus and kiddie, but she needs a visa (already been informed by a close friend). I just want to know if any of you US guys have taken a Thai partner to the US, visa apps, arrival stories, anything thats useful would help a lot.

Appreciated,

./P

[JonnieB]

who needs the visas?  your thai wife and some child.  are you legally married to this thai lady and is the marriage registered in thailand?  is this child your child or her child from a prior relationship? if so, have you officially adopted the child?

i am american and thought never personally done a visa application process for a thai lady, have dozens of friends who have.  they all report it is very hard to get any type of visa for a thai lady unless she is married to or getting married to an american.  tourist visas (unless already married to an american) are very difficult to get unless the girl has very strong connections to thailand (priminent family, owns lots of land, has a substantial business or professional job, all of the above).  

all i can say is if you want any chance, you better get that application and $100 per visa fee into the embassy soon to have any chance.  

here is a sample of what you will be up against:

a friend just recently applied for a T-visa for a "good" thai girl to holiday in the states for a couple weeks...she was rejected and here is the canned explanation the embassy gave for the rejection:

Embassy of the United States of America

Bangkok, Thailand

Your visa application has been denied. We regret to inform you that you have not qualified for a nonimmigrant visa. Your application has ben denied under section 214( of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. This section of the law states specifically that “Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of the application for the visa … that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant visa.”

To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa (including visas for tourism, business-related travel, and study) you must convince the consular officer that you are not an intending immigrant. This means that you must convince the interviewing consular officer that you will not remain in the United States beyond your required time period or work there without authorization. Please note that the Immigration and Nationality Act in Section 291 states that “whenever any person makes application for a visa … the burden of proof shall be upon such person shall be upon such person to establish that he is eligible to receive such a visa.”

How can I prove this? You must show that you have compelling reasons to return to Thailand (or wherever your residence is outside the United States) after visiting the U.S. Please note that family, social and professional circumstances vary greatly among applicants. Since each applicant’s situation is different, there is no “set” of documents that you can present that will guarantee visa issuance. In fact, documents are not always needed. Applicants are welcome to present whatever information they feel demonstrates that they have strong economic, family or professional commitments in their country of residence. We cannot, and will not, tell you what evidence to submit.

May I reapply? Yes, you may reapply if you have new information to submit which you believe will qualify you for a visa. One suggestion is that you write down on a piece of paper those factors which should be considered by a consular officer and submit it during your interview. Please note that by law you must reapply in person if you want us to reconsider a visa refusal. We will not reconsider a visa refusal through a telephone call, faxed or written inquiry. If you reapply, you must fill out another visa application form and pay the visa application fee again. Any new supporting documents which you would like us to consider must be presented at the time of your interview. We do not accept phoned, faxed or mailed information from you or other interested parties.

Who can I appeal to? You cannot appeal. However, you can reapply in person if you wish your case to be reconsidered. A decision as to whether you qualify for a nonimmigrant visa can only be made at the time of your interview. By law, only consular officers at the Embassy can issue or refuse a visa.

Must the consular officer look at all my documents? No. The consular officer may review some of the documents you have provided, but the consular officer looks at documents primarily to verify information that you (a) have provided on the visa application form (OF-156) and/or ( provided when you answered questions that were posed during your interview.

Can a sponsor guarantee my return? No. There is no provision in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act that allows a relative, employer, friend or other individual to “guarantee” your return. Regardless of who is paying for your trip, the consular officer must look at your individual situation and decide whether you have met the requirements to hold a nonimmigrant visa on your own.

[sbk]

OK, my husband is thai and received a multiple entry tourist visa valid for ten years (pre 9/11 --they don't give out 10 yr visas anymore) because 1) he has a business and house in his name 2) we are legally married 3) he has a car in his name 4) I have had a 1 yr non-O visa for thailand for the past 11 years 5)he has money in the bank 6)he had a green card and surrendered it because he didn't want to live in the US anymore .so, is it tough to get one?--only if she has no assets in her name. if she has a job, a letter from her employer would be good, you need tangible evidence that you are both planning on coming back here to stay. you can request an interview with the consular officer, we had one and she was a very nice, sympathetic person, hence the 10 year visa. good luck!

[lopburi3]

If you have employment or are retired here in Thailand there should be no problem getting your wife a tourist visa.  Make sure she knows the reason for trip and as many details as possible for interview.  As long as you are intending to return to Thailand, and story/facts support this, there should be no problem.  Take supporting documents when you apply as suggested on web page of Embassy.  Mistakes can be made so apply early so you have time to provide additional information if required.  But don't let the process scare you.  Many of us have done this.

[phazey]

Thanks very much for all of your valuable feedback.

./P