Info On Rejection For Usa Visa...

[lonstoll51]

Hi Everyone, My wife and I have been married and living in Thailand for at least 3 years. I am retired on a medical disability due to my epilepsy and diabetes Type 2. We were recently turned down by the USA Embassy for Visa application because of my wives inability to provide proof of financial coverage. I make, on my retirement, via VA and Social Security, well over the required 60,000 baht monthly (I believe) and I'm fully covered on all medical. According to my wife when she was at the embassy the agent interviewed her for between 2 and 3 minutes and then turned her down. Explain this if you can. Thanks, Everyone

[rfukata]

Hi Everyone, My wife and I have been married and living in Thailand for at least 3 years. I am retired on a medical disability due to my epilepsy and diabetes Type 2. We were recently turned down by the USA Embassy for Visa application because of my wives inability to provide proof of financial coverage. I make, on my retirement, via VA and Social Security, well over the required 60,000 baht monthly (I believe) and I'm fully covered on all medical. According to my wife when she was at the embassy the agent interviewed her for between 2 and 3 minutes and then turned her down. Explain this if you can. Thanks, Everyone

You are not the only one sharing this frustrating dilemma. I am also a US citizen, just retired with all financials guarantees. I had a similar situation with my wife (my child has dual citizenship US + Thai), she was turned away as though she/we were undesirable to secure an visitors US visa for 1 - 3 month. It very much appeared like we as a family are (chump change, 3rd class citizens) etc,

very offending and insulting as I am a high paying tax recipient in the US.

I think the US embassy prefers to approve' applicants with a compelling asset or something that guarantees the return of the applicant back to Thailand. I.E. he/she has a legitimate business (tax records, earnings etc), has a advance educational degree BA or MS from a known Thai University, has a job - preferably corporate with a steady earning of 30,000 baht monthly, decent family background, has a bank savings with steady balance. These are some criteria I think the US embassy is looking at for your

spouse, they really don't care about you since you are a US citizen.

Once rejected, re-applying may end up in the same result. I think the only solution is to bring your wife/spouse under the

K3 immigrant visa (green card). This will entitle you to bring your wife with you to the US and live there,, which probably is not what you want since you live and retired living in Thailand. Correct?

As much as I hate this procedure of K3, this is the only alternative I have in-order to bring my wife to the US for a short family tour/vacation visit. If you opt to apply for the K3 personally the fees and paperwork will cost you around $1000. If you opt to use

an US Immigration attorney the fees are around $3000, but first check the fees.

In conclusion; its sad this has to happened to legitimate people with honest means.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Hi Everyone, My wife and I have been married and living in Thailand for at least 3 years. I am retired on a medical disability due to my epilepsy and diabetes Type 2. We were recently turned down by the USA Embassy for Visa application because of my wives inability to provide proof of financial coverage. I make, on my retirement, via VA and Social Security, well over the required 60,000 baht monthly (I believe) and I'm fully covered on all medical. According to my wife when she was at the embassy the agent interviewed her for between 2 and 3 minutes and then turned her down. Explain this if you can. Thanks, Everyone

Since the tourist visa (which is what I presume you applied for) was rejected on "financial" grounds, wondering if you provided evidence of your income, eg, retirement, VA, SocSec. How about medical coverage for your wife? Is she also covered, perhaps under your health plan? Especially when in the U.S.?

These items didn't come up last time, 2006, when my wife & I were down to the U.S. Embassy for a new tourist visa but I did have the info in the package, and noted in a short, repeat short, cover letter just in case I was not able to attend the stand-up interview with her. In the event, I walked up to the window with her and I was the one questioned by the ConOff, but not for long, five minutes.

If some of this info was not included in your wife's application as attachments, you might consider reapplying "with new and stronger evidence" of finances.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant...ion-policy.html

NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

Reapplication Process

Why has my visa been denied?

How and when can I re-apply for a visa?

Applicants who have been refused may re-apply at any time for another interview. In order to re-apply, applicants must again follow the same procedure by filling out a new visa application form and paying another MRV application fee. A refused applicant can re-apply as many times as he or she likes, however, reapplying without significantly stronger evidence or proof of a significant change in the applicant's circumstances is not likely to change the result. As a matter of policy, we try to have the case reviewed by an officer who has not seen it before, in order to assure that it gets a fresh look and is adjudicated fairly.

In some cases, an applicant may be found ineligible for a visa to the U.S. under a different section of law. For more information about ineligibilities and waivers available, click here.

Do you have more questions about the visa application process? Please visit the Embassy’s FAQ section or visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs visa information website.

FYI, my wife doesn't work, her assets are our house, and her kids, altho sometimes I do question whether they are "assets" or not....

Mac

[gotlost]

You need to remember that they are not repeat not scrutinizing you it is your wife. Your finical does matter but it is her reasons for returning to Thailand that count such as money in her bank, no set amount. car in her name,own property her name, own business her name, parents, other children, all reasons for her returning to Thailand. The US does not require or request a letter of guarantee. With that said I recommend you use a visa service not those in Bangkok they bust you for 40,000bt and up, and not to use the US Embassy in BK. My wife did hers in Chiang Mai at the US Counsel cost 6000bt at visa service, 4000bt of that went to Uncle Sam, interview was on a Wednesday had her passport with visa for ten years on Friday. They are not interviewing you only her. The only thing they want to see from you is your passport bank statements and marriage certificate. If your wife can not show the above then it probably does not look good.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

You need to remember that they are not repeat not scrutinizing you it is your wife. Your finical does matter but it is her reasons for returning to Thailand that count such as money in her bank, no set amount. car in her name,own property her name, own business her name, parents, other children, all reasons for her returning to Thailand. The US does not require or request a letter of guarantee. With that said I recommend you use a visa service not those in Bangkok they bust you for 40,000bt and up, and not to use the US Embassy in BK. My wife did hers in Chiang Mai at the US Counsel cost 6000bt at visa service, 4000bt of that went to Uncle Sam, interview was on a Wednesday had her passport with visa for ten years on Friday. They are not interviewing you only her. The only thing they want to see from you is your passport bank statements and marriage certificate. If your wife can not show the above then it probably does not look good.

Sure seemed to me on the several times my wife has applied for a tourist visa, twice short-term visas and then two 10-year visas, only the last one since we got married, that the ConOff was more interested if I would be returning and the string of "retirement extensions" did help there. Reckon he was thinking that if I'd return, she would too, since "home base" for me is more here now than in the U.S.

Mac

[thaihome]

You need to remember that they are not repeat not scrutinizing you it is your wife. Your finical does matter but it is her reasons for returning to Thailand that count such as money in her bank, no set amount. car in her name,own property her name, own business her name, parents, other children, all reasons for her returning to Thailand. The US does not require or request a letter of guarantee. With that said I recommend you use a visa service not those in Bangkok they bust you for 40,000bt and up, and not to use the US Embassy in BK. My wife did hers in Chiang Mai at the US Counsel cost 6000bt at visa service, 4000bt of that went to Uncle Sam, interview was on a Wednesday had her passport with visa for ten years on Friday. They are not interviewing you only her. The only thing they want to see from you is your passport bank statements and marriage certificate. If your wife can not show the above then it probably does not look good.

It is unusual for the wife of a US citizen living in Thailand to be rejected for a tourist visa. Having a US citizen husband living long term and especially working in Thailand is one of the most compelling reasons for her to return. Admittedly, if the husband is retired it is more difficult for him to show his ties Thailand. I know at least 20 married couples living here in Thailand and everyone of them has had no problem getting tourist visa for the wife. I know of two guys that have got visas for long term girl friends.

A few questions for the OP. Did you include copies of your passport showing your retirement extensions for the last 3 years? Did you include copies of joint bank accounts? Did you show lease agreement (or even better condo ownership papers) in your or joint name?

If you understand what they are looking for, you do not need a service to fill in what are very easy forms.

TH

[Jimi007]

Hi Everyone, My wife and I have been married and living in Thailand for at least 3 years. I am retired on a medical disability due to my epilepsy and diabetes Type 2. We were recently turned down by the USA Embassy for Visa application because of my wives inability to provide proof of financial coverage. I make, on my retirement, via VA and Social Security, well over the required 60,000 baht monthly (I believe) and I'm fully covered on all medical. According to my wife when she was at the embassy the agent interviewed her for between 2 and 3 minutes and then turned her down. Explain this if you can. Thanks, Everyone

You are not the only one sharing this frustrating dilemma. I am also a US citizen, just retired with all financials guarantees. I had a similar situation with my wife (my child has dual citizenship US + Thai), she was turned away as though she/we were undesirable to secure an visitors US visa for 1 - 3 month. It very much appeared like we as a family are (chump change, 3rd class citizens) etc,

very offending and insulting as I am a high paying tax recipient in the US.

I think the US embassy prefers to approve' applicants with a compelling asset or something that guarantees the return of the applicant back to Thailand. I.E. he/she has a legitimate business (tax records, earnings etc), has a advance educational degree BA or MS from a known Thai University, has a job - preferably corporate with a steady earning of 30,000 baht monthly, decent family background, has a bank savings with steady balance. These are some criteria I think the US embassy is looking at for your

spouse, they really don't care about you since you are a US citizen.

Once rejected, re-applying may end up in the same result. I think the only solution is to bring your wife/spouse under the

K3 immigrant visa (green card). This will entitle you to bring your wife with you to the US and live there,, which probably is not what you want since you live and retired living in Thailand. Correct?

As much as I hate this procedure of K3, this is the only alternative I have in-order to bring my wife to the US for a short family tour/vacation visit. If you opt to apply for the K3 personally the fees and paperwork will cost you around $1000. If you opt to use

an US Immigration attorney the fees are around $3000, but first check the fees.

In conclusion; its sad this has to happened to legitimate people with honest means.

I have looked into both a tourist visa and a K3 visa in the past few months, A tourist visa, the wife or girlfriend must qualify on their own, finacially and educationally as well as having ties to Thailand so they will return. The K3 and there is a new form online that asks more about you the American and if you have had a domestic violence or a drug or sex charge against you. How you met, where you plan to live in the USA etc. That's just the first step and requires a $450 check or money order mailed to your local immigration office in the USA. I haven't gotten any further on the process yet. You also need an original copy of your birth certificate and a letter from you and you fiance that you plan to marry in the USA within 90 days of her arrival.

If anyone has gone further with the new form, please post what's next... Thanks

[Javabear]

I've been using a US immigration attorney to get a K3 for the wife. All we really want to do is visit but this is the easiest way. I'm into the process for almost 18 months and $3000.

[Arkady]

Mine got a 10 year US tourist visa after a three minute interview and I am not American. We were not married and she is not from a wealthy family. She was at the time in a full time degree course and I submitted evidence of my employment in Thailand and bank account. Her own assets were minimal. Maybe they think a US citizen is more likely to try to re-settle with Thai wife in the US. Anyway they certainly scrutinised the documentation about me carefully and seem to look for convincing evidence that both parties will return to Thailand in such a case as they look at you as a package.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Arkady

[NanLaew]

^ Good point!

You are a non-US citizen and you obtained a multi-entry US visa for your Thai wife. You had to prove YOUR financial worth and the compelling reasons for YOU to return to the Thailand after the trip.

This is similar to my recent application for my Thai wife's first visit visa to the UK where they determined that since she is solely dependent on me, the onus was on ME as a legal UK citizen and resident to prove that in lieu of any evidence of actually living & working in the UK (which I don't), I had to provide a strong evidence that I would be returning to Thailand and hence she would be returning with me. I understand that before they tightened up the applications process, there was a prevalence for Brits of the 'mostly unemployable' type to take a Thai spouse home with them after their summer vacation and then claim social security and unemployment benefits when they got there.

I guess the US visa people want to ensure that the OP's wife isn't going to do a runner and divorce him after she gets into the US (no disrespect intended but a common enough occurrence) and also that the OP has sufficient funds to maintain themselves both in the US AND in Thailand should circumstances, such as the OP's health or other plans change.

Good luck on the resubmission. It's all about the $$ these days.

[Pakboong]

You might want to consider having your wife stumble into the revenue office each month and pay the withholding tax on the 30,000 baht or whatever a month she has earned from the piano lessons she has been giving. The withholding requirement is only 3% which is not a lot of money and she will likely get it all back after filing her tax return. Have her put the money into her bank account and spend it as normal income. I doubt the revenue office will care where the money came from.

[Jimi007]

I've been using a US immigration attorney to get a K3 for the wife. All we really want to do is visit but this is the easiest way. I'm into the process for almost 18 months and $3000.

I think that was the older form, 18 months ago. It used to be about a 5 page form in quadruplacate with photos attached etc. The new online form is much more user friendly, at least on the surface... But I don't know what happens after you submit the first part of the application.