I need to get a US B1 visa. My was of the understanding that applying for this was only allowed in your country of citizenship. Now I read on the US State Dept website that it is 'best' done there or in your 'country of permanent residence'. Since I am a Brit, married to a Thai and resident in Isaan, I reckon I should be able to apply at the US Embassy in Bangkok no? I have the yellow Tibian Bahn if that is considered as proof of where I physically reside in Thailand.

Do any non-Thai forumites or corresponding visa agents have recent experience of applying for a US non-immigrant visa in Bangkok? Makes it less of a hassle than waiting in line in London or making a day-trip to Brussels and get one there which happened to a friend when the US Embassy in London's appointment system was backlogged over 7 weeks last summer.

Thanks!

As I'm an AmCit, I have no experience with this but since you are "resident" in Thailand, I'd see no problem with you applying for the NIV here in Thailand.

Non-Immigrant Visas - U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

Mac

You can apply at the US embassy in BKK but I don't know what weight the yellow Tibian Bahn thing will carry. Since you are British you should have no problems but expect very detailed process forms. Your wife being Thai may present a problem or it may not. Generally and compared to other Asian countries, Thai's have some difficulty getting a US visa. Expect more forms out the ying yang. It pretty much depends on the purpose of the B1. Anyway you can always call the US embassy and ask a few questions before going there and I'm sure they will be helpful.

^ The yellow Tibian Bahn is the only document in the Thai language, issued by a Thai government agency that links me to a physical address in LOS. I have a Non-O visa in my passport but that in itself confers no right of abode, only entry to LOS. I don't work in Thailand so no Thai WP either. I have a feeling they will probably want me to get a letter of residence from the British Embassy, passing off the need to verify my residence on my own countries legation in Thailand. Since that will cost a few thousand baht, I will call them and make sure first.

There's no plan for the wife to get a US visa just yet as my trips to the US are all business. However, in a few years, with several UK visas in her passport as well as evidence of trips to other countries, I am sure there will be less hoops for her to jump through if we get a wild hair up our asses and decide to get married in Vegas!

I have twice had B1 visas from the embassy in Bangkok.

Both visas only for one year.

To get a 10 year visa I had to apply at the London Embassy.

I am only staying here on a non-imm O visa.

^ The yellow Tibian Bahn is the only document in the Thai language, issued by a Thai government agency that links me to a physical address in LOS. I have a Non-O visa in my passport but that in itself confers no right of abode, only entry to LOS. I don't work in Thailand so no Thai WP either. I have a feeling they will probably want me to get a letter of residence from the British Embassy, passing off the need to verify my residence on my own countries legation in Thailand. Since that will cost a few thousand baht, I will call them and make sure first.

There's no plan for the wife to get a US visa just yet as my trips to the US are all business. However, in a few years, with several UK visas in her passport as well as evidence of trips to other countries, I am sure there will be less hoops for her to jump through if we get a wild hair up our asses and decide to get married in Vegas!

However, if your passport shows pretty much continual stay (rather than "residence") in Thailand, I'd think there'd not be a problem. Also don't think the U.S. ConOff would care much by a paper from the Brit Embassy.

Just put a short short cover note on top of your application to shove under the counter at interview time stating that you do live here and have for such and such a time, thus "resident' in Thailand which is why you're applying in Bangkok.

Go for it!

Mac

^^ Hmmm.... only 1 year visas which means the hassle of renewing it every year. I always found my passport filled up way before the 10-year visa expired but their system seemed to allow for that as long as they didn't cut the corners off the US visa page in the 'retired' passport. I usually hit the US 3-4 times a year.

^ Due to the nature of my work, I aint exactly long-term resident, ie. in and out every 6 weeks or so.

I went online and the US State Dept has a website that details the turnaround time for each US Embassy locations worldwide. It looks like London is 5 days, Kuala Lumpur (where I am working at the moment) is 7 days and Bangkok is 14 days. The best is 1 day in Brussels as my buddy can attest to. He used the Eurostar train and was back home in time for dinner in Manchester the same day he picked up the visa!

Thanks for the tips and info!