Question About Visitor Visa For Us

[pletwo]

I know many American are on this forum and my question is general one.

Maybe someone who work at the US embassy might read or email or send message to me to answer my question.

yes I try the website already for the embassy but can only get automatic reply.

My question: my American partner and I been together for 11 years now. Live together in our own house which in my name of course, also car etc etc

We both travel a lot to Europe and the Shengen visa is easy to get . ( I been to Europe 5 times, also Japan & China)

We have a Civil Union from State of Vermont in US. I am man and so is my partner.

We had the ceremony 5 years ago in Vermont and we have a offical Certificate

my question is that should I mention this to the people at the embassy when I apply for a visa to visit US over the holidays. My partner just want to see his family and have not been back there since 5 years ago.

I want to know if I should mention civil Union and show embassy our certificate or not. Will it help my case if I do. Sometimes government people can be very discrimination and I am afraid to say this if they will deny just beause I am gay.

I know that there is no US law about a samesex relationship and so I can not get any special treatment same as if I was woman married . . .but I just need to know if it better to keep secret or be honest.

thanks you all for read my post and for help

ple

[bonobo]

Since you have received a Schengen visa and have property in your name, I doubt you will have much problem getting a visa. But the question on your civil union is a good one. If you are just visiting your "boyfriend's" family, then this would be a simple tourist visa, which it seems you would get.

But as a civil union "partner," they may want to know in more detail your plans, if you intend on staying, etc.

Depending on your bank accounts and such, I might be inclined not to mention the civil union, not for anti-gay reasons, but for the permanency aspect of it which may complicate the application process. "Boyfriend" probably trumps "friend," but "partner" carries more ramifications.

I had a Thai female friend come with me to the US for a military retirement ceremony, and at the interview, they asked her if we were going to get married. When she said no, the rest of the interview was rather perfunctory and her visa approved quickly.

I am not an expert, though.

[mark45y]

There are people who work with the American embassy called ……….. I can’t remember. They don’t work in the embassy but help people who have questions by email. They assist people with questions.

I had a couple of questions when I lived in Chiang Mai and a very nice gay man who worked with the embassy helped me.

I don’t know if he is still there or if they help people who are not US citizens.

I only mention this because perhaps someone else will know.

Good luck

[mario299]

1281675163[/url]' post='3813247']

Since you have received a Schengen visa and have property in your name, I doubt you will have much problem getting a visa. But the question on your civil union is a good one. If you are just visiting your "boyfriend's" family, then this would be a simple tourist visa, which it seems you would get.

But as a civil union "partner," they may want to know in more detail your plans, if you intend on staying, etc.

Depending on your bank accounts and such, I might be inclined not to mention the civil union, not for anti-gay reasons, but for the permanency aspect of it which may complicate the application process. "Boyfriend" probably trumps "friend," but "partner" carries more ramifications.

I had a Thai female friend come with me to the US for a military retirement ceremony, and at the interview, they asked her if we were going to get married. When she said no, the rest of the interview was rather perfunctory and her visa approved quickly.

I am not an expert, though.

I think the biggest issue with the US Embassy is proving to them that the Thai has sufficient reasons to return to Thailand, such as a job to return to. I honestly don't think the issue of civil union or the fact that you are gay matters as much as their concerns about illegally staying in the US. If you can provide sufficient reasons to them that you will definitely return to Thailand at or before the expiration of the Visitor Visa, then you should receive the Visa, but certainly no guarantees when it comes to dealing with the US Embassy. Good Luck!

mario299

[bonobo]

Since you have received a Schengen visa and have property in your name, I doubt you will have much problem getting a visa. But the question on your civil union is a good one. If you are just visiting your "boyfriend's" family, then this would be a simple tourist visa, which it seems you would get.

But as a civil union "partner," they may want to know in more detail your plans, if you intend on staying, etc.

Depending on your bank accounts and such, I might be inclined not to mention the civil union, not for anti-gay reasons, but for the permanency aspect of it which may complicate the application process. "Boyfriend" probably trumps "friend," but "partner" carries more ramifications.

I had a Thai female friend come with me to the US for a military retirement ceremony, and at the interview, they asked her if we were going to get married. When she said no, the rest of the interview was rather perfunctory and her visa approved quickly.

I am not an expert, though.

I think the biggest issue with the US Embassy is proving to them that the Thai has sufficient reasons to return to Thailand, such as a job to return to. I honestly don't think the issue of civil union or the fact that you are gay matters as much as their concerns about illegally staying in the US. If you can provide sufficient reasons to them that you will definitely return to Thailand at or before the expiration of the Visitor Visa, then you should receive the Visa, but certainly no guarantees when it comes to dealing with the US Embassy. Good Luck!

mario299

I think you are right about the issue they consider. However, I have heard (but do not know for a fact) that they are also concerned about the proper type of visa, and at least with a legal marriage, there are more hoops through which to jump whereas for a qualified applicant, a simple one-visit visa is pretty straightforward.

Getting a visa by reason of marriage is a much more sure proposition, but it takes quite a bit longer to receive and more documentation needs to be done.

Having a home is a major factor, which makes me think the OP should be able to get the visa.

[uptoyoumyfriend]

when applying for the visa you can only apply for a tourist visa at this point.there is no marriage visa or anything where you can be sponsored aside from a fiance visa which leads to permanent residency in the us but is applied for by the us -spouse and takes about 2 years.

if i were you i would keep it simple and ask just for the tourist visa and not mention being gay or married .although it is not a reason to be rejected the guys at the embassy have discretion ,which means they say no without explaining.also remember to dress smart which is innocuous like wear glasses and carry a newspaper under your arm type of habit.

i know,nobody likes that but it is just about getting things done.tell them you want to check out the city (new york) or something you can easily sell them like being interested to study at a certain university etc like something you know about. .good luck.

[MidoriApple]

Khun Ple..

I am nothing about US, as per my experience..Shengen visa would be a lot easier,

they do care most for proof of your flight date back to home country.

And visa duration will always enough for "only one time" you will visit all through EU countries you had declared for route itinerary.

But for US visa, (I feel) they do care if you have a "bond" or "a responsibility" for coming back to home-country.

For mine, letter guarantee for my being employee with registered company in Thailand is best evidence.

I guess you will be called for the interview.

Be simple but confidence, NO informing the consulate any of your relative to US belongings.

Stay tourist and apply with vacation proposal.

Make all details simple, so they will ask only simple questions to you.

It is much more difficult getting US visa, because the visa duration will be for multiply entry for 10years!

Khun Ple, you will be ok..you also have 5 times Schengen Visa already..

Wish you best luck na ka.

[pletwo]

There are people who work with the American embassy called ……….. I can't remember. They don't work in the embassy but help people who have questions by email. They assist people with questions.

I had a couple of questions when I lived in Chiang Mai and a very nice gay man who worked with the embassy helped me.

I don't know if he is still there or if they help people who are not US citizens.

I only mention this because perhaps someone else will know.

Good luck

Thanks for reply mark. If you can remember or find about these people I would like to know from you how to contact or locate them A message would be OK. and also the guy in Chaing mai maybe can help with advice

[bonobo]

I just re-read your OP.  You went to Vermont five years ago?  So you had a visa then?  

If you followed the limitations of the visa back then, then I can't see you having any problem getting a visa again.  Going over and coming back is a great indication that you will come back this time, too.  What with your house, car, etc, I would have to say that you will probably be eligible for a tourist visa.  THey may even make it a multiple entry visa.

[pletwo]

Thanks everyone who respond here. It look like most people agree that best idea is NOT mention the civil Union, even thoguh it really is a best proof that my home is in Thailand and that i will return with my partner. Compared to this get a Shengen visa is SO easy. Unbelievable!!

[pletwo]

I just re-read your OP. You went to Vermont five years ago? So you had a visa then?

If you followed the limitations of the visa back then, then I can't see you having any problem getting a visa again. Going over and coming back is a great indication that you will come back this time, too. What with your house, car, etc, I would have to say that you will probably be eligible for a tourist visa. THey may even make it a multiple entry visa.

Yes bonobo I did have a 3 week visitor visa 5 year ago I remember VERY well ...that visa five year ago was hel_l to get though. I think my partner had to write to the embassador or something.

Of course a multiple entry would be nice because a nephew will also get marry in US next year and we could go to the wedding without go through another application hasle

But how does the multple entry work . .just buy ticket and head for US or some notify the Embassy before or what exactly?

I just tried to do the online part and lost it two time. So far I am not impress with the new system at all and I wonder if it will be sworse than last time

[bonobo]

I just re-read your OP.  You went to Vermont five years ago?  So you had a visa then?  

If you followed the limitations of the visa back then, then I can't see you having any problem getting a visa again.  Going over and coming back is a great indication that you will come back this time, too.  What with your house, car, etc, I would have to say that you will probably be eligible for a tourist visa.  THey may even make it a multiple entry visa.

Yes bonobo I did have a 3 week visitor visa 5 year ago I remember VERY well ...that visa five year ago was hel_l to get though. I think my partner had to write to the embassador or something.

Of course a multiple entry would be nice because a nephew will also get marry in US next year and we could go to the wedding without go through another application hasle

But how does the multple entry work . .just buy ticket and head for US or some notify the Embassy before or what exactly?

I just tried to do the online part and lost it two time. So far I am not impress with the new system at all and I wonder if it will be sworse than last time

Bring proof of your past visa (old passport if you have a new one now).  And mention your nephew's wedding coming up.  A friend of mine got a multiple entry visa on her second application because she came back as promised on her first one and she told the visa officer that she was planning two trips in the coming year.

With a multiple entry, you just get on the plane.  No need to report to anyone.

Over the last 15 years or so, I have assisted in maybe 14 applications for visas to the US, all for legitimate visits.  Only one was turned down (she forgot her phone number and address, she was so nervous.)  Of the rest, only one had any grilling by the officer.  The rest were easy-peasy.  I really don't think you are going to have any problem.

[tracer5050]

I think just going fora vist, you should have no problem. I got my thai gf one kind of easy. As she had a bussiness and home to come back to LOS for, Good luck