Immigrant Visa Q&A By Us Embassy Bangkok

[Lite Beer]

Webchat Transcript: Immigrant Visa Q&A By US Embassy Bangkok

US Ambassador H.E. Kristie A. Kenney

The US Embassy in Bangkok recently held an open "webchat" in further service to Americans and those wishing to immigrate to the USA. The transcript of the American Embassy staff's answers to common questions regarding visas to America is provided below in the Pattaya Times with sponsorship from PAPPA co., Ltd. legal and visa service.

This reprint of the US Embassy, Bangkok's webchat Q &A visa seminar is provided below with sponsorship from PAPPA Co., Ltd. legal and visa service. http://www.pattayalawyers.com/

U.S. Embassy Bangkok

Consular Affairs, Immigrant Visa CO.Nx Webchat

March 15, 2011 • Unofficial Transcript

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CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Welcome to the Bangkok Chatroom

CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Today's webchat commences at 6pm Bangkok time

CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Please submit your questions for our webchat here

Candice Brown 3:If my son marries his fiancee in the U.S. (she is already there on a student visa), is there a problem with her staying in the U.S if her visa expires BEFORE she receives her green card?

Officer 3:Hi! Welcome to the Webchat!

Officer 3:We are really looking forward to answering your questions!

Officer 3:A few things that we wanted to mention before we start...

Aaron:First of all, thank you for this service! I am currently living and working in Bangkok, but will need to go to the US next fall to finish graduate school and would like my girlfriend/fiance to come with me for one year while I finish grad school. Which visa should she apply for in order to stay for that long and have a work permit? Although we will marry, she does not wish to become a US citizen. She merely wishes to travel with me while I must go to finish school at this point. She has an MBA and job possibilities in the US. But I am confused as to which visa she should apply for and what if anything I need to do in terms of writing letters from me or my family or potential employers on her behalf?

Officer 3:First, of all we have representatives here from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security - but no one from the Thai Government.

Officer 3:So, we will not be answering questions about Thai visas - that is, about visas for American citizens living in Thailand.

Officer 3:We are also focusing tonight on immigrant visas and issues related to permanence residence in the U.S.

Officer 3:So we will not be answering questions about tourist visas or about American Citizen Services tonight.

Officer 3:We will keep having these webchats on all different topics - so stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page!

officer 4: Hi, Aaron - Thank you for your question. Please understand that we are not able to advise you and your fiance of which path to take. We can, however, provide you information on some options to consider so that you can make a more informed decision. For your fiance to travel to the U.S. and stay for over one year with the eligibility to work, she would either need to qualify for a temporary work visa, sponsored by an employer in the U.S., or you could petition/sponsor her to obtain lawful permanent resident status (green card) as a fiance or spouse of a United States citizen. Information about the work visa options is available on our main website: www.uscis.gov. Just click on the photo icon that says, "Working in the US." To petition for your spouse as a fiance, you would need to start with the I-129, Petition for Alien Fiance. If you are already married, you would petition for her with the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. All petitions are available on our website:www.uscis.gov/forms. There's a guest 5:I am married to a thai citizen, can you please go through the process of applaying for her to become a permanent citizen?

Officer 2:If you are a U.S. citizen you can petition for your wife to live permanently with you in the United States. This process starts with the I-130. This form and its instructions are on our website atwww.uscis.gov/i-130

Phil:Hi Is it easy for the Thai wife of a US citizen to get a visitor visa to the US?

Amy Albert:Hello, I am an American Citizen living in Bangkok with my Canadian husband. We started the process of getting him his permanent residency but unfortunately did not get the notice to attend our interview as we relocated to BKK. Can we pick up where we left off, or do I have to start the process all over again? IS it possible to go through the process here in BKK? Thanks!

Officer 2:If you have received an approved I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, you can request that this petition be sent overseas by filing Form I-824. All forms are on our website atwww.uscis.gov/forms. If you are not sure, please contact our office directly at [email protected].

guest 3:Today I received my IR1 Immigrant visa and plan to enter the USA for the first time with this visa on April 4. What questions will I be asked upon initial arrival in the USAwith my new immigrant visa? What should I reply so asnot to be excluded? What should I not say?It's impossible to predict which questions may be asked upon your initial entry into the United States. There are many factors that may have a bearing on your admissibility. Regardless of what you are asked you should be truthful. Making false statement to a CBP Officer or in order to obtain immigration benefits can negatively impact any future consideration for immigration benefits.

Kurt Johnson: What happens when a K-1 Visa file is referred to the Fraud Prevention Unit for further evaluation/investigation?

Officer 3:Hi Kurt. Thanks for your question. It means that the Fraud Prevention Unit will be conducting an investigation to resolve issues flagged during the interview process. As soon as the investigation is concluded, the Fraud Prevention Unit will send the case back to the Immigrant Visa Unit for adjudication.

Steve Byers:My wife has/had a green card, however I was unable to find work back in the US so we moved back to Thailand. Do we have to start all over should we decide to go back? This was back 2002 when we came back to TH. I'm retired now and we have talked about going back. Thanks

Officer 2:Hi, Steve. Great question. Your wife still technically has legal permanent resident status, but her green card is no longer a valid travel document once she's been outside the U.S. This is a confusing concept, but basically she may encounter problems boarding an airplane to the U.S. If she can get to a U.S. Port of Entry she can attempt re-entry as a Permanent Resident. Otherwise, she can abandon her current green card and you would have to start over by filing the I-130 Alien Relative Petition on her behalf. Forms and instructions are all online at www.uscis.gov/forms.

Officer 2:Correction - that is because she's been outside the U.S. for more than 1 year!

Mara:Hello, I am getting married in Thailand on 30 May. I have heard mixed reports that it is easier to get a visa / green card for my fiance if he comes to the US on a fiance visa, and then we register the marriage there and apply from within the US for the green card (rather than if we register our marriage from here on 30 May and then apply for the green card from Thailand). Any advise on this? In your experience, does one method usually have a greater success rate or go more quickly than the other?

officer 4:Dear Mara - it's good to hear from you. Either immigration process should go smoothly if you follow the procedures correctly. If you marry in Thailand, and wish to file your relative petition here, you would need to establish that you are in Bangkok jurisdiction in order to submit the petition with USCIS Bangkok. If you marry and intend to return to the U.S. shortly after the marriage you would not meet our jurisdiction requirement. You would need to estblish that you'd been in our jurisdiction for at least six months, maintaining a legal status in Thailand thoughout your stay. If you wish to petition for a fiance visa, you would need to submit that petition back in the U.S. Please visit our website at the following address: www.uscis.gov/greencard. If you submit your I-130 in Thailand, after approval of your relative petition, your husband would need to file an immigrant visa application with the Embassy. You need to contact the Embassy for processing times on IV applications. I hope this helps.

Mark:When my wife (Thai) apply a tourist visa, Do i have to show up with her as husband?

Hi Mark: This is a question about a visitor visa which we will try to adress in a different webchat. However, it is my understanding that visa applicants are interviewed individually and that spouses are not allowed to be present.

wanrawee poolsirikul:My 2 kid have confirmation letter for Immigrant interviewing in BKK? but need medical exam.. Can you give me list of approved physician names or can i go to any doctors?

Officer 3:Bumrungrad Hospital 33 Sukhumvit Soi 3 (Soi Nana Nua), BangkokTel. (02) 667-1000 or Bangkok Nursing Home (BNH) 9/1 Convent Road, Silom, Bangkok Tel. (02) 632-0550-60 or McCormick Hospital133 Kaewnavarat Road, Chiang Mai Tel. (053) 241-311, 241-010

Candice Brown 7:I sent this question in early but not sure it went through, so I apologize if I repeat myself. My son, who lives in the US wishes to marry his fiancee who originally entered the US on a J1 visa but is now there on a student visa. If he marries her before her visa expires can she then stay in the US while her green card application is processed?

Officer 1:Candice: We answered you already. Did you get our response

Bangkok Expat:A question regarding N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes): I am American, my wife is a 10-year greencard holding Thai. I believe because of my work she meets the conditions to apply for N-470, but were unaware of it when we came back to Thailand. Having already left the US, is it possible to submit N-470 locally, and if not, is it still possible to return to the US to apply?

Officer 2:The N-470 must be filed in the US. She can return to the U.S. as long as she still has legal means to do so. In other words, as long as her green card is valid and she has not been outside the U.S. for more than one year.

Don L:Hi! My wife and I have been married a year now. She has a visitor visa for the US that's valid for 8-9 years. If we ever decide to move to the US, can she come in and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!Hi

Don: The short answer is no. Her intent at the time that she applies for admission (entry) to the U.S. will be determined by the CBP Officer at the Port of Entry. If the CBP Officer determines that she intends to immigrate at that time she will not be admissible unless she has the proper visa. If an individual intends to reside permanently in the United Sates and is not travelling for only a temporary visit s/he requires the correct type of visa - typically an immigrant visa.

Chamaiporn:Good morning, i like to ask how to surrender my green card?

You can come to our office in Bangkok to turn in your card in person with Form I-407. We have the form here for you to complete, and there is no fee. We are located in the Sindhorn Building, Tower 2, 15th Floor, 130-132 Wireless Road. Our public window hours are 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM daily, closed all Thai and U.S. holidays.

Candice Brown 7:No, I did not but thank you in advance!

Hi Candice - The answer to your question is too complex to answer in this forum. Please email us directly at [email protected]. Thank you!

Tony:Also, is there a US govt website that outlines the steps of the green card process, and lists all of the requirements, fees, etc.?

Officer 2: Definitely! www.uscis.gov/greencard

Bill Smart:This is a question for the session on 15Mar: My Thai wife has a US Permanent Resident Visa which is valid until 2019. We have been out of the USA for over 12 months. Is her visa automatically been invalidated, or can that only be done in the US by a Immigration Court? She has a good reason for being unable to return to the US that I think would be considered by a judge.

CBP Officer: Hi Bill: A good question. By “permanent resident visa” I think you mean I-551 or “Green Card.” A green card is invalid as a travel document after a continuous absence from the United States of 365 days (or more). If a transportation carrier were to board her for a flight to the United States she would be treated as if she had arrived without a proper visa. In that case a waiver of the visa requirement may be an option for her. There is normally a fee associated with that if it is presented as an option. You are correct that only an Immigration Judge can determine her status as a permanent resident. An option to clear this up before she arrives in the United States is a returning resident visa. However, those are issued in very limited circumstances.

John Bates:I have been married to a Thai lady for two years and would like to know what kind of visa I should ask for to move permantly to USA?

Officer 2: Really good question - a lot of people want to better understand this process. If you are a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, you can petition for your wife to obtain a permanent resident/immigrant visa. The petition process starts by you filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. The form and instructions are available on our website at www.uscis.gov/i-130.

Nu:I applied immigrat visa for my sister, I-130. I did pay fee bill and sent package to NVC. How long to wait? Priority dat was Dec 2000. thanks

Officer 3: Hello K. Nu - That is a very good question! Your sister would be a F4 visa prefernce category. If you want to check what priority dates are current every month, you can log onto our website and check the Visa Bulletin.This is the link for this month -http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5368.htmlAs you can see, the current priority date for the F4 category is February 2000, so we are not up to cases with December 2000 priority dates yet. Please keep checking the visa bulletin to see when your sister's case will be "current" and that's when the National Visa Center will be able to schedule her interview.

Tony:This is for the Webchat of March 15, 2011: I am an American citizen, and I married my Thai wife in the U.S. in 2003. We are considering returning to the States, but my wife's scholarship obligations will keep us in Thailand until at least the beginning of 2014. My first question is, how soon should we start the immigration/ green card process, and how much of the process can we perform while we are living in Thailand?

Officer 2: The green card process begins with you filing the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, on behalf of your spouse. This form and its instructions are on our website at www.uscis.gov/i-130. If you are a U.S. citizen legally residing in Thailand, you can file the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, directly with the USCIS office in Bangkok. Our normal processing time for this petition is 4 weeks. If you file in the United States, the process can take up to 5-6 months. If your I-130 petition is approved, it is forwarded immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate. Your wife will then receive additional required documentation to complete from the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Consulate. Once she has submitted all required documents, your spouse will be scheduled for the Immigrant Visa interview.

GT:Hi. Thanks for having this forum. Not sure if my computer is slow at this time. It seems to be moving slowly. I am wondering if you got my question. I submitted several by email for this forum, and I submitted one online. I am pretty sure you have received a lot of questions and are processing them now.

Officer 1:GT: We see your question and will answer soon. Thank you for your patience.

Thomas:My wife is Thai and we have been married 3 years. I am a US Citizen. I started and finally completed the adoption of her 13 year old daughter at the end of last year. Is it possible to apply for our daughter to have a US passport? If so, how do we proceed?

Officer 2: We will need some additional details from you to respond to your questions. Please email our office directly at [email protected]. Include "webchat" in the subject line.

David Burns:How difficult is it to reapply for a green card once it is surrendered in order to retire hre with spouse?

Officer 2: If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, he/she can immediately reapply for your green card by submitting the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, on your behalf. This form and instructions are available at: www.uscis.gov/i-130.

Jason:I have seen no answer to my question either.

Officer 1:getting to it now! Thank yiou

guest 6:ED: Thai wife has a green card and for various reasons including employment, family illness and death etc. She has been out of the USA for over three years. Not sure if we will want to return to USA on a permanent basis. She was in the USA for less than three months on the Green card. Will for sure want to visit USA in the future. What is your recommendation.

Officer 4 - Ed, first and foremost you and your wife need to determine where her permanent residence is going to be. Then you would make your decision about returning and in what status you wish to return. Your wife does not, automatically, lose her permanent resident status. Her permanent resident status must be taken away by an immigration judge or she may voluntarily abandon that status. However, the complication is that her I-551 card, green card, is no longer a valid travel document after one year outside the U.S. Thus, she will have trouble boarding a flight to the U.S. The airline may be fined by US Customs and Border Protection Officers at port of entry.Even if she is able to board a flight to return, she may be placed into immigration proceedings by USCBP if she is determined to have abandoned her legal permanent resident status. If that were to happen, she would go before an immigration judge.She may apply for a returning resident visa with Department of State. Keep in mind that , generally, for that application to be approvevd she would need to establish that circumstances beyond her control kept her out of the U.S.If you determine that she will not continue to reside permanently in the U.S. then she may abandon her status at the USCIS Bangkok office. You may inquire about this process by emailing in to [email protected].

David Ammon:What are the criteria for getting a tourist visa for a wife and child? Does applying for or having a tourist visa impact a later application for a spousal visa? If a step child is adopted does it affect the likelihood of obtaining visas? Does the fact that a child (step, adopted or genetic) is a special needs child due to a premature birth or birth defect (developmentally delayed, autistic or physically challeged for instance) have any affect on eligibility for a visas, tourist or spousal? Thanks I will be online at 6.

Officer 3: Thanks for being patient, David.We are not addressing tourist visa questions in this webchat, but keep an eye out for non-immigrant visa webchats in the future!If you do decide to apply for a tourist visa, it should not impact any later immigrant visa applications as long as you always comply with U.S. immigration laws when you travel and are consistent and honest in your interviews.Every visa case is evaluated on its own circumstances - including whether or not a child is special needs. For an immigrant visa case, we need to evaluate the relationship between the American citizen and the child and also whether the child will be a public charge in the United States, among other things. To be clear, being special needs does not prevent a child from receiving a visa. Norm

Sherman:this question is for Tuesday March 15 webchat. I am a US citizen and have been married to my Vietnamese wife for 4 years. Both of our children were born in Bangkok and are US citizens. I'm currently working in Thailand but plan to repatriate in a year or so. What is the process to get my wife a green card? Thank you.

Officer 2: The process can begin once you file Form I-130 for your spouse. Because you are currently residing in Bangkok, you can file this form directly with our office. The form and instructions are available at our website at: www.uscis.gov/i-130. If you have additional questions, follow-up directly with our office by emailing us at: [email protected].

Officer 1:Khun NU: corrected link is http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5368.html

Ricky Kaufman:Hello and thank you for this opportunity. I have filed a i-129f Petition for my fianc'ee. My question is in regard to the interveiw she will have in BKK. I have been asked to send my tax statements for the last 3 years along with a copy of the I-129F and all the support documents that I have sent to the USCIS, In addition, I have been asked to send a letter from my employer and a statement from my bank comfirming the amounts but not account numbers. Is it normal for you to ask for these types of documents during her interview? If I can ask, what should she have prepared to bring with her for this interview? Thank you

Officer 3: Generally speaking, at the interview she will be asked to provide supporting documents for your I-134 Affidavit of Support to show that she will not be a public charge in the U.S. It is useful to rpovide your latest tax return, W-2, job letter, bank accounts and any other proof of assets. If the officer is not confident of the ability to support your fiancee, she will be given the opportunity to bring more documents.

N Alberts:is there any other options for them to return to the us, beside abandonment of lawful permanent resident? if no, can they apply for multi 10 yrs tourist visa?

Officer 2: In order to apply for the tourist visa, they must abandon their green cards. They cannot have both.

N Alberts:I hope this will work, my parents been out of the U.S for more than 1year, they both green card holders.

Officer 2: The real question is whether they intend to reside in the US or overseas? If they intend to continue to live outside the US, it will be difficult to maintain green card status.

Michael:Hi! The NVC recently issued told me that my wife's IV application package "was generated on Feb 22" and would be sent to the Bangkok office soon. Could you give me a ballpark, general time frame of how long it might take between now and when she'll be able to interview? I know it's difficult to pin down specifics, but a general time frame would be very helpful. I mean, are we looking at only 1 month or 6? Thanks!

Officer 3: Thanks for your question Michael, but we can't give you an exact timeframe. We know it is frustrating, but please feel free to check in with us at [email protected] to see if we have received it at Embassy Bangkok yet. Please put your case number (it should start with the letters BNK) in the subject lline of the email along with the word "Inquiry."

James H.:I lived in Thailand for 6 years. Can I file my petition for the k1 visa with the US embassy in Bangkok and who do I contact to do so?

Officer 2: You have to file the I-129 Petition for Fiance with the USCIS address on the form's instructions. This petition cannot be filed overseas at our office in Bangkok. Sorry!

Manisha:thank youis there a number i can call them at

Officer 1:The USCIS number is 02205 5352

Andy Owen:My wife and I are US citizens and adopted a Thai daughter through the Thai National Adoption Center in Bangkok. We are planning to use the I-130 process to apply for US citizenship. We understand there is a two year legal and physical custody requirement before applying for the I-130. What is not clear to us is when the legal custody starts. Is it when we were given official custody from the Thai government's adoption center (with appropriate paperwork), or when the adoption was finalized through the City Hall (about 7 months later). Thanks.

Dear Andy,It's good to hear from you. Generally speaking, under Thai law, an adoption does not meet the legal custody requirment until the adoption is registered with the proper Thai authorities. In some cases, petitioners do wish to establish that the DSDW or local district office adoption is the start of legal custody but the issue is what is considered legal custody under Thai law. U.S. immigration may consider other process components in its deliberation but there is no guarantee that up until the adoption is registered any other status will be identified as legal custody.PLease, if you have further questions, do email in to our local email inquiry: [email protected].

James H.:When filing the petiition for the K1 visa can I simply attach a letter to the petition to further explain the answers to the questions.

Officer 2: Most certainly! The petition is reviewed by an officer and anything that does not fit on the form can be addressed in an attachment.

Jim Rosenberg:If one were to enter the U.S. through Mexico could they then by pass the Green Card requirements and then relocate in one of the many sanctuary cities?

CBP Officer: I'm not sure what you mean. All of the same visa and passport requirments apply at the Mexican border as those at the airports or other Ports of Entry. Anyone who presents at the Mexican border will undergo the same inspection process as any other traveler.

wayne:in an answer to Mara, you siad, "If you submit your I-130 in Thailand, after approval of your relative petition, your husband would need to file an immigrant visa application with the Embassy. " why would you file yoru petition with USCIS Bangkok and then file a IV app with the Embassy? thanks for doing this chat! It's a good public service

Wayne: Thanks for requesting clarification. The approved I-130 petition is sent over to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy and then you will be contacted to submit more required documents so your interview can be scheduled. Hope that is clearer.

guest:MODERATOR: Whjen will the transcript be available?

Officer 1:We will post the transcript tomorrow on our the IV page of our website bangkok.usembassy.gov

Randy Schilson:Hello After the K-1 package 3 is returned to Embassy, how long before the interview?

Officer 3: Hi Randy! Sorry that we can't be more specific but it is usually within the next month or two. Please feel free to email [email protected] if you want ot inquire about whether we recived your Packet 3 - please put your BNK case number and the word "Inquiry" in the subject line of the email.

AsianNomad:I am a DoD contractor who has lived and worked overseas for 20 years. My spouse is a Thai citizen, and we have considered going the permanent resident/green card route mainly as a way for her to travel easily to the USA with me without having to renew her non-immigrant visas all the time. If she gets permanent resident status, with the exception of the initial entry to the USA is there any requirement for her returning to the USA at periodic intervals to keep the green card active? I know government employees and military personnel can submit paperwork if they are on offical overseas orders to prevent the loss of permanent status, but I am unsure if this applies to contractors.

Officer 2: Very good question. When a person has a green card, the idea is that he/she is legally residing in the United States. This is interpreted to mean spending at least 6 months of every year in the United States. If this is not the case, it may be hard for her to maintain the green card. If she does not intend to reside in the US, she can apply for a tourist visa to visit.

Worarat Watcharasowon:BNK2004698005, WatcharasowonHow does a family appeal to have the wife's Green Card restored, after it was taken away by the unreasonable and inhumane action of the Immigration Visa Unit?How can an appeal be filed based on questioning the grounds by which an emergency medical request for a few days extension of stay was denied, despite having a doctor's letter requesting this brief delay in travel?

Officer 1:Please contact [email protected] for more information on this. Thank you!

Don L:So, if the plan is to move back at some point, we will need to apply for an immigrant visa. From a previous answer, it sounds like I need to submit a I-130, from where must it be submitted and what would be the approximate lead time before getting the immigrant visa? Thanks again!

Don L. - hello. I'm not sure from which answer you're following with a question but I'll attempt to respond best I can.If you live in Bangkok it is likely that you may submit your I-130 petition to our USCIS local office located on Wittayu Road, Sindhorn Tower 2, 15th floor. Jurisidiction must, however, be estblished.The immigrant visa process follows the I-130 process and is handled by Department of State. I cannot give you a specific time frame for visa processing. You would need to visit Department of State at the U.S Embassy website in Bangkok.

Larry:The question I have is. I would like to know if I marry a Thai citizen wll she get a U.S. passport and be able to go to America. IWe have been together about 2 years and we have a son together. I registered our baby last March 2010 and he has a U.S. Birth crtificate & u.S. passport.

Officer 2: Marrying a Thai citizen does not guarantee that she can become a naturalized U.S. citizen and obtain a U.S. passport. You, as a United States citizen, can petition for your Thai wife or fiance to obtain a Legal Permanent Resident “green card” if she intends to reside in the United States. This starts by you filing the I-130, Alien Relative Petition. You can go to our website at: www.uscis.govand click on the icon labeled “Family” for more information.

Larry:Also what papers, documents needed and info I need so my wife can go to the U.S.

Officer 2: If your wife wants to go to the United States to visit, she would have to apply for a visitor’s visa with the U.S. Consulate in Thailand. If you want your wife to go to live with you in the United States, as a Legal Permanent Resident (“green card” holder), you would first have to petition for her with Form I-130. Detailed information about the process of applying for your wife can be found on our website at: www.uscis.gov. Just click on the photo icon on the site that says, “Family.”

Officer 1:Since we have so many questions - we will extend the chat until 615

Chaisit Srisomboon:I was married to Thai Citizen in Thailand 3 years ago, can my wife have an american passport?

Officer 2: Your wife must first be eligible to apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen and obtain an American passport. Before this, she must obtain a Legal Permanent Resident "green card." Start by going on our website at www.uscis.gov and clicking on the photo icon for "Family."

wayne:what is the process for applying for a spousal i-130 immigrant visa at USCIS in Bangkok instead of gong through the longer process of applying at USCIS in the US. Further, how long does it take - typically and can you do that while the US Citizen is on a retirement visa?

Officer 2: If you are a U.S. citizen that legally resides in Thailand and has been here regularly for the last six months, you can file the I-130 with our office here in Bangkok. Otherwise, you must file in the US. Our I-130s are usually processed within 4 weeks. The application must be submitted in person to our office. Contact us at 02-205-5352 for our hours and location.

Lukas Manomaitis:I sent my question so many times but haven't received the answer yet! Sorry for repeating! My wife is a Vietnamese national and we have a son together (who is US citizen, as I am). She is studying in Thailand and has a student visa. We are going to apply at the Thailand US Embassy in Bangkok for the first time (she has previously obtained two, one-year, multiple entry tourist visas through the Vietnam US Embassy in Hanoi). Because we are married and have a child together, I would very much like to get a 5 or 10 year visa for her as we plan to visit my family in the USA one or two times per year. We have no interest in obtaining a green card for my wife, as both our careers are in Asia. Can you suggest what is the best way to obtain a longer term visa for her visiting the USA?

Officer 1:Lukas: Because your wife is a Vietnamese citizen, the validity of tourist visas depends on US reciprocity with Vietnam.

GT:What do you consider when evaluating an application for a fiancé visa?

Officer 3: That is a difficult question, GT, but thanks for asking. First, the application is evaluated on paper by the Department of Homeland Security when they decide whether to approve the I-129F. If that is approved, it comes to the State Department, and we evaluate the case based on our interview with the applicant and the documents provided.We are looking for a legitimate, ongoing relationship and we are also evaluating whether there are any visa ineligibilities that would require a waiver. It is helpful if you can provide "evidence of relationship" for the interviewing officer, like photos, emails, call records, money wire transfers and the like.

Steve:I'm not asking for an appeal as we have already received the immigrant Visa but was treated very rudely and unprofessionally and even threatening which is unacceptable. Is [email protected] the way to report the complaint?

Officer 3: Yes.

Jason:Wife has a 10 year green card to US but we have chosen to live in Thailand. We have been here over 1 year now. How can we go about ensuring her status doesn't get changed or maybe even convert the green card to a tourist visa.

CBP Officer: This is complicated. An I-551or green card is invalid as a travel document after a continuous absence from the United States of 365 days (or more). This is a fact-driven analysis - only an Immigration Judge can determine her status as a permanent resident. There is no simple way to preserve status - even returning to the United States once a year may not be enough. If you intend to reside in Thailand the green card is probably not appropriate. In any case in order to apply for a tourist visa you would be required to abandon the green card first.

wayne:Re Asian Nomad query - he may be able t do expedited naturalization for his spouse -- if his employment qualifies.

Officer 2: Good point. There are certain categories of individuals that are eligible for expedited naturalization, based on the organization, company or agency they work for abroad. Start by exploring your citizenship options on the www.uscis.gov main page, click on the photo icon, "Citizenship."

james:I would like to post a question for the chat scheduled for later today - My wife (Thai) and I (US) have been married for 16 years and most of that time we lived in Thailand. We would now like to move to the US and want to know if we can initiate my wife's immigration application (I485 and related) and complete this process through the Bangkok office? She already has her B-2. Thanks,

James,Hello. How are you? Thanks for writing in. You may submit an I-130 petition to the USCIS Bangkok office. Once the petition is approved we will send it directly to the Department of State consular section who will then contact your wife and send her a visa packet. If she travels to the U.S. on her B2 visa to then adjust, she may be viewed as having attempted to circumvent immigration law by using a non-immigrant visa to get to the U.S. to immigrate. Please keep in mind your intent will be considered each and every time you enter the U.S. The Customs and Border Protection officers will ask intent at the Port of Entry and you need to be very forthright with your answers.Please email in to [email protected] if you have more questions.Thank you.

David Ammon:If a child is already my step daughter and then I adopt her does she need the aforementioned 2 year period and/or would the period that she is my step-daughter apply?

Officer 2: Adoption questions can get complicated very quickly. Please follow up directly with our office at [email protected].

tao Liang:for the US P.R. ?? hwat' sthe easiest and shortest way to do it ??

Mr./Mrs. Liang - please refer to further immigration about permanent residency at our website: hppt://www.uscis.gov/greencard

Jerry:I hear of so many horror stories by expats when it comes to getting a visa for their Thai Spouse and being denied. There seems to be no one reason for denials. Can some one please publish the correct rules or a guide on how to successfully getting the visa accomplished with the least amount of worries? It also appears it comes down to "how' the particular agent is feeling at the time. This makes me concerned if I were to apply for a visa for my Thai spouse. So question one: If I'm already marriede to a Thai why is it

Officer 2: Hi, Jerry. It's easy to get frustrated in the visa process. There is a difference between the tourist visa process and the immigrant "green card" visa process. As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to petition for certain relatives, including your spouse, to come to the United States as legal permanent residents. Once this petition is approved, it is forwarded to the U.S. Consulate for processing of the immigrant visa.

Jerry:I need to apply for an I-129 & I130?

Officer 2: The I-129 is used to apply for a fiance. The I-130 is used to apply for a spouse.

Jerry:And question two: Why doesn't my status as a US Citizen not count as being the person responsible in sponsering her. It seems to be dependant on her not me. To me that is taking away from my personal responsibity. Do you understand my question?

tao Liang:I am a US citizen and my wife is a THia , currently we live in Shanghai, China, where shoudl i file the application for my wife

Sir - I believe I just sent you a weblink. If you wish to submit a relative petition for your wife in China you may submit the petition to one of two USCIS addresses, either Guangzhou or Beijing. You will need to establish that you live in the jurisdiction of those offices. Please email directly to either [email protected] or [email protected].

Kurt Johnson:How long does it take a K-1 visa to come out of the fraud prevention unit?

Officer 3: Thanks for the question Kurt. That all depends on how much of a backlog we have and how long the investigation takes. The investigation can involve interviews and even a site visit in some cases.

Thananan:I wondered how my us fiance could get the new receipt after submitting I-129F if the he lost the previous one, he is busy working in other countries not in USA and I would like to help him to check about the application? Thank you for your answer.

Officer 2: Yes, very good question! To obtain a duplicate approval notice, you can either file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Petition, or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The I-824 is online at www.uscis.gov/i-824. Information about how to make a FOIA request is also on our website at www.uscis.gov. Thanks!

Pablo F. Lazatin III:Hi. For US immigrants who would need to stay out of the USA for more than 1 year, what would be valid/acceptable reasons for applying for a Re-entry Permit. Thanks!

CBP Officer: An application for re-entry permit must be filed while the applicant is present in the United States. The applicant should not travel until s/he has given the required biometrics (fingerprints, etc). If approved the permit can then be forwarded to a designated U.S. Embassy.

guest:What is the average time from application to receipt on a fiance' visa?

Officer 1:Difficult to say exactly, each case is different. The general processing time for the petition - I129 f is 6 months. The approved petition is then sent to the National Visa Center who then forwards it to the appropriate Embassy.

Guest 2:I am a USC working in Thailand for a USG contractor. My spouse is a Thai national who just got their green card. Will there be complications (in terms of re-entering the US, future adjustments of status, etc) if they are actually living with me while I am stationed here in Thailand for work? I've gotten a lot of different advice through the grapevine -- that they should return to the States at least every six months, to they only need to go once a year, to they really should be living in the States and only coming to visit me occasionally here. What is your advice/suggestions to avoid future complications and/or avoid jeapordizing their LPR status?

CBP Officer: Please contact us at [email protected]. We need more information to answer this question.

Charles T. Quinnelly:How to adobt my Thai wife's children who already have green cards

Officer 3: Charles, we will refer you to the Thailand adoption page on our website:http://adoption.state.gov/country/thailand.html

Dennis:I am retired drawing early soc sec benefits for my son and myself. I am planning to return stateside and want to redirect those payments as well as bring my wife and stepdaughter to obtain citizenship for both and get an early green cardfor my wife. What do we have to do and who do we contact? Both have travelled on 10 year tourist visas back in 2005 and 2007. Will these visas suffice? Thanks in advance for your assitance. [email protected]

Officer 1:Dennis: Please contact American Citizen Services at [email protected]

Don L:Hi, I'm a US citizen living in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. My wife already has a US visitor visa that is good for 8-9 years still. If we want to move to the USA in the future, can we just enter and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!!

Officer 2: This is a tricky question to answer. If your intent is to move to the US to live permanently, you can petition for your wife to obtain an immigrant visa. A B-2 visitor's visa is to be used to visit the United States. Each entry into the United States is subject to the discretion of the U.S. CustomsCheck our website at www.uscis.gov/greencard. It outlines all the different ways to get permanent resident status in the US.

Bill 2:Hi, I'm a US citizen living in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. My wife already has a US visitor visa that is good for 8-9 years still. If we want to move to the USA in the future, can we just enter and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!!

Officer 2: This is a tricky question to answer. If your intent is to move to the US to live permanently, you can petition for your wife to obtain an immigrant visa. A B-2 visitor's visa is to be used to visit the United States. Each entry into the United States is subject to the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry. Your wife may not be permitted to enter the United States as a visitor if her intention is to move permanently to the United States. Check our website atwww.uscis.gov/greencard. It outlines all the different ways to get permanent resident status in the US.

Bill 2:First of all, thank you for taking time to conduct this webchat and accuse my lateness due to some adobe issues.I am currently married to a Thai citizen (for about a year) and would like to bring her and her daughter to live in the U.S.To my knowledge, we have legal Thai marriage status with all of the supporting documentation. We would now like to proceed with the necessary immigration steps. I believe this will be a matter of pursuing a K3 visa. According to the USCIS website, (in my case) it would require submitting the following: 1) I-130 form(s) 2) G-325A forms for each of us 3) copy of civil marriage certificate 4) copy of divorce decree 5) proof of my U.S. citizenshipQuestions: 1) I believe all of the Thai documentation must be translated to English. Beyond using a respected translation service, are there any specific requirements? 2) What do I need to file for her daughter at this time?? 3) Do I need to file an I-129F form for my wife? 4) Do you recommend that I submit an (optional) I-864 Affidavi

Hi Bill - welcome to our webchat, albeit a bit late! If you're married already to your Thai wife you will need to file an alien relative petition, Form I-130. If you can establish that you live in Thailand, in legal status, you may be able to file your petition with the local UsCIS Office in Bangkok. Please email in to our direct public email address at [email protected]. We can steer you from there. If you are in thea U.S. you can file your petition with the Service Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence. This information can all be searched at our public website: http://www.uscis.gov/greencard.The K3 and the I-130 processing times are almost identical at this time iwth the USCIS. So, while you certainly may file an I-129 for the K3, I am not sure whether it would be helpful to your situation.You are correct in what documents you would need to submit with your petition.It is the same process for your stepdaughter, assuming she is under 18.Thanks for your good questions!

leonard jones:my thai wife has a 10 year visa, if I apply for a green card for her does effect her visa?

CBP Officer: Once she intends to immigrate to the United States the visitor visa will be cancelled. It does not happen automatically at the time that she applies for the immigrant visa. However, the fact that she is applying for an immigrant visa is evidence that she does at some time intend to immigrate to the United States.

Officer 3:Thanks so much to everyone who participated! We are sorry we couldn't get to all of your excellent questions, but we hope this was helpful. We will post the transcript tomorrow on the Immigrant Visa page of the Embassy website (bangkok.usembassy.gov)...

Officer 3:We just want to remind you of the emails you can use to ask us any follow up questions:

Officer 3:For immigrant and non-immigrant visa questions, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions involving American Citizen Services, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions for the Citizenship and Immigration Agency within the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS), please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions for the Customs and Border Protection Bureau of the Department of Homeland Secuirty, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: We apologize for typos and delays and any other technical difficulties. We are always trying to improve the technology, and we hope to have many more webchats in the future!

Officer 3: Speaking of technical difficulties, we might not be able to post a complete transcript, but we will do the best we can. Thanks for your understanding while we work out this process.

Additional information on contacting the US Embassy, visa services, US Homeland Security and other agencies are found below:

assy Bangkok on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 8:45am

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

U.S. Embassy Bangkok

Consular Affairs, Immigrant Visa CO.Nx Webchat

March 15, 2011 • Unofficial Transcript

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CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Welcome to the Bangkok Chatroom

CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Today's webchat commences at 6pm Bangkok time

CO.NX Moderator (Neil):Please submit your questions for our webchat here

Candice Brown 3:If my son marries his fiancee in the U.S. (she is already there on a student visa), is there a problem with her staying in the U.S if her visa expires BEFORE she receives her green card?

Officer 3:Hi! Welcome to the Webchat!

Officer 3:We are really looking forward to answering your questions!

Officer 3:A few things that we wanted to mention before we start...

Aaron:First of all, thank you for this service! I am currently living and working in Bangkok, but will need to go to the US next fall to finish graduate school and would like my girlfriend/fiance to come with me for one year while I finish grad school. Which visa should she apply for in order to stay for that long and have a work permit? Although we will marry, she does not wish to become a US citizen. She merely wishes to travel with me while I must go to finish school at this point. She has an MBA and job possibilities in the US. But I am confused as to which visa she should apply for and what if anything I need to do in terms of writing letters from me or my family or potential employers on her behalf?

Officer 3:First, of all we have representatives here from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security - but no one from the Thai Government.

Officer 3:So, we will not be answering questions about Thai visas - that is, about visas for American citizens living in Thailand.

Officer 3:We are also focusing tonight on immigrant visas and issues related to permanence residence in the U.S.

Officer 3:So we will not be answering questions about tourist visas or about American Citizen Services tonight.

Officer 3:We will keep having these webchats on all different topics - so stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page!

officer 4: Hi, Aaron - Thank you for your question. Please understand that we are not able to advise you and your fiance of which path to take. We can, however, provide you information on some options to consider so that you can make a more informed decision. For your fiance to travel to the U.S. and stay for over one year with the eligibility to work, she would either need to qualify for a temporary work visa, sponsored by an employer in the U.S., or you could petition/sponsor her to obtain lawful permanent resident status (green card) as a fiance or spouse of a United States citizen. Information about the work visa options is available on our main website: www.uscis.gov. Just click on the photo icon that says, "Working in the US." To petition for your spouse as a fiance, you would need to start with the I-129, Petition for Alien Fiance. If you are already married, you would petition for her with the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. All petitions are available on our website:www.uscis.gov/forms. There's a guest 5:I am married to a thai citizen, can you please go through the process of applaying for her to become a permanent citizen?

Officer 2:If you are a U.S. citizen you can petition for your wife to live permanently with you in the United States. This process starts with the I-130. This form and its instructions are on our website atwww.uscis.gov/i-130

Phil:Hi Is it easy for the Thai wife of a US citizen to get a visitor visa to the US?

Amy Albert:Hello, I am an American Citizen living in Bangkok with my Canadian husband. We started the process of getting him his permanent residency but unfortunately did not get the notice to attend our interview as we relocated to BKK. Can we pick up where we left off, or do I have to start the process all over again? IS it possible to go through the process here in BKK? Thanks!

Officer 2:If you have received an approved I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, you can request that this petition be sent overseas by filing Form I-824. All forms are on our website atwww.uscis.gov/forms. If you are not sure, please contact our office directly at [email protected].

guest 3:Today I received my IR1 Immigrant visa and plan to enter the USA for the first time with this visa on April 4. What questions will I be asked upon initial arrival in the USAwith my new immigrant visa? What should I reply so asnot to be excluded? What should I not say?It's impossible to predict which questions may be asked upon your initial entry into the United States. There are many factors that may have a bearing on your admissibility. Regardless of what you are asked you should be truthful. Making false statement to a CBP Officer or in order to obtain immigration benefits can negatively impact any future consideration for immigration benefits.

Kurt Johnson: What happens when a K-1 Visa file is referred to the Fraud Prevention Unit for further evaluation/investigation?

Officer 3:Hi Kurt. Thanks for your question. It means that the Fraud Prevention Unit will be conducting an investigation to resolve issues flagged during the interview process. As soon as the investigation is concluded, the Fraud Prevention Unit will send the case back to the Immigrant Visa Unit for adjudication.

Steve Byers:My wife has/had a green card, however I was unable to find work back in the US so we moved back to Thailand. Do we have to start all over should we decide to go back? This was back 2002 when we came back to TH. I'm retired now and we have talked about going back. Thanks

Officer 2:Hi, Steve. Great question. Your wife still technically has legal permanent resident status, but her green card is no longer a valid travel document once she's been outside the U.S. This is a confusing concept, but basically she may encounter problems boarding an airplane to the U.S. If she can get to a U.S. Port of Entry she can attempt re-entry as a Permanent Resident. Otherwise, she can abandon her current green card and you would have to start over by filing the I-130 Alien Relative Petition on her behalf. Forms and instructions are all online at www.uscis.gov/forms.

Officer 2:Correction - that is because she's been outside the U.S. for more than 1 year!

Mara:Hello, I am getting married in Thailand on 30 May. I have heard mixed reports that it is easier to get a visa / green card for my fiance if he comes to the US on a fiance visa, and then we register the marriage there and apply from within the US for the green card (rather than if we register our marriage from here on 30 May and then apply for the green card from Thailand). Any advise on this? In your experience, does one method usually have a greater success rate or go more quickly than the other?

officer 4:Dear Mara - it's good to hear from you. Either immigration process should go smoothly if you follow the procedures correctly. If you marry in Thailand, and wish to file your relative petition here, you would need to establish that you are in Bangkok jurisdiction in order to submit the petition with USCIS Bangkok. If you marry and intend to return to the U.S. shortly after the marriage you would not meet our jurisdiction requirement. You would need to estblish that you'd been in our jurisdiction for at least six months, maintaining a legal status in Thailand thoughout your stay. If you wish to petition for a fiance visa, you would need to submit that petition back in the U.S. Please visit our website at the following address: www.uscis.gov/greencard. If you submit your I-130 in Thailand, after approval of your relative petition, your husband would need to file an immigrant visa application with the Embassy. You need to contact the Embassy for processing times on IV applications. I hope this helps.

Mark:When my wife (Thai) apply a tourist visa, Do i have to show up with her as husband?

Hi Mark: This is a question about a visitor visa which we will try to adress in a different webchat. However, it is my understanding that visa applicants are interviewed individually and that spouses are not allowed to be present.

wanrawee poolsirikul:My 2 kid have confirmation letter for Immigrant interviewing in BKK? but need medical exam.. Can you give me list of approved physician names or can i go to any doctors?

Officer 3:Bumrungrad Hospital 33 Sukhumvit Soi 3 (Soi Nana Nua), BangkokTel. (02) 667-1000 or Bangkok Nursing Home (BNH) 9/1 Convent Road, Silom, Bangkok Tel. (02) 632-0550-60 or McCormick Hospital133 Kaewnavarat Road, Chiang Mai Tel. (053) 241-311, 241-010

Candice Brown 7:I sent this question in early but not sure it went through, so I apologize if I repeat myself. My son, who lives in the US wishes to marry his fiancee who originally entered the US on a J1 visa but is now there on a student visa. If he marries her before her visa expires can she then stay in the US while her green card application is processed?

Officer 1:Candice: We answered you already. Did you get our response

Bangkok Expat:A question regarding N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes): I am American, my wife is a 10-year greencard holding Thai. I believe because of my work she meets the conditions to apply for N-470, but were unaware of it when we came back to Thailand. Having already left the US, is it possible to submit N-470 locally, and if not, is it still possible to return to the US to apply?

Officer 2:The N-470 must be filed in the US. She can return to the U.S. as long as she still has legal means to do so. In other words, as long as her green card is valid and she has not been outside the U.S. for more than one year.

Don L:Hi! My wife and I have been married a year now. She has a visitor visa for the US that's valid for 8-9 years. If we ever decide to move to the US, can she come in and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!Hi

Don: The short answer is no. Her intent at the time that she applies for admission (entry) to the U.S. will be determined by the CBP Officer at the Port of Entry. If the CBP Officer determines that she intends to immigrate at that time she will not be admissible unless she has the proper visa. If an individual intends to reside permanently in the United Sates and is not travelling for only a temporary visit s/he requires the correct type of visa - typically an immigrant visa.

Chamaiporn:Good morning, i like to ask how to surrender my green card?

You can come to our office in Bangkok to turn in your card in person with Form I-407. We have the form here for you to complete, and there is no fee. We are located in the Sindhorn Building, Tower 2, 15th Floor, 130-132 Wireless Road. Our public window hours are 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM daily, closed all Thai and U.S. holidays.

Candice Brown 7:No, I did not but thank you in advance!

Hi Candice - The answer to your question is too complex to answer in this forum. Please email us directly at [email protected]. Thank you!

Tony:Also, is there a US govt website that outlines the steps of the green card process, and lists all of the requirements, fees, etc.?

Officer 2: Definitely! www.uscis.gov/greencard

Bill Smart:This is a question for the session on 15Mar: My Thai wife has a US Permanent Resident Visa which is valid until 2019. We have been out of the USA for over 12 months. Is her visa automatically been invalidated, or can that only be done in the US by a Immigration Court? She has a good reason for being unable to return to the US that I think would be considered by a judge.

CBP Officer: Hi Bill: A good question. By “permanent resident visa” I think you mean I-551 or “Green Card.” A green card is invalid as a travel document after a continuous absence from the United States of 365 days (or more). If a transportation carrier were to board her for a flight to the United States she would be treated as if she had arrived without a proper visa. In that case a waiver of the visa requirement may be an option for her. There is normally a fee associated with that if it is presented as an option. You are correct that only an Immigration Judge can determine her status as a permanent resident. An option to clear this up before she arrives in the United States is a returning resident visa. However, those are issued in very limited circumstances.

John Bates:I have been married to a Thai lady for two years and would like to know what kind of visa I should ask for to move permantly to USA?

Officer 2: Really good question - a lot of people want to better understand this process. If you are a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, you can petition for your wife to obtain a permanent resident/immigrant visa. The petition process starts by you filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. The form and instructions are available on our website at www.uscis.gov/i-130.

Nu:I applied immigrat visa for my sister, I-130. I did pay fee bill and sent package to NVC. How long to wait? Priority dat was Dec 2000. thanks

Officer 3: Hello K. Nu - That is a very good question! Your sister would be a F4 visa prefernce category. If you want to check what priority dates are current every month, you can log onto our website and check the Visa Bulletin.This is the link for this month -http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5368.htmlAs you can see, the current priority date for the F4 category is February 2000, so we are not up to cases with December 2000 priority dates yet. Please keep checking the visa bulletin to see when your sister's case will be "current" and that's when the National Visa Center will be able to schedule her interview.

Tony:This is for the Webchat of March 15, 2011: I am an American citizen, and I married my Thai wife in the U.S. in 2003. We are considering returning to the States, but my wife's scholarship obligations will keep us in Thailand until at least the beginning of 2014. My first question is, how soon should we start the immigration/ green card process, and how much of the process can we perform while we are living in Thailand?

Officer 2: The green card process begins with you filing the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, on behalf of your spouse. This form and its instructions are on our website at www.uscis.gov/i-130. If you are a U.S. citizen legally residing in Thailand, you can file the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, directly with the USCIS office in Bangkok. Our normal processing time for this petition is 4 weeks. If you file in the United States, the process can take up to 5-6 months. If your I-130 petition is approved, it is forwarded immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate. Your wife will then receive additional required documentation to complete from the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Consulate. Once she has submitted all required documents, your spouse will be scheduled for the Immigrant Visa interview.

GT:Hi. Thanks for having this forum. Not sure if my computer is slow at this time. It seems to be moving slowly. I am wondering if you got my question. I submitted several by email for this forum, and I submitted one online. I am pretty sure you have received a lot of questions and are processing them now.

Officer 1:GT: We see your question and will answer soon. Thank you for your patience.

Thomas:My wife is Thai and we have been married 3 years. I am a US Citizen. I started and finally completed the adoption of her 13 year old daughter at the end of last year. Is it possible to apply for our daughter to have a US passport? If so, how do we proceed?

Officer 2: We will need some additional details from you to respond to your questions. Please email our office directly at [email protected]. Include "webchat" in the subject line.

David Burns:How difficult is it to reapply for a green card once it is surrendered in order to retire hre with spouse?

Officer 2: If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, he/she can immediately reapply for your green card by submitting the I-130, Alien Relative Petition, on your behalf. This form and instructions are available at: www.uscis.gov/i-130.

Jason:I have seen no answer to my question either.

Officer 1:getting to it now! Thank yiou

guest 6:ED: Thai wife has a green card and for various reasons including employment, family illness and death etc. She has been out of the USA for over three years. Not sure if we will want to return to USA on a permanent basis. She was in the USA for less than three months on the Green card. Will for sure want to visit USA in the future. What is your recommendation.

Officer 4 - Ed, first and foremost you and your wife need to determine where her permanent residence is going to be. Then you would make your decision about returning and in what status you wish to return. Your wife does not, automatically, lose her permanent resident status. Her permanent resident status must be taken away by an immigration judge or she may voluntarily abandon that status. However, the complication is that her I-551 card, green card, is no longer a valid travel document after one year outside the U.S. Thus, she will have trouble boarding a flight to the U.S. The airline may be fined by US Customs and Border Protection Officers at port of entry.Even if she is able to board a flight to return, she may be placed into immigration proceedings by USCBP if she is determined to have abandoned her legal permanent resident status. If that were to happen, she would go before an immigration judge.She may apply for a returning resident visa with Department of State. Keep in mind that , generally, for that application to be approvevd she would need to establish that circumstances beyond her control kept her out of the U.S.If you determine that she will not continue to reside permanently in the U.S. then she may abandon her status at the USCIS Bangkok office. You may inquire about this process by emailing in to [email protected].

David Ammon:What are the criteria for getting a tourist visa for a wife and child? Does applying for or having a tourist visa impact a later application for a spousal visa? If a step child is adopted does it affect the likelihood of obtaining visas? Does the fact that a child (step, adopted or genetic) is a special needs child due to a premature birth or birth defect (developmentally delayed, autistic or physically challeged for instance) have any affect on eligibility for a visas, tourist or spousal? Thanks I will be online at 6.

Officer 3: Thanks for being patient, David.We are not addressing tourist visa questions in this webchat, but keep an eye out for non-immigrant visa webchats in the future!If you do decide to apply for a tourist visa, it should not impact any later immigrant visa applications as long as you always comply with U.S. immigration laws when you travel and are consistent and honest in your interviews.Every visa case is evaluated on its own circumstances - including whether or not a child is special needs. For an immigrant visa case, we need to evaluate the relationship between the American citizen and the child and also whether the child will be a public charge in the United States, among other things. To be clear, being special needs does not prevent a child from receiving a visa. Norm

Sherman:this question is for Tuesday March 15 webchat. I am a US citizen and have been married to my Vietnamese wife for 4 years. Both of our children were born in Bangkok and are US citizens. I'm currently working in Thailand but plan to repatriate in a year or so. What is the process to get my wife a green card? Thank you.

Officer 2: The process can begin once you file Form I-130 for your spouse. Because you are currently residing in Bangkok, you can file this form directly with our office. The form and instructions are available at our website at: www.uscis.gov/i-130. If you have additional questions, follow-up directly with our office by emailing us at: [email protected].

Officer 1:Khun NU: corrected link is http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5368.html

Ricky Kaufman:Hello and thank you for this opportunity. I have filed a i-129f Petition for my fianc'ee. My question is in regard to the interveiw she will have in BKK. I have been asked to send my tax statements for the last 3 years along with a copy of the I-129F and all the support documents that I have sent to the USCIS, In addition, I have been asked to send a letter from my employer and a statement from my bank comfirming the amounts but not account numbers. Is it normal for you to ask for these types of documents during her interview? If I can ask, what should she have prepared to bring with her for this interview? Thank you

Officer 3: Generally speaking, at the interview she will be asked to provide supporting documents for your I-134 Affidavit of Support to show that she will not be a public charge in the U.S. It is useful to rpovide your latest tax return, W-2, job letter, bank accounts and any other proof of assets. If the officer is not confident of the ability to support your fiancee, she will be given the opportunity to bring more documents.

N Alberts:is there any other options for them to return to the us, beside abandonment of lawful permanent resident? if no, can they apply for multi 10 yrs tourist visa?

Officer 2: In order to apply for the tourist visa, they must abandon their green cards. They cannot have both.

N Alberts:I hope this will work, my parents been out of the U.S for more than 1year, they both green card holders.

Officer 2: The real question is whether they intend to reside in the US or overseas? If they intend to continue to live outside the US, it will be difficult to maintain green card status.

Michael:Hi! The NVC recently issued told me that my wife's IV application package "was generated on Feb 22" and would be sent to the Bangkok office soon. Could you give me a ballpark, general time frame of how long it might take between now and when she'll be able to interview? I know it's difficult to pin down specifics, but a general time frame would be very helpful. I mean, are we looking at only 1 month or 6? Thanks!

Officer 3: Thanks for your question Michael, but we can't give you an exact timeframe. We know it is frustrating, but please feel free to check in with us at [email protected] to see if we have received it at Embassy Bangkok yet. Please put your case number (it should start with the letters BNK) in the subject lline of the email along with the word "Inquiry."

James H.:I lived in Thailand for 6 years. Can I file my petition for the k1 visa with the US embassy in Bangkok and who do I contact to do so?

Officer 2: You have to file the I-129 Petition for Fiance with the USCIS address on the form's instructions. This petition cannot be filed overseas at our office in Bangkok. Sorry!

Manisha:thank youis there a number i can call them at

Officer 1:The USCIS number is 02205 5352

Andy Owen:My wife and I are US citizens and adopted a Thai daughter through the Thai National Adoption Center in Bangkok. We are planning to use the I-130 process to apply for US citizenship. We understand there is a two year legal and physical custody requirement before applying for the I-130. What is not clear to us is when the legal custody starts. Is it when we were given official custody from the Thai government's adoption center (with appropriate paperwork), or when the adoption was finalized through the City Hall (about 7 months later). Thanks.

Dear Andy,It's good to hear from you. Generally speaking, under Thai law, an adoption does not meet the legal custody requirment until the adoption is registered with the proper Thai authorities. In some cases, petitioners do wish to establish that the DSDW or local district office adoption is the start of legal custody but the issue is what is considered legal custody under Thai law. U.S. immigration may consider other process components in its deliberation but there is no guarantee that up until the adoption is registered any other status will be identified as legal custody.PLease, if you have further questions, do email in to our local email inquiry: [email protected].

James H.:When filing the petiition for the K1 visa can I simply attach a letter to the petition to further explain the answers to the questions.

Officer 2: Most certainly! The petition is reviewed by an officer and anything that does not fit on the form can be addressed in an attachment.

Jim Rosenberg:If one were to enter the U.S. through Mexico could they then by pass the Green Card requirements and then relocate in one of the many sanctuary cities?

CBP Officer: I'm not sure what you mean. All of the same visa and passport requirments apply at the Mexican border as those at the airports or other Ports of Entry. Anyone who presents at the Mexican border will undergo the same inspection process as any other traveler.

wayne:in an answer to Mara, you siad, "If you submit your I-130 in Thailand, after approval of your relative petition, your husband would need to file an immigrant visa application with the Embassy. " why would you file yoru petition with USCIS Bangkok and then file a IV app with the Embassy? thanks for doing this chat! It's a good public service

Wayne: Thanks for requesting clarification. The approved I-130 petition is sent over to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy and then you will be contacted to submit more required documents so your interview can be scheduled. Hope that is clearer.

guest:MODERATOR: Whjen will the transcript be available?

Officer 1:We will post the transcript tomorrow on our the IV page of our website bangkok.usembassy.gov

Randy Schilson:Hello After the K-1 package 3 is returned to Embassy, how long before the interview?

Officer 3: Hi Randy! Sorry that we can't be more specific but it is usually within the next month or two. Please feel free to email [email protected] if you want ot inquire about whether we recived your Packet 3 - please put your BNK case number and the word "Inquiry" in the subject line of the email.

AsianNomad:I am a DoD contractor who has lived and worked overseas for 20 years. My spouse is a Thai citizen, and we have considered going the permanent resident/green card route mainly as a way for her to travel easily to the USA with me without having to renew her non-immigrant visas all the time. If she gets permanent resident status, with the exception of the initial entry to the USA is there any requirement for her returning to the USA at periodic intervals to keep the green card active? I know government employees and military personnel can submit paperwork if they are on offical overseas orders to prevent the loss of permanent status, but I am unsure if this applies to contractors.

Officer 2: Very good question. When a person has a green card, the idea is that he/she is legally residing in the United States. This is interpreted to mean spending at least 6 months of every year in the United States. If this is not the case, it may be hard for her to maintain the green card. If she does not intend to reside in the US, she can apply for a tourist visa to visit.

Worarat Watcharasowon:BNK2004698005, WatcharasowonHow does a family appeal to have the wife's Green Card restored, after it was taken away by the unreasonable and inhumane action of the Immigration Visa Unit?How can an appeal be filed based on questioning the grounds by which an emergency medical request for a few days extension of stay was denied, despite having a doctor's letter requesting this brief delay in travel?

Officer 1:Please contact [email protected] for more information on this. Thank you!

Don L:So, if the plan is to move back at some point, we will need to apply for an immigrant visa. From a previous answer, it sounds like I need to submit a I-130, from where must it be submitted and what would be the approximate lead time before getting the immigrant visa? Thanks again!

Don L. - hello. I'm not sure from which answer you're following with a question but I'll attempt to respond best I can.If you live in Bangkok it is likely that you may submit your I-130 petition to our USCIS local office located on Wittayu Road, Sindhorn Tower 2, 15th floor. Jurisidiction must, however, be estblished.The immigrant visa process follows the I-130 process and is handled by Department of State. I cannot give you a specific time frame for visa processing. You would need to visit Department of State at the U.S Embassy website in Bangkok.

Larry:The question I have is. I would like to know if I marry a Thai citizen wll she get a U.S. passport and be able to go to America. IWe have been together about 2 years and we have a son together. I registered our baby last March 2010 and he has a U.S. Birth crtificate & u.S. passport.

Officer 2: Marrying a Thai citizen does not guarantee that she can become a naturalized U.S. citizen and obtain a U.S. passport. You, as a United States citizen, can petition for your Thai wife or fiance to obtain a Legal Permanent Resident “green card” if she intends to reside in the United States. This starts by you filing the I-130, Alien Relative Petition. You can go to our website at: www.uscis.govand click on the icon labeled “Family” for more information.

Larry:Also what papers, documents needed and info I need so my wife can go to the U.S.

Officer 2: If your wife wants to go to the United States to visit, she would have to apply for a visitor’s visa with the U.S. Consulate in Thailand. If you want your wife to go to live with you in the United States, as a Legal Permanent Resident (“green card” holder), you would first have to petition for her with Form I-130. Detailed information about the process of applying for your wife can be found on our website at: www.uscis.gov. Just click on the photo icon on the site that says, “Family.”

Officer 1:Since we have so many questions - we will extend the chat until 615

Chaisit Srisomboon:I was married to Thai Citizen in Thailand 3 years ago, can my wife have an american passport?

Officer 2: Your wife must first be eligible to apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen and obtain an American passport. Before this, she must obtain a Legal Permanent Resident "green card." Start by going on our website at www.uscis.gov and clicking on the photo icon for "Family."

wayne:what is the process for applying for a spousal i-130 immigrant visa at USCIS in Bangkok instead of gong through the longer process of applying at USCIS in the US. Further, how long does it take - typically and can you do that while the US Citizen is on a retirement visa?

Officer 2: If you are a U.S. citizen that legally resides in Thailand and has been here regularly for the last six months, you can file the I-130 with our office here in Bangkok. Otherwise, you must file in the US. Our I-130s are usually processed within 4 weeks. The application must be submitted in person to our office. Contact us at 02-205-5352 for our hours and location.

Lukas Manomaitis:I sent my question so many times but haven't received the answer yet! Sorry for repeating! My wife is a Vietnamese national and we have a son together (who is US citizen, as I am). She is studying in Thailand and has a student visa. We are going to apply at the Thailand US Embassy in Bangkok for the first time (she has previously obtained two, one-year, multiple entry tourist visas through the Vietnam US Embassy in Hanoi). Because we are married and have a child together, I would very much like to get a 5 or 10 year visa for her as we plan to visit my family in the USA one or two times per year. We have no interest in obtaining a green card for my wife, as both our careers are in Asia. Can you suggest what is the best way to obtain a longer term visa for her visiting the USA?

Officer 1:Lukas: Because your wife is a Vietnamese citizen, the validity of tourist visas depends on US reciprocity with Vietnam.

GT:What do you consider when evaluating an application for a fiancé visa?

Officer 3: That is a difficult question, GT, but thanks for asking. First, the application is evaluated on paper by the Department of Homeland Security when they decide whether to approve the I-129F. If that is approved, it comes to the State Department, and we evaluate the case based on our interview with the applicant and the documents provided.We are looking for a legitimate, ongoing relationship and we are also evaluating whether there are any visa ineligibilities that would require a waiver. It is helpful if you can provide "evidence of relationship" for the interviewing officer, like photos, emails, call records, money wire transfers and the like.

Steve:I'm not asking for an appeal as we have already received the immigrant Visa but was treated very rudely and unprofessionally and even threatening which is unacceptable. Is [email protected] the way to report the complaint?

Officer 3: Yes.

Jason:Wife has a 10 year green card to US but we have chosen to live in Thailand. We have been here over 1 year now. How can we go about ensuring her status doesn't get changed or maybe even convert the green card to a tourist visa.

CBP Officer: This is complicated. An I-551or green card is invalid as a travel document after a continuous absence from the United States of 365 days (or more). This is a fact-driven analysis - only an Immigration Judge can determine her status as a permanent resident. There is no simple way to preserve status - even returning to the United States once a year may not be enough. If you intend to reside in Thailand the green card is probably not appropriate. In any case in order to apply for a tourist visa you would be required to abandon the green card first.

wayne:Re Asian Nomad query - he may be able t do expedited naturalization for his spouse -- if his employment qualifies.

Officer 2: Good point. There are certain categories of individuals that are eligible for expedited naturalization, based on the organization, company or agency they work for abroad. Start by exploring your citizenship options on the www.uscis.gov main page, click on the photo icon, "Citizenship."

james:I would like to post a question for the chat scheduled for later today - My wife (Thai) and I (US) have been married for 16 years and most of that time we lived in Thailand. We would now like to move to the US and want to know if we can initiate my wife's immigration application (I485 and related) and complete this process through the Bangkok office? She already has her B-2. Thanks,

James,Hello. How are you? Thanks for writing in. You may submit an I-130 petition to the USCIS Bangkok office. Once the petition is approved we will send it directly to the Department of State consular section who will then contact your wife and send her a visa packet. If she travels to the U.S. on her B2 visa to then adjust, she may be viewed as having attempted to circumvent immigration law by using a non-immigrant visa to get to the U.S. to immigrate. Please keep in mind your intent will be considered each and every time you enter the U.S. The Customs and Border Protection officers will ask intent at the Port of Entry and you need to be very forthright with your answers.Please email in to [email protected] if you have more questions.Thank you.

David Ammon:If a child is already my step daughter and then I adopt her does she need the aforementioned 2 year period and/or would the period that she is my step-daughter apply?

Officer 2: Adoption questions can get complicated very quickly. Please follow up directly with our office at [email protected].

tao Liang:for the US P.R. ?? hwat' sthe easiest and shortest way to do it ??

Mr./Mrs. Liang - please refer to further immigration about permanent residency at our website: hppt://www.uscis.gov/greencard

Jerry:I hear of so many horror stories by expats when it comes to getting a visa for their Thai Spouse and being denied. There seems to be no one reason for denials. Can some one please publish the correct rules or a guide on how to successfully getting the visa accomplished with the least amount of worries? It also appears it comes down to "how' the particular agent is feeling at the time. This makes me concerned if I were to apply for a visa for my Thai spouse. So question one: If I'm already marriede to a Thai why is it

Officer 2: Hi, Jerry. It's easy to get frustrated in the visa process. There is a difference between the tourist visa process and the immigrant "green card" visa process. As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to petition for certain relatives, including your spouse, to come to the United States as legal permanent residents. Once this petition is approved, it is forwarded to the U.S. Consulate for processing of the immigrant visa.

Jerry:I need to apply for an I-129 & I130?

Officer 2: The I-129 is used to apply for a fiance. The I-130 is used to apply for a spouse.

Jerry:And question two: Why doesn't my status as a US Citizen not count as being the person responsible in sponsering her. It seems to be dependant on her not me. To me that is taking away from my personal responsibity. Do you understand my question?

tao Liang:I am a US citizen and my wife is a THia , currently we live in Shanghai, China, where shoudl i file the application for my wife

Sir - I believe I just sent you a weblink. If you wish to submit a relative petition for your wife in China you may submit the petition to one of two USCIS addresses, either Guangzhou or Beijing. You will need to establish that you live in the jurisdiction of those offices. Please email directly to either [email protected] or [email protected].

Kurt Johnson:How long does it take a K-1 visa to come out of the fraud prevention unit?

Officer 3: Thanks for the question Kurt. That all depends on how much of a backlog we have and how long the investigation takes. The investigation can involve interviews and even a site visit in some cases.

Thananan:I wondered how my us fiance could get the new receipt after submitting I-129F if the he lost the previous one, he is busy working in other countries not in USA and I would like to help him to check about the application? Thank you for your answer.

Officer 2: Yes, very good question! To obtain a duplicate approval notice, you can either file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Petition, or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The I-824 is online at www.uscis.gov/i-824. Information about how to make a FOIA request is also on our website at www.uscis.gov. Thanks!

Pablo F. Lazatin III:Hi. For US immigrants who would need to stay out of the USA for more than 1 year, what would be valid/acceptable reasons for applying for a Re-entry Permit. Thanks!

CBP Officer: An application for re-entry permit must be filed while the applicant is present in the United States. The applicant should not travel until s/he has given the required biometrics (fingerprints, etc). If approved the permit can then be forwarded to a designated U.S. Embassy.

guest:What is the average time from application to receipt on a fiance' visa?

Officer 1:Difficult to say exactly, each case is different. The general processing time for the petition - I129 f is 6 months. The approved petition is then sent to the National Visa Center who then forwards it to the appropriate Embassy.

Guest 2:I am a USC working in Thailand for a USG contractor. My spouse is a Thai national who just got their green card. Will there be complications (in terms of re-entering the US, future adjustments of status, etc) if they are actually living with me while I am stationed here in Thailand for work? I've gotten a lot of different advice through the grapevine -- that they should return to the States at least every six months, to they only need to go once a year, to they really should be living in the States and only coming to visit me occasionally here. What is your advice/suggestions to avoid future complications and/or avoid jeapordizing their LPR status?

CBP Officer: Please contact us at [email protected]. We need more information to answer this question.

Charles T. Quinnelly:How to adobt my Thai wife's children who already have green cards

Officer 3: Charles, we will refer you to the Thailand adoption page on our website:http://adoption.state.gov/country/thailand.html

Dennis:I am retired drawing early soc sec benefits for my son and myself. I am planning to return stateside and want to redirect those payments as well as bring my wife and stepdaughter to obtain citizenship for both and get an early green cardfor my wife. What do we have to do and who do we contact? Both have travelled on 10 year tourist visas back in 2005 and 2007. Will these visas suffice? Thanks in advance for your assitance. [email protected]

Officer 1:Dennis: Please contact American Citizen Services at [email protected]

Don L:Hi, I'm a US citizen living in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. My wife already has a US visitor visa that is good for 8-9 years still. If we want to move to the USA in the future, can we just enter and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!!

Officer 2: This is a tricky question to answer. If your intent is to move to the US to live permanently, you can petition for your wife to obtain an immigrant visa. A B-2 visitor's visa is to be used to visit the United States. Each entry into the United States is subject to the discretion of the U.S. CustomsCheck our website at www.uscis.gov/greencard. It outlines all the different ways to get permanent resident status in the US.

Bill 2:Hi, I'm a US citizen living in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai. My wife already has a US visitor visa that is good for 8-9 years still. If we want to move to the USA in the future, can we just enter and then apply for a change of status? Thanks!!

Officer 2: This is a tricky question to answer. If your intent is to move to the US to live permanently, you can petition for your wife to obtain an immigrant visa. A B-2 visitor's visa is to be used to visit the United States. Each entry into the United States is subject to the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry. Your wife may not be permitted to enter the United States as a visitor if her intention is to move permanently to the United States. Check our website atwww.uscis.gov/greencard. It outlines all the different ways to get permanent resident status in the US.

Bill 2:First of all, thank you for taking time to conduct this webchat and accuse my lateness due to some adobe issues.I am currently married to a Thai citizen (for about a year) and would like to bring her and her daughter to live in the U.S.To my knowledge, we have legal Thai marriage status with all of the supporting documentation. We would now like to proceed with the necessary immigration steps. I believe this will be a matter of pursuing a K3 visa. According to the USCIS website, (in my case) it would require submitting the following: 1) I-130 form(s) 2) G-325A forms for each of us 3) copy of civil marriage certificate 4) copy of divorce decree 5) proof of my U.S. citizenshipQuestions: 1) I believe all of the Thai documentation must be translated to English. Beyond using a respected translation service, are there any specific requirements? 2) What do I need to file for her daughter at this time?? 3) Do I need to file an I-129F form for my wife? 4) Do you recommend that I submit an (optional) I-864 Affidavi

Hi Bill - welcome to our webchat, albeit a bit late! If you're married already to your Thai wife you will need to file an alien relative petition, Form I-130. If you can establish that you live in Thailand, in legal status, you may be able to file your petition with the local UsCIS Office in Bangkok. Please email in to our direct public email address at [email protected]. We can steer you from there. If you are in thea U.S. you can file your petition with the Service Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence. This information can all be searched at our public website: http://www.uscis.gov/greencard.The K3 and the I-130 processing times are almost identical at this time iwth the USCIS. So, while you certainly may file an I-129 for the K3, I am not sure whether it would be helpful to your situation.You are correct in what documents you would need to submit with your petition.It is the same process for your stepdaughter, assuming she is under 18.Thanks for your good questions!

leonard jones:my thai wife has a 10 year visa, if I apply for a green card for her does effect her visa?

CBP Officer: Once she intends to immigrate to the United States the visitor visa will be cancelled. It does not happen automatically at the time that she applies for the immigrant visa. However, the fact that she is applying for an immigrant visa is evidence that she does at some time intend to immigrate to the United States.

Officer 3:Thanks so much to everyone who participated! We are sorry we couldn't get to all of your excellent questions, but we hope this was helpful. We will post the transcript tomorrow on the Immigrant Visa page of the Embassy website (bangkok.usembassy.gov)...

Officer 3:We just want to remind you of the emails you can use to ask us any follow up questions:

Officer 3:For immigrant and non-immigrant visa questions, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions involving American Citizen Services, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions for the Citizenship and Immigration Agency within the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS), please use [email protected]

Officer 3: For questions for the Customs and Border Protection Bureau of the Department of Homeland Secuirty, please use [email protected]

Officer 3: We apologize for typos and delays and any other technical difficulties. We are always trying to improve the technology, and we hope to have many more webchats in the future!

Officer 3: Speaking of technical difficulties, we might not be able to post a complete transcript, but we will do the best we can. Thanks for your understanding while we work out this process.

Additional information about immigrant visas to the United States can be found at

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

http://pattaya-times.com/a7006-webchat-transcript-immigrant-visa-q-a-by-us-embassy-bangkok

-- Pattaya Times 2011-03-17

[georgecombey]

"Jason:Wife has a 10 year green card to US but we have chosen to live in Thailand. We have been here over 1 year now. How can we go about ensuring her status doesn't get changed or maybe even convert the green card to a tourist visa. . ."

That is why it is important not neglecting the time you to renew green card.

[georgecombey]

"Jason:Wife has a 10 year green card to US but we have chosen to live in Thailand. We have been here over 1 year now. How can we go about ensuring her status doesn't get changed or maybe even convert the green card to a tourist visa. . ."

That is why it is important not neglecting the time you to renew green card.