Tourist Visa For Thai Wife To Usa

[ChiangMaiThai]

I have been with my now Thai wife for 9 years. We had the marriage ceremony recently, but have not registered it. For the purposes of applying for a tourist visa to the US, is there some advantage either way in terms of the marriage being registered or not being registered?

Not sure if it is relevant, but we would just like to go back for a few weeks to visit my family. She has been steadily employed here at the same company for 3 years as have I. She is making payments on a house and a car.

Thanks in advance for any comments!

[PoorSucker]

According to the law you are not married until it's registered at the Amphur.

[ChiangMaiThai]

According to the law you are not married until it's registered at the Amphur.

Right, I get that part. In the eyes of the US Embassy when they are deciding whether or not to grant a tourist visa to a Thai, is it better that she is married to an American living in Thailand or not? Or is it irrelevant? Thanks!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

According to the law you are not married until it's registered at the Amphur.

Right, I get that part. In the eyes of the US Embassy when they are deciding whether or not to grant a tourist visa to a Thai, is it better that she is married to an American living in Thailand or not? Or is it irrelevant? Thanks!

It may seem a bit strange but seems to me that it's a tad easier to get a "girl friend" visa than that for a wife, at least in my now wife's case. Before we got married she had two short term NIVs then a 10-year GF visa. We got married and then went up for another 10-year special as the earlier one had expired. The interviewing ConOff really looked at my passport and the string of "retirement" extensions in it which made him happy. Visa granted.

So, don't really think it matters, married or not. Most important thing will probably be YOUR status in Thailand, and YOUR intent to return here after the U.S. visit. Up front in your GF's interview package, when you get that far, should be YOUR passport and work permit showing continued employment prospects. It's sort of assumed that your GF will be returning if you are.

Mac

[theoldgit]

Right, I get that part. In the eyes of the US Embassy when they are deciding whether or not to grant a tourist visa to a Thai, is it better that she is married to an American living in Thailand or not? Or is it irrelevant? Thanks!

From what I have heard about the American Immigration Authorities being married to an American may make the process more difficulty. I believe that they start with the assumption that the applicant will not abide by the terms of the visa and will overstay, it's then down to the applicant to prove compelling ties to Thailand. I think, only think not know, that in your case the officer will look at the evidence indicating you have just married and may, rightly or wrongly, assume you both want to make a new life in Thailand together.

Your wife needs to prove she has compelling reasons to return, you have already indicated that she works, is buying a house and a car, I think that's a good start, but she needs to convince the officer that her future is in Thailand with you, maybe submitting strong evidence about your status and future plans in in Thailand.

Good luck

[jazzbo]

to follow-on Kuhns Git and Mac, since you and your 'wife' are in fact not legally married as your marriage has not been registered, and, since she appears to be a woman of some substance and means, it might be an option for her to apply for a tourist visa to the USA for the purpose of visiting THAI relatives or friends in the USA also of some substance and means and leave you completely out of the picture unless such information is specifically asked for by the US Consular agent.

[jazzbo]

As per #7 fine ... although I qualified my statement that both the applicant and the relatives in the USA are of 'substance and means'.

[ChiangMaiThai]

It's amazing how the opinions differ so widely here. Even if we are not legally married, it would seem important to show a 9 year relationship with me including a recent marriage ceremony because I can then show compelling reasons for my return. (Rent of 300,000 Baht paid in advance for a year here. Haven't even been to the US for 4 years. On Work Permit for 3 years already. Good full time job).

If I am going to return and she has been with me for 9 years, a logical person would assume that she would return too.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

It's amazing how the opinions differ so widely here. Even if we are not legally married, it would seem important to show a 9 year relationship with me including a recent marriage ceremony because I can then show compelling reasons for my return. (Rent of 300,000 Baht paid in advance for a year here. Haven't even been to the US for 4 years. On Work Permit for 3 years already. Good full time job).

If I am going to return and she has been with me for 9 years, a logical person would assume that she would return too.

CMT

Go back to my Post #4 above. Sure it's important that you've been together for nine years, probably more important, tho, is that you're employed here and plan on continuing to be so. You'll need to add a SHORT cover note to your non-wife's application stating this so the interviewing ConOff sees that you're a "pair" going and returning. Have her take your passport, even expired ones, that show your long term presence in Thailand. Any overseas magazines or local bills in your name? Take those, too.

Easier for my now wife, last NIV for her I was still allowed to go up to the window with her, and the ConOff asked me the Qs, not her. Short interview in any case.

Mac

[ChiangMaiThai]

It's amazing how the opinions differ so widely here. Even if we are not legally married, it would seem important to show a 9 year relationship with me including a recent marriage ceremony because I can then show compelling reasons for my return. (Rent of 300,000 Baht paid in advance for a year here. Haven't even been to the US for 4 years. On Work Permit for 3 years already. Good full time job).

If I am going to return and she has been with me for 9 years, a logical person would assume that she would return too.

CMT

Go back to my Post #4 above. Sure it's important that you've been together for nine years, probably more important, tho, is that you're employed here and plan on continuing to be so. You'll need to add a SHORT cover note to your non-wife's application stating this so the interviewing ConOff sees that you're a "pair" going and returning. Have her take your passport, even expired ones, that show your long term presence in Thailand. Any overseas magazines or local bills in your name? Take those, too.

Easier for my now wife, last NIV for her I was still allowed to go up to the window with her, and the ConOff asked me the Qs, not her. Short interview in any case.

Mac

Thanks for this. The application is online so I think i will just have to include the cover letter with the confirmation form that you print out. In the cover letter I want to clarify that we had a wedding ceremony, but have not yet registered the marriage. I think that if they realize that we went through the ceremony that our relationship is serious even if it is not yet registered. Or will they assume that no matter what we say, if we haven't registered it here, that that must mean that we want to go register it in the US?

If I can't prove the relationship exists, then I am irrelevant. Right? But the pictures over 9 years should demonstrate that. And then I can supply her with the following:

• Letters from my employer (3 years with the same company)

• Copy of my work permit and visa

• Copy of my Thai Driver’s license

• Copies of my Thai credit card statements showing lots of purchases made by me in Thailand

• Copy of my lease for my condo in Bangkok demonstrating advance payment for one year through April 2012

• Photos from our wedding this year

She herself makes about 80,000 Baht / month between her full time job and part time work, but interesting that they don't ask total income on the application. They just ask for income from the one job that you can list, which is about 25,000 Baht. Will she be asked what her TOTAL income is? I hope...

Thanks for any tips. Interview is mid June. I will post the results here!