U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa - Applying Abroad?

[scottydel]

Hi,

37-year-old American here. Going to attempt to get my Thai g/f a US tourist visa, again. She was denied once already. A friend of mine suggested we try applying from another country, like Indonesia or Singapore for example, while we are on holiday there. I mentioned to him we were planning some vacations to add a couple stamps to my g/fs passport (she's never been outside of Thailand), and this is when he suggested it. This never even occured to me. Is it a possibilty? I assume that the US Embassy in Jakarta would only interivew native Indonesians, or would they interview anyone? Same for Singapore?

His argument was we would appear as a couple on holiday (which is true) and possibly be more likely to be approved, rathan than being yet one of any number of Thai woman with boyfriends trying to get into America from Thailand. It's not an airtight argument, but I am open to anything that would increase our odds.

If anyone has any thoughts/experience with getting a Thai National a US visa from a US Embassy outside of Thailand, I'd love to hear about it. We have a 4-year-old son together who is already a US citizen, and it is such a shame the 3 of us cannot spend a few weeks in America meeting my family without having to go through the crazy maze of immigration visas and interviews!

Thanks,

Scott

[beano2274]

Am sure you can only apply in the Country of your Residence, she is not resident in any of those mentioned above. Also remember all visa applications are registered on a computerised system, all Embassies and Consulates have access to it.

Think again!!!!!!!

[beano2274]

On the UK application form it asks this question:

If you are not a national of the country in which you are applying, what permission do you have to stay in that country?

How you gonna answer such a question?

[scottydel]

Am sure you can only apply in the Country of your Residence, she is not resident in any of those mentioned above. Also remember all visa applications are registered on a computerised system, all Embassies and Consulates have access to it.

Think again!!!!!!!

Thanks, I was suspicous that was the case. To Bangkok we go!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Am sure you can only apply in the Country of your Residence, she is not resident in any of those mentioned above. Also remember all visa applications are registered on a computerised system, all Embassies and Consulates have access to it.

Think again!!!!!!!

Beno, that's not correct, a person can apply for an NIV in other than their native country. For example, a Thai living in the UK could apply there for the visa, but same criteria wold apply in the ConOff's decision, has the applicant established that s/he will depart the U.S. at the end of the term of the visa.

Scotty, in your case, I also doubt that this would work, especially with another U.S. embassy in the region while on vacation from Thailand. The ConOffs would be very likely to just say, go home and apply again there.

A Q, tho, do you live in the U.S. or in Thailand? If in the U.S., then likely that the ConOff's think you're just trying to beat the IV process. If you live and work here in Thailand, and have so for a period of time, I'm a bit surprised that she was denied.

FYI, had an American friend of mine whose GF had already been denied an NIV here. A year later she got one to Canada and while there, applied again at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, denied again. A year after that she applied again in Bangkok and got the visa, a one-shoter to start with, but since she did return to Thailand after her visa, bet she'll get one the next time she applies.

Mac

[scottydel]

Mac,

Thanks for the info. I've lived here over half of the last six years. I've worked a little as a teacher, but mostly freelanced in software on a non-immigrant tourist visa. She was denied once already due to "insufficient social, financial and family ties outside of the United States". A.K.A, they think she will be a "runner", which is ridiculous as her going is totally my idea, not hers. But on paper she has little assets, so that's our biggest obstacle.

I agree with what you've said, I don't think it will increase our chances, but it sounded like it was worth investigating. Maybe other people have had success applying outside of Thailand, who knows.

I will keep trying, and if we are denied for two tourist visas, I will probably escalade things to a fiancee visa. We're not married so I think we would qualify for that. If all else fails I may even write a letter to Obama! Our son has expressed interest in her meeting everyone in the states (he's already been there). I mean who can deny a father and son wanting his Mom to meet the rest of his family? The US Embassy can, that's who!

-Scott

[hawthorne]

Scott,

I think you will find out from enough people trying to get visit visas to the US we all have so many stories. I could never figure it out what made a good candidate to not RUN. My wife and I leave over seas and we first applied in Thailand, BKK denied twice. We tried in our work country and she was a resident (UAE), denied. Later we moved to Saudi while she was waiting on her Saudi visa to be processed she applied in BKK again denied. A week later she was home and decided to try the consulate in Chang Mai and got a 10 yr multiple. From what most people have written Chang Mai is the better place to go. You have to have your home register in that area though which she does. Anyone can go to BKK as it is the embassy. We were marred during all attempts. The main reason they gave to her was what is the proof that you will leave the US? You have a child so I would think that would be huge in your favor. From my wife's observations though is that so many people are applying each day they try to find reasons not to allow rather than the other way around. Never give up. The more you try eventually you will get it, I think. We are going on our second US vacation this summer and my family is so grateful to get to know her and see her. What a shame so many families go without meeting someone who makes a member so happy. As far as money she had her statements and they never asked for them. She was financially secure and maintained a job as nurse which I would think the US would love for her to over stay and help out the shortage of nurses.

Best of LUCK!!

[boldfj]

Scottydel, I don't think letters to Mr. Obama are going to help. What Hawthorne said above is totally true. Every applicant for a tourist visa to the USA is considered as a person who will stay in the USA longer than the tourist visa allows. So, your application needs to provide good reasons, with strong evidence, that demonstrate why your g/f wants/needs to return to Thailand at the end of her visit to the USA. If she can't provide these, and if you truly intend to marry her in the USA, then the K-1 visa (fiancee) is the most logical route to go. However, I would not recommend the K-1 visa if you don't truly intend to marry her. Deceiving the US Immigration is something the Consulates don't forget and it will make it much harder, if not impossible, in the future to ever get a visa again. On the other hand, if you do intend to marry your g/f, why not marry in Thailand and then apply for a K-3 visa (spouse). It is probably the simplest way to go. My wife and I went that route many years ago and it was quite easy. Once she has a K-3 visa and visits the USA and returns to Thailand, it will be much easier for her to get a tourist visa in the future. Good luck!

[Sateev]

On the UK application form it asks this question:

If you are not a national of the country in which you are applying, what permission do you have to stay in that country?

How you gonna answer such a question?

Anybody bother to read the OP's topic title, "U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa - Applying Abroad"?

What the UK asks is of no relevance whatsoever.

So, instead of "Think again!!!!!", the rejoinder might be, "Read again!!!!!!"