Fiance Visa Or Employment Visa?

[scottydel]

Hello,

37-year-old American here. Have a Thai girlfriend with a 4-year-old son together, the boy holds dual citizenship. She was just recently denied a tourist visa for the second time, and the Embassy recommended we go the Immigration route.

Can anyone recommend if we should go the fiance route or the employment route? My girlfriend works as a cook, and my cousin owns a restaurant/catering company. I'm just trying to find the road of least resistance and most likelihood of success. We had a wedding ceremonty in her home village in 2007, but do not have a wedding certificate, so legally we are still not married. I believe both the fiance and employment visas are on the road to eventual immigration.

Also, is a lawyer absolutely required to get an Immigrant Visa, or is this something that she and I can do by simply following the correct steps and dealing with the appropriate bodies of government?

All thoughts welcome!

-Scott

[eastbaybob]

Trying to get an employment visa is going to be so much more work than a fiance visa with the added bonus that more than likely it would be denied. I did everything needed for my wife when she immigrated CR-6 but that was back in 2001, I didn't find it difficult, just read here or google for other websites and you should get enough info to do it on your own. Good luck!