My company is transferring me to the USA for a 3 year contract. I am Canadian and a L-1B VISA has been approved. We have 4 children, two we had together and are Canadian citizens. The other two are from her previous marriage. Her previous marriage was not registered and she has a Thai document giving her full custody. The kids father signed it and the boys have her maiden name.

Will that be enough to get them into the USA or will we have to get another document signed by their father? I would be grateful for anyones first hand experience bringing step kids into the USA.

Edited December 2, 201114 yr by Sakeopete

You don't say what the "document" you have is, might be important. Reckon it'll need to be something issued by your local amphur, at a minimum. Even better if it's from a Thai court.

Do the step-kids already have Thai passports?

I take it that you've not adopted the kids, which is kind of difficult for a farang in Thailand anyway. Just confirming.

What are your plans after this 3-year gig in the U.S.? Back to Canada? Back to Thailand? The U.S. ConOff will need to consider this as it's presumed that all of you will depart the U.S. when you do.

Mac

You don't say what the "document" you have is, might be important. Reckon it'll need to be something issued by your local amphur, at a minimum. Even better if it's from a Thai court.

Do the step-kids already have Thai passports?

I take it that you've not adopted the kids, which is kind of difficult for a farang in Thailand anyway. Just confirming.

What are your plans after this 3-year gig in the U.S.? Back to Canada? Back to Thailand? The U.S. ConOff will need to consider this as it's presumed that all of you will depart the U.S. when you do.

Mac

The paper my wife has is NANG SUU RAP RONG BUUT it was issued by the ampur. The kids do have Thai passports in my wife's maiden name and no I have not adopted them because of the bureaucracy in the Thai system. WE haven't decided what we will do after the 3 year contract is done, my company is obligated to pay for our return. Honestly moving to Canada would be best but I really hate the cold.