Usa Type B-2 Visitor Visa For Gf

[ScottyJ11]

Hello,

Been doing a lot of reading lately about getting a B-2 visa for my (Thai) girlfriend to come to the United States with me for a brief visit, and I am now increasingly concerned about what I had thought would be a “slam dunk” approval. Many times I have seen it indicated to not bring too much material to the interview, and instead to highlight only the strongest, with other things in reserve only if they are requested. So, here is the situation, any advice about what should be front and center and what should be left out (or anything that might make the case stronger) would be greatly appreciated.

I have been living in Thailand continuously since June 2010, after trips of 1 month, 3 months, and 1 month to visit my parents who formerly lived here and have since returned to the US. I (22) have been with my girlfriend (28) for one year and 4 months now. Right now I am planning on a two week trip, the main reason for the trip is to attend the wedding of a cousin of mine in Chicago, and we will then spend the rest of the time in the Washington, DC area at my parents’ house. My girlfriend has a degree from a Thai university and has been employed with the same Thai company for approximately 4 years and recently received a significant promotion. These are the documents, in more or less descending order, I thought should be the main crux of the application:

1. Save the date for the wedding with my name +1
   
2. Letter from her work detailing history, salary, responsibilities, and granting vacation time
   
3. Sponsoring letter from my parents who will be paying for flights and accommodation in their house, and guaranteeing other expenses during the trip. They have met her many times while living here and can account for her character.
   
4. Letter from my work detailing my position here, salary, vacation time. This is a new position, so I could also include work samples from previous jobs (magazine articles).
   
5. She financially supports her parents (unfortunately not much paper trail on this one, just gives them cash at the start of the month) and the house they live in is in her name, so evidence of her owning the house will be included. She lives with me in my apartment, would providing rent receipts be good? Again, there is no physical proof of her contribution though.
   
6. Both of our bankbooks showing regular deposits and withdrawals
   
7. Her passport indicating brief (less than one week) trips to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Laos from 2007-present (one trip to each)
   
8. My passport, which includes an expired type O multiple entry, an expired type B single entry, and a current type ED single entry. This will soon expire, which leads to what I feel is the one weak part of the application; I will be going for a visa run, and financially it makes the most sense to get a double entry tourist visa which will carry me over to the scheduled departure date for this trip, and I will be applying for a type B or type M (journalist) visa at the Thai embassy in Washington, which I have found is far more accommodating than the Thai consulates in SEA. Will having this tourist visa be a problem?
   

I've often seen it pointed out that "she is applying for the visa, not you", but I feel establishing my connections to Thailand is nearly as important as demonstrating her connections to Thailand, which is why I've included documents about my work, my bankbook, my passport, etc. If this is inappropriate, please let me know. She owns no car or vehicle. Her job pays in the neighborhood of 20,000 a month, which is why my parents will be offering to support her financially for the time here. Even though she will pay for herself, I’m worried her bank account will not be high enough to meet expectations.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Edited March 21, 2012 by ScottyJ11

[David48]

Well, my advice is simple.

Nowhere in your statement have you addressed the #1 hotspot for Immigration.

The overwhelming reason for your Thai gf to return to Thailand when the Visa has expired.

Spend more time on that then any other point.

#1, simply a copy of the wedding invitation should suffice.

#2 and stating that her position will still be there when she returns.

#3 Since it's your parents who are supplying financial support they (Immigration) might wish to see evidence of their (your parents) capacity to do so ... not only yours.

#4. Don't go overboard. A simple letter should suffice as it's your parents providing financial support.

#5 Why do you think that would add weight to a Visa application I don't understand.

#6 If you are sending a copy of your statements remove the account and branch numbers as it's not important to them. Again, you state that it's your parents providing the financial support.

#7 Potentially little weighting as Thais can travel freely to both countries.

#8 Front page and recent Visa and stamps should suffice.

Closing paragraph, if she doesn't have the money and you or your parents do ... it's not a problem.

I'm an Australian, so I'll qualify my advice, but entry here is just as tough as the USA and there some generally acceptable principles.

Plus you haven't included any photos of you two together this identify the relationship.

Is this peculiar to a USA Visa application?

Any one from the USA who could add to my comments, please do and we will all learn something.

[ScottyJ11]

Hello,

Thanks for your thoughts, good advice especially on #2.

i thought #5 (owning property and having financial dependents) is usually seen as part of a compelling reason to return. Maybe not.

[David48]

Hello,

Thanks for your thoughts, good advice especially on #2.

i thought #5 (owning property and having financial dependents) is usually seen as part of a compelling reason to return. Maybe not.

No problem, happy, as most of the members here to help each other.

My Thai gf arrives in Australia in 2 weeks time YIPPEE, (now where did I put that vacuum cleaner, I used it only 6 months ago)

Please do heed the advice about the reason for her return to Thailand ... so important.

Photos?

As for having a House ... worth maybe $30,000 - $50,000 dollars ... a years salary in the States.

Plus the property can be sold and the money simply transferred internationally.

Financial dependants ... even more of a reason to stay in the States and earn more money then in Thailand so that she can take care of them better!

I'm sure someone else will mention it.

Was it a miss type. You are 22 and she is 28?

[ScottyJ11]

Hmm, I never considered the house and financial dependents that way, I had imagined them as responsibilities that need to be returned to and cared for but can definitely see in the eyes of the consular officer they are at best neutral and probably in fact negatives!

I do have dated photos i can include, although I thought that was usually more for people pursuing the fiance/e K1 visa intending to get married and proving its not a sham relationship to get immigration privileges.

If owning property and having loved ones in Thailand who depend on you are not helpful, what kind of things do people include, besides employment, as compelling cause for return?

edit: no, not a mistype, twenty two and twenty eight.

Edited March 21, 2012 by ScottyJ11

[David48]

About what to include in the application ... simply phone the Embassy or the delegated Authority if the Embassy doesn't directly handle applications, and ask them what THEY want.

Write down what they ask for and use it as a checklist later.

Sometimes what they want and you think they want are two completely different things.

Have at look at this, a post of mine which deals with getting an Australian Visa and there might be a few tips for you ... http://www.thaivisa....sa-application/

About the photos, they are only to prove the relationship.

Date and place name for each one.

I do only a couple of pages with obviously different times. So what I did was Songkran Festival - April, Loy Krathong - November, Christmas - December, a family one, and a few at different places of travel.

Recently I read a gentleman who submitted circa 18 pages of photos.

For me, less is more, but each to their own.

Employment is a good reason for return, but no where in your opening post did you mention that the job was open for her when she returned. Holiday, or as you Yanks call it, Vacation times, Thai people usually only get 1 weeks 'vacation'. If you are stating a longer period that's OK, but once that period approaches a months vacation, then a few eyebrows might be raised because it is extremely unlikely that a Thai would get a period of leave that long.

Oh, you raise a good point about future Visas, I sure what happens on this Visa, application, length of stay etc will be reviewed with the next application.

Most time girls have to jump through the hoops (many obstacles) with the first application, but subsequent Visa applications of the same class were relatively easy, sort of leaving you with the impression, what was all the fuss about with the first application.

Would be great if some of the other guys here offered advice also, particularly those from the States

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Essential that you she take your passport (not a copy) to the interview in order to show your status here in Thailand. The presumption is that if you have a solid reason to return, she'll return with you.

However, I note:

4- Letter from my work detailing my position here, salary, vacation time. This is a new position, so I could also include work samples from previous jobs (magazine articles).

8- My passport, which includes an expired type O multiple entry, an expired type B single entry, and a current type ED single entry.

That doesn't look real good, as you are apparently working illegally here on an ED visa. That's a no-no. Now if you had a Work Permit, that'd really add to the package.

Mac

[Shot]

Hmm, I never considered the house and financial dependents that way, I had imagined them as responsibilities that need to be returned to and cared for but can definitely see in the eyes of the consular officer they are at best neutral and probably in fact negatives!

I do have dated photos i can include, although I thought that was usually more for people pursuing the fiance/e K1 visa intending to get married and proving its not a sham relationship to get immigration privileges.

If owning property and having loved ones in Thailand who depend on you are not helpful, what kind of things do people include, besides employment, as compelling cause for return?

edit: no, not a mistype, twenty two and twenty eight.

Bring everything you have except your work and bank info. Like T mac said, that could cause a problem. I wouldn’t offer the information about her having dependents here, but if asked, tell them. Her work history, current job info, land ownership, and your passport are the big ones. I don’t think you need to worry much about your current visa expiring soon. My GF had an interview last Oct. and my visa was set to expire Nov 1, and she was approved. If the interview process goes the same for your GF as mine, one counselor will go through all of her stuff. Pictures, bank, rent, property, passport, etc, etc. They will pick out what they think is important. I would have her current job info, land ownership, and your passport on top. But, bring everything, you never know. As one of the other posters said, proving her and your ties to Thailand are the hot buttons. The items that person chooses will be given to the interviewer, and looked through during the interview process. Have your GF dress business casual. Go with her, and wait outside. Be organized, be early. The most important thing is to BE HONEST.

When is the wedding? Do you have an interview date???

Good luck.

[Zpete]

Your wife is not alone.

My wife is Filipina, living in NZ. over 3 years, married 2 .

ALL her immediate family have green cards, parents and siblings, inc neices and nephew.

Last year, Nov, she applied for a visa to attend her sister's wedding.

She showed photos, marriage cerificate etc.

She has Visa Platinum CC, for what it is worth, to pay her way, a few grand in NZ and Pinas bank accouts.

The guy interveiwer, told her the wedding was a sham, she would NOT return..... <deleted>.

Next year she will ha NZ permanent residency, soon after a NZ passport, hopefully.

The US may still knock her back...... dunno.

We will live in hope.

Edited March 22, 2012 by Zpete