1St B-2 Tourist Visa For Thai Gf To Usa Questions Please ...

[chubby]

Hello All;

Read through a few posts and the Embassy Instructions, but need some real world, clarfications, thanks in advance.

So, My gf is late 20s, has not worked recently as she was seriously ill last year. Lives with her parents, so, are middle class, bangkok folks, she owns a small condo, but otherwise apparently no assets, though dad is an engineer.

1)

I would like to help her visit the USA. But, do not want to attempt, if the odds are poor (eg the non refundable $170) application fee.

...... Assuming everything is done well, but NOT through an agency; are the odds 50/50 or 90 % or is it impossible to day ?

2)

I also don't quite understand if , say it is likely she could get a ? 30 day visa, but won't know till the immigration officer ? at the USA airport tells her what she gets, does one then buy an air ticket that allows one to change the date without penalty ? as fares are not cheap to begin with, but maybe most international flights are not $200 to change like american ones are ?

3)

I asked her to do some research, and she is telling me , she needs a "letter" from me to "invite her, bank documents, work history, etc" : anyone have such a letter that was successful that i might use for reference ?

........perhaps this is for the 'interview' portion of the process ?

4)

from the day the application for visa is completed, what is an average time till interview and issuance of a visa, so I might do some planning ?

5)

I would prefer her to stay longer than 30 days for the expenses involved ; is 30 days typical, or might she be offered a 6 month tourist visa ?

anyone with recent B-2 experience much appreciated

aloha from honolulu

[thaihome]

#1 & 3 are basically same question. the odds cannot be quantified. Each case is different. The biggest question is where do you live? if you live full time in Thailand and you can prove a real relationship and your ties to Thailand, the visa is very likely.

If you live in the US and only visit Thailand the visa is very unlikely if you come up in the application process, It will be assumed you are trying to shortcut immigration procedures and will get married while in the US which allows her to apply for change of status and stay as the spouse of a US citizen.

She will need to apply on her own merits and not mention you at all. This becomes problematic as she will have to lie in the interview and deny she is going to see a BF.

#2. Most tourist visas, when given are multi entry valid for 10 years and on entry into US will usually be given 6 month stamp. The immigration officer can adjust the amount of time based on his judgment. If admitted, he would always give the amount of time for the pre-booked return flight if within the 6 months.

#4. Getting the interview appointment is the issue. It can take a month or so get the interview, so plan on at least that. If approved, visa is mailed out the next day or so. Plan on a week.

#5. Same as #2

Good luck,

TH

[chubby]

I live in the US, and have visited Thailand for 1 month, 2009, 2011, 2012.

So, this seems to be the opposite, of what I thought was the idea, eg, I am going to support her , "sponser" , the visit, as some guarantee, she is going to return to Thailand. ?

From what you've written, it therefore, appears, unlikely, she will get a tourist visa, so I guess its not worth paying $200 to find out. ; bad news

gf, must be thinking more along the lines of fiancee visa, whence, 'supporting' /sponsering would be more important or something

[Thanyaburi Mac]

ThaiHome

Good write up you did, cover the points quite well, I think.

And, yes, very important point is where is the boy friend. In this case, in the U.S., not so good, especially for "young" folks.

Agree, not a great chance of approval.

Mac

[chubby]

so, during the application process, if one is "hi-so" do they factor that in, on obtaining B-2 visas ?

exactly who MIGHT be likely to obtain US Visas ?

thanks

#1 & 3 are basically same question. the odds cannot be quantified. Each case is different. The biggest question is where do you live? if you live full time in Thailand and you can prove a real relationship and your ties to Thailand, the visa is very likely.

If you live in the US and only visit Thailand the visa is very unlikely if you come up in the application process, It will be assumed you are trying to shortcut immigration procedures and will get married while in the US which allows her to apply for change of status and stay as the spouse of a US citizen.

She will need to apply on her own merits and not mention you at all. This becomes problematic as she will have to lie in the interview and deny she is going to see a BF.

#2. Most tourist visas, when given are multi entry valid for 10 years and on entry into US will usually be given 6 month stamp. The immigration officer can adjust the amount of time based on his judgment. If admitted, he would always give the amount of time for the pre-booked return flight if within the 6 months.

#4. Getting the interview appointment is the issue. It can take a month or so get the interview, so plan on at least that. If approved, visa is mailed out the next day or so. Plan on a week.

#5. Same as #2

Good luck,

TH