I am helping a good friend of mine (I don't know why her husband isn't helping). Her husband's daughter is getting married Sept. 29 and she wants her dad and son to come to America for the wedding. She has a lawyer back in Pattaya that can help but I am trying find out everything they need too.

1. what documents do they need aside from the obvious. I am trying to get all the information from the government sites.
   
2. Is it even possible to get an interview on such short notice?
   
3. Are there any 'tricks' that might increase their chances? i.e. big bank account...owning a business...?
   

I am doing my best to help them out and appreciate all your help in advance as well

thank you

Nigel

Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I would not even try. First, you don't have enough time if you started on this today. Dad, a slim chance if he is 55+, bro seriously doubt it.

No tricks, just a good job and good character. An ability to show a history of who you are and that you have reason to return after the wedding. I would say that ability to show employment and salary (letter of guarantee) is pretty basic to that. The rest is all a crapshoot honestly.

BTW - the visa (attempt) will not be cheap as well, multiply 2x. You could buy a ticket to Thailand almost for the price.

Edited August 24, 201213 yr by bangkokburning

Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I would not even try. First, you don't have enough time if you started on this today. Dad, a slim chance if he is 55+, bro seriously doubt it.

No tricks, just a good job and good character. An ability to show a history of who you are and that you have reason to return after the wedding. I would say that ability to show employment and salary (letter of guarantee) is pretty basic to that. The rest is all a crapshoot honestly.

BTW - the visa (attempt) will not be cheap as well, multiply 2x. You could buy a ticket to Thailand almost for the price.

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the same thing about this whole process. I was just trying to help her out but I told her basically the same thing that just because you have a farang husband (who is not me) and both have a good job doesn't guarantee anything especially since they are trying to start this process right now.

I might try to call a lawyer in LA or something (I am in Minneapolis, USA) and just see what they say so it won't sound like all the blame is on me when this doesn't work out..

Thanks again!!

Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I would not even try. First, you don't have enough time if you started on this today. Dad, a slim chance if he is 55+, bro seriously doubt it.

No tricks, just a good job and good character. An ability to show a history of who you are and that you have reason to return after the wedding. I would say that ability to show employment and salary (letter of guarantee) is pretty basic to that. The rest is all a crapshoot honestly.

BTW - the visa (attempt) will not be cheap as well, multiply 2x. You could buy a ticket to Thailand almost for the price.

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the same thing about this whole process. I was just trying to help her out but I told her basically the same thing that just because you have a farang husband (who is not me) and both have a good job doesn't guarantee anything especially since they are trying to start this process right now.

I might try to call a lawyer in LA or something (I am in Minneapolis, USA) and just see what they say so it won't sound like all the blame is on me when this doesn't work out..

Thanks again!!

The non helping husband probably knows this is going to be an expensive and non productive exercise.

However: Lets say they both have a current passport, and you get all the forms filled out online by Monday morning Bangkok time. They would still need to purchase a PIN number to set the appointment date. The cost of that would be about 300-400 USD for both application and PIN fees (please forgive me if those numbers are off, it’s been awhile since I did this). The interview wait time can be as little as 10 days, but I remember waiting several weeks. If they can secure an interview time, they can then gather the paperwork to help them get the visa, while waiting for the interview. Job info, property owner, etc. So, if everything went like clockwork, there is a very slim chance they could have a visa (3-7 days by mail) in hand by around Sept 12-20. At which time airfare is going to be very, very, very expensive, probably at least double of what they would pay if booking in advance.

There are no tricks. You cannot expedite appointment for tourist visa

A lawyer can help getting the initial paperwork done quickly and properly, but that’s about it. Most law firms won’t touch tourist visas because of the large number that are denied.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck.

Shot

edit:expedite tourist visa

Edited August 24, 201213 yr by Shot

Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I would not even try. First, you don't have enough time if you started on this today. Dad, a slim chance if he is 55+, bro seriously doubt it.

No tricks, just a good job and good character. An ability to show a history of who you are and that you have reason to return after the wedding. I would say that ability to show employment and salary (letter of guarantee) is pretty basic to that. The rest is all a crapshoot honestly.

BTW - the visa (attempt) will not be cheap as well, multiply 2x. You could buy a ticket to Thailand almost for the price.

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the same thing about this whole process. I was just trying to help her out but I told her basically the same thing that just because you have a farang husband (who is not me) and both have a good job doesn't guarantee anything especially since they are trying to start this process right now.

I might try to call a lawyer in LA or something (I am in Minneapolis, USA) and just see what they say so it won't sound like all the blame is on me when this doesn't work out..

Thanks again!!

The non helping husband probably knows this is going to be an expensive and non productive exercise.

However: Lets say they both have a current passport, and you get all the forms filled out online by Monday morning Bangkok time. They would still need to purchase a PIN number to set the appointment date. The cost of that would be about 300-400 USD for both application and PIN fees (please forgive me if those numbers are off, it’s been awhile since I did this). The interview wait time can be as little as 10 days, but I remember waiting several weeks. If they can secure an interview time, they can then gather the paperwork to help them get the visa, while waiting for the interview. Job info, property owner, etc. So, if everything went like clockwork, there is a very slim chance they could have a visa (3-7 days by mail) in hand by around Sept 12-20. At which time airfare is going to be very, very, very expensive, probably at least double of what they would pay if booking in advance.

There are no tricks. You cannot expedite appointment for tourist visa

A lawyer can help getting the initial paperwork done quickly and properly, but that’s about it. Most law firms won’t touch tourist visas because of the large number that are denied.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck.

Shot

edit:expedite tourist visa

Thanks ...that is some really good information that I can present to her. I think the husband is busy with his own things and pretty much lets the wife run her restaurant and do things by herself. However, I will tell her about this and about the very very slim (and expensive) chance this might work. This doesn't even tak into account them trying to buy a ticket with hardly any day's notice.

Maybe they can change the wedding date..haha

I will keep you informed...thanks again!

Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I would not even try. First, you don't have enough time if you started on this today. Dad, a slim chance if he is 55+, bro seriously doubt it.

No tricks, just a good job and good character. An ability to show a history of who you are and that you have reason to return after the wedding. I would say that ability to show employment and salary (letter of guarantee) is pretty basic to that. The rest is all a crapshoot honestly.

BTW - the visa (attempt) will not be cheap as well, multiply 2x. You could buy a ticket to Thailand almost for the price.

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the same thing about this whole process. I was just trying to help her out but I told her basically the same thing that just because you have a farang husband (who is not me) and both have a good job doesn't guarantee anything especially since they are trying to start this process right now.

I might try to call a lawyer in LA or something (I am in Minneapolis, USA) and just see what they say so it won't sound like all the blame is on me when this doesn't work out..

Thanks again!!

The non helping husband probably knows this is going to be an expensive and non productive exercise.

However: Lets say they both have a current passport, and you get all the forms filled out online by Monday morning Bangkok time. They would still need to purchase a PIN number to set the appointment date. The cost of that would be about 300-400 USD for both application and PIN fees (please forgive me if those numbers are off, it’s been awhile since I did this). The interview wait time can be as little as 10 days, but I remember waiting several weeks. If they can secure an interview time, they can then gather the paperwork to help them get the visa, while waiting for the interview. Job info, property owner, etc. So, if everything went like clockwork, there is a very slim chance they could have a visa (3-7 days by mail) in hand by around Sept 12-20. At which time airfare is going to be very, very, very expensive, probably at least double of what they would pay if booking in advance.

There are no tricks. You cannot expedite appointment for tourist visa

A lawyer can help getting the initial paperwork done quickly and properly, but that’s about it. Most law firms won’t touch tourist visas because of the large number that are denied.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck.

Shot

edit:expedite tourist visa

Thanks ...that is some really good information that I can present to her. I think the husband is busy with his own things and pretty much lets the wife run her restaurant and do things by herself. However, I will tell her about this and about the very very slim (and expensive) chance this might work. This doesn't even tak into account them trying to buy a ticket with hardly any day's notice.

Maybe they can change the wedding date..haha

I will keep you informed...thanks again!

I'm sure they would be just as happy to see their family in November or December. Maybe Thanksgiven, for a real American experience.

Shot has a great point abt the husband perhaps already seeing the writing on the wall. Curious why though she has come to you, maybe he has said no way but she is testing him or at least hoping that you are Mr Magicvisa.

Anyway - I totally forgot abt procuring passports. They can come fast in Thailand but ...forget it.