Advise please, US visa for Vietnamese Girlfriend/ fiance

[northernisles]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. My situation; Ive been coming to Thailand 15 years, divorced Thai wife 7 years ago. Met girlfriend 3 years ago. She cooks in Bkk restaurant, Vietnamese citizen here on 30 stamp, renews each month. Trying to determine the easiest way to do her US visa. Can we marry in Thailand? Im in USA now. Must she go through Ho Chi Minh Consulate for entire process? All input appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

To marry here you would both need affirmation of permit to marry. Hers would need to be from the Vietnamese embassy. Yours from US embassy.

This webpage on US embassy has very good info for getting married here.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

[northernisles]

Thanks Joe,

[Tomtomtom69]

Doesn't sound like it would be a good idea for your girlfriend to try and obtain a US visa in Bangkok. She is basically a permanent "tourist" with her 30 day stamps, working illegally in Thailand. She would need to apply in Ho Chi Minh unless she can get herself legalized as a recognized worker in Thailand with work permit, appropriate visa and all. Otherwise, her application probably won't even be looked at (but she will be charged the non-refundable visa fee first) if she applies in Bangkok and in the case of Ho Chi Minh, working illegally in Thailand won't be an incentive for her to return to Vietnam hence the US consulate in Ho Chi Minh won't be satisfied that she's a genuine visitor.