How difficult is it to obtain a US visa for my Thai girlfriend

[spookysully]

Hello all,

Curious about traveling to the states with my Thai girlfriend, she is near the end of law school and has worked in government positions prior to her school. She's only 25 and very pretty so I am wondering if she will be discriminated against while attempting to get a US visa? I am a US citizen, slave, lazy american't, whatever you want to call us... Ha ha!

I know nothing about this process and only mention her beauty because of what I've been told online about this process... A young, pretty Thai girl trying to get into the states is difficult because they fear she won't return??? Again, telling me I'm a novice is unnecessary.

Our stay will only be for a month of meeting my family and showing her my home in Montana. She has been pushing for this visit for a few months and I'm only now starting to look at it seriously as a bit of a graduation present. How much can I look to spend?

Cheers and thanks for any help!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

You can start your research right here: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html

To a fairly large extent, success or failure will depend on YOUR status here in Thailand. Been here a long time? Working? Work Permit? Visa status? Rent? Got a lease in your name? Car, motorcycle?

Mac

[spookysully]

Thanks so much for the link, I'll check it out straight away!!

And, no its not a troll post but thanks for looking just past your advanced member wisdom to drop a comment like that on my first post. Maybe I should know what my adventure will run but thought I'd start here first. Why the unfriendly reply?

Doesn't really matter I guess, is there anyone else wondering if I'm just lonely enough to waste my time "troll" posting stupid questions? If so, rest assured that's not the case. I was just wondering if someone might have some insight. Maybe Thai Visa isn't the place for visa questions.

Once again, cheers

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed.

Maybe this would be better placed in the Visas to other countries forum for better answers about the US Visa process.

[Scott]

I am assuming that she is going on a tourist visa and she will be accompanying you to the states. She will have to show sufficient funds in the bank to finance the trip and probably regular income from a job. If she is a student that may not be possible, but if her family has money, she may be ok financially.

She will also need to show her school status and that she is enrolled and will continue her education.

Basically she will have to overcome the presumption that she will remain in the US.

Best of luck. (By the way, my information is a little bit old, but I worked for the embassy a long time ago).

[thrilled]

The key is does she own land,or A business?It's not about you,it's about her.Maybe try A fiancé visa might be A better way to go.

[spookysully]

I apologize if this is the wrong spot for this topic, probably should have read through a bit more. Thank you all so much for the replies! I'm really clueless and am just reaching out for some info/help..

She actually does own some land and her family does have money but exactly how much, I'm not sure but I do know her grandmother (not the nicest lady) is loaded!

She has absolutely no interest and neither do I in staying in the states. Two round trips will be booked when we decide to go, for sure! As far as her education goes, I'm betting on her leaving when she's done with her law degree which isn't far off and graduation will likely be before we would go. This is most definitely a visit to see my home and introduce her to my family.

Thanks again for the replies everyone!

Cheers

[BudRight]

When I did this, the embassy was mostly interested in seeing my thai work permit.

[ableguy]

Thanks so much for the link, I'll check it out straight away!!

And, no its not a troll post but thanks for looking just past your advanced member wisdom to drop a comment like that on my first post. Maybe I should know what my adventure will run but thought I'd start here first. Why the unfriendly reply?

Doesn't really matter I guess, is there anyone else wondering if I'm just lonely enough to waste my time "troll" posting stupid questions? If so, rest assured that's not the case. I was just wondering if someone might have some insight. Maybe Thai Visa isn't the place for visa questions.

Once again, cheers

What the hell did he say wrong ????

[spookysully]

He just said I was a troll and should know the answers to my questions before I asked them... No worries really.

[shawndoc]

The most important thing to keep in mind is the embassy starts the process assuming the person trying to get the tourist visa is planning to overstay. Its very common for someone to enter the US on a tourist visa and then "disappear ".

Your girlfriend's job is to convince the embassy that she has enough ties to Thailand that she will have to come back. So be ready to present any and all ties: property ownership, business ownership, letter from employer, etc

Someone above mentioned a fiance visa. That is not what you want, that is for those wanting to bring the GF to the states to get married.

My friend's sister lives legally in the United States. My friend got her Masters degree from a California University. The first time after she graduated that she applied for a tourist visa to go back and visit her sister she was denied. She was livid saying the interviewer thought she was a prostitute (with a master's degree in CS!). She tried again a year later and was able to get her tourist visa. The main difference (other than the interviewer) was being able to show a longer work history.

[RedQualia]

Have gotten tourist visas for Thai friends before, though it's been a few years. A few scattered thoughts:

- She does not have to lots of money. Just "enough." 60,000 Baht has proven to be enough in the past, though I know of those who've had a million in the bank, and couldn't get such a visa.

- Governments love paper. So you should bury them with paper. Print out a few hundred old emails, to show the relationship has been going on for some time. Print out a mess of photos of the two of you together and with her family, even on plain paper. Write a letter of invitation to her, and a similar but different letter to the embassy, telling how long you've known her, how long you've known her family, how much property your gf has, and its nature. If she is still a student, make that clear and describe when she must return for classes. As someone else indicated, it is imperative that they understand she will return to Thailand. Property and family are likely the best forms of proof. She probably has no children, but if she does, note them, and that she must return to them. If you're working here, then include a copy of your work permit, and describe where you work and how long you've worked there, If possible, include a letter from your employer stating that you're a great guy, and the employer expects you to return to work on such and such a date. I actually included a letter from my congressman with the last visa request. Assuming you still have a congressman in the US, you might ask for a letter as well, via email. Oh, and if you live here, and not there, then a couple of things maybe... Have your parents ask the congressman, if you want. But note in your letter that you understand that you cannot stay in the USA for more than 35 days without running into problems with having to participate in ObamaCare.

- Buy travel health insurance for the duration of her visit. Include a copy of the receipt and description of the coverage in the visa request.

- In the past, I've also shown them an already purchased airline ticket. Round trip, of course.

- She should dress conservatively for the interview. No makeup. No nail polish either. Hair pulled up, probably. If she can look tired from studying, so much the better.

Generally, it's best to do the absolute maximum you can in advance of the first visa request. Visa applications can be quite time consuming, and although not expensive, are not quite cheap either. I seem to recall that they make note of failed visa efforts in some way or another, and such will be on record should she try a second time. So overwhelm them with both your and her efforts. And make them know that you're being bluntly honest about everything.

Best of luck.

Edited October 16, 2013 by RedQualia

[RedQualia]

Someone above mentioned a fiance visa. That is not what you want, that is for those wanting to bring the GF to the states to get married.

Ya, I forgot to mention that detail... Think you're probably correct. As I recall, there are a couple of different fiance or spouse visas or such. But the assumption for all is that the woman intends to live in the USA, and because of that, I suppose, such visas then to take a long time to acquire. Like a year and a half, or two, last time I looked into such.

[BudRight]

That 35 days thing about ACA isn't true. There's no ACA police. It only becomes an issue when you are employed in the US and try to get a tax refund.

[Zumteufel]

Thanks so much for the link, I'll check it out straight away!!

And, no its not a troll post but thanks for looking just past your advanced member wisdom to drop a comment like that on my first post. Maybe I should know what my adventure will run but thought I'd start here first. Why the unfriendly reply?

Doesn't really matter I guess, is there anyone else wondering if I'm just lonely enough to waste my time "troll" posting stupid questions? If so, rest assured that's not the case. I was just wondering if someone might have some insight. Maybe Thai Visa isn't the place for visa questions.

Once again, cheers

What the hell did he say wrong ????

I beileve it was a response to a troll post immediately removed by a moderator, not to the friendly advice of the first poster.

[RedQualia]

That 35 days thing about ACA isn't true. There's no ACA police. It only becomes an issue when you are employed in the US and try to get a tax refund.

No ACA police, for sure. But the rules say 35 days. Otherwise, it's just good noise to include, and it's with that in mind that I mentioned it.

"If you live outside the US but return to the US more than 35 days in any year, you will be mandated to purchase qualified health insurance coverage or pay the tax unlessyou can prove you qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion."

http://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2012/7/16/expat-meet-obamacare.html

Oh, and probably a good idea for the OP to make sure he has functioning health insurance when he visits the states. No one wants to get caught having to pay doctors and hospitals back there out of their own pockets...

Edited October 16, 2013 by RedQualia

[bendshead]

Don't be surprised if she is refused a tourist visa within 60 seconds of the interview. The immigration officers really don't care about you, what you do, how you feel about each other, what school she goes to, big jugs or little ones. You are statistics. The stats they want to see, as others mentioned here, are does she have FINANCIAL ties here. It doesn't matter if her family has money or land if none is in her name. If she has it, tell her to keep the proof close to the top of the pile of documents she will need to bring with her and prep her to state that part of her case from the onset.

The fiancé visa process is more horseshit. Your application disappears for 6 months after which time they can ask you to supply more info or go for an interview. Takes forever.

If you really don't think you have a shot at getting the toursit visa, save your money. Your girlfriend getting flatly refused before her ass has even warmed the interview chair will just make her resent.

Another thing... If you have any proof of joint assets in your name and your mother's name, that may be construed as you being married, and it will work against your girlfriend's application. I own a house with my mother. Both names on deed. The immi officer glanced at it and told my girlfriend, "Your boyfriend is married. Goodbye."

That's how much they care about your story.

[NanLaew]

It may work to the OP's advantage if his girlfriend makes an effort to get work or maybe an internship lined up for post-graduation. Although a US vacation as a graduation gift is the intention, as pointed out earlier, the onus is on her to prove that she has NO reason to stay in the US, ie. a compelling reason to return to Thailand. Having a job or a firm offer of a job would check that box but proof will be required, and they will check.

Someone else mentioned earlier that the OP's status in Thailand is important. This may well be the case if his girlfriend cannot show proof of work or a job offer. In my letter supporting my Thai wife's first visa application for the UK, I mentioned that although a Brit, I was working in Thailand and needed to return to Thailand, hence she would be returning with me since she didn't have a job of her own to return to. Apparently being a wife and full-time mother doesn't rate as a job!

Since the the OP and his girlfriend are just that, maybe a bit premature to think that his status in Thailand may have any major bearing on the decision but it may be a contributing factor to an approval and since (I assume) he is sponsoring the trip, it should be mentioned.

Good luck anyway.

[Torrens54]

I wish you luck, but expect to have to jump through a few hoops as we did the first time I took my Thai Girlfriend (now wife of many years) to Australia.

Maybe because she is also beautiful, I'm not sure but we had to show her bank account details dating back a year or two, get friends in Australia to write letters inviting her and vouching for her. I was fortunate as I had some pretty influential friends in Oz Media and Military who helped and my own family also came to the party with invitations and testimonials about me.

The whole thing is, they seem to think every Thai Girl, in particular if she looks great, is a Hooker. Anyway, keep SMILING and provide the US Immigration people with all they ask for and I'm sure it will work out well for you.

Once again, best of luck to both of you.

[YeaBiGgiEs]

I have first hand knowledge on this and recently successfully secured a 10yr B-2 Tourist visa to the USA for a 23yo male Thai national with no job, no money, no property ownership and only strong family ties.

Let me explain...

First off, everything you have heard, read or even posted up until now though may be truthful to what those people experienced you might as well disregard. The US Embassy website states that the determination is based on a case by case basis.

In other words, there is no sure fire, secret anecdote in securing a tourist visa.

I am an american citizen, here in Thailand with no work permit and various tourist and ED visas and extensions. And the truth of the matter is, if I were put under the same requirements that you have heard from others ie: a lot of money, great job, own property, strong family ties, I wouldn't be approved neither as I don't have much of those.

There are 3 key factors that the US is concerned with. Those being:

1) PURPOSE - The purpose of your trip. What will you do, where will you go, what is your attraction/desires etc

2) INTENT - Your intent to leave and return to your country and not stay in the USA. This can be supported by of course by showing you have a good job, money, family ties etc.

3) ABILITY - Your ability to pay for the trip. This can be supported by of course her bank statements, proof of regular income OR your own.

I focused on those 3 things. What I did...

First I applied online and submitted the application..

Next step immediately after, I had to purchase a "PIN" number for about 300b which would allow me to sign into their appointment system if I needed to change my appointment and then I selected a future date for an appointment about 6 weeks later.

You have all that time until your appointment date to go to a post office to pay for your VISA and must keep the receipt. I believe my total was about 4600b

Now I had 6 weeks to prepare and manifest over and over again, being a nervous wreck, hearing others advice of hos I should lie and say its for medical reasons or some other avenue because a tourist visa for a young male Thai is very difficult. I prepared my paperwork. As another poster said, the USA loves paperwork. They do. They also say that you can not accompany the applicant to the appointment which is probably true, however I did.

What did I prepare for my paperwork? I was again focusing on PURPOSE, INTENT, ABILITY...

I prepared a cover letter to the Consulate to speak for my Thai friend as if I weren't there to fill in the blanks of whatever my Thai friend may forget or not be clear about. I described who I was, how I became to know the person and his family and outlined in detail what documentation I was providing under the 3 bullets of PURPOSE, INTENT, ABILITY. I stated where we would initially be staying upon arrival with my friends/family and address in Georgia.

Under PURPOSE, I included a sheet of pictures with Disneyland, Statue of Liberty, Rockerfeller Center Christmas tree, snow and a few pictures of myself with him and his family members at various functions to show and prove that I am known to the family and have been engaged in family events. Copies of emails showing I had already paid for tickets to Radio City Christmas Spectacular and any other confirmations of broadway shows I had.

Under INTENT, I provided a recently signed lease with the both of us named on the lease, copies of my US passport pages detailed with all entry/exit dates, visas etc. This proved that I've spent more time in Thailand in the last some odd years than the USA and that I have regularly traveled about twice yearly to the USA and immediately returned tp Thailand. Also mentioning his strong family ties ie Mother, Father, sister, bro-in-law etc

Under ABILITY - I provided my own statement along with copies of 3 consecutive bank statements showing regular monthly deposits with my calculations and estimations of what I would have upon starting the trip.

***Now as I said earlier every case is decided on a case by case basis and everything you have heard is all fine and well although in my case I had none of that. I'll go into further detail here... my friend has a permanent physical disability (an amputee) and does not speak english well. Using my own logic with knowing the US Government and red tape involved in everything, I figured these 2 negatives were actually positives in the decision process. Lets not kid ourselves, a 23yo college educated, able-bodied, fluent english speaking male Thai is poses a much higher risk of not returning to Thailand than a 23yo, permanently disabled, non-educated, non-fluent english speaking, unemployed Thai. Without the help of an American/farang, he certainly couldn't hide too easily. So those 2 things I believe worked in his favor.

APPOINTMENT DAY... was nothing like I thought. Yes I did go with him as I pushed his wheelchair and entered the USA Embassy on Wireless Road. We waited til the time, then eventually were told to line up in a queue. Now I assumed it would be a 1 on 1 appointment, in a closed door room, with a Consulate Official. It wasn't It was your typical velvet rope line with multiple bullet-proof windows, numbered. When he was next in queue, we approached the window and I immediately slid my documents that I had prepared along with my US passport along with his. They talked in Thai back and forth for a few minutes as he answered questions. (I had no idea what was being said) Then the Officer questioned me and asked if the disability was permanent in which I answered and confirmed that it was and that he had a prosthetic leg...The Officer did a lot of typing, asked me about ABILITY in which I gestured and said I had provided my bank statements in the pack that I had given him and he thumbed through it and saw it and I further clarified that between then and our departure that I anticipated several more deposits which would support my estimated balance and funds for the trip. I was PREPARED and had an answer or already provided documentation for everything I predicted would be asked. Then the officer took biometrics (finger-printing) and said to have a nice trip. PHEW!!!

You exit the appointment room, go out to a Thai Post which is on-site and purchase a return envelope, that you must address and 2 days later we received his Thai passport by courier with a 10y USA Visa on the first page.

Again, everyones circumstances, situation and experience is going to be different. Perhaps his obvious disability and lack of english worked in his favor with myself being there. As he did not have any education, job, money, property ownership.

***My personal opinion regarding the USA and this whole procedure... First off to spend $160 with no guarantee of getting what you have paid for is some racquet if y ou ask me. Must be a great business to accept deposits or payments in full from your customers for services/products but then turn around and say, oh by the way there is no guarantee that I'll show up and do the work/service or send you the product that you have paid for.

Also 10 years!!! Excuse me but the USA deserves what it gets. Sure $160 for 10 years is a BARGAIN, if you get approved but being an American and having been born/raised in the USA, I can't imagine why I would need 10 years to cover all the highlights and points of interest in the USA. I could probably cover it all in about 30 days. Also, someone who does fit the so-called necessary requirements of having a lot of money, own a multitude of property, long stable secure job, strong family ties TODAY could all change tomorrow. They could become destitute, unemployed, in bankruptcy, in foreclosure, drug addicted, lose all family ties in that 10 year time. Who's to say that on the 9th year, 11th month and 4th week that someone finally decides to fly to the USA before it expires and then choose to not return?

Hope this helps...

[elzach]

Get her a fake Chinese passport and start those mandarin lessons. The Chinese are "flooding" the US and Europe. The US visa approval process for Chinese has been turned 180 degrees from just 4-5 yrs ago. The tiny minority now are the ones who are rejected. The reasons are beyond the scope of this forum, of course.

[ericthai]

Let me tell you what happened with me and my attempts. My first girlfriend in Thailand way back 19 years ago I tired to get her a tourist visa.

She had 2 kids,a car, owned a beauty shop, a condo and a house and land up north. You would think this was enough for her to get a visa. Nope she was turned down. (note I was not living in Thailand yet, still living in the US and going back and forth) We were told we should get married, which she was all for that I was not. So gave up on here.

Fast forward 16 years and I had a new girlfriend. After being together for two years she kept bugging me to go to the USA wanted to meet my family who she has heard of and spoken to a little on skype. So I told her we would try but don't get her hopes up. She owns a small shop, owns some land and a house. I own a company have a work permit for more than 9 years.

We made copies of my work permit, my share holding in the company and included all of this with her stuff. She was then granted a visa. Again you need to show she will return.

It appears if you can show that you are working here and need to return and logic is she is going to return too. Several of my friends that have included information about them

and showing their work permit their wife / Girlfriend were granted a visa. If the girl applying can show a long work history at the same place this will help too.

A girl I know worked at her company for 6 years and was granted a visa for the USA with no boyfriend. She was just going with her sister on holiday. Her sister also

worked for a company for a long time. Having a degree is helpful but that is not enough to prove she will return to Thailand. The whole thing is she has to prove she will return.

Best way to do this is to show you have to return to Thailand for work or business whatever.

Note: it does take time. Things have changed since I last did it, but I believe the cost of the visa is $150 does not matter if you get the visa or not you dont get that money back. It took us about 5 months. This can vary depending on time of year number of applications being submitted etc.

I helped a friend to a fiance visa. From what I recall this takes between 8-12 months and costs almost $1000. There is a $455 fee for homeland security in the USA. Then the embassy fee of $200. This would give her 3 months in the USA where during that time you would need to get married. You would need to show residence in the USA and that your income is 125% above poverty level. She has a bunch of hoops to jump through too. Medical exam,police report etc.

Good luck!!

[quiuvo]

That 35 days thing about ACA isn't true. There's no ACA police. It only becomes an issue when you are employed in the US and try to get a tax refund.

No ACA police, for sure. But the rules say 35 days. Otherwise, it's just good noise to include, and it's with that in mind that I mentioned it.

"If you live outside the US but return to the US more than 35 days in any year, you will be mandated to purchase qualified health insurance coverage or pay the tax unlessyou can prove you qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion."

http://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2012/7/16/expat-meet-obamacare.html

Oh, and probably a good idea for the OP to make sure he has functioning health insurance when he visits the states. No one wants to get caught having to pay doctors and hospitals back there out of their own pockets...

Go with your tea party republican views and comments to The World News Forum.

Tourist visa: e.g., The easiest way is for you to be a Mormon and ask your elder to sign some documents, not many, a letter or two about your girl's humanistic ways bla bla and you have her in USA very soon.

[quiuvo]

I am assuming that she is going on a tourist visa and she will be accompanying you to the states. She will have to show sufficient funds in the bank to finance the trip and probably regular income from a job. If she is a student that may not be possible, but if her family has money, she may be ok financially.

She will also need to show her school status and that she is enrolled and will continue her education.

Basically she will have to overcome the presumption that she will remain in the US.

Best of luck. (By the way, my information is a little bit old, but I worked for the embassy a long time ago).

Seriously now, I agree with your great input above. I wanted to let him know that there may be some other way. I believe he knows all by know.

[KuhnPaen]

15k USD (450,000 baht) in her name, in a Thai bank should do it. Like an above poster said --they want to see FINANCIAL ties to Thailand. That pretty much guarantees a person will go back or their money. The old trick was that if a poor village girl wanted to go to the States, then the whole village would chip in and deposit money in her account--then take it back out later.

Look forward to loads of paperwork. Although Los Angeles has the largest Thai diaspora outside of Thailand--it is still a long wait to get a visa. That's why most of the Thais in the USA are of middle to upper class background. Not many former tuk tuk drivers in LA.

Apply now, and maybe in 10 months to a year she will get a visa. A 2 year wait is not uncommon either.

[slipperylobster]

Lots of facts suggested here. I am doing a fiancee visa and my girl has her final interview this month...(6 month process from start to interview). We do intend to marry and stay in the USA.

As per your situation, tourist visas can be done at the US Consulate in Laos (with better results). Several friends (who married their wives in Thailand and registered the marriage at the US Embassy in Bangkok) got tourist visas in less than a week..one in two days.

Another Thai girl, who is 42, went to Laos to get a US tourist visa 3 months ago, but was denied because she said she would be staying with her American boyfriend. That is a no no. They simply told her to reapply for a Fiancee Visa. If your girl says she is going there to see you, they will think she will not come back to Thailand. If she says she loves you, they will not believe she will come back..hands down. If she lies, and says she has no boyfriend and she is going to see a long lost relative, they will also turn her down, if she falters who has no proof.

I am not presuming you met this girl in a bar, or that she is a sex worker. That surely would make things harder (for a tourist visa).

Do not..do not...do not..go with her to her interview for a tourist visa. She must go alone, and like everyone said, have enough money in the bank, prove she needs to come back, no police record, no US boyfriend who met her here in Thailand (they assume she will not come back)

Being young and pretty....I do not know why that would be considered a bad thing. Working in the sex trade (not saying she is doing that) might mean trouble..and they could possible figure that out during an intensive interview.

[slipperylobster]

***My personal opinion regarding the USA and this whole procedure... First off to spend $160 with no guarantee of getting what you have paid for is some racquet if y ou ask me. Must be a great business to accept deposits or payments in full from your customers for services/products but then turn around and say, oh by the way there is no guarantee that I'll show up and do the work/service or send you the product that you have paid for.

Actually, you did your homework and the workers in the Embassy deserve to get paid. It is not a free service, nor should it be, especially for the amount of work that goes into handling the cases. I believe most countries require payment in advance, with no guarantee of approval as well. Thailand charges 1000 baht for each entry and 1800 baht for an extension. A double entry with extensions on each entry (as well as expenses to leave Thailand for each of the entries) would cost more for just six months !!!!

[dennisgb45]

Have gotten tourist visas for Thai friends before, though it's been a few years. A few scattered thoughts:

- She does not have to lots of money. Just "enough." 60,000 Baht has proven to be enough in the past, though I know of those who've had a million in the bank, and couldn't get such a visa.

- Governments love paper. So you should bury them with paper. Print out a few hundred old emails, to show the relationship has been going on for some time. Print out a mess of photos of the two of you together and with her family, even on plain paper. Write a letter of invitation to her, and a similar but different letter to the embassy, telling how long you've known her, how long you've known her family, how much property your gf has, and its nature. If she is still a student, make that clear and describe when she must return for classes. As someone else indicated, it is imperative that they understand she will return to Thailand. Property and family are likely the best forms of proof. She probably has no children, but if she does, note them, and that she must return to them. If you're working here, then include a copy of your work permit, and describe where you work and how long you've worked there, If possible, include a letter from your employer stating that you're a great guy, and the employer expects you to return to work on such and such a date. I actually included a letter from my congressman with the last visa request. Assuming you still have a congressman in the US, you might ask for a letter as well, via email. Oh, and if you live here, and not there, then a couple of things maybe... Have your parents ask the congressman, if you want. But note in your letter that you understand that you cannot stay in the USA for more than 35 days without running into problems with having to participate in ObamaCare.

- Buy travel health insurance for the duration of her visit. Include a copy of the receipt and description of the coverage in the visa request.

- In the past, I've also shown them an already purchased airline ticket. Round trip, of course.

- She should dress conservatively for the interview. No makeup. No nail polish either. Hair pulled up, probably. If she can look tired from studying, so much the better.

Generally, it's best to do the absolute maximum you can in advance of the first visa request. Visa applications can be quite time consuming, and although not expensive, are not quite cheap either. I seem to recall that they make note of failed visa efforts in some way or another, and such will be on record should she try a second time. So overwhelm them with both your and her efforts. And make them know that you're being bluntly honest about everything.

Best of luck.

Redqualia has given you some very sound advice. Quite similar to when I brought my ex to America on a fiancee visa. I had a lawyer do the paperwork mainly because I was in the the States and my fiancee was not familiar with BKK. Lawyer did the logistics for her. I think the main thing is to show US Immigration that she has a reason to return. Chok Dee

[Nobbie49]

I don't get this. Overstay in the US??? WHY?

[circusman]

American ? But uses British , such as straight away. Something fishy here.