Thai partner going to US on B1/B2 visa - need to change visa?

[heng512]

Here's my current background: US citizen, residing and working in India.

Fiancee's background: Thai citizen, residing and working in Thailand, and has a B1/B2 visa. Has visited US twice within past two years for around a week each time.

Scenario: We will get married in Thailand in March, and I will be working and residing in both India and Thailand by that time. We plan to go celebrate with friends in the US in May for a week, and then return back to Thailand.

Question: Since she will be married to a US citizen and traveling to the US as a tourist for a week, is the B1/B2 visa okay? Or does she need some other type of visa?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

That visa is still good, has no relation to marital status at all.

My now wife had the 10-year B1/B2 when she was still G/F, we got married in the U.S. on one trip, returned to Thailand, and she's been back to the U.S. a few times since, on the same visa. Later got a new 10-year B1/B2.

Mac

[heng512]

Thank you!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I might add, no need to mention to the U.S. Immigration folks when you arrive that you're married, unless they ask, of course. Like with an auditor, only answer the Q, never offer more info than requested.

Mac

[ubonjoe]

Only problem that occur is if she was to get a new passport to change it to her married name. That would require showing both passports and explaining the name change.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

My now wife did not change her name, still the old Thai name. Didn't really see any benefit to a name change.

Mac

[ubonjoe]

My wife had no choice when we got married to change her name at the Amphoe because it was before the law was changed but she would of done it anyway. She also got a new passport after we married.

I was just pointing out a potential problem.