Thai friend - visa to US for 30 day vacation?

[NeverSure]

I have a good Thai friend (Not a true girlfriend) who I would like to invite to the US for 30 days so that I can show her the US. I want to take her to the main national parks including of course the Grand Canyon etc., and all around the US. It requires 9,000 miles of driving to see the important parts of the country which is only about 300 miles (450 kms?) per day. I've done it and it's easy. On America's good highways, it's not more than 5 hours per day of driving and usually less.

She owns a home and a pickup and has loans on both in Thailand. She has a master's degree and a good long time teaching job in an Isaan school. She has lots of family nearby who she wouldn't desert.

The rub is that she has no money. Her 30K baht income is eaten up by car and house payments, smartphone, living, and giving a little to her parents. I mean she has no money.

I would have to pay for everything including getting her to an airport in Thailand, plane tickets, and everything when she arrived in the US.

Is this going to be possible and if so, how? Do I have to go to Thailand to get her, or can I meet her at the airport here?

Can someone please tell me if this is possible, and if so, how?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theoldgit]

As with most visit visas to the US it's not going to be a pushover, visas to US rarely are.

The Visa Officer will start with the assumption that she intends to try and stay in the US, it's up to her to convince the officer of her compelling ties to her home country, her background, job and home and other commitments should go in her favour, providing they are properly evidenced.

The fact that the trip isn't really affordable will certainly need to be addressed and certainly the fact that you consider it appropriate to finance the trip will need explaining, together with your plans for the future, if any.

I'm sure people with experience in this field with give more appropriate advice.

If the visa is approved, and you already know it's a long shot, then no you wouldn't have to come to Thailand to collect her, but it would be advisable if you were at the entry point into the US to field any questions from the Border Officer.