Last time we applied for a US visa for my Thai wife was in 2006 and I recall that there was a lot of documentation requested and most of it seemed to center around proving that she had a lot of "ties" to Thailand (job, bank account, family, home).

We are now re-applying using the online electronic form and this one never asks about those things nor do they ask her to bring them to the interview next week.

Are all the old things to do like bringing an already purchased airline ticket, family pics and land ownership certificates to the interview out the window? If so what will they be focusing on?

Keep in mind we did get the visa back in 2006 and she was compliant with all terms so I am hoping for an easy time but want to make sure we are prepared.

Oh yea forgot to mention we are applying for the same B-2 Visa we got 8 years ago not any type of immigration visa.

I'd bring "everything" I had along to the interview. Last time my wife had an interview was in 2006, old rules, and I accompanied her to the window. I/we/she had a bag full of stuff but the only item really looked at was my passport which had a string of visa extensions for "retirement." Amongst other things in the bag were:

-- our marriage license, from the U.S.

-- chote for our house

-- registration for the car

-- tambien ban, blue book

-- tambien ban, my yellow book

-- bills for AIS. TRUE, in my name

-- 2-3 magazine subscriptions in my name from the U.S.

-- my Social Security info, mailed here

-- my most recent IRS 1040 with our local address

All of this was to establish to the interviewing ConOff that I was going to return to Thailand, the presumption being that if I was to return, she would, too.

So, if you're here on a Retirement extension, make sure your wife takes your hardcopy passport to the interview. If working, she should also take your Work Permit. And have these in her hand when she hits the window so they're the first thing the interview sees and looks at.

Mac