US visit/tourist visa

[brewsterbudgen]

I'm British (living in Thailand) so I assume I can just travel to the US (from Thailand) for a holiday under the visa waiver scheme.

My GF is Laos, so she needs a visa. If she's travelling with me for a 10 day holiday, apart from visiting some friends there we have no US connections, will the visa be "straightforward"? She is supported by me, has no job and we are not married. Her English is also not great.

If she got the visa, presumably there is nothing to stop us getting married in Vegas, before returning to Thailand?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Ohhh, this is a good one.

First off, the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok might, just might, insist that she obtain her U.S. visa at the Consulate in Vientiane. Suggest you contact them first off to see what they have to say. Might well depend on her visa status here in Thailand, your's too.

In Chiang Mai:

Address: 387 Witchayanond Road,

Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

In Bangkok:

Address: 95 Wireless Road,

Bangkok 10330, Thailand

E-mail Inquiries:

Email inquiries for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas should be directed to: [email protected]

Call Center representatives are available:


Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (excluding Thai and U.S. holidays)


Local telephone: 02-105 4110; from the U.S. (703)-665-7349

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re marriage in Las Vegas, should be possible but could complicate things back in Laos for when she returns for visits. Also suggest she not change her name. This is just an off-the-wall thought, I have no real verification that there'd be a problem.

Mac

[theoldgit]

In addition to Mac's reply, Brits can no longer just jump on a plane and fly to the US under the Visa Waiver Program, they must get an Electronic Travel Authorization first.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Make sure you use the official link to apply, whilst you have to pay when you apply via the official link, outfits that pop up on a Google search charge an extra fee.

[brewsterbudgen]

Thanks.

She's in Thailand on a 30-day stamp which, for the time being, doesn't seem to be an issue each month despite the "crackdown". I had assumed that Laos citizens applied in Thailand, like they can for a UK visa, but if she has to do so in Vientiene that's not a problem, just an inconvenience. I have a work permit and extension for Thailand (9 years now).

I know it's difficult for Asian girls to get US visas, but that seems to be when a US citizen is involved and there's a suspicion that the girl will stay there. I was just wondering if two genuine tourists, with return ticksts and only planning a 2-week stay would be looked on more favourably! The interview (for her) worries me, as her English isn't great under pressure!

I'm well aware of the problems for Laos women marrying foreigners - hence the reason for not being able to marry in Laos or Thailand!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Good, you see the problem, which hopefully is small in this instance.

Whether she ends up applying in Bangkok or Vientiane, part of her package should be your passport showing your long term status here, work permit, etc, and some evidence of your relationship, as photos and the like.

But, just to save a $$$ or three, check which consulate she should use. You could end up paying $160 for Bangkok, then being sent to Vientiane and have to pay again.

FYI, language shouldn't be a big problem if it turns out to be Vientiane, the interviewing officer should be able to speak pretty good Lao, don't know about Bangkok, tho.

And, agree, as you say, with you being Brit should be better.

Mac

[jacksam]

I'm certainly not an expert and many members here are. They give expert advice.

I have just gone through the process for thai gf australian visitor visa ( im au)

Anyway i had trouble with the compelling reason to return. Used all i could think of such as family ties, friends, culture, her bank account etc.......Seems to me your in completely different situation. Her reason to return is YOU.

Thinking you really need to hammer home the depth of your relationship and your financial support for her.

If you rent condo or whatever include the lease. If name isnt on it do so. A joint bank account would be good even if tempory.

Make sure she has some money in a bank account independent of you. Build up the funds now, again this can be a short term loan between the two of you. From immigration point of vew, say you had major falling out once you arrive. How can she support herself and return. Have you thought of using an agent.

One more thing. Recently in this forum a usa citzens wife failed to obtain tourist visa (thats the one they went for)

Point is she mentioned she had worked in a massage joint years ago. All be it a legit one. Interviwer aacused her of prostitution. She. She spat the dummy and said "up to you". Result 10 year ban from usa.

She has to be given very clear guidelines in what to say an what not to say.

Good luck

[muffy]

My country , USA , is a joke as far as visas . My fiend (USA) is now in the states with his girlfriend from Philippines , what he went through to get a visa , I would never put up with . The USA makes everybody jump for a visa yet they have millions of people that just sneak in . They can't figure out that at least if they have a visa and overstay they have a record of them .

Just to give you a heads up .

[frances]

She will not likely get a US visa so you need to make alternative plans..there is no real chance she can accompany you without very special circumstances..

[theoldgit]

She will not likely get a US visa so you need to make alternative plans..there is no real chance she can accompany you without very special circumstances..

That's not a helpful or even accurate response, on what facts do base that pearl of wisdom?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

TOG

Agree, I tend to think she'll get a U.S. visa, partially because of the UK boyfriend. He's unlikely to go underground in the U.S., so he'll be returning to Thailand and more than likely, the GF will, too.

Brewster, important, in my view, that her application include your status here, passport, extensions, work permit, etc. I'd also NOT mention anything about getting married in the U.S., it's irrelevant to the tourist visa application.

Mac

[brewsterbudgen]

TOG

Agree, I tend to think she'll get a U.S. visa, partially because of the UK boyfriend. He's unlikely to go underground in the U.S., so he'll be returning to Thailand and more than likely, the GF will, too.

Brewster, important, in my view, that her application include your status here, passport, extensions, work permit, etc. I'd also NOT mention anything about getting married in the U.S., it's irrelevant to the tourist visa application.

Mac

Many thanks. At this stage I'm still favouring a UK visa, particularly as they have a Marriage Visitor visa, but I have always fancied a Vegas wedding!

[sirineou]

Thanks.

She's in Thailand on a 30-day stamp which, for the time being, doesn't seem to be an issue each month despite the "crackdown". I had assumed that Laos citizens applied in Thailand, like they can for a UK visa, but if she has to do so in Vientiene that's not a problem, just an inconvenience. I have a work permit and extension for Thailand (9 years now).

I know it's difficult for Asian girls to get US visas, but that seems to be when a US citizen is involved and there's a suspicion that the girl will stay there. I was just wondering if two genuine tourists, with return ticksts and only planning a 2-week stay would be looked on more favourably! The interview (for her) worries me, as her English isn't great under pressure!

I'm well aware of the problems for Laos women marrying foreigners - hence the reason for not being able to marry in Laos or Thailand!

I am note sure is anyone mentioned this, I admite I have note read all the replies, and if they have addressed it I apologize.

The fact that you have no US connections is helpful to a certain degree, IMO but that does not mean that your GF might not stay there any way. So aside from the issue that she is Laos or is it Laotian? and I don't see how the Thai government would issue visas to an other country for Laos citizens, she would also need IMO to convince the visa issuer that she will return. and the fact that she is not even married to you, thus compelling her to return with you, might be a negative. At least it would be in my mind if I was the visa examiner.

[meand]

The only words there are to describe any visa process when going to the US, if any paperwork is involved, is "black hole". You can go in but you may never come out.

[sirineou]

The only words there are to describe any visa process when going to the US, if any paperwork is involved, is "black hole". You can go in but you may never come out.

I can understand how the process can be frustrating for some , but there are so many people trying to game the system , that safeguards have to be implemented, and some times innocent people are negatively impacted by these safeguards

.But I personally don't see any of these safeguards as being unreasonable.or how they could be done differently. If any one can point our one that is unreasonable ,or suggest how it could be done differently and still safeguard the system from being gamed.I would appreciator it.

As far as I can tell, it is not a "black hole that you go in but never come out" in fact it is straight forward. Satisfy the IMO necessary safeguards and you are in. It has happened that way with my fiance, now wife for long time, and with many relatives who have come to the US,

If we read the requests for help with visas to the US in these forum, one will see that they are far less in proportion than any other irrationality .