CR-1 to USA

[HeijoshinCool]

I have lived continuously in Thailand for more than six months. My girlfriend and I will be seeking a CR-1 immigrant visa, and will begin the process in Bangkok, not the USA.

Next week I'm going to the consulate to get the paper (whatever it's called) allowing my girlfriend and I to get married, which we plan on doing the same day.

BKK is far away from NST, so we are trying to consolidate trips. There are three phases: DHS; NVC (national Visa Center); and the Embassy Consular Section.

I believe I can leave Thailand once the petition is filed with DHS, but not before.

Question:

Does the Police Clearance need to be submitted at phase one, along with the DS-230, or at the consulate stage?

While we are in BKK, if possible, we'd like to submit Form DS-230 to the immigration field office in Bangkok to begin phase one.

Questions:

Other than the completed DS-230, what other supporting documents are required at that time?

My passport: copies of pages including the long-term visa I have, and my entry stamp;

Her passport?

Marriage certificate and translation;

What else?

I'm not concerned at this point with documents that are submitted at phase two, such as Affidavit of Support.

Please, no guessing. This is the start of a journey that I'd like to document here for the benefit of those who will follow, and extraneous or incorrect information is not conducive to helping future applicants. Anyone who has gone through this process in recent years or has solid first-hand knowledge, I'd appreciate both concise facts and advice.

Also please note, the fact that I have lived in LOS for more than six months allows us an expedited process by filing in Bangkok.

Thanks very much.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Looks to me like you'll need to start off at the USCIS office on Wireless Road:

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/thailand-bangkok-field-office

Your first form to file will be the I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative: http://www.uscis.gov/i-130

And you'll go on from there.

You should check first off with the USCIS office to be sure it they'll accept your DCF, Direct Consular Filling, plan. If so, march on with the paperwork.

Time to take a wander through this www page: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

Also do a review of the info at: www.visajourney.com

Attached are a couple of items clipped from TV recently.

Mac

CR-1 & IR-1 Info.txt

Direct Consular Filing.txt

Direct Consular Filing-2.txt

[ProThaiExpat]

We are waiting for the Embassy to finish their visa processing, since we filed our post interview requested documents a week ago.

It took me a little over six months to complete the entire process, but I did it by completely reading the USCIS web pages as well as the BKK Embassy web pages for every step.

While those of us who have completed the process in the last couple of years might have an opinion as to what documents to submit with your application, each case is different as are the interviewing officers.

I approached the problem of documents by sending in a document supporting everything I said in my declaration under penalty of perjury regarding all issues, many would say overkill, but by using a "shotgun approach", I was putting it on the embassy staff to select from my submissions those documents they needed.

My spouse's report of the interview before a female consular officer and two thai lady assisting staff, led me to the conclusion that they must have some sort of check off list and they just go through your documentation in the interview looking for those documents they need for their checklist. Perhaps the Thai staff line up the obvious documents before the interview. The Department of State makes it clear on their web site that the interviewing officer is to enter the interview with the preconceived notion that the applicant will overstay any visa period or is fraudulent in their statements and it is up to the applicant to change that mindset. In other words, "the burden of proof" is on the applicant to change the negative approach of the interviewer to a positive one.

Notwithstanding my "shot gun" approach to documentation, we were still requested to supply six additional documents post interview. The interviewing officer prepared the request as she went through the interview on her computer questioning my spouse and reviewing documents she felt were relevant.

My spouse and I have visited Australia every year for ten years for three months or more to visit family and be present for the birth of our two grandkids. This fact resulted in the interviewing officer requesting a police clearance from Australia. We had filed the police clearance for Thailand in our first submission pre-interview. There was no way I could have predicted this kind of documentation would be required.

My general impression from my experience and reading the online relevant data is that the length of the marital relationship and your evidence of steps to establish your residency in the USA are overriding considerations. In my case, a relationship of a little more that ten years was easily provable but was done with pictures, declarations of my daughter regarding my spouse, etc.

I likewise I took every step possible to document residency in the USA. including permanent residence address, opening a bank account in the city I chose to move to, real estate correspondence, visit with spouse to check out the neighborhood we wanted to live in, etc.

I am sure you are aware of the "the bar girl scam" whereby bar girls marry for the sole purpose of getting into the USA with a CR1 visa and then skip from the husband or divorce him as soon as the two year residency requirement is met. As guardians at the gate, so to speak, embassy officers are sure to thoroughly explore your relationship with your lady to satisfy them it is legitimate. Affairs of the heart are extremely hard to prove so be aware of this dilemma and try to help your lady in her interview by having provided every conceivable document in support of your relationship and marriage. Likewise for your future residency in the USA.

If you have any questions please private message me as I am reluctant to become too specific regarding my personal experiences in an open forum.

Good luck.

[HeijoshinCool]

Looks to me like you'll need to start off at the USCIS office on Wireless Road:

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/thailand-bangkok-field-office

Your first form to file will be the I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative: http://www.uscis.gov/i-130

And you'll go on from there.

You should check first off with the USCIS office to be sure it they'll accept your DCF, Direct Consular Filling, plan. If so, march on with the paperwork.

Time to take a wander through this www page: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

Also do a review of the info at: www.visajourney.com

Attached are a couple of items clipped from TV recently.

Mac

.

Thanks, Mac.

I'm in contact with an officer at the USCIS. I sent an email just after I posted the OP, and they got right back to me.

Splitting hairs here, but we should get off on the foot: there is no such thing as a DCF (Direct Consular Filing in Thailand. Since there is an immigration field office in Bangkok, it is simply a matter of filing the I-130 at the USCIS. This is only available, as you yourself already know, to those of us lucky enough to qualify for this expedited process, because we have stayed in Thailand full-time for at least six months.

Anyway, file the I-130 at their office. Handwritten. Submit with the $420 fee, and once it is approved, I am free to return to the United States. Then they send the application to IV (immigrant visas).

So next week we go, and I'll update this thread, step by step.

[HeijoshinCool]

We are waiting for the Embassy to finish their visa processing, since we filed our post interview requested documents a week ago.

It took me a little over six months to complete the entire process, but I did it by completely reading the USCIS web pages as well as the BKK Embassy web pages for every step.

While those of us who have completed the process in the last couple of years might have an opinion as to what documents to submit with your application, each case is different as are the interviewing officers.

I approached the problem of documents by sending in a document supporting everything I said in my declaration under penalty of perjury regarding all issues, many would say overkill, but by using a "shotgun approach", I was putting it on the embassy staff to select from my submissions those documents they needed.

My spouse's report of the interview before a female consular officer and two thai lady assisting staff, led me to the conclusion that they must have some sort of check off list and they just go through your documentation in the interview looking for those documents they need for their checklist. Perhaps the Thai staff line up the obvious documents before the interview. The Department of State makes it clear on their web site that the interviewing officer is to enter the interview with the preconceived notion that the applicant will overstay any visa period or is fraudulent in their statements and it is up to the applicant to change that mindset. In other words, "the burden of proof" is on the applicant to change the negative approach of the interviewer to a positive one.

Notwithstanding my "shot gun" approach to documentation, we were still requested to supply six additional documents post interview. The interviewing officer prepared the request as she went through the interview on her computer questioning my spouse and reviewing documents she felt were relevant.

My spouse and I have visited Australia every year for ten years for three months or more to visit family and be present for the birth of our two grandkids. This fact resulted in the interviewing officer requesting a police clearance from Australia. We had filed the police clearance for Thailand in our first submission pre-interview. There was no way I could have predicted this kind of documentation would be required.

My general impression from my experience and reading the online relevant data is that the length of the marital relationship and your evidence of steps to establish your residency in the USA are overriding considerations. In my case, a relationship of a little more that ten years was easily provable but was done with pictures, declarations of my daughter regarding my spouse, etc.

I likewise I took every step possible to document residency in the USA. including permanent residence address, opening a bank account in the city I chose to move to, real estate correspondence, visit with spouse to check out the neighborhood we wanted to live in, etc.

I am sure you are aware of the "the bar girl scam" whereby bar girls marry for the sole purpose of getting into the USA with a CR1 visa and then skip from the husband or divorce him as soon as the two year residency requirement is met. As guardians at the gate, so to speak, embassy officers are sure to thoroughly explore your relationship with your lady to satisfy them it is legitimate. Affairs of the heart are extremely hard to prove so be aware of this dilemma and try to help your lady in her interview by having provided every conceivable document in support of your relationship and marriage. Likewise for your future residency in the USA.

If you have any questions please private message me as I am reluctant to become too specific regarding my personal experiences in an open forum.

Good luck.

.

Thanks.

I take it your were living in LOS and filed the I-130 at the USCIS? If so, why do you think it has taken so long?

[ProThaiExpat]

USCIS Bkk approved my docs in a week and sent them off to the Embassy which triggered the Embassy sending me their package #3. In that package they instructed me to fill out the online history form on the website, if I recall it is the online 260 form.

The time involved has not been at the Embassy, but with me. They scheduled the interview within a week of getting my first package. They also sent out the notice for the medical exam then and what with vaccinations and getting med records from local Thai hospital, that was a two month effort but it, in and of itself, didn't lengthen the time line as the overseas documents were the the major delaying factor.

The Thai Police Clearance was not processed for over a month so after calling we were told personal appearance in BKK was necessary. Once there, for a gratuity or fee of 1200 baht they produced the clearance within a week.

The interview was more than a month ago, but again, certified copy of wedding license from the US and Australian Police Clearance took more than a month.

I am surprised you are allowed to file for processing of CR1 in Thailand and then skip off to the US while it is in progress. I was under the impression that residence in Thailand was a prerequisite to filing locally. If you are in the US, hopefully you will be able to get local documents when requested by Embassy.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

HeijoshinCool

Seems to me the "Package #3" mentioned can get a bit complicated to fill out. Since you might not be here when it is sent to your new wife, do hope you've made some arrangement for assistance in filling out the form(s) required. And, of course, following the other instructions (don't remember what they are).

www.visajourney.com probably has more info on this.

The Embassy has some info here: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/packets.html

Mac

[ProThaiExpat]

It has occurred to me since my last post regarding time from original filing of I-130 to getting temporary green card stamp in passport taking so long, I have now recalled that my spouse's Mom died after a month in the hospital and we were in OZ for a month and a half before returning for Mom's last days. Thus my six months estimate of time line probably should be more like three months.

Overseas documents take a month in most cases so in your original package, figure at least a month and if further docs are requested at the interview and any are overseas, figure another month.

It has been a week today that the Embassy has had our final post interview document request package. We are packed and ready to leave with apartment in US rented, the wait is tough as is the uncertainty whether more documents will be requested.

Emails to the migrant visa unit generated a form response advising that documents have been received and are in processing. Same response to previous email not requesting status but other question and yesterdays email which did ask for rough guess when we could expect temporary green card.

[HeijoshinCool]

USCIS Bkk approved my docs in a week and sent them off to the Embassy which triggered the Embassy sending me their package #3. In that package they instructed me to fill out the online history form on the website, if I recall it is the online 260 form.

The time involved has not been at the Embassy, but with me. They scheduled the interview within a week of getting my first package. They also sent out the notice for the medical exam then and what with vaccinations and getting med records from local Thai hospital, that was a two month effort but it, in and of itself, didn't lengthen the time line as the overseas documents were the the major delaying factor.

The Thai Police Clearance was not processed for over a month so after calling we were told personal appearance in BKK was necessary. Once there, for a gratuity or fee of 1200 baht they produced the clearance within a week.

The interview was more than a month ago, but again, certified copy of wedding license from the US and Australian Police Clearance took more than a month.

I am surprised you are allowed to file for processing of CR1 in Thailand and then skip off to the US while it is in progress. I was under the impression that residence in Thailand was a prerequisite to filing locally. If you are in the US, hopefully you will be able to get local documents when requested by Embassy.

.

Good info. I had understood that about a week after submitting the I-130, it would be approved, and that was your experience.

And that is when a petitioner is free to exit Thailand, for the purpose of establishing domicile in the States, which is a requirement.

The Thai police clearance is supposed to cost 100 baht. This, according to the US State Department:

"The office is open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 8:30AM – 4:30PM without lunch break. There is 100 Baht fee for the police clearance service and no express service or any extra charges."

Processing time is said to be three weeks, but usually faster.

Ironic, illegally demanding money to write a letter that someone has a clean record.

This is one reason I am considering paying an attorney. Save on that kind of nonsense. Plus, as Mac wrote above, the papers can be a bit difficult to fill out. She could send them to me and we could work together, but I figure 40,000 baht might be a bargain to not have to worry about making a mistake, or being a victim of corruption.

Can you tell me what additional docs they requested after the interview? If not here, by PM?

I have looked often at Visa Journey. There is a voluminous amount of info there, but I must admit I find the often conflicting reports difficult to wade through. So once again, I'm now thinking 40k is cheap.

Edited September 10, 2014 by HeijoshinCool

[ProThaiExpat]

I think you are right about hiring an attorney. The important thing is to hire one with much experience dealing with BKK Embassy.

The post interview documents requested were:

1. Certified copy of Original of Marriage Certificate/License

2. Income tax return

3. Australian Police Clearance

4. Original certified copy of Thai birth certificate register at Amphur.

5. House tambianban

6. etc.

[HeijoshinCool]

I think you are right about hiring an attorney. The important thing is to hire one with much experience dealing with BKK Embassy.

The post interview documents requested were:

1. Certified copy of Original of Marriage Certificate/License

2. Income tax return

3. Australian Police Clearance

4. Original certified copy of Thai birth certificate register at Amphur.

5. House tambianban

6. etc.

.

Those docs weren't submitted earlier?

[AaronLV]

USCIS Bkk approved my docs in a week and sent them off to the Embassy which triggered the Embassy sending me their package #3. In that package they instructed me to fill out the online history form on the website, if I recall it is the online 260 form.

The time involved has not been at the Embassy, but with me. They scheduled the interview within a week of getting my first package. They also sent out the notice for the medical exam then and what with vaccinations and getting med records from local Thai hospital, that was a two month effort but it, in and of itself, didn't lengthen the time line as the overseas documents were the the major delaying factor.

The Thai Police Clearance was not processed for over a month so after calling we were told personal appearance in BKK was necessary. Once there, for a gratuity or fee of 1200 baht they produced the clearance within a week.

The interview was more than a month ago, but again, certified copy of wedding license from the US and Australian Police Clearance took more than a month.

I am surprised you are allowed to file for processing of CR1 in Thailand and then skip off to the US while it is in progress. I was under the impression that residence in Thailand was a prerequisite to filing locally. If you are in the US, hopefully you will be able to get local documents when requested by Embassy.

.

Good info. I had understood that about a week after submitting the I-130, it would be approved, and that was your experience.

And that is when a petitioner is free to exit Thailand, for the purpose of establishing domicile in the States, which is a requirement.

The Thai police clearance is supposed to cost 100 baht. This, according to the US State Department:

"The office is open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 8:30AM – 4:30PM without lunch break. There is 100 Baht fee for the police clearance service and no express service or any extra charges."

Processing time is said to be three weeks, but usually faster.

Ironic, illegally demanding money to write a letter that someone has a clean record.

This is one reason I am considering paying an attorney. Save on that kind of nonsense. Plus, as Mac wrote above, the papers can be a bit difficult to fill out. She could send them to me and we could work together, but I figure 40,000 baht might be a bargain to not have to worry about making a mistake, or being a victim of corruption.

Can you tell me what additional docs they requested after the interview? If not here, by PM?

I have looked often at Visa Journey. There is a voluminous amount of info there, but I must admit I find the often conflicting reports difficult to wade through. So once again, I'm now thinking 40k is cheap.

If you are over on Visajourney just go through the GUIDES at the top for filling out the paperwork, and what you need to bring, the guidesl give you all the information that you need. The forums will get you lots of different opinions, but there is a Thai specific forum that is fairly active with better information for the interview portion at the embassy. If you are looking for specific information to filing with the USCIS field office in Bangkok you will most likely not get very much information as the majority of people on VJ have not used that process.

The only place you are going to run into any kind of 'corruption' will be getting the police report, and normally they just ask you for more baht to get it faster. Other than that there won't be any, you are more likely to get screwed hiring someone to do the paperwork for you.

Been quite a few years since I went through the process, but it has not changed very much. They will want proof of relationship at the interview, for ours she brought rental contract (I was living in the US, but had leased a condo with her), pictures (lots of pictures), cell phone logs, call logs, and chat logs, along with bank accounts with both our names.

Good luck, it really is fairly easy and straight forward. Just takes some patients to get through it.

[ProThaiExpat]

Clearly, I didn't provide those documents the first time or they wouldn't have asked for them!!!

[HeijoshinCool]

Clearly, I didn't provide those documents the first time or they wouldn't have asked for them!!!

.

When dealing with the government, nothing is clear.

Thought maybe they had "misplaced" them.

[HeijoshinCool]

USCIS Bkk approved my docs in a week and sent them off to the Embassy which triggered the Embassy sending me their package #3. In that package they instructed me to fill out the online history form on the website, if I recall it is the online 260 form.

The time involved has not been at the Embassy, but with me. They scheduled the interview within a week of getting my first package. They also sent out the notice for the medical exam then and what with vaccinations and getting med records from local Thai hospital, that was a two month effort but it, in and of itself, didn't lengthen the time line as the overseas documents were the the major delaying factor.

The Thai Police Clearance was not processed for over a month so after calling we were told personal appearance in BKK was necessary. Once there, for a gratuity or fee of 1200 baht they produced the clearance within a week.

The interview was more than a month ago, but again, certified copy of wedding license from the US and Australian Police Clearance took more than a month.

I am surprised you are allowed to file for processing of CR1 in Thailand and then skip off to the US while it is in progress. I was under the impression that residence in Thailand was a prerequisite to filing locally. If you are in the US, hopefully you will be able to get local documents when requested by Embassy.

.

Good info. I had understood that about a week after submitting the I-130, it would be approved, and that was your experience.

And that is when a petitioner is free to exit Thailand, for the purpose of establishing domicile in the States, which is a requirement.

The Thai police clearance is supposed to cost 100 baht. This, according to the US State Department:

"The office is open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 8:30AM – 4:30PM without lunch break. There is 100 Baht fee for the police clearance service and no express service or any extra charges."

Processing time is said to be three weeks, but usually faster.

Ironic, illegally demanding money to write a letter that someone has a clean record.

This is one reason I am considering paying an attorney. Save on that kind of nonsense. Plus, as Mac wrote above, the papers can be a bit difficult to fill out. She could send them to me and we could work together, but I figure 40,000 baht might be a bargain to not have to worry about making a mistake, or being a victim of corruption.

Can you tell me what additional docs they requested after the interview? If not here, by PM?

I have looked often at Visa Journey. There is a voluminous amount of info there, but I must admit I find the often conflicting reports difficult to wade through. So once again, I'm now thinking 40k is cheap.

If you are over on Visajourney just go through the GUIDES at the top for filling out the paperwork, and what you need to bring, the guidesl give you all the information that you need. The forums will get you lots of different opinions, but there is a Thai specific forum that is fairly active with better information for the interview portion at the embassy. If you are looking for specific information to filing with the USCIS field office in Bangkok you will most likely not get very much information as the majority of people on VJ have not used that process.

The only place you are going to run into any kind of 'corruption' will be getting the police report, and normally they just ask you for more baht to get it faster. Other than that there won't be any, you are more likely to get screwed hiring someone to do the paperwork for you.

Been quite a few years since I went through the process, but it has not changed very much. They will want proof of relationship at the interview, for ours she brought rental contract (I was living in the US, but had leased a condo with her), pictures (lots of pictures), cell phone logs, call logs, and chat logs, along with bank accounts with both our names.

Good luck, it really is fairly easy and straight forward. Just takes some patients to get through it.

.

Good info about VJ. I'll take a look at the Thai section.

It seems the initial phase is the easiest, submitting to USCIS. The biggest concern I have is proof of relationship. We've been together almost four years but have always had a place that was month by month, no lease. Some photos, including a dated one from our first date at Ocean World. I live here, so no emails, no phone logs, but we have just opened a bank account in both our names.

We are now asking folks to write how long they've known us, as a couple. The instructions for the I-130 state:

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit one or more of the following types of documentation that may evidence the bona fides of your marriage;

Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

NOPE

A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

ALWAYS PAID MONTH BY MONTH

Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or

GOT THAT, BUT RECENT

Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

NONE

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

OKAY, I KNOW HOW TO EXECUTE A SWORN AFFIDAVIT IN THE STATES, BUT WHAT IS A SWORN AFFIDAVIT IN THAILAND?

A SIGNED LETTER ACCOMPANIED BY THE SIGNATORY'S THAI ID AND SIGNED AGAIN ACROSS THE ID?

Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

LIKE WHAT?

PHOTOS? GOT SOME.

[ProThaiExpat]

Your couldn't have said it better, "Nothing with the government is clear"

The Embassy is now deep into form letters. They don't take telephone calls now, six months ago I talked to a lady there.

They seem to be caught in the middle of a power struggle since 9/11. USCIS controls the entire process except the visa. The Department of State probably fought to hold on to that control issue. Embassy gives you a packet of documents to present to Port of Entry, but websites are replete with reports of going through immigration in SFO and K-1 and immigrant visa holders report immigration rarely looks at embassy envelope.

National Data Base for I-260 history, National Center for visas, etc. There seems to be much in transition in the process.

Local Embassy staff have not known answers to important questions regarding process.

Your choice of using a lawyer is almost mandatory if your not here to fill out the forms and go through the process with a lady who is not a native speaker. I found the experience daunting and I am a retired lawyer. My friend in SFO used a lawyer and got his spouse admitted to US as a correspondent and then a green card after marriage all through an immigration lawyer.

[HeijoshinCool]

So far, so good.

I've emailed the USCIS, where the I-130 petition will be filed with supporting documentation, and they have responded rapidly with concise answers to my questions.

Nice guy. Look forward to meeting him in person.

[doontp]

So far, so good.

I've emailed the USCIS, where the I-130 petition will be filed with supporting documentation, and they have responded rapidly with concise answers to my questions.

Nice guy. Look forward to meeting him in person.

Hi,

I just came across this thread. I'll be doing the DC Filing next week. I'm doing so without the aid of a lawyer and I expect no problems. CR/IR-1 visas are fairly straight-forward, cut-n-dry. not as hard as a tourist visa to get.

Attached are a couple letters you/others might find useful.

Cover Letter I-130 Sample.docx

Cover Letter I-864 Sample.docx

The USCIS has also been very helpful with me.

[meand]

USCIS Bkk approved my docs in a week and sent them off to the Embassy which triggered the Embassy sending me their package #3. In that package they instructed me to fill out the online history form on the website, if I recall it is the online 260 form.

The time involved has not been at the Embassy, but with me. They scheduled the interview within a week of getting my first package. They also sent out the notice for the medical exam then and what with vaccinations and getting med records from local Thai hospital, that was a two month effort but it, in and of itself, didn't lengthen the time line as the overseas documents were the the major delaying factor.

The Thai Police Clearance was not processed for over a month so after calling we were told personal appearance in BKK was necessary. Once there, for a gratuity or fee of 1200 baht they produced the clearance within a week.

The interview was more than a month ago, but again, certified copy of wedding license from the US and Australian Police Clearance took more than a month.

I am surprised you are allowed to file for processing of CR1 in Thailand and then skip off to the US while it is in progress. I was under the impression that residence in Thailand was a prerequisite to filing locally. If you are in the US, hopefully you will be able to get local documents when requested by Embassy.

.

Good info. I had understood that about a week after submitting the I-130, it would be approved, and that was your experience.

And that is when a petitioner is free to exit Thailand, for the purpose of establishing domicile in the States, which is a requirement.

The Thai police clearance is supposed to cost 100 baht. This, according to the US State Department:

"The office is open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 8:30AM – 4:30PM without lunch break. There is 100 Baht fee for the police clearance service and no express service or any extra charges."

Processing time is said to be three weeks, but usually faster.

Ironic, illegally demanding money to write a letter that someone has a clean record.

This is one reason I am considering paying an attorney. Save on that kind of nonsense. Plus, as Mac wrote above, the papers can be a bit difficult to fill out. She could send them to me and we could work together, but I figure 40,000 baht might be a bargain to not have to worry about making a mistake, or being a victim of corruption.

Can you tell me what additional docs they requested after the interview? If not here, by PM?

I have looked often at Visa Journey. There is a voluminous amount of info there, but I must admit I find the often conflicting reports difficult to wade through. So once again, I'm now thinking 40k is cheap.

If you are over on Visajourney just go through the GUIDES at the top for filling out the paperwork, and what you need to bring, the guidesl give you all the information that you need. The forums will get you lots of different opinions, but there is a Thai specific forum that is fairly active with better information for the interview portion at the embassy. If you are looking for specific information to filing with the USCIS field office in Bangkok you will most likely not get very much information as the majority of people on VJ have not used that process.

The only place you are going to run into any kind of 'corruption' will be getting the police report, and normally they just ask you for more baht to get it faster. Other than that there won't be any, you are more likely to get screwed hiring someone to do the paperwork for you.

Been quite a few years since I went through the process, but it has not changed very much. They will want proof of relationship at the interview, for ours she brought rental contract (I was living in the US, but had leased a condo with her), pictures (lots of pictures), cell phone logs, call logs, and chat logs, along with bank accounts with both our names.

Good luck, it really is fairly easy and straight forward. Just takes some patients to get through it.

.

Good info about VJ. I'll take a look at the Thai section.

It seems the initial phase is the easiest, submitting to USCIS. The biggest concern I have is proof of relationship. We've been together almost four years but have always had a place that was month by month, no lease. Some photos, including a dated one from our first date at Ocean World. I live here, so no emails, no phone logs, but we have just opened a bank account in both our names.

We are now asking folks to write how long they've known us, as a couple. The instructions for the I-130 state:

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit one or more of the following types of documentation that may evidence the bona fides of your marriage;

Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

NOPE

A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

ALWAYS PAID MONTH BY MONTH

Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or

GOT THAT, BUT RECENT

Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

NONE

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

OKAY, I KNOW HOW TO EXECUTE A SWORN AFFIDAVIT IN THE STATES, BUT WHAT IS A SWORN AFFIDAVIT IN THAILAND?

A SIGNED LETTER ACCOMPANIED BY THE SIGNATORY'S THAI ID AND SIGNED AGAIN ACROSS THE ID?

Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

LIKE WHAT?

PHOTOS? GOT SOME.

I had zilch. They seemed to be satisfied with photos though. I think this is one they go more on "feel". I know my wife said in interview "he's never left Thailand". I'm sure that helped but have not idea really.

Mine took about 7 months, went into administrative processing. I thought it was a nightmare at the time, but looking back to be honest I was treated pretty fairly. The timing and ability to get information is the tough part. If you are patient and thorough should have no problems. Patience is the toughest part.

I'd say give em what you have, don't go through too much trouble, and after the interview if they need something you'll have to get it. That's the way I'd approach it, because you could end up concentrating on some letters or something and they may not even care about them. I went through some serious pain to get some documents regarding financials and it was like they hardly seemed to consider them. They get fixated on one or two tings and seem to totally disregard others, and there is no way to know what those will be.

Edited September 28, 2014 by meand

[ProThaiExpat]

Meand: Your post is right on!!! Mirrors my time frame and difficulty getting certain docs.

OP, after the interview they will send you a 221g notice if further documentation is needed. I will be surprised if you do not need further docs. Here is the actual wording of the 221g notice:

"Dear Visa Applicant/ เรียนผู้สมัครวีซ่า:
This office regrets to inform you that it is unable to issue a visa to you because you have not been found qualified to receive a visa under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act which prohibits the issuance of a visa to anyone whose application does not comply with the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act or regulations issued pursuant thereto. Further consideration will be given to your visa application after you obtain and present the documents listed below (only the marked sections apply to you)"

One document was a police clearance from Australia and one was an IRS document. I obtained the OZ Police Check and information from the IRS to satisfy their request. That took a little more than a month.

After submitting the documents requested, I received another 221g notice where no documents were requested. You can imagine what ran through my mind. With the wording underlined above that I ignored on receipt of the first notice since documents needed were listed, I felt we were turned down and this is the way they notify you.

After a few very sad hours and disappointment at the end of a sixth month effort, I looked up the 221g notice on the internet and learned that more than a half million such notices are issued every year and the Dept. of State has opined it is the most overused notice just to obtain documents.

I had sent the Embassy an email when I was upset questioning their decision and asking what should I do since no documents were requested.

Four hours later I sent another email to the Embassy apologizing for my email sent when I was upset and merely asked them for what further documents they needed. They replied within an hour apologizing for their sending me a 221g notice without documents listed and then listed two additional documents they needed.

The kicker is that the OZ police clearance I had obtained was a name check and they wanted a fingerprint based clearance. The IRS information I provided was not acceptable but this time they gave me the exact form number I needed to use to get the IRS document they wanted.

We expect both the additional documents next week, will file them and hopefully we will have our temporary migration visa the following week. I have rented an apartment where I will be living so am anxious to get going.

Had they given me the IRS document number they wanted in the first notice and merely added the two words "fingerprint based" clearance when first requesting the OZ clearance, I would have saved a month or more and some money.

Even the OZ form for requesting the clearance is ambiguous as they give you a full page of reasons for requesting the clearance. The only one that comes close to my situation is the one that uses the expression "work/overseas visa" I interpreted that to mean a work visa for overseas uses so I made my own check box and inserted at the bottom of the reasons "US Embassy BKK requires for immigrant visa"

They returned the form requesting I choose one of the reasons on the list as evidently they cannot provide a clearance unless it is for one of the listed reasons. I emailed them explaining what I had inserted as my reason and said I could check off their "work/overseas visa" box if that option would be construed with the word "work" excluded. Nice message returned saying "thats right, mate!!!" Thus getting that clearance took three weeks additional just to get the first clearance which was not acceptable to the Embassy as previously explained. I received a nice email from AFP last week informing me they had mailed the fingerprint based clearance.

The Embassy has been quite gracious at the interview and in my dealings with them so I guess most of the trouble has been on my end. Hopefully, it will all be history in a few weeks. I just can't see your Thai wife completing the documentation required correctly and obtaining the documents they will eventually request, if any. Thus, I think an experienced attorney, having dealt with the immigration section of the Embassy previously, will almost be a must in your case. The best man at my wedding is a Doctor of Pharmacy and yet he hired an attorney for this process in San Francisco and for him it was quite simple but costly.

[daboyz1]

Just a note about the photos. They seem to carry more weight than anything at the USEM in Bangkok. I lived with my wife for 2 years in Bangkok etc. We submitted about 5 photos as well as copies of about 100 Thai entry stamps in my passport. They gave us 221g at the interview wanting more photos. We simply bought a couple disposable cameras, ran around Bangkok having motorbike taxi drivers take photos of us together. Went back changed clothes and did the same thing. Went to a 1 hour photo place and had them developed. Went back to the embassy and gave them the photos. No problem, visa issued.

Moral to the story, give them a bunch of photos.

[meand]

Yeah, I used a lot of photos.

You know, a good tip to save you some money, if you can find an internet shop that has photoshop, I went to file I think, then "contact sheet".... maybe search google for the exact way to find that function, I forget..... but you are able to make a sheet of photos. I was putting 8 photos per printed 8x10 sheet, and those were black and white. This seemed big enough for them, and it only costed 2 sheets worth of printing. Then I used a couple of other photos printed large 8x10, black and white though (very cheap, haha). I think I had a total of about 20 photos, a pretty different from one another.

But yes I agree the photos seem to hold more weight than they even perhaps should. We had great photos and lacked a lot of other stuff like phone and bank records, and they seemed fine with it. Photos where you are obviously on a trip together with landmarks in the background are obviously good. Photos with family or at a relatives wedding or graduation for example are perfect. Anything you can think of that makes you look like a family unit. Variation is good too Im sure, dont show the same thing.

I found a photoshop "contact sheet" screen grab. It is file--> automate --> contact sheet

Edited September 30, 2014 by meand

[daboyz1]

Yeah, I used a lot of photos.

You know, a good tip to save you some money, if you can find an internet shop that has photoshop, I went to file I think, then "contact sheet".... maybe search google for the exact way to find that function, I forget..... but you are able to make a sheet of photos. I was putting 8 photos per printed 8x10 sheet, and those were black and white. This seemed big enough for them, and it only costed 2 sheets worth of printing. Then I used a couple of other photos printed large 8x10, black and white though (very cheap, haha). I think I had a total of about 20 photos, a pretty different from one another.

But yes I agree the photos seem to hold more weight than they even perhaps should. We had great photos and lacked a lot of other stuff like phone and bank records, and they seemed fine with it. Photos where you are obviously on a trip together with landmarks in the background are obviously good. Photos with family or at a relatives wedding or graduation for example are perfect. Anything you can think of that makes you look like a family unit. Variation is good too Im sure, dont show the same thing.

I found a photoshop "contact sheet" screen grab. It is file--> automate --> contact sheet

I'm pretty active on Visajourney.com ( an immigration website for bringing family members to the U.S.) and as far as I can tell the embassy in Bangkok is the only one that puts so much stock in to the photos. Most of them want proof like plane ticket receipts and boarding passes, etc. They all accept photos as evidence of an ongoing relationship, but they usually consider it secondary evidence, whereas the embassy in Bangkok considers it primary evidence for some reason. It was like that when we went through the process in 2009, and it appears it hasn't changed.

Again for those in the cheap seats, make sure you take a bunch of photos together to the interview.