Direct Filing at US Consulate - CR1 visa for spouse question

[remaxtony]

Hi everyone: I've been living in Thailand for 3 yrs now and got married in March here in her hometown.

I submitted my Form I-130 at the USCIS Bangkok office across the street from the US Embassy on April 2nd.

It was approved April 23 [noted on the approval letter], and the date of 4/28 was on the postage on the envelope but just arrived today on May 9th. Not the fastest mail service in the world.

This wasn't too bad considering the Songkran holiday week and the 3 days of holiday last week were in the middle of this timeframe.

I also received today at the same time the letter from the visa section at the Embassy called the "Packet 3". The envelope was dated 4/30 and arrived on same day. The cover letter stated that instructions were attached on how to apply for the visa.

From reading other's posts about this, I had the impression that the package 3 was a checklist of things to include with instructions to mail the info to the Embassy and so forth.

The only thing attached is a four page yellow document completely written in Thai. No other checklist or forms included. I am only concerned that they forgot to put my checklist in this envelope. My wife says the Thai document talks about spousal abuse and what number to call, and if you have children do this, and contact info and so forth. She says in the entire 4 pages, no checklist and no info on what to do next.

Now, I know what to do next from the govmt website and I am prepared for the next step which is to get the Police Clearance letter and the Medical checkup done, and mail in my Form 864 and complete the Online Form DS260. But I am concerned that there may be something else and why there isn't a checklist or instructions in this Packet 3 which is not looking like a "packet".

Has anyone received this Packet 3 recently in Thailand? What was inside the envelope? Thanks in advance.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Looks like this is the "Package Number 3" letter, but in English:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

Five pages worth, is this what you received, but in Thai?

More info here: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/packets.html

And, when all else fails, take a wander through www.visajourney.com

Good luck!

Mac

[remaxtony]

Yes thanks Mac. I see those links and that is why I said that I pretty much know what to do next, I had just thought that there was supposed to be a checklist in there of what other docs that my file was lacking.

For example, the list of docs that the packet 3 link on their website says to submit has most items that I already submitted to the USCIS with the form I-130. Looking at this link, it reads as if I should submit them all again. But since I already sent them???? I'm confused as to whether to send again. The first 5 docs, passport, birth cert, marriage cert, name change cert, termination of prior marriages was all submitted already as an example.

[EyesWideOpen]

Well, I have just completed the exact same process as you are going through. Yes the packet

three is simply a list of documents the embassy wishes you to submit as part of the final

submission. Here is the link for the embassy website. Follow the instructions exactly !!!!!

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/102014_iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

Everything is pretty much straightforward. Forget whatever you submitted on the I-130.

Now you in essence are starting again. First off you need to submit the DS - 260 form

which is all done online. Then you need to get the police clearance letter from police

headquarters in Bangkok. Take every conceivable document you have such as

tabien ban for you wife, name change, marriage certificate, etc, or you will be making

two trips there. It takes about three weeks to get that in the mail from them.

Again follow the pretty clear directions. Print out the DS-2001 form and sign it.

Also go to the US traveldoc site and fill out the requested information. When done

print out the GSS registration confirmation which is a bar code. Then send all that

to the embassy by mail, including of course all the other documents that is on their

list such as name change, marriage certificates, etc. And of course the fabled

I-860 form that show you are the sponsor and will support her.

After all that is sent in, after a few days the embassy will email you with an

verbal interview date. Then and ONLY then will Bumrungrad Hospital allow you

to have a medical exam, you must bring a copy of the embassy interview

letter. In the absence of any vaccination records, my wife had two shots , total cost

was 4300 baht.

Everything that is sent to the embassy is a copy. Send it EMS so you can track it.

Go over every single piece of paper ten times to make sure of no mistakes. Photo

copy up a second set of documents, so if for some reason it is lost in the mail you

do not have to start over again. Cheap insurance..... :-)

At the interview bring the original of every single copy you sent them. Also bring

around 20 or 30 photos showing your happy life together over a period of time.

If you say you have been together 5 years , they will want to see photos that show

that. With my wife they looked at every photo. We have a four year old daughter

together, so that part was a bit of a slam dunk for me... She was asked two questions,

and the interview was over. For my wife the visa was not granted as they asked for

some additional financial information which I provided. So I expect to hear from them

by next week...

Not sure why you got the yellow form, think someone made a mailing mistake.

That form which says you cannot beat your wife was given to her after the verbal

interview. Any other questions feel free to ask. The process is not really that difficult,

but the penalty for errors is large as far as processing goes so you really want to

check things over many times. Good luck !!! Start of the process to the interview

date was about three months for me. Could have pushed it up a bit if I tried but

was not really in a rush.

Edited May 9, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[Gumballl]

It is your wife that is applying for the CR1 visa, not you. The US Consular offices know that your wife is Thai, hence the instructions are written in Thai.

[EyesWideOpen]

Here is a somewhat more detailed time line. One more small thing is that the police will not

begin the process of issuing a clearance letter for your wife until you have the email

from the embassy acknowledging the receipt of the I-130 application, and a case number

is given. The process is a bit like a puzzle that must be done in a certain order....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817343-current-timeline-for-wifes-immigrant-visa-to-usa/

Edited May 9, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[EyesWideOpen]

It is your wife that is applying for the CR1 visa, not you. The US Consular offices know that your wife is Thai, hence the instructions are written in Thai.

In embassy parlance, she is the applicant, and he is the petitioner. However all

paperwork was done by me. Only at the verbal interview did she play an active part, and

that point was where she was given the paper that said I could not beat her.

The US wants to make sure you did not meet her in a gogo bar last week, and

also wants to make sure she does not become a public charge upon her arrival

in America. That is about it....

I think basically on a CR-1 marriage visa, the focus is on the man for sufficient

financial power to insure she does not go on welfare. On a tourist visa, the focus

is on her to see if she has enough links to Thailand to not want to overstay

her visa.

[remaxtony]

Thanks guys.

[remaxtony]

Well, I have just completed the exact same process as you are going through. Yes the packet

three is simply a list of documents the embassy wishes you to submit as part of the final

submission. Here is the link for the embassy website. Follow the instructions exactly !!!!!

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/102014_iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

Everything is pretty much straightforward. Forget whatever you submitted on the I-130.

Now you in essence are starting again. First off you need to submit the DS - 260 form

which is all done online. Then you need to get the police clearance letter from police

headquarters in Bangkok. Take every conceivable document you have such as

tabien ban for you wife, name change, marriage certificate, etc, or you will be making

two trips there. It takes about three weeks to get that in the mail from them.

Again follow the pretty clear directions. Print out the DS-2001 form and sign it.

Also go to the US traveldoc site and fill out the requested information. When done

print out the GSS registration confirmation which is a bar code. Then send all that

to the embassy by mail, including of course all the other documents that is on their

list such as name change, marriage certificates, etc. And of course the fabled

I-860 form that show you are the sponsor and will support her.

After all that is sent in, after a few days the embassy will email you with an

verbal interview date. Then and ONLY then will Bumrungrad Hospital allow you

to have a medical exam, you must bring a copy of the embassy interview

letter. In the absence of any vaccination records, my wife had two shots , total cost

was 4300 baht.

Everything that is sent to the embassy is a copy. Send it EMS so you can track it.

Go over every single piece of paper ten times to make sure of no mistakes. Photo

copy up a second set of documents, so if for some reason it is lost in the mail you

do not have to start over again. Cheap insurance..... :-)

At the interview bring the original of every single copy you sent them. Also bring

around 20 or 30 photos showing your happy life together over a period of time.

If you say you have been together 5 years , they will want to see photos that show

that. With my wife they looked at every photo. We have a four year old daughter

together, so that part was a bit of a slam dunk for me... She was asked two questions,

and the interview was over. For my wife the visa was not granted as they asked for

some additional financial information which I provided. So I expect to hear from them

by next week...

Not sure why you got the yellow form, think someone made a mailing mistake.

That form which says you cannot beat your wife was given to her after the verbal

interview. Any other questions feel free to ask. The process is not really that difficult,

but the penalty for errors is large as far as processing goes so you really want to

check things over many times. Good luck !!! Start of the process to the interview

date was about three months for me. Could have pushed it up a bit if I tried but

was not really in a rush.

Good info. Follow up question about filing the form 260 application online.

Before starting that, it says you will need a case number which I have, but it also mentions a beneficiary ID # and an Invoice ID# from NVC welcome letter. I don't have those as we don't get an NVC letter when filing in Bkk.

Were you able to complete the form 260 without those things?

Did you file the form DS261 [choose an Agent]? I saw on travel.state.gov site that it says we must have an agent and to wait 15 days after submitting that form. But nobody mentions that form.

Lastly, it mentions paying the visa fees online,,,,but I saw you mention that your girl paid the fees at the embassy during the interview day. Did you pay online and another fee at embassy? Or you didn't pay online?

[EyesWideOpen]

Well, I have just completed the exact same process as you are going through. Yes the packet

three is simply a list of documents the embassy wishes you to submit as part of the final

submission. Here is the link for the embassy website. Follow the instructions exactly !!!!!

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/102014_iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

Everything is pretty much straightforward. Forget whatever you submitted on the I-130.

Now you in essence are starting again. First off you need to submit the DS - 260 form

which is all done online. Then you need to get the police clearance letter from police

headquarters in Bangkok. Take every conceivable document you have such as

tabien ban for you wife, name change, marriage certificate, etc, or you will be making

two trips there. It takes about three weeks to get that in the mail from them.

Again follow the pretty clear directions. Print out the DS-2001 form and sign it.

Also go to the US traveldoc site and fill out the requested information. When done

print out the GSS registration confirmation which is a bar code. Then send all that

to the embassy by mail, including of course all the other documents that is on their

list such as name change, marriage certificates, etc. And of course the fabled

I-860 form that show you are the sponsor and will support her.

After all that is sent in, after a few days the embassy will email you with an

verbal interview date. Then and ONLY then will Bumrungrad Hospital allow you

to have a medical exam, you must bring a copy of the embassy interview

letter. In the absence of any vaccination records, my wife had two shots , total cost

was 4300 baht.

Everything that is sent to the embassy is a copy. Send it EMS so you can track it.

Go over every single piece of paper ten times to make sure of no mistakes. Photo

copy up a second set of documents, so if for some reason it is lost in the mail you

do not have to start over again. Cheap insurance..... :-)

At the interview bring the original of every single copy you sent them. Also bring

around 20 or 30 photos showing your happy life together over a period of time.

If you say you have been together 5 years , they will want to see photos that show

that. With my wife they looked at every photo. We have a four year old daughter

together, so that part was a bit of a slam dunk for me... She was asked two questions,

and the interview was over. For my wife the visa was not granted as they asked for

some additional financial information which I provided. So I expect to hear from them

by next week...

Not sure why you got the yellow form, think someone made a mailing mistake.

That form which says you cannot beat your wife was given to her after the verbal

interview. Any other questions feel free to ask. The process is not really that difficult,

but the penalty for errors is large as far as processing goes so you really want to

check things over many times. Good luck !!! Start of the process to the interview

date was about three months for me. Could have pushed it up a bit if I tried but

was not really in a rush.

Good info. Follow up question about filing the form 260 application online.

Before starting that, it says you will need a case number which I have, but it also mentions a beneficiary ID # and an Invoice ID# from NVC welcome letter. I don't have those as we don't get an NVC letter when filing in Bkk.

Were you able to complete the form 260 without those things?

Did you file the form DS261 [choose an Agent]? I saw on travel.state.gov site that it says we must have an agent and to wait 15 days after submitting that form. But nobody mentions that form.

Lastly, it mentions paying the visa fees online,,,,but I saw you mention that your girl paid the fees at the embassy during the interview day. Did you pay online and another fee at embassy? Or you didn't pay online?

For the DS-260 you only need the case number to fill out the online form. Here is the start of the DS-260 online form. Punch in your case number, and away you go.....

https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

I also printed it out and enclosed it with the final stack of packet three letters that I sent in.

At no point did I use an agent, as I believe they only slow you down to justify fees.......

There are no fees paid online prior to the visa being granted. When she goes for her verbal interview, at that time she pays 10,300 baht directly to the embassy.

After her visa is granted, it will come with two numbers on it. Those are needed to pay

the final green card fee, which is indeed online. Perhaps that is where you are confused.

Here is the information page for that :

http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-finding-your-number-and-dos-case-id

"You will need your Alien Number (A-Number) and DOS Case ID to pay the fee."

Ahh , think I see the problem. You are getting your forms mixed up. You do not use the DS-261, as you are doing it yourself, you only use form DS-260 which is what I used.

Edited May 10, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[remaxtony]

Well, I have just completed the exact same process as you are going through. Yes the packet

three is simply a list of documents the embassy wishes you to submit as part of the final

submission. Here is the link for the embassy website. Follow the instructions exactly !!!!!

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/102014_iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

Everything is pretty much straightforward. Forget whatever you submitted on the I-130.

Now you in essence are starting again. First off you need to submit the DS - 260 form

which is all done online. Then you need to get the police clearance letter from police

headquarters in Bangkok. Take every conceivable document you have such as

tabien ban for you wife, name change, marriage certificate, etc, or you will be making

two trips there. It takes about three weeks to get that in the mail from them.

Again follow the pretty clear directions. Print out the DS-2001 form and sign it.

Also go to the US traveldoc site and fill out the requested information. When done

print out the GSS registration confirmation which is a bar code. Then send all that

to the embassy by mail, including of course all the other documents that is on their

list such as name change, marriage certificates, etc. And of course the fabled

I-860 form that show you are the sponsor and will support her.

After all that is sent in, after a few days the embassy will email you with an

verbal interview date. Then and ONLY then will Bumrungrad Hospital allow you

to have a medical exam, you must bring a copy of the embassy interview

letter. In the absence of any vaccination records, my wife had two shots , total cost

was 4300 baht.

Everything that is sent to the embassy is a copy. Send it EMS so you can track it.

Go over every single piece of paper ten times to make sure of no mistakes. Photo

copy up a second set of documents, so if for some reason it is lost in the mail you

do not have to start over again. Cheap insurance..... :-)

At the interview bring the original of every single copy you sent them. Also bring

around 20 or 30 photos showing your happy life together over a period of time.

If you say you have been together 5 years , they will want to see photos that show

that. With my wife they looked at every photo. We have a four year old daughter

together, so that part was a bit of a slam dunk for me... She was asked two questions,

and the interview was over. For my wife the visa was not granted as they asked for

some additional financial information which I provided. So I expect to hear from them

by next week...

Not sure why you got the yellow form, think someone made a mailing mistake.

That form which says you cannot beat your wife was given to her after the verbal

interview. Any other questions feel free to ask. The process is not really that difficult,

but the penalty for errors is large as far as processing goes so you really want to

check things over many times. Good luck !!! Start of the process to the interview

date was about three months for me. Could have pushed it up a bit if I tried but

was not really in a rush.

Good info. Follow up question about filing the form 260 application online.

Before starting that, it says you will need a case number which I have, but it also mentions a beneficiary ID # and an Invoice ID# from NVC welcome letter. I don't have those as we don't get an NVC letter when filing in Bkk.

Were you able to complete the form 260 without those things?

Did you file the form DS261 [choose an Agent]? I saw on travel.state.gov site that it says we must have an agent and to wait 15 days after submitting that form. But nobody mentions that form.

Lastly, it mentions paying the visa fees online,,,,but I saw you mention that your girl paid the fees at the embassy during the interview day. Did you pay online and another fee at embassy? Or you didn't pay online?

For the DS-260 you only need the case number to fill out the online form. Here is the start of the DS-260 online form. Punch in your case number, and away you go.....

https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

I also printed it out and enclosed it with the final stack of packet three letters that I sent in.

At no point did I use an agent, as I believe they only slow you down to justify fees.......

There are no fees paid online prior to the visa being granted. When she goes for her verbal interview, at that time she pays 10,300 baht directly to the embassy.

After her visa is granted, it will come with two numbers on it. Those are needed to pay

the final green card fee, which is indeed online. Perhaps that is where you are confused.

Here is the information page for that :

http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-finding-your-number-and-dos-case-id

"You will need your Alien Number (A-Number) and DOS Case ID to pay the fee."

Ahh , think I see the problem. You are getting your forms mixed up. You do not use the DS-261, as you are doing it yourself, you only use form DS-260 which is what I used.

Thanks. Yes, last night I decided to go ahead and do the DS 260 and it does not ask for those other numbers.

And, yes, no agent....not needed. Going to police for her clearance letter and then mailing everything in.

[EyesWideOpen]

The police letter takes about three weeks to get. It can be brought to the verbal interview.

I asked the Bangkok visa immigration unit directly , and they said no problem. So to

speed things up a bit if needed, you can apply for the police letter, wait about a week,

and then mail in the packet three documents without the police letter. Simply enclose

a letter saying it will be brought to the verbal interview. I suspect this is commonly done.

After the packet three documents were received by the embassy, seems the interview

date was in about three weeks. Am sure it varies. So don't mail off the packet three

stuff too soon, or you will not have the police letter in time..... :-)

Here is the email address for the immigration unit in Bangkok. If you have any

questions, they are excellent at answering back directly to you. [email protected]

Edited May 11, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[EyesWideOpen]

I just received approval for my wife's visa today. Just be sure to fulfill their

requirements regarding money, be honest, and make everything is filled

out correctly. Then should be no problem. Best of luck !!

[remaxtony]

I just received approval for my wife's visa today. Just be sure to fulfill their

requirements regarding money, be honest, and make everything is filled

out correctly. Then should be no problem. Best of luck !!

Great, good luck! I should be right behind you. I mailed all of the docs today for packet 3, and they should arrive at the Embassy tomorrow. By my calculation, we should get our interview the first week of June, and by mid-June flying to the USA. Fingers crossed, but I have everything required, and my income is not a problem on the 864 form. Domicile is not a problem....

[EyesWideOpen]

I just received approval for my wife's visa today. Just be sure to fulfill their

requirements regarding money, be honest, and make everything is filled

out correctly. Then should be no problem. Best of luck !!

Great, good luck! I should be right behind you. I mailed all of the docs today for packet 3, and they should arrive at the Embassy tomorrow. By my calculation, we should get our interview the first week of June, and by mid-June flying to the USA. Fingers crossed, but I have everything required, and my income is not a problem on the 864 form. Domicile is not a problem....

With housing and sufficient income, yes, should be a slam dunk. Be sure to bring the photos

showing a long term relationship. I had my wife bring about 20. I figured that was about right.

Did not want to overwhelm them with photos, and only a couple of them seemed a bit

too light. They examined all of them, and asked questions about the photos. Upon receiving

the email today saying the visa was being sent, it also said it could take up to 7 business

days. So with bad luck could be 11 days. Anyway do not buy tickets until you get the

approval. I was missing one document, and it cost me an extra three weeks of time.

There was some mix up on the financial forms at her verbal interview. I did not enclose

a copy of my I-864 form with the documents she brought, as I thought

they already had that. So to be on the safe side have her bring those too...

[jimky]

I'm US citizen by birth. Me and my wife been married over 5 years living in Thailand the entire time.

Can you guys who just did this advise exactly what I need to do to start this process? As in the specifics of the first step.

I think this is filing form I-130 at the UCIS office in Bangkok. Do I need an appointment or do I just show up and do it. Also do I need documents other than just that form? Does my wife need to be with me? (We live in Udon Thani and our children need to go to school. Would be easier if I can go alone for the first step, but if better she comes than I'd bring her too).

Also in the I-130 for my own addresses, do I use our address in Thailand as my address (which is same as her) or should I use my Mom's address in the US.

++++++++++

One other question perhaps won't know: Her son (my stepson) age 15 will be included on the application. Do I need to fill out separate I-130 for him too?

Thanks in advanced for any responses.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm US citizen by birth. Me and my wife been married over 5 years living in Thailand the entire time.

Can you guys who just did this advise exactly what I need to do to start this process? As in the specifics of the first step.

I think this is filing form I-130 at the UCIS office in Bangkok. Do I need an appointment or do I just show up and do it. Also do I need documents other than just that form? Does my wife need to be with me? (We live in Udon Thani and our children need to go to school. Would be easier if I can go alone for the first step, but if better she comes than I'd bring her too).

Also in the I-130 for my own addresses, do I use our address in Thailand as my address (which is same as her) or should I use my Mom's address in the US.

++++++++++

One other question perhaps won't know: Her son (my stepson) age 15 will be included on the application. Do I need to fill out separate I-130 for him too?

Thanks in advanced for any responses.

Look here for a time line on what to do.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817343-current-timeline-for-wifes-immigrant-visa-to-usa/

Regarding the stepson, no idea on that. I do recall on the filling out of the DS-260 form it asks about stepchildren, and if you are planning on bringing them over as well... I think on the I-130 form it asks about previous children from your wife.

[remaxtony]

I'm US citizen by birth. Me and my wife been married over 5 years living in Thailand the entire time.

Can you guys who just did this advise exactly what I need to do to start this process? As in the specifics of the first step.

I think this is filing form I-130 at the UCIS office in Bangkok. Do I need an appointment or do I just show up and do it. Also do I need documents other than just that form? Does my wife need to be with me? (We live in Udon Thani and our children need to go to school. Would be easier if I can go alone for the first step, but if better she comes than I'd bring her too).

Also in the I-130 for my own addresses, do I use our address in Thailand as my address (which is same as her) or should I use my Mom's address in the US.

++++++++++

One other question perhaps won't know: Her son (my stepson) age 15 will be included on the application. Do I need to fill out separate I-130 for him too?

Thanks in advanced for any responses.

Jimky,

Read this thread here below and all of the replies in it. It was great info and it was the thread that I basically read and followed and it has been exactly correct.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777965-us-ir1-visa-dc-filing-timeline/?hl=%2Bdirect+%2Bconsular+%2Bfiling

This site is the location of the first filing, the USCIS office in Bangkok which is labeled on this website as the "street address". It is across from the embassy on one of the top floors. You apply there first with the Form I-130 and all of the related forms they ask for on this site. Your wife does not need to go to file this form with you.

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

This site below is exactly what to do on the first step. The form is there and the instruction form to download which gives you step by step. The key for you will be proving income and "domicile" in the USA if you have been here for 5 years. There is plenty of info on there on what you need to show to prove that.

http://www.uscis.gov/i-130

When you file, you must pay the $420 USD fee which can be paid in the Baht equivalent at the time. I'm not bringing any children, so I can't help with those questions.

These are the docs that I submitted with my Form I-130.

• Copy of Petitioner’s US Passport (all pages) [You are the petitioner] [Your wife is the beneficiary, and her child is also and you need all of the same docs for him that are relevant]

The key on your passport is to show that you have been here longer than 6 months in order to appy here.

• Copy of Beneficiary’s Thai Passport

• Copy of Beneficiary’s name change certificate with copy of official translation to English

• Copy of Beneficiary’s birth certificate with copy of official translation to English

• Form G-325A Completed by both the Petitioner and Beneficiary with 1 photo each of the Petitioner & Beneficiary with name printed on back in pencil

• Completed Form G-1145

• Evidence of Bona Fide relationship

1) Copy of Thai Marriage Certificate with copy of official translation to English

2) Copy of bankbook of joint bank account in Thailand of the Petitioner & Beneficiary

3) Copy of recent Condo lease with both of our names on it

4) Affidavit from 2 friends acknowledging our bona fide relationship

5) Copy of monthly utility bills showing joint tenancy of a common residence

Let me know what else you need to know.

[Rocketsurgeon]

Remaxtony (or anyone...)

Where does one obtain an "official translation". Wife changed first name many years ago, she been lazy abt changing her last (also worried might impact our travrling our US travels).

So she presumably will have two name change certs.

What other docs are required to be translated, officially?

*We do not have anything that shows joint tennancy (I've made one visa extension based on marriage). The apt has often given us letters, stamped, signed attesting to our tennancy of five years in the bldg?? They have many times refused to place both names on the rental agreement.

The apt is very close to her work, its perfect for our needs at present.

We did set up a bank acct,but I moved the big bal to my acct for the extension.

We have an absolute ton of pictures, international trips incl four to US. Photos of us with each others families (she has met, knows nearly my entire extended family). Photos of us in outings with her friends, dozens of camping activities over five years...

My FB acct has documented our entire lives together, I joined on her fb invite.

Friends...mutual, how long, US, Thai, both...any old people or VIP?

Edited May 16, 2015 by Rocketsurgeon

[jimky]

Not sure if needed or not but can have any translation certified by Ministry of Foreign Affairs which would make it "official".

[Rocketsurgeon]

Now I think about it I recall reading somewhere that all the docs simply need to be translated. Wife could in theory do it.

Could anyone comment on this single petson on agreement thingy. I mean hell-o we are together hand and glive now 5.5 years. Surely a proper letter would make up for the lack flack both on agreement (we were not married when we signed initial contract as well).

[jimky]

I'm haven't started this process yet (getting ready to now) so take my comments lightly, but.. I suspect you have what you have and most likely is enough.. For me is the same deal. House is in her name only. Bank accounts are separate. But...

We have a couple dozen matching passport stamps. A child together. Thousands of photos. Joint US tax return. I can't see for us that aspect being a problem.

[jimky]

Was just reading and the instructions seem to have clarification on a couple of your questions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

The translation says translator needs to certify it is correct and by certification is competent to translate to English. Here in Udon Thani the translator I use stamps it with some sort of certification about her business and includes a business card and brochure. Most translation services probably provide similar.

As for the relationship part. The list has a bunch of letters that all marked next to them

.... -or

.... -or

So seems having just some of them should be fine.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm haven't started this process yet (getting ready to now) so take my comments lightly, but.. I suspect you have what you have and most likely is enough.. For me is the same deal. House is in her name only. Bank accounts are separate. But...

We have a couple dozen matching passport stamps. A child together. Thousands of photos. Joint US tax return. I can't see for us that aspect being a problem.

My wife has just been granted a visa. In all the forms and the application process,

at no point did joint bank accounts here, joint rental agreements, etc play any part.

As near as I could figure out, your joint financial life here is basically meaningless

as far as the application goes

The focus is on the following issues.

1. Is the relationship real? This can be proven by a reasonable amount of photos.

2. Where will you live in America ? A friend of mine provided a cover letter

stating I had a house to live in once I arrived in America.

3. Financial power in the states. This comes down to the I-864 form. The principle concern

is that your Thai wife will not use government aid in America. So either the

principal signer on the I-864 has to have some financial power, or if the

petitioner ( you) does not have that, then you have to come up with a sponsor

who will sign another I-864 form for you. It is somewhat invasive, as the form

requires last year's tax return, and exactly what the person earned. Also puts them

on the hook to pay your wife poverty level income if she divorces from you and then

sues the sponsor. None of my friends or family wanted anything to do with the

I-864 form........ Sort of pissed me off, but at another level I understood..... :-)

Edited May 17, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[jimky]

Providing the I-864 comes some point after the first step (not given with the initial I-130). Is that correct?

I just booked some flights. Going to Bangkok later this month to file the I-130. Then will go to the US mid June to mid July to get a US drivers license, and probably change a utility or two at my mother's house to my name, for showing steps to establish domicile. By that time hopefully next step will be here waiting for me when I get back.

I have self employment income visible on tax returns that will continue and I will be the only sponsor. The issue is getting my tax transcripts. I requested once via phone (3 months ago), once via form (3 weeks ago). I might mail in a third party transcript request to my Mom's house if I don't get them soon because so far none have shown up.

[EyesWideOpen]

Providing the I-864 comes some point after the first step (not given with the initial I-130). Is that correct?

I just booked some flights. Going to Bangkok later this month to file the I-130. Then will go to the US mid June to mid July to get a US drivers license, and probably change a utility or two at my mother's house to my name, for showing steps to establish domicile. By that time hopefully next step will be here waiting for me when I get back.

I have self employment income visible on tax returns that will continue and I will be the only sponsor. The issue is getting my tax transcripts. I requested once via phone (3 months ago), once via form (3 weeks ago). I might mail in a third party transcript request to my Mom's house if I don't get them soon because so far none have shown up.

I provided no evidence whatsoever of domicile in America, nor was that a part of any form.

You will simply be asked on the DS-260 form I believe where you will be living in the states.

Again, a letter from the owner of the house where you will be staying is sufficient. No need

to fly back for driver license, utility bills etc...... You will be wasting your time.

Maybe my position was unique. It was simply that I have lived in Thailand for 14 years,

and now wished to relocate back to the states with my wife. I showed I had money, and

showed I had a place to stay. End of story...... That was all they wanted.

[remaxtony]

Providing the I-864 comes some point after the first step (not given with the initial I-130). Is that correct?

I just booked some flights. Going to Bangkok later this month to file the I-130. Then will go to the US mid June to mid July to get a US drivers license, and probably change a utility or two at my mother's house to my name, for showing steps to establish domicile. By that time hopefully next step will be here waiting for me when I get back.

I have self employment income visible on tax returns that will continue and I will be the only sponsor. The issue is getting my tax transcripts. I requested once via phone (3 months ago), once via form (3 weeks ago). I might mail in a third party transcript request to my Mom's house if I don't get them soon because so far none have shown up.

Yes, the Form 864 is filed with the 2nd step after the USCIS approves your petition. They mail you letter saying file is forwarded to the immigration unit at the embassy. You also get a letter from the immigration unit saying to file the Packet 3 papers......That form is file in that packet.

Jimky and Rocket are both fine with your history of marriage. They will accept many different forms of proof of your marriages so don't get too worried. Some of us provide details of what we supplied because we had that proof. But you can supply any proof.

The domicile thing is important, but as Eyeswideopen said, a letter from someone in the USA saying that you guys can live with them will suffice. A tax return suffices with an active address in the USA. There is a list of things that prove domicile, but not a form. SImply showing money in a USA bank acct or a retirement act still there suffices.

The key is to go to those govmt sites that I posted and read them thoroughly and follow the step by steps. There are usually FAQs and instructions to download for each form. Both the USCIS and Immigration unit will answer email questions also after a 2 or 3 day delay.

The translations can be done by any translator that Attests to the document translation being accurate and complete, and that they are competent to translate Thai to English. I would not do this by the wife however, I think it needs to be a third party. [answer to Rocket]

[remaxtony]

Received the Police Report in the mail. The wife takes this to the interview......are we allowed to open this?

I know we cannot open the Medical Report.....what about the police report? For some reason I thought I read somewhere that we cannot. But I just read the website and I don't see it mentioned anywhere.

[EyesWideOpen]

Received the Police Report in the mail. The wife takes this to the interview......are we allowed to open this?

I know we cannot open the Medical Report.....what about the police report? For some reason I thought I read somewhere that we cannot. But I just read the website and I don't see it mentioned anywhere.

The medical report CANNOT opened. If it is, then it become invalid and the embassy

will request another one. I seem to recall that they give another copy of the information

with the sealed one so there are no surprises. I also believe that if something is wrong

they will tell your wife at the time of the examination. The police report can be opened,

it is just a single page document.

[remaxtony]

Wow, just now received the email for the Interview date, June 24. Longer than I expected. I had noticed on other posters that they got interviews 2-3 weeks after embassy rec'd the packet 3.

My packet was received May 16th at embassy and I got June 24, a full 5 weeks later. They must have gotten backed up.