Thai Visa to the States

[big carl]

My girl friend recently got a 10 year Visa to the states. Does that mean she can come and go as she wishes for the next ten years?

[khwaibah]

Theoretically yes. She is good for a 6 months entry for each stay then she must leave.

[metisdead]

Yes, it does. And, when her current Thai passport expires and she gets a new passport, her visa will not be transferred to the new passport. Just travel with both passports and show the visa in the old passport when entering the USA, they will stamp her in on her new passport.

Moving to the Visas to other countries forum.

[big carl]

Yes, it does. And, when her current Thai passport expires and she gets a new passport, her visa will not be transferred to the new passport. Just travel with both passports and show the visa in the old passport when entering the USA, they will stamp her in on her new passport.

Moving to the Visas to other countries forum.

Thanks for the quick response. I never thought to ask when she got it.

As for the 6 month I believe that is a Canadian requirement. Not sure on that. Maybe if we are over there long enough I will look in to it.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Carl

It might help other folks applying for tourist visas for a girlfriend, or wife, to the U.S. if you could outline what circumstances your GF is in and what she provided for the interviewing consular officer to look at.

Mac

[khwaibah]

Yes, it does. And, when her current Thai passport expires and she gets a new passport, her visa will not be transferred to the new passport. Just travel with both passports and show the visa in the old passport when entering the USA, they will stamp her in on her new passport.

Moving to the Visas to other countries forum.

Thanks for the quick response. I never thought to ask when she got it.

As for the 6 month I believe that is a Canadian requirement. Not sure on that. Maybe if we are over there long enough I will look in to it.

A 10 year multi vis for the USA allows the holder of the passport a 6 month stay. My wife has this.

[big carl]

Carl

It might help other folks applying for tourist visas for a girlfriend, or wife, to the U.S. if you could outline what circumstances your GF is in and what she provided for the interviewing consular officer to look at.

Mac

Good point.

I used star visa close to the American consulate. I could have done it with out them but I reasoned that it would look better if I used a service. Besides the paper work would be done correct. I had to supply a record of my last three month bank statements. Don't know why as use the guaranteed income method and just bring enough over once a month. I also supplied them with a letter explaining why I wanted to take her with me as we had a family reunion and her to get to see where I grew up. I explained that I would be financial responsibly for her and even gave my sisters address and phone number for where we would be staying. I explained that she took care of her mother financially and physically as well was involved with her Grand children.

She had to fill a form out and show her last three months bank statements. I don't know what they require. I don't know how much money she has in the bank but I had two accounts in her name that added up to 48000 Baht. They were put there to pay her yearly insurance. But that they put a seal in her visa with a 6 month date upon arrival on it. So I was wrong on that point. She had to go talk to them alone here in Chiang Mai. When she came back to the star office she said she had been approved and they would mail it to her. That was on a Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon we received it couldn't believe it when it said 10 year

Visa.

Hope this helps people. You can go on to the US cousalate web page and do it all your self if you are so inclined to. I just felt it looked better with a professional and paper work is not my strong point. One other point they had a letter for me to sign but it was a bare bones one and didn't mention taking care of her mother and the grand daughters. So I had to use mine.

I do hope this helps any one.

[jacksam]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Edited September 28, 2015 by jacksam

[big carl]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

[khwaibah]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

She can not just go to Mexico they require her to have a visa. She has to get from her home country. US immigration normally takes a dim view on an in an out on this visa. 6 months in the states and 6 months some where else will work.

Edited September 28, 2015 by khwaibah

[AaronLV]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

US is not like Thailand where you can just pop-over the border and come back and get another 6 months. I have a friend who recently went on a tourist visa with his GF they asked how long they were staying and he said 2 months, so they gave her 3 months stay. They went to mexico for a day (TJ), and stopped in the office at the border to process her out, when they re-entered the next day, they gave her the permission to stay on the original 3 month date, they did not extend it at all, and she did not even get the full 6 months.

Had they gone somewhere by air and come back, not sure what she would have gotten. It is always up to the Officer to decide how long you get to stay.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

khwaibah said: "She can not just go to Mexico they require her to have a visa. She has to get from her home country.

Mac sez: Not always so, my Thai wife got a Mexican tourist visa in Portland, OR, easy and quick.

khwaibah also said: "US immigration normally takes a dim view on an in an out on this visa. 6 months in the states and 6 months some where else will work."

Mac sez: Correct, Out & In for a 2nd 6 months unlikely to work.

Mac

[BudRight]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

US is not like Thailand where you can just pop-over the border and come back and get another 6 months. I have a friend who recently went on a tourist visa with his GF they asked how long they were staying and he said 2 months, so they gave her 3 months stay. They went to mexico for a day (TJ), and stopped in the office at the border to process her out, when they re-entered the next day, they gave her the permission to stay on the original 3 month date, they did not extend it at all, and she did not even get the full 6 months.

Had they gone somewhere by air and come back, not sure what she would have gotten. It is always up to the Officer to decide how long you get to stay.

Visits to Canada and Mexico don't reset the visa clock. The US does not stamp people out when they go to Mexico, nor does Mexico stamp people in from US border crossings. They also allow any nationality with a valid US tourist visa to visit Mexico.

Basically US Immigration does not even know that you have left. If not returning to the US, it is imperative for that reason to inform US immigration that you are leaving. I don't know what the process is for this, but it's necessary or they'll think you're still in the country.

Edit: Please note that my information is quite old (about 10 years).

Edited September 29, 2015 by BudRight

[brewsterbudgen]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

I wonder if this is the case? If the person accompanying the applicant on the holiday is also a tourist and not a US citizen, and can prove that they have roots in the country where they live, I would have thought the application would be easier, as there would be far less chance of her using the visit visa process as a way to stay with her American partner in the US.

[AaronLV]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

US is not like Thailand where you can just pop-over the border and come back and get another 6 months. I have a friend who recently went on a tourist visa with his GF they asked how long they were staying and he said 2 months, so they gave her 3 months stay. They went to mexico for a day (TJ), and stopped in the office at the border to process her out, when they re-entered the next day, they gave her the permission to stay on the original 3 month date, they did not extend it at all, and she did not even get the full 6 months.

Had they gone somewhere by air and come back, not sure what she would have gotten. It is always up to the Officer to decide how long you get to stay.

Visits to Canada and Mexico don't reset the visa clock. The US does not stamp people out when they go to Mexico, nor does Mexico stamp people in from US border crossings. They also allow any nationality with a valid US tourist visa to visit Mexico.

Basically US Immigration does not even know that you have left. If not returning to the US, it is imperative for that reason to inform US immigration that you are leaving. I don't know what the process is for this, but it's necessary or they'll think you're still in the country.

Edit: Please note that my information is quite old (about 10 years).

The Mexican border in San Diego has a CBP office at the border, which if you can go in and tell them you are leaving and they will put all the information in the computer that you have exited the country, and you can get a slip confirming it. At the airports this is all done via the Airline database which is how they know people have left. This information was given to my friend by a CBP officer in the US, which also said if you don't for some reason check out at a land border and fly out of that country, then save your airline ticket to prove the dates you left the neighboring country.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Jacksam said: "Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Edited by jacksam, Yesterday, 14:09 ."

Reckon you and your GF would have about 100% chance of success for U.S. tourist visas. You, no problem. For her, include right on top of her package your passport showing your status in Thailand. Retired? Working? If the latter, include your work permit.

As I've said a number of times, the interviewing ConOff will figure that you have good ties to Thailand so the odds are that your GF will return to Thailand with you.

Must say, tho, that some years ago my now wife and I had a great time visiting Oz, Sydney, a down the coast then up to Canberra, back down to Sydney, stayed upstairs at a pub about opposite the Power House Museum, lots of walking, day passes on the rail, good fun.

Mac

[jacksam]

Thanks Mac, I feel I might give the application process for visas to USA a go.

[big carl]

Thanks for that info bigcarl. Are there any non American citizens who have visited USA taking their tgf with them?

I'm AU live in bkk. Would love to take thai gf to USA or Europe .

Can't really say on that point. I know a Visa from some countries to the States is a piece of cake. But being as you are not an American citizen they may require stiffer qualification for your girl friend.

It might help if she had a large bank account or owned property. I have a friend who took his girl friend to Canada and he had a friend in a large company write a letter saying she was a valuable asset to the company and was on a holiday.

khwaibah is correct about the six month stay. If staying longer just pop over the border into Mexico. I believe they are easy to get into.

US is not like Thailand where you can just pop-over the border and come back and get another 6 months. I have a friend who recently went on a tourist visa with his GF they asked how long they were staying and he said 2 months, so they gave her 3 months stay. They went to mexico for a day (TJ), and stopped in the office at the border to process her out, when they re-entered the next day, they gave her the permission to stay on the original 3 month date, they did not extend it at all, and she did not even get the full 6 months.

Had they gone somewhere by air and come back, not sure what she would have gotten. It is always up to the Officer to decide how long you get to stay.

Visits to Canada and Mexico don't reset the visa clock. The US does not stamp people out when they go to Mexico, nor does Mexico stamp people in from US border crossings. They also allow any nationality with a valid US tourist visa to visit Mexico.

Basically US Immigration does not even know that you have left. If not returning to the US, it is imperative for that reason to inform US immigration that you are leaving. I don't know what the process is for this, but it's necessary or they'll think you're still in the country.

Edit: Please note that my information is quite old (about 10 years).

It is different in my case. I am an American citizen and would be flying into Mexico down Ixtapa way. I would be staying a minimum of two months. Her American Visa is good for ten years. As mentioned you need to leave the country at 6 months. They had a 6 month date on the stamp they put in to her Passport.

Sorry to have been misleading when I said just pop in to Mexico. I would imagine that on returning to the states she would once again receive the 6 month stamp in her passport. I really don't care as I would not be spending that much time over there. I will contact the Mexican Embassy in Bangkok for further information before we go. But that is a long way off.

[FLhawk]

She had to fill a form out and show her last three months bank statements. I don't know what they require. I don't know how much money she has in the bank but I had two accounts in her name that added up to 48000 Baht. They were put there to pay her yearly insurance. But that they put a seal in her visa with a 6 month date upon arrival on it. So I was wrong on that point. She had to go talk to them alone here in Chiang Mai. When she came back to the star office she said she had been approved and they would mail it to her. That was on a Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon we received it couldn't believe it when it said 10 year

Visa.

---

Thanks for the info, but I have few questions if I may.

I didn't think the American friend had any input in the visa process - that the person had to qualify on their own merits (as perceived by the officer anyway). Yet you say you wrote a letter, stating you were her bf and would pay her expenses, and they seemed to have not only read it all, but considered it positively in their decision. Is this because the folks are nicer in Chaing Mai or because you had been living in Thailand?? I was not going to bother to write up anything in support of my friend who would like to come visit as thought it would be ignored by the officer.

Your story does seem to give hope that single Thai women without a job with a large company, or millions of Bhat in the bank or who is a real estate mogul actually has a chance to gain entrance. And it seemed to happen by you all telling them she was coming over to see a boyfriend which, again, I thought was something that should not be admitted to!

For my female friend (age 40, super high moral background, sister of a police officer, college degree but self employed in part time catering and laboratory design) who I would like to come visit, is it best she say she is coming to visit a potential boy friend, rather than she just wants to visit the US to see Disney World???? With a reasonable officer, I think she would do great in an interview - she is a sweetheart. But I also thought that my writing a letter in support of her would not only NOT help, it would actually hurt her chances as now they might think she was coming to stay with me and would not return. That certainly won't be the case.

Thanks, and congrats on the visa!