US tourist visa for Thai wife of non-American

[DangerfieldLives]

Hi everyone -

I'm a Canadian citizen hoping to take a short side trip (4-5 days maximum) late this year or early next to the United States with my Thai wife and our toddler son (who has a Canadian passport). Obviously her visa would be the greatest concern. She is above 40 and we would be able to show sufficient funds to cover this trip. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge that might indicate to us whether this would even be worth attempting? Thanks in advance for any knowledge shared.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Shouldn't be a problem. Are you also going to Canada on this trip? With the U.S. visit just being on the way to, or the way out of Canada, or a dip south then head back north?

What is your status here in Thailand, that'd be an important point. Working, with Work Permit? Retired? This should be pointed out to the interviewing consular officer. Indeed, your wife should take your passport, not a copy, to the interview with the Thai Immigration stamps tagged showing your status here.

Mac

[DangerfieldLives]

Hi Mac, thanks for the quick reply and glad to hear the optimistic tone. Yes, this would be a short side trip as part of a longer, month-long, trip to Canada. I'm working here with a work permit and have been for several years so hopefully that will count in our favor. Thanks for the tip about the passport. I was wondering whether I would need to join for the interview but that makes sense.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

No, you can't join for the interview, can't even enter the Consulate, just go down Wireless a bit and have some coffee.

Include a short cover note, stating that you're headed to Canada, would like to do a short dip down and back, then returning to work in Thailand. Your wife should pop this right up front at the start of the interview, along with your flagged passport and work permit, first things the ConOff will see.

Another poster to this form had a good idea. Run your wife through each and every Q on the application so she can answer each one correctly.

And, it's her option for language at the interview, Thai or English.

Mac

[mikebell]

If you get to the interview stage, you're in. I'm a Brit & after all sorts of problems filling in On-Line application & getting an interview appointment, the interview by an American in Thai was a formality. My grouse was the appointment time isn't. It's just a turn-up & join the queue. 4 hours after the given time she was seen. I was out on the pavement waiting all this time. I'd just decided to never visit America again when she emerged with a 10 year visa.

[thaihome]

Get a letter from your employer stating your are working in Thailand.

TH

[theoldgit]

If you get to the interview stage, you're in.

I'll think you'll find that's not always the case, there are numerous reports of applicants being denied at the interview stage.

I believe that partners of Brits, and other non US citizens, actually stand a better chance than those of American citizens as there's less chance that they would be using a visit visa to stay in the US.

I do think that the wife of the OP would stand a pretty good chance of being granted a visa given the circumstances he describes.