CR-1 or K-3 HELP! please

[stilltraveling 0]

Fellow sufferers of the process: I (USA citizen) am just starting the process

for my Thai wife (married 2/08 after 7 year relationship) and myself. We're happy to live in Thailand but want to be able to travel/stay for an extended time and, perhaps, for her to work a little to keep busy and "integrate more" in the USA, though this will not be necessary. She hasn't visited the USA yet but we plan for a one month stay in 10/08. Questions please:

(1)CR-1 or K-3 for our general circumstances would, in your opinion, be advisable?

(2)If I start the process now/shortly will it make getting a TOURIST visa even more complicated for the 10/08 trip?

Thank you in advance for any specific information you can provide us.

[Elphie 0]

I dont know the answer to your question but I thought I'd bump it just in case someone came along who does know the answer.

Edited to add: If you dont mind waiting a couple extra months, the CR-1 visa is the better one overall as you wont have to go through AOS, wait to get the EAD (the work authorization is taking 3 months at least), and your wife can get her SSN right away.

Edited April 29, 2008 by Eresh

[Credzba 0]

If you file CR/1 or K3 it will make tourist visa impossible.

Also, if you file CR/1 or K3, remember they are immigration visas, not visitor visas.

You should plan to move to the USA if you apply ofr one of these.

Also, to get a CR.1 or K3 you will have to prove you have a place to live in the USA, so if your livining in Thailand now, it may be difficult.

I am sure others can give you good advice, but this is best I know.

[pushbrk 13,079]

If you file CR/1 or K3 it will make tourist visa impossible.

Also, if you file CR/1 or K3, remember they are immigration visas, not visitor visas.

You should plan to move to the USA if you apply ofr one of these.

Also, to get a CR.1 or K3 you will have to prove you have a place to live in the USA, so if your livining in Thailand now, it may be difficult.

I am sure others can give you good advice, but this is best I know.

Since the couple lives in Thailand, I would suggest a direct consular filing, (DCF). Just check the guides for details. It being Thailand, a tourist visa would probably only be granted if there were very significant ties including significant assets in Thailand. Immigrant intent is assumed anyway and absolutely certain if you've filed an immigrant visa petition.

[rin and john 71]

If you have lived in Thailand for more than six months, go with DCF. Contact DHS Bangkok at the e-mail address below.

From embassy web site at http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_vis...sa-process.html

"1. THE FIRST STEP - THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

The process of applying for all categories of immigrant visas begins with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In most cases, this consists of filing a petition with the DHS office having jurisdiction over the petitioner's place of residence in the United States. The petitioner should contact the appropriate DHS office using the Government Pages of the local telephone directory or by going to the USCIS website. If the petitioner resides in the United States, the processing time varies depending on the service center where the petition is pending. In a limited number of cases, if the petitioner can demonstrate current residence in Thailand for at least six months, the petition may be filed with the DHS office in Bangkok. The general inquiry email box for DHS Bangkok is BKKCIS.Inquiries@dhs.gov. Many DHS forms are available at:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/index.htm"