Sponsoring thai girl to visit USA

[jeffnc 0]

Sanity check here folks, I was in vacation in Thailand and met a really sweet girl in Phuket. We spent 10 days together touring all over the place. Had a total blast. I decided I wanted to bring her to the US to visit with me as long as possible, this could lead to something big for us. This is where it gets interesting. I decided to hire a visa agency. TSL Associates out of Bangkok. Over all they want about 20,000 baht to help her process her Visa and prepare for the interview.

Here is where it gets interesting. She does not have much money and comes from a poor family in NE Thailand. This being the case it was recommended by TSL that I sponsor her. This is where things start get a little sketchy. First thing they do is ask me for all kinds of personal information, SSN, Passport number, income info etc. In speaking with some friends they said it was not that unusual. She goes to meet them again and they tell me that it's recommended that the girl have at least 60,000 baht in her personal bank account for the visa interview so she looks initially stable. She only has 10,000. I told my self when this all started that I would not be one of those guys that gets scammed and ends up sending money to Thailand. She seems like a good girl, It's just that the entire process has me a little nervous. On top of it all this TSL agency is using both AOL and HOTMAIL addresses to conduct business.

Seems odd to me. Thoughts?

PS:

She is an Isaan girl working to send money back home. And no She's not a Bar Girl

Thanks.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

So you are applying for a fiancee visa for her? Because as far as I know, there is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist/visitor visa.

[jeffnc 0]

So you are applying for a fiancee visa for her? Because as far as I know, there is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist/visitor visa.

Wow ok, I was told it was a 3 month visa, mayby it's a fiancee visa.. I'll get clarification on that. very good catch.

Does this prcoess sound like it's inline with a fiancee Visa?

[Angel and Gendy 1]

I'm new to the whole visa process, but if you are really serious, from what I have learned both here and on my own...

1. Establish a relationship through email, and chat and save all documentation that you were there with her, plane tickets etc.... and hopefully you have taken pictures together.

2. go through the K-1 visa process, any other way may put up red flags to immigration, and she may not be allowed in the US ever.... also the k-1 process may weed out some potential scamming going on.

K-1 is the 90 day fiance visa, it is easy to do on your own.

Edited December 15, 2009 by Angel and Gendy

[Chica Yeyé 41]

So you are applying for a fiancee visa for her? Because as far as I know, there is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist/visitor visa.

Wow ok, I was told it was a 3 month visa, mayby it's a fiancee visa.. I'll get clarification on that. very good catch.

Does this prcoess sound like it's inline with a fiancee Visa?

Whoa... this agency sounds as fishy as salmon.

A fiancee visa entails being ready to get married within 90 days of arrival to the US. It is not a visitor/tourist visa.

[Angel and Gendy 1]

hang out with us and we can help..... no charge.... and we won't ask for any of your personal information...... ok maybe just your pin number....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

hang out with us and we can help..... no charge.... and we won't ask for any of your personal information...... ok maybe just your pin number....

neener neener!!

[christeen 966]

Not being familiar with scams and other situations from that neck of the woods, I can offer the following .02 cents to the converstation, that my momma always taught me as a general rule to go with your gut... If it don't feel right, ask some questions and think twice...

[mrs. wife! 3]

You do know if you get a fiance visa you have to marry her within 90 days after she arrives in US right?

You don't need any agency to do the process. Most of us are doing on our own and it's not that hard. Are these people Immigration lawyers?

I wouldn't give any of my personal information to anybody. Be careful, maybe the girl has no idea about the agency's intention. Tell her if she want to go over the US to marry you, then you would do it by yourself.

Here is the guide for fiance visa. Take a look and make sure if this is what you want to do.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

[jeffnc 0]

Sanity check here folks, I was in vacation in Thailand and met a really sweet girl in Phuket. We spent 10 days together touring all over the place. Had a total blast. I decided I wanted to bring her to the US to visit with me as long as possible, this could lead to something big for us. This is where it gets interesting. I decided to hire a visa agency. TSL Associates out of Bangkok. Over all they want about 20,000 baht to help her process her Visa and prepare for the interview.

Here is where it gets interesting. She does not have much money and comes from a poor family in NE Thailand. This being the case it was recommended by TSL that I sponsor her. This is where things start get a little sketchy. First thing they do is ask me for all kinds of personal information, SSN, Passport number, income info etc. In speaking with some friends they said it was not that unusual. She goes to meet them again and they tell me that it's recommended that the girl have at least 60,000 baht in her personal bank account for the visa interview so she looks initially stable. She only has 10,000. I told my self when this all started that I would not be one of those guys that gets scammed and ends up sending money to Thailand. She seems like a good girl, It's just that the entire process has me a little nervous. On top of it all this TSL agency is using both AOL and HOTMAIL addresses to conduct business. Seems odd to me.

I was thinking about giving her 33,000 baht to help wit this.

Thoughts?

BTW: I posted this in another forum here.

Thanks ahead of time for the help!

[Inky 1,110]

from what i see in your first post you just want her to come visit so i dont know why everyone is telling you to file a K1 when you dont know the girl really well and you dont know if you want to marry her yet.

B2 visitor visa would probably be what you want i think. usually 3/6 months of travel time on the visa.

she needs to file in her home town for a visa to come visit you and sometimes its required that you write a letter inviting her to come visit. Not sure if thailand requires this tho.

Heres a link to the bangkok embassy website with visitor visa information - http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/niv_visa_classification.html

here is the american link a lot more information on the visitor visa and how to get one. etc http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html

it sounds like the lawyer or company you are using is trying to send her to you with a fiance visa not as a visitor. Visitor visa is relativly easy if you follow the information on the websites.

[payxibka 10,045]

the US does not have a bank account requirement in order to get a visa... if anyone tells you differently and that by doing so will guaranty they will get a visa then you need to question it....

[Inky 1,110]

so you do want to marry her or no? I really think they are setting you up for a k1 visa... i posted on your other thread stating all she needs to apply for is a B2 visa to VISIT america. im copying my post from your other thread here.

from what i see in your first post you just want her to come visit so i dont know why everyone is telling you to file a K1 when you dont know the girl really well and you dont know if you want to marry her yet.

B2 visitor visa would probably be what you want i think. usually 3/6 months of travel time on the visa.

she needs to file in her home town for a visa to come visit you and sometimes its required that you write a letter inviting her to come visit. Not sure if thailand requires this tho.

Heres a link to the bangkok embassy website with visitor visa information - http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/niv_visa_classification.html

here is the american link a lot more information on the visitor visa and how to get one. etc http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html

it sounds like the lawyer or company you are using is trying to send her to you with a fiance visa not as a visitor. Visitor visa is relativly easy if you follow the information on the websites.

[thongd4me 69]

So you are applying for a fiancee visa for her? Because as far as I know, there is no such thing as sponsoring a tourist/visitor visa.

Wow ok, I was told it was a 3 month visa, mayby it's a fiancee visa.. I'll get clarification on that. very good catch.

Does this prcoess sound like it's inline with a fiancee Visa?

A lawyer told you to pay this, do that and you're not sure if you're getting a fiancé or "tourist friend with benefits?"

As far as the latter, there is no such thing.

Read the guides and do the process yourself if you are serious.

If you are both serious you shouldn't need a lawyer.

If not, you can travel to Phuket any time.

You might even fall in love.

Just be sure what you're getting into.

How did you come to visit the lawyer in the first place?

Did she recommend it without telling you it was a fiancée visa?

Edited December 15, 2009 by thongd4me

[Inky 1,110]

a VISITOR visa has NOTHING to do with YOUR personal information its her information they need not yours! This screams K1 fiance visa for marriage since they are asking for all kinds of personal information of yours.