Sponsoring thai girl to visit USA

[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?

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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

[JD63 4]

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?

Yeah, I'd agree 100%. I'd spend a lot more time getting to know this girl. You can either help her to get a B2, i imagine this might be somewhat more difficult for a rural Isaan girl, but I don't have any firsthand experience with that, I met my fiance when she came here on a B2 (which are good for ten years).

Or you can spend a lot of time getting to know her via distance and travel. Your circumstances raise a few red flags with me, but maybe i'm just being cynical. Also, if you want to learn some basics about Thai/Western relationships I would do some research (Thailand Fever is a start). If she's a good hearted normal thai girl this should not and would not normally ever be a problem (taking things slow).

[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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

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!

You cannot "sponsor" somone for a tourist visa. They need to apply for it themselves. You can give them a letter of invitation, but this does not necesarily help. she will need to apply for her own visa and show compelling reasons she would return to Thailand after her visit. This means, something like, a better job in Thailand than she could expect to get in the USA.

Money in the bank does not in any way gurantee a visitor visa. It is far too easy to move money around (as you suggest) and withdraw it in the USA using a debit card. There is no "money in the bank requirement" for any type of visa.

No one would need YOUR personal information for her to get a tourist visa.

[JD63 4]

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!

You cannot "sponsor" somone for a tourist visa. They need to apply for it themselves. You can give them a letter of invitation, but this does not necesarily help. she will need to apply for her own visa and show compelling reasons she would return to Thailand after her visit. This means, something like, a better job in Thailand than she could expect to get in the USA.

Money in the bank does not in any way gurantee a visitor visa. It is far too easy to move money around (as you suggest) and withdraw it in the USA using a debit card. There is no "money in the bank requirement" for any type of visa.

No one would need YOUR personal information for her to get a tourist visa.

I posted in the other thread. maybe they can be merged and placed in the appropriated category.

[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?

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?

Yeah, I'd agree 100%. I'd spend a lot more time getting to know this girl. You can either help her to get a B2, i imagine this might be somewhat more difficult for a rural Isaan girl, but I don't have any firsthand experience with that, I met my fiance when she came here on a B2 (which are good for ten years).

Or you can spend a lot of time getting to know her via distance and travel. Your circumstances raise a few red flags with me, but maybe i'm just being cynical. Also, if you want to learn some basics about Thai/Western relationships I would do some research (Thailand Fever is a start). If she's a good hearted normal thai girl this should not and would not normally ever be a problem (taking things slow).

[JD63 4]

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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

I think it must have been lost in translation, or glossed over. i think this is a reputable firm

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Duplicate threads moved from K-1 forum and Bringing Family Members to the US forum, and merged together in General Immigration Related Discussion as OP is not intentionally applying for a K-1 and is seeking a visitor's visa. This forum is the most appropriate location for now.

[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?

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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

I think it must have been lost in translation, or glossed over. i think this is a reputable firm

Ok, so she supposedly went to the US Embassy to get advice on how to proceed in Bangkok and was referred to this TSL agency. Trust me I want to take it slow. I'm just looking for a way to spend more time with Her. Getting her to come visit works out well as I don't need to take more vacation to spend time with her. The money is not a problem for me, Unless someone is trying to scam me out of it.

It does sound allot like it's a fiancée visa based on what you folks are saying. This entire bank about thing is really weird. They are asking for paystubs, tax returns. Man I just don't know. Seems odd. Yet I've seen post out there where people have recommended TSL Associates. They indicated this stuff is required by the US Embassy. They also said that they don't want to send a person without fanatical means from Thailand to the us. Hence money needed in her account. Like I said. Sounded fishy, hence my post and questions.

[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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

I think it must have been lost in translation, or glossed over. i think this is a reputable firm

No matter how reputable the firm is the OP still has a dilemma and has not answered the reasonable questions posted here.

He did ask for input re: should he give the girl 30,000 or so baht to make her appear more substantial.

That in itself is not suspect if the OP has a solid relationship but he seems to be in doubt even of that.

My fiancée does have some debt, I have helped her financially but not anywhere on that scale.

In the interview they looked at the whole package and gave her a visa in record time.

Edited December 15, 2009 by thongd4me

[christeen 966]

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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

I think it must have been lost in translation, or glossed over. i think this is a reputable firm

Ok, so she supposedly went to the US Embassy to get advice on how to proceed in Bangkok and was referred to this TSL agency. Trust me I want to take it slow. I'm just looking for a way to spend more time with Her. Getting her to come visit works out well as I don't need to take more vacation to spend time with her. The money is not a problem for me, Unless someone is trying to scam me out of it.

It does sound allot like it's a fiancée visa based on what you folks are saying. This entire bank about thing is really weird. They are asking for paystubs, tax returns. Man I just don't know. Seems odd. Yet I've seen post out there where people have recommended TSL Associates. They indicated this stuff is required by the US Embassy. They also said that they don't want to send a person without fanatical means from Thailand to the us. Hence money needed in her account. Like I said. Sounded fishy, hence my post and questions.

Sounds like you need to contact this agency and see WHAT visa they are applying her for... Sounds like the K1 Fiance visa...

[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?

Ya, well I don't mind paying a few bucks if it means I could get her here to spend some more quality time. I just want to make sure there is not a scam going on here. They also want me to fill out an affidavit of support. indicating I'll take care of her while she is here. I've got life lock, hopefully that helps with the potential Identity issues. On a side note this girl quit her Job in Phuket and moved in with her sister in Bangkok so she could work with this TSL company. She indicated that she is going back to her home town to process paper work soon.

With all due respect you haven't acknowledged that you in fact know what kind of "arrangement" you're getting into.

Do you think the GIRL or the LAWYER or BOTH are scamming you - but 3 parties (her, you and lawyer) are involved and only 2 know it's a fiancée visa

I think it must have been lost in translation, or glossed over. i think this is a reputable firm

Ok, so she supposedly went to the US Embassy to get advice on how to proceed in Bangkok and was referred to this TSL agency. Trust me I want to take it slow. I'm just looking for a way to spend more time with Her. Getting her to come visit works out well as I don't need to take more vacation to spend time with her. The money is not a problem for me, Unless someone is trying to scam me out of it.

It does sound allot like it's a fiancée visa based on what you folks are saying. This entire bank about thing is really weird. They are asking for paystubs, tax returns. Man I just don't know. Seems odd. Yet I've seen post out there where people have recommended TSL Associates. They indicated this stuff is required by the US Embassy. They also said that they don't want to send a person without fanatical means from Thailand to the us. Hence money needed in her account. Like I said. Sounded fishy, hence my post and questions.

Sounds like you need to contact this agency and see WHAT visa they are applying her for... Sounds like the K1 Fiance visa...

What I don't get is do these guys fill out the forms without giving the CLIENT a copy?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Here's the deal:

A tourist visa does not require sponsorship. Sometimes, an "invitation letter" is used.

All the things they are asking you for are precisely what is needed for a fiancee visa. Like I said before, this visa's ONLY purpose is for you to bring a fiancee over to the US and get married within 90 days.

I think you'd better talk to this woman pronto. Like yesterday. Something is definitely not right with this picture.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

p.s. a quick google search gave me NO matches to such a "TSL Associates" firm.

[JD63 4]

Yeah, sounds like they're filling out the I-134 for you. I'd call them and see what they're doing, you did hire them after all.

Here's the deal:

A tourist visa does not require sponsorship. Sometimes, an "invitation letter" is used.

All the things they are asking you for are precisely what is needed for a fiancee visa. Like I said before, this visa's ONLY purpose is for you to bring a fiancee over to the US and get married within 90 days.

I think you'd better talk to this woman pronto. Like yesterday. Something is definitely not right with this picture.

Googlefu

http://www.tslthailand.com/investment/index.php

Yup, the letter of invitation should be all that's required, that's all i wrote.