Please help with bringing residents parents/siblings to the USA

[AeandLuke 0]

Hi

We have been trying to get my wife’s mom to come for a visit to the US as well as her sister and brother. January 4th, 2010 was my mother in law second interview for a B2 in Bangkok and the first interview for my sister and brother in law. My wife's sister and brother applied on the January 4th attempt only.

The first attempt for my mother in law was also in Bangkok on September 4th, 2009. We have now spent about $550 ($131 x 1 + $131 x 3) in fees and interview tokens.

After the first denial, my US legal resident wife made an appointment with a consular officer in Houston. We asked the consular officer what we could do to facilitate the deliverance of a B2 visa to her mom.

The reason for the denial is outlined in section 214b of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and says "You have not been able to demonstrate sufficiently strong family, social or economic ties to Thailand that would compel you to leave the US after a temporary stay."

The Houston consular officer advised us to fill out an I134 which we did.

We were dumbfounded once more as they were denied US visas.

Since they had been the last people interviewed, my wife and I had a chance to talk to the consular officer that rejected their application. I guess it’s up to the CO to decide what good ties to Thailand are. I also guess that it easier for them to deny visas rather than approve them.

Please help us with the next step we could take keeping in mind that my wife is only a legal US resident and not a US citizen.

Are there other things than B2s for non immigrant visas, other way that would help my wife mother and siblings for a visit in the USA; the country where she now lives in.

Thank you for your help

Regards

Ae and Luke

[rin and john 71]

The I-134 is not necessary.

Items that might demonstrate "closer ties" to Thailand might include:

1) Home/land ownership

2) Proof of steady, longterm employment

3) Immediate family in Thailand

4) School enrollment (particularly private school or university if the next semester has been paid already)

5) Substantial other assets (money in the bank, business ownership, etc).

You may find more help at thaivisa (dot) com for more info regarding a visitor visa from Thailand to the USA.

[Mononoke28 135]

There is not much you can do to help. As you already said, it's up to the CO to decide to approve or deny any visa and given the fact that there is a high level of corruption in most countries, it's easier for them to deny most people who go to the embassy for any kind of non-immigrant visa.

Yes, you can send a letter of invitation saying that you will be responsible for any expenses during their trip and send form I-134 to prove your financial stability. However, they may choose not to see it or see it and still deny their visas. It's all a matter of luck really.

If you want, you can keep trying until they approve them, if ever.

Diana

[Boiler 46,102]

Cheapest option would be for her to go and see them.

Citizenship makes no difference btw.

And how could she see a consular officer in Houston, Thai Consulate?

[AeandLuke 0]

Hi

Thanks for your interest.

My wife is a Thai national with a US permanent resident card. We live in Houston and are currently in Thailand for the holidays.

My wife’s mother, brother and sister are Thai nationals living in Thailand.

What we have been attempting is to get them (my wife’s mother, brother and sister) a tourist VISA so they could come to The USA and see my wife.

My wife finds it hard to be away from her family when she is in Houston and would like her family to be able to come to visit.

I hope this makes sense

Ae and Luke

Cheapest option would be for her to go and see them.

Citizenship makes no difference btw.

And how could she see a consular officer in Houston, Thai Consulate?

[AeandLuke 0]

The I-134 is not necessary.

Items that might demonstrate "closer ties" to Thailand might include:

1) Home/land ownership

2) Proof of steady, longterm employment

3) Immediate family in Thailand

4) School enrollment (particularly private school or university if the next semester has been paid already)

5) Substantial other assets (money in the bank, business ownership, etc).

You may find more help at thaivisa (dot) com for more info regarding a visitor visa from Thailand to the USA.

Hi

Thanks for your interest.

My wife’s mother can only do (1) and (3)

The kids can only do (3) and (4)

These facts were carefully highlighted to the CO during the second interview.

Warm Regards

Ae and Luke

[Boiler 46,102]

Hi

Thanks for your interest.

My wife is a Thai national with a US permanent resident card. We live in Houston and are currently in Thailand for the holidays.

My wife’s mother, brother and sister are Thai nationals living in Thailand.

What we have been attempting is to get them (my wife’s mother, brother and sister) a tourist VISA so they could come to The USA and see my wife.

My wife finds it hard to be away from her family when she is in Houston and would like her family to be able to come to visit.

I hope this makes sense

Ae and Luke

The consulate now makes sense.

From a practical point of view I think it is best if you allow for more visits for her home.

[DaveTX 2]

A Thai national (or anyone from a developing country I imagine) getting a tourist visa is very hard. I think that unless the Thai family is really rich the odds are close to zero. A tourist visa is based entirely on the merits of the applicant-- no one can sponsor them and probably the fact that your wife is in the US and a LPR probably counts AGAINST them rather than for. It's one more reason for them to illegally stay in the US an not return to Thailand.

When your wife gets naturalized she can petition for green cards for her immediate family... that's most likely the only way they'd be allowed to come here unless they won the Thai lottery!

I have a coworker who came here from China on a K-1 about 10 years ago. Her father couldn't get a tourist visa either but she got him a green card when she was naturalized and he uses it to come visit whenever he wants.

[Boiler 46,102]

I have a coworker who came here from China on a K-1 about 10 years ago. Her father couldn't get a tourist visa either but she got him a green card when she was naturalized and he uses it to come visit whenever he wants.

That will cause problems sooner or later. He visits China, lives in US as a PR.

[anya-D 8]

A Thai national (or anyone from a developing country I imagine) getting a tourist visa is very hard. I think that unless the Thai family is really rich the odds are close to zero.

Or work for the government - teacher, govt agency, police, military...

I have a coworker who came here from China on a K-1 about 10 years ago. Her father couldn't get a tourist visa either but she got him a green card when she was naturalized and he uses it to come visit whenever he wants.

That will become a problem since green card is for people to live in the US, not visit.