Sawasdee 4 (Thai K-1s in 2010)

[KeithandTan 2]

Ok, another issue. I posted this in the embassy & consulate section, but perhaps it would be wise to post it here as well:

Hi everyone,

I have been living in Thailand with my fiancee for three years. In compiling my I-134 paperwork, I've included my tax information which is based on my job in Thailand (and definitely over the poverty line by more than 125%). I'm also including a letter from my employer stating that I'm employed through the end of April, 2011. However, I recently interviewed for a job in the US and they have made me an offer for the beginning of 2011. IF the K-1 visa process goes successfully, I fully intend to accept this job and begin working in January (quitting my job in Thailand). I have a letter from them offering me the job, including the salary and benefits information. I would like to include this with the I-134 as its proof that I will be able to financially support my fiancee in the US in the future. My question for you guys is, should I attach a cover letter explaining this situation to the embassy? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Somebody suggested that I find a co-sponsor, and I had done that, gathered all of their paperwork, tax records, etc. only to find out that the Bangkok embassy doesn't accept a K1 co-sponsor. Do those of you with experience at the Thailand embassy believe that I'm going to have a problem with my I-134 based on the aforementioned work situation?

Thanks again.

[rsn 135]

Ok, another issue. I posted this in the embassy & consulate section, but perhaps it would be wise to post it here as well:

Hi everyone,

I have been living in Thailand with my fiancee for three years. In compiling my I-134 paperwork, I've included my tax information which is based on my job in Thailand (and definitely over the poverty line by more than 125%). I'm also including a letter from my employer stating that I'm employed through the end of April, 2011. However, I recently interviewed for a job in the US and they have made me an offer for the beginning of 2011. IF the K-1 visa process goes successfully, I fully intend to accept this job and begin working in January (quitting my job in Thailand). I have a letter from them offering me the job, including the salary and benefits information. I would like to include this with the I-134 as its proof that I will be able to financially support my fiancee in the US in the future. My question for you guys is, should I attach a cover letter explaining this situation to the embassy? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Somebody suggested that I find a co-sponsor, and I had done that, gathered all of their paperwork, tax records, etc. only to find out that the Bangkok embassy doesn't accept a K1 co-sponsor. Do those of you with experience at the Thailand embassy believe that I'm going to have a problem with my I-134 based on the aforementioned work situation?

Thanks again.

Why are you going through the hassle of a K1? Go the DCF route. It is quicker & there should be no issue w/ cosponsors.

[rsn 135]

Mimi's mother, Waralee, has traveled to Norway and lived in Sweden with her Swedish husband (she's widowed), but she's never been to the US. Though she is single, she owns a rice farm and two nice houses in the city of Sisaket, has money in the bank, and has another daughter and two grandchildren that live next to her so she definitely can prove ties to Thailand. The reason I'm scheduling the Tourist Visa is so she can come for the wedding. I've read conflicting view points on Waralee's chances of getting a B2 Tourist Visa for the wedding but I have to try and I can't afford to wait for a month or more before she applies - I need to get Mimi's airline ticket and I can't buy hers until I know if her mother is coming too.

This will save them another long trip and the expense of going to Bangkok and I will know right away if her mother is coming or not (unless the Embassy pulls more shenanigans).

Mike

Not sure when your fiancee's monther's B2 interview is, but my MIL's B2 interview was today, and, much to my surprise, she was approved. If she was approved, I'd be pretty surprised if your fiancee's mother was not, so that should ease your fears a bit (if you had any).

[ArizonaMike74 0]

Not sure when your fiancee's monther's B2 interview is, but my MIL's B2 interview was today, and, much to my surprise, she was approved. If she was approved, I'd be pretty surprised if your fiancee's mother was not, so that should ease your fears a bit (if you had any).

Thanks for the info!

[daboyz 36]

Not sure when your fiancee's monther's B2 interview is, but my MIL's B2 interview was today, and, much to my surprise, she was approved. If she was approved, I'd be pretty surprised if your fiancee's mother was not, so that should ease your fears a bit (if you had any).

Interesting. If you don't mind me asking, where in Thailand is your MIL from/live?

[rsn 135]

Interesting. If you don't mind me asking, where in Thailand is your MIL from/live?

Udon Thani area. Ban Dung, to be more specific.

[daboyz 36]

Udon Thani area. Ban Dung, to be more specific.

That's very interesting. My wife's mom lives in Si Saket. I never thought to send her to BKK, just so she can get shot down by the embassy staff. Might be nice for her to visit, although she speaks no English. Cheaper for me to fly her here than for both of us to fly to Thailand for a visit.

Did you use a visa service in BKK or do it yourself?

[rsn 135]

That's very interesting. My wife's mom lives in Si Saket. I never thought to send her to BKK, just so she can get shot down by the embassy staff. Might be nice for her to visit, although she speaks no English. Cheaper for me to fly her here than for both of us to fly to Thailand for a visit.

Did you use a visa service in BKK or do it yourself?

I did it myself. I wasn't sure it was worth the effort either since I figured it was a longshot, but my wife really wanted her mom to visit so we gave it a try. She has no current income, no current job, doesn't speak English, and owns some land and a house in her home village. Another person we know was also approved - similar situation, a couple weeks ago. My MIL submitted a bunch of evidence including proof of land/house, letters from her family in LOS claiming she would return (to show ties to LOS) along with a bunch of other things, but they didn't accept any of that. According to my MIL, they only took the letter I wrote to the embassy. So, they made their decision off of that and the DS-160.

Maybe the B2 interviewer is lenient, so I'd jump on this before they do a changing of the guards.

Edited September 2, 2010 by rsn

[daboyz 36]

I did it myself. I wasn't sure it was worth the effort either since I figured it was a longshot, but my wife really wanted her mom to visit so we gave it a try. She has no current income, no current job, and owns some land and a house in her home village. Another person we know was also approved - similar situation, a couple weeks ago. My MIL submitted a bunch of evidence including proof of land/house, letters from her family in LOS claiming she would return (to show ties to LOS) along with a bunch of other things, but they didn't accept any of that. According to my MIL, they only took the letter I wrote to the embassy. So, they made their decision off of that and the DS-160.

Maybe the B2 interviewer is lenient, so I'd jump on this before they do a changing of the guards.

My MIL has a house, and a 7 Rai rice farm there. She also has her husband (my wife's father.. not sure how much of an asset he is.) I'll talk to Nok about it and see what she thinks. Thanks alot for the info!!

[Audy_Rob 26]

...Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

When the USC lives and works in Thailand, it is very difficult to get the K-1 because of the I-134 situation. The K-1 visa is for taking your fiancee from the foreign country to the USA for the purpose of marriage. That means you need a job already with current income in the US or substantial assets (about US $91,000) in the bank or in stocks, bonds, etc...

Your offer letter is of no value. They have no value towards proving you can support your fiancee.

Whoever suggested you get a joint spoonsor was misguided because Bangkok almost never accepts a joint sponsor.

The DCF route that rsn mentioned is appropriate if you are married. You could think about marrying in Thailand and then filing for DCF. Then at a later time you could consider the job offer in the US and moving with your wife to the USA.

[KeithandTan 2]

When the USC lives and works in Thailand, it is very difficult to get the K-1 because of the I-134 situation. The K-1 visa is for taking your fiancee from the foreign country to the USA for the purpose of marriage. That means you need a job already with current income in the US or substantial assets (about US $91,000) in the bank or in stocks, bonds, etc...

Your offer letter is of no value. They have no value towards proving you can support your fiancee.

Whoever suggested you get a joint spoonsor was misguided because Bangkok almost never accepts a joint sponsor.

The DCF route that rsn mentioned is appropriate if you are married. You could think about marrying in Thailand and then filing for DCF. Then at a later time you could consider the job offer in the US and moving with your wife to the USA.

Thank you for the advice. I'll look up what the DCF is now, I'm not familiar with it. I just paid for packet 3, and we're nearly finished putting it all together, so I feel as though I should at least see it through. I thought that the Bangkok embassy never accepts a joint sponsor, but as you said 'almost never,' perhaps I will submit that paperwork as well and an explanation letter of why I've submitted it. Thank you again.

[Eric_&_Off 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and wanted to thank everyone in advance for all the great info on the Sawasdee forums.

I'm currently gathering info for Packet 3 (rec'd letter from NVC dated 8/25) and have a question about the I-134 Affidavit of Support.

Has anyone had experience in using evidence of assets (instead of income) to satisfy the I-134 requirement, ie. between jobs, starting a new business without a proven track record yet, etc. Or is this route doomed to AP or worse (if there is anything worse than that)?

Also, I've read on this forum that co-sponsors are not allowed (or rarely allowed) at the Bangkok Embassy for K-1 visas. Could someone point me to where the Embassy has stated this or to any examples where a co-sponsor was (or was not) allowed?

Thanks in advance for your help. Look forward to becoming an active member of the forum.

Congrats to those who've been granted visas and good luck to those on their way!

Best,

Eric & Off

[rsn 135]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and wanted to thank everyone in advance for all the great info on the Sawasdee forums.

I'm currently gathering info for Packet 3 (rec'd letter from NVC dated 8/25) and have a question about the I-134 Affidavit of Support.

Has anyone had experience in using evidence of assets (instead of income) to satisfy the I-134 requirement, ie. between jobs, starting a new business without a proven track record yet, etc. Or is this route doomed to AP or worse (if there is anything worse than that)?

Also, I've read on this forum that co-sponsors are not allowed (or rarely allowed) at the Bangkok Embassy for K-1 visas. Could someone point me to where the Embassy has stated this or to any examples where a co-sponsor was (or was not) allowed?

Thanks in advance for your help. Look forward to becoming an active member of the forum.

Congrats to those who've been granted visas and good luck to those on their way!

Best,

Eric & Off

Eric - The topic of co-sponsors @ BKK has been discussed at great length in various threads here on VJ. Have a look and you will find some information. One example can be found here. You can certainly try w/ a joint sponsor, but the odds are not in your favor. A better bet may be to get married & go the CR1 route or wait until you have obtained a new job/source of income. Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1. That is, $3 of assets = $1.

Edited September 2, 2010 by rsn

[Eric_&_Off 0]

Eric - The topic of co-sponsors @ BKK has been discussed at great length in various threads here on VJ. Have a look and you will find some information. One example can be found here. You can certainly try w/ a joint sponsor, but the odds are not in your favor. A better bet may be to get married & go the CR1 route or wait until you have obtained a new job/source of income. Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1. That is, $3 of assets = $1.

Thanks rsn! One quick follow up question to your comments - what do you mean by "Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1." I've read before that you must have assets worth 5Xs the poverty rate (approx. $91k) in order to satisfy the requirement. Do you mean you need only 3Xs the poverty rate? Or is it more like 15Xs (3 x 5) the poverty rate???

Also, does anyone have any experience on how BKK treats retirement funds (401k & Roth accts)?

[Tom and Teaw 1]

Thanks rsn! One quick follow up question to your comments - what do you mean by "Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1." I've read before that you must have assets worth 5Xs the poverty rate (approx. $91k) in order to satisfy the requirement. Do you mean you need only 3Xs the poverty rate? Or is it more like 15Xs (3 x 5) the poverty rate???

Also, does anyone have any experience on how BKK treats retirement funds (401k & Roth accts)?

You would list the retirement accounts as an asset as that is money you can access in an emergency. Just copy your last statement closest to when you send in any paperwork, black out any acct. numbers. I don't think you need to have close to 100K to show your financial stability. I am sure there are many people that make much less and their visas are approved. They just want to make sure she won't come here and be on welfare right away.