Tourist Visa - Long Term Strategy?

[Moto77 0]

I am thinking about long term strategy for eventually getting a tourist visa for my girlfriend. We've known each other for almost two years and have been together for about a year and a half steady. We get along incredibly well, however I have NO intention of getting married and she is OK with that (we're both divorced). Also: This is not something that has to happen this year. I am in no hurry and it is still too soon for me to commit to more than what you see below, but I am trying to come up with a plan for the future if things work out and I know the embassy will want to see a pattern, not a last minute rush job.

Here is some background: She was a clerk at a shop in a 5-star hotel in Bangkok where I often stayed for business. Salary was ridiculously low. After visiting several times and getting to know her, I asked her to quit that job and go back to school to get her GED, which she is now completing. The hotel gave her English classes, so her English was reasonably good, but I also have her enrolled her in separate English classes there. I gave her a small job in my business and pay her about 50% more than she made at the hotel. I now have a condo in Bangkok and she stays there. I travel regularly and have taken her with me on several trips already: Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Brazil.

Basically what I want is to eventually have her get a 10 year tourist visa that would allow her to travel with me back to California. I travel so much as a consultant, that that would allow us to be together most of the time without going the marriage route. I'm never in the US for more than 90 days at a time (usually much less) and I think the tourist visa allows 180 day stays. She doesn't need a green card and she wouldn't need to work.

So what is the best strategy? I've considered:

• Student visa first. (I am assuming that having had a student visa and having complied with all of the requirements would make it substantially easier to get a tourist visa later):
  
  • Student visa for a community college after she finishes her GED. (Dicey, because I don't really know how good a GED is there. I'm not sure whether the preparation is adequate.)
    
  • Student visa to study English--the program that she is enrolled in offers a study abroad in the US which she would be eligible for (from the school's perspective) in about 9 months. (I don't know how difficult it is for a student above the normal age to get a student visa).
    

  [*]Directly applying for a tourist visa based on her salary (working for me) and savings (any ideas what her monthly salary would need to be and how much savings she would need to have?)

  [*]Traveling to other countries with me where tourist visas are not required or are easier to get (she's already gotten one for Australia) and showing that she complied with those rules. I am considering trying for UK or Schengen visas next.)

  [*]Adding her as a joint to one of my accounts. This would show a LOT of disposable income. How soon before applying would this need to happen?

  [*]Are there any lawyers that can smooth the process?

  [*] Longshot: GED holders cannot enter the DV lottery, I know that--but what if she completed two years of college in Thailand? The DV rules say nothing about college.

Would one of these be best? Some combination? Something else?

I do have a reasonable amount of money to put toward this, but I'm not sure which way to go. I know she won't be overstaying (she has absolutely no reason to do so) but what is the best way to convince the embassy?

Edited January 21, 2013 by Moto77

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Well, being from Thailand, a young girl (I assume), not a great job, and little ties to Thailand, it will be along shot for any non-immigrant visa.

You might want to post this in the regional forum, some Thais do get non-immigrant visas, but they have very strong cases.

Begin researching student visas for colleges in your area and see what their international requirements are.

Lawyers cannot speed up or smooth out this process. A non-immigrant visa, she'll need to apply on her own merrits

good luck

[Moto77 0]

Well, being from Thailand, a young girl (I assume), not a great job, and little ties to Thailand, it will be along shot for any non-immigrant visa.

You might want to post this in the regional forum, some Thais do get non-immigrant visas, but they have very strong cases.

Begin researching student visas for colleges in your area and see what their international requirements are.

Lawyers cannot speed up or smooth out this process. A non-immigrant visa, she'll need to apply on her own merrits

good luck

That's my general understanding as well, if someone just walks in off the street, so I'm trying to put together a case.

She's early 30s--not that young. She has a daughter in Thailand from her prior marriage. The daughter would stay with her mom while she was in the US (she is in school). She owns land that she inherited from her dad.

What happens if she is a joint on my bank account? Would they use that income?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

What happens if she is a joint on my bank account? Would they use that income?

Honestly, that screams immigrant intent. I wouldn't do that. Besides, it would be clear that it is YOUR income

good luck

[Moto77 0]

Honestly, that screams immigrant intent. I wouldn't do that. Besides, it would be clear that it is YOUR income

good luck

Good point! I could put money into a Thai account then.

Also, no problem getting her into an English language program over here. There is one fairly close to where I live and I have talked to them, but the visa is the issue. I have heard that they are substantially easier than B1s. The strategy would be: English classes in preparation for college study after finishing the GED.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Good point! I could put money into a Thai account then.

Also, no problem getting her into an English language program over here. There is one fairly close to where I live and I have talked to them, but the visa is the issue. I have heard that they are substantially easier than B1s. The strategy would be: English classes in preparation for college study after finishing the GED.

You putting money into her account will not help.

Where did the money come from? Would the amount be consistent with what she earns?

The US Embassy knows that "her money" is really someone's else money. Your purpose to move the money to her account would be to make it look like she has assets in her name. The US Embassy strongly frown upon this strategy.

Short of a good paying job and property, a young poor single Thai woman has an extremely low chance if getting a non immigrant visa.

For a student visa, she needs to pass the TOEFL. She needs $20,000 in a US bank account to prove she can pay her first year of tuition and expenses. You may want to research the requirements.

[Boiler 45,580]

I also have her enrolled her in separate English classes there

Why would she need to come to the US for ESL, seems a bit odd for someone making so little.

[Moto77 0]

For a student visa, she needs to pass the TOEFL. She needs $20,000 in a US bank account to prove she can pay her first year of tuition and expenses. You may want to research the requirements.

Those are no problem. Do you know where I might find the other requirements?

Is simply showing the $20K in your account enough?

Why would she need to come to the US for ESL, seems a bit odd for someone making so little.

In order to prepare for university courses...

[aaron2020 11,651]

Those are no problem. Do you know where I might find the other requirements?

Is simply showing the $20K in your account enough?

No.

She has to qualify to attend. The school must be allowed to issue an I-20. She has to show proof of a home to return to after her cours of study is complete.

Research the student visas for specifics. Be aware of the rules before you start the paperwork.

Start with Google. Look at the international student section for the ESL program she's interested in.

Edited January 26, 2013 by aaron2020

[Andy and Pui 16]

As others have said she would have to qualify on her own. Showing a bank account will not help. What will help is strong ties to return back to Thailand like a job, a house, monthly bills that need to be paid. Being female and single will probably be hard to get a tourist visa. The only way you would know to get the tourist visa is if you apply for it and see what happens. I know 2 people personally who have applied for a tourist visa in Thailand and one was a single late 20's female who had worked before in the US before and showed strong ties to returning back to Thailand and she was approved and the other was my single brother-in-law who was in his early 30's and showed strong ties to Thailand and he was denied.