TEFL teacher married Thai wife in Thailand

[Warhammer820 0]

My friend married a Thai woman in Thailand, he is a USC. He has been teaching in Thailand for the past 2 years, is there any way he can bring her back to America since he hasn't been making a salary in America?

[lost_at_sea 995]

My friend married a Thai woman in Thailand, he is a USC. He has been teaching in Thailand for the past 2 years, is there any way he can bring her back to America since he hasn't been making a salary in America?

I think the only issue will be showing financial support in the US (look up 'affadavit of support' that his partner will have to show at the interview stage) - either through having a confirmed job there, showing lots of savings or getting a second sponsor (a family member, say), I believe. He can marry her there and file for the CR-1, or he can file for the K1 (which is the forum section you're in now) and marry in the States. Might depend how much longer he plans to be out there? There's no restriction on him having to live in the US, though - you'll find a fair number of people on here who live and work abroad filing (including us, but my partner is paid and taxed in the US still).

Edit: Sorry! Just re-read your post. He's already married. In that case, he has to file the CR-1 - and that should be just fine. You're in the wrong sub-section, though. Here's the guide he'll want to read: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Edited March 9, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Mithmeoi 29]

My friend married a Thai woman in Thailand, he is a USC. He has been teaching in Thailand for the past 2 years, is there any way he can bring her back to America since he hasn't been making a salary in America?

I think Thailand allows for DCF, you should show him this as well and see if he qualifies. http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

[Ning 619]

My friend married a Thai woman in Thailand, he is a USC. He has been teaching in Thailand for the past 2 years, is there any way he can bring her back to America since he hasn't been making a salary in America?

Because he is a legal resident of Thailand he can file for a C R 1 visa using the DCF method. This allows the use of a co sponsor in addition to indicating the reason for not having an income in the USA. He should also submit a letter explaining what his future job plans are. I believe the embassy will understand the situation if they are informed properly. There will be questions about where they will live ect.

The female needs to consider changing her Thai I D to her married name then use it to get a new passport in that name. I did this at my husbands suggestion and it saved us a lot of problems when I got to the USA.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

*** Moving from K1 fiance visa as OP's friend is married already to DCF forum ****

[Warhammer820 0]

My wife is thai and in the US with me now, we are in the green card process now and she has her biometrics appointment scheduled on wednesday. My friend's situation is different since he has been with his wife in Thailand for the past 2 years. His wife was under the impression that she could get a green card from abroad (Thailand).

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

My wife is thai and in the US with me now, we are in the green card process now and she has her biometrics appointment scheduled on wednesday. My friend's situation is different since he has been with his wife in Thailand for the past 2 years. His wife was under the impression that she could get a green card from abroad (Thailand).

Friend's wife is incorrect. When abroad, all you can get is a visa. Now, with a spousal visa, as soon as she enters the USA she gets her greencard- no waiting, no extra paperwork etc. But she still needs to enter the USA, and live there for more than half of every year to keep the greencard.