Is it possible to get a B2 visa for my Thai wife? (US citizen living in Thailand)

[JCThailand 0]

I am a US citizen married to a Thai citizen. We were married in Thailand last year, and I now live with her in Thailand. We intend to live in Thailand together for the foreseeable future.

I have a Thai work permit, we have a lease agreement with both our names on it, and I filed our taxes jointly using our address in Thailand for 2012.

We want to visit my family in America next year, spend about 5 months in the US, and then come back to Thailand.

Is it possible to get a B2 tourist visa for my wife under these circumstances?

I was told by US immigration in Bangkok that we should apply for a tourist visa instead of a immigrant visa because we do not intend to stay in America long-term.

However, I have read here and in other places that applications for a B2 visa for the spouse of a US citizen are often automatically denied, before there is any opportunity to present evidence.

My wife was already denied a B2 once, but that was a different situation - I was still living in the US at the time and we were not yet married. However, it was very disconcerting because we put together all the evidence we could think of to prove that she had strong ties to Thailand, but when she got to the interview, the decision had already been made on the basis of her DS-160 alone.

If my understanding is correct, to help her case, we need to produce evidence that I - the US citizen - have strong ties to Thailand so that I have to return to Thailand after visiting my family. What kind of evidence would help prove those ties?

Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

[apple21 953]

You are the reason why your wife will have to overcome immigrant intent as SHE is the one applying for a tourist visa.

This thread can also give you an idea: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/458885-tourist-visa-denied-2nd-time-wife-and-son-colombia/

[Karee 4,191]

I am a US citizen married to a Thai citizen. We were married in Thailand last year, and I now live with her in Thailand. We intend to live in Thailand together for the foreseeable future.

I have a Thai work permit, we have a lease agreement with both our names on it, and I filed our taxes jointly using our address in Thailand for 2012.

We want to visit my family in America next year, spend about 5 months in the US, and then come back to Thailand.

Is it possible to get a B2 tourist visa for my wife under these circumstances?

I was told by US immigration in Bangkok that we should apply for a tourist visa instead of a immigrant visa because we do not intend to stay in America long-term.

However, I have read here and in other places that applications for a B2 visa for the spouse of a US citizen are often automatically denied, before there is any opportunity to present evidence.

My wife was already denied a B2 once, but that was a different situation - I was still living in the US at the time and we were not yet married. However, it was very disconcerting because we put together all the evidence we could think of to prove that she had strong ties to Thailand, but when she got to the interview, the decision had already been made on the basis of her DS-160 alone.

If my understanding is correct, to help her case, we need to produce evidence that I - the US citizen - have strong ties to Thailand so that I have to return to Thailand after visiting my family. What kind of evidence would help prove those ties?

Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

I would suggest posting this question here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/25-visas-and-migration-to-other-countries/

I've seen alot of threads there that are specific to the U.S. embassy in Bangkok. While it's true that you could be construed as a reason for her to try and immigrate, the opposite is also true. Meaning that if you as well as her prove strong ties to Thailand, there's a good chance she'll get it. There's a couple guys on Thaivisa that will answer your question and tell you what you need to do.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Many times a CO will look at the spouses ties. What reason do YOU have to return? Do you have a stable job that pays modestly? Do you own property?

Please keep it in mine that due to a history of prior tourist visa abuse, it is difficult for a Thai woman to get a tourist visa

good luck

[Ning 619]

I am a US citizen married to a Thai citizen. We were married in Thailand last year, and I now live with her in Thailand. We intend to live in Thailand together for the foreseeable future.

I have a Thai work permit, we have a lease agreement with both our names on it, and I filed our taxes jointly using our address in Thailand for 2012.

We want to visit my family in America next year, spend about 5 months in the US, and then come back to Thailand.

Is it possible to get a B2 tourist visa for my wife under these circumstances?

I was told by US immigration in Bangkok that we should apply for a tourist visa instead of a immigrant visa because we do not intend to stay in America long-term.

However, I have read here and in other places that applications for a B2 visa for the spouse of a US citizen are often automatically denied, before there is any opportunity to present evidence.

My wife was already denied a B2 once, but that was a different situation - I was still living in the US at the time and we were not yet married. However, it was very disconcerting because we put together all the evidence we could think of to prove that she had strong ties to Thailand, but when she got to the interview, the decision had already been made on the basis of her DS-160 alone.

If my understanding is correct, to help her case, we need to produce evidence that I - the US citizen - have strong ties to Thailand so that I have to return to Thailand after visiting my family. What kind of evidence would help prove those ties?

Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

Your circumstance is unique for certain which may help. However even if she is granted a visa she may have a problem at the POE where entry is granted.

I tried 3 times myself and was denied each time. My husband lived in Thailand but did not have a work permit. When he asked the officer he was told " we are never allowed to grant a tourist visa to the wife of a USC because when they enter the USA the ties are to the USC and are stronger than those to Thailand". However in your case it could be seen differently due to the work permit.

She will never know until she applies. I suggest you help her write a letter explaining the unique situation and submit that with the app so they have time to read it before a decision is made. Most of the time the decision is made before the person ever steps up to the window.

[JCThailand 0]

Meaning that if you as well as her prove strong ties to Thailand, there's a good chance she'll get it. There's a couple guys on Thaivisa that will answer your question and tell you what you need to do.

Thanks Karee.

That is exactly what I wanted to know. I realize it's a difficult thing and that it ultimately is up to the discretion of the consular officer, but if it's at least possible, then we'll give it a try.

Thanks for the suggestion about Thaivisa as well. I just posted the question there.

[JCThailand 0]

I suggest you help her write a letter explaining the unique situation and submit that with the app so they have time to read it before a decision is made. Most of the time the decision is made before the person ever steps up to the window.

Thanks Ning, I appreciate your input.

I'm not sure how to submit a letter along with the application, however - when we applied for the B2 visa last year, the whole process was done online, so there was no opportunity to submit anything before the interview. If I go to the consulate in person, can I submit a letter, etc. to help her case in advance?

[Karee 4,191]

Thanks Karee.

That is exactly what I wanted to know. I realize it's a difficult thing and that it ultimately is up to the discretion of the consular officer, but if it's at least possible, then we'll give it a try.

Thanks for the suggestion about Thaivisa as well. I just posted the question there.

You should get some decent answers there. Some of the folks there can be real a$$holes. Just filter them out. I'm Daboyz1 there by the way.

[Ning 619]

Thanks Ning, I appreciate your input.

I'm not sure how to submit a letter along with the application, however - when we applied for the B2 visa last year, the whole process was done online, so there was no opportunity to submit anything before the interview. If I go to the consulate in person, can I submit a letter, etc. to help her case in advance?

Email the embassy to ask this question. I don't know because the procedure has changed from the time I tried. If nothing else I would have her take the letter to the interview.

Try what Karee suggested too.