Tourist visa for my Thai girlfriend

[negative01 2]

As a person who has recent personal experience with the embassy in BKK, I would agree 100% with Ning. The day I was there with my fiancee for her interview, a guy from the U.S. and his Thai girlfriend were there trying to get a tourist visa for her. I knew she would be denied based on the qualifying criteria the embassy uses, but they paid the application fee anyway, and were denied within 1 hour. Why waste your money? You won't get her a visa. Just the fact she has an American boyfriend practically guarantees an immediate denial.

[JoBri 548]

Before my wife and I ever met, I just wanted to bring her here to see where I live on a tourist visa. She had a professional job as a teacher at the time, and money in the bank, land holdings too. When immigration learned from her that she was wanting to come to the US to visit her American friend, she was outright denied. That is the reason we decided we would just get married and no more obstacles to seeing each other. Thanks to that denial, it catapulted us forward into our current relationship as husband and wife plus son.

[jonnyst85 0]

Thanks to all for the responses. I see that the chances are slim for her, being young and unemployed. But I would still like to give it a shot.

Do you think it would help if I was able to get a letter from my employer in Thailand saying that I will be going on vacation to the US during a specific time frame? I would be able to get several letters actually from my superiors stating this and basically endorsing me and my girlfriend. I could also get letters from other people to vouch for me and her (my friends and family).

Hopefully this would be sufficient proof to the interviewer that she will be traveling with me and returning with me, because I must return to work.

I guess an analogy to this would be if there was a Thai guy who wanted to take his wife and kids on a vacation to the US. He is wealthy enough to cover all the expenses of the trip and able to show his funds to the US gov't as evidence. What other evidence would he need to show that he will return and not just settle down illegally in the US?

[Boiler 46,121]

Hopefully this would be sufficient proof to the interviewer that she will be traveling with me and returning with me, because I must return to work.

How would you make her return.

[MacUK 983]

Thanks to all for the responses. I see that the chances are slim for her, being young and unemployed. But I would still like to give it a shot.

Do you think it would help if I was able to get a letter from my employer in Thailand saying that I will be going on vacation to the US during a specific time frame? I would be able to get several letters actually from my superiors stating this and basically endorsing me and my girlfriend. I could also get letters from other people to vouch for me and her (my friends and family).

Hopefully this would be sufficient proof to the interviewer that she will be traveling with me and returning with me, because I must return to work.

I guess an analogy to this would be if there was a Thai guy who wanted to take his wife and kids on a vacation to the US. He is wealthy enough to cover all the expenses of the trip and able to show his funds to the US gov't as evidence. What other evidence would he need to show that he will return and not just settle down illegally in the US?

The wealthy Thai man in your analogy wouldn't be able to get his wife a greencard when they get to the States.

You on the other hand....

As for letters from your employer, how would that prove that SHE has to return?

Remember, it's entirely on her to prove why she would have to return.

Boyfriend/girlfriend couples break up all the time. While you and her might be soulmates who will be together forever, the CO doesn't know you so in their eyes you having to return doesn't prove that she has to. Similarly, you can't vouch that you will guarantee she will return. Short of physically carrying her on to the plane how would you ensure she gets on?

Not trying to put a downer on you giving it a go, it's up to you.

I can't say I'm an expert, I've been denied a B2 myself a few times thanks to the immigrant intent presumption.

[novedsac 355]

I guess an analogy to this would be if there was a Thai guy who wanted to take his wife and kids on a vacation to the US. He is wealthy enough to cover all the expenses of the trip and able to show his funds to the US gov't as evidence.

CO would be more concerned that he is wealthy enough to manage to stay in the US and not return to Thailand. CO is solely interested in convincing evidence that the beneficiary will return to their country of origin and not immigrate to the USA. Evidence will be verifiable and substantial material evidence that the beneficiary has ties in Thailand that will increase the likelihood of their return - think professional career, business, real estate, children, etc.

[Ning 619]

Thanks to all for the responses. I see that the chances are slim for her, being young and unemployed. But I would still like to give it a shot.

Do you think it would help if I was able to get a letter from my employer in Thailand saying that I will be going on vacation to the US during a specific time frame? I would be able to get several letters actually from my superiors stating this and basically endorsing me and my girlfriend. I could also get letters from other people to vouch for me and her (my friends and family).

Hopefully this would be sufficient proof to the interviewer that she will be traveling with me and returning with me, because I must return to work.

I guess an analogy to this would be if there was a Thai guy who wanted to take his wife and kids on a vacation to the US. He is wealthy enough to cover all the expenses of the trip and able to show his funds to the US gov't as evidence. What other evidence would he need to show that he will return and not just settle down illegally in the US?

Her chances are zero really but you will simply pay 160 plus related expenses to learn what you need to learn. She will probably resent what you have done which is not unique to Thais but she will experience loss of face which is difficult for you to understand.

Please see Amazon where you can find a copy of Thailand Fever.

You going on vacation with her will make certain she isn't approved. Wont matter anyway so give it a shot. Try to keep in mind this isn't and must not be about YOU.

The " Thai guy " analogy simply shows your ignorance of the subject matter. You keep thinking its about money and wealth. The reality is its about people proving beyond doubt there are factors that compel them to return. Money for example is easily moved. Jobs are lost and gained every day. Banks are world wide.

She can not produce any evidence nor valid reason that she MUST return. She must overcome a long history of fraud committed by thousands of Thais over the years that led to the policies of today.

[jonnyst85 0]

Thanks but going back to my analogy with the Thai family, are you saying there are no instances where a Thai family such as this could get approved for tourist visas? Simply because they cannot definitively prove they will come back to Thailand? I find that hard to believe that there are not cases like this, not just in Thailand but other countries around the world.

What about formal sponsorships? Do those exist? Remember, she is only applying for a tourist visa, not a K1 visa. What else can I do to help her show evidence?

I find it hard to believe that it would be 100% impossible for her to get a tourist visa. I mean when you think about it, nobody can COMPLETELY prove that they will return to their home country and not stay in the US....

[MacUK 983]

Of course it's not 100% that she would be refused, just very unlikely.

She has to prove her ties to the satisfaction of the interviewing officer, who by law must presume her intention to immigrate.

It truly is a case of guilty until proven innocent.

[Ning 619]

Thanks but going back to my analogy with the Thai family, are you saying there are no instances where a Thai family such as this could get approved for tourist visas? Simply because they cannot definitively prove they will come back to Thailand? I find that hard to believe that there are not cases like this, not just in Thailand but other countries around the world.

What about formal sponsorships? Do those exist? Remember, she is only applying for a tourist visa, not a K1 visa. What else can I do to help her show evidence?

I find it hard to believe that it would be 100% impossible for her to get a tourist visa. I mean when you think about it, nobody can COMPLETELY prove that they will return to their home country and not stay in the US....

These cases are all unique.

Has there ever been a case where a Thai family has been granted tourist visas? I couldn't tell you. If they have it would have zero to do with your G F so I don't see the point. But if they couldn't prove they MUST return they would not be granted visas.

A Thai friend recently asked me to help her understand how to have her 18 year old daughter and two other family members apply for B 2 visas. They were granted 10 year tourist visas. They are not the rich family you want to use as an example so we see in a real life case what is possible. They have now visited twice and will return in a few months.

What may take place around the world has nothing to do with Thailand when it comes to these B 2 visas.

I can remember what visa we are talking about here. For the record she applies for a B 2. YOU petition for a K 1. In a K 1 case she plays only a small part.

She wont need to show evidence because she will be denied as soon as they review the initial docs. These decisions are made before the person steps up to the window. She will have to understand how to present her case using the application process.

Honestly what evidence would a 19 year old provide? What would you tell her to submit knowing her circumstances? She just cant do it.

Even people that convince the embassy they must return, do not. We see it here on V J so of course there is no 100%.

[Boiler 46,121]

Thanks but going back to my analogy with the Thai family, are you saying there are no instances where a Thai family such as this could get approved for tourist visas? Simply because they cannot definitively prove they will come back to Thailand? I find that hard to believe that there are not cases like this, not just in Thailand but other countries around the world.

What about formal sponsorship? Do those exist? Remember, she is only applying for a tourist visa, not a K1 visa. What else can I do to help her show evidence?

I find it hard to believe that it would be 100% impossible for her to get a tourist visa. I mean when you think about it, nobody can COMPLETELY prove that they will return to their home country and not stay in the US....

It is not a chance process, well maybe at the fringe.

You have described her in the worst light, perhaps the reality of her situation is different.