K1 Newbie Questions (Chiang Mai)

[Orientalelf 50]

Hello Everyone,  

 

I haven't YET started the K-1 process, however, I'm taking the time to do extensive research and would greatly appreciate any helpful feedback or advice for the inquiries below.

(Apologies in advanced if these questions have been answered previously)
 

1. MEDICAL EXAM  + VACCINATIONS:  Unfortunately my mother has LOST (yes, I'm blaming her) my small little vaccination booklet from the UK. I have read though, that -after a blood test- the doctor will be able to determine what I need. My question is will the medical exam and vaccinations be taken at the same place? Others on the forum have said they have taken it separately? Does this save costs? I'm assuming for Chiang Mai, I can take the medical at McCormick and the vaccinations at say RAM OR McCormick? -quite confused to how this works-  

 

2. POLICE CLEARANCE: Ah, how I love how complicated and corrupt it is here. From what I have read, I'm guessing I'm going to have to take a flight to Bangkok and ask for it at the office? THEN, I'm assuming (if my childlike looks don't get me the nice lady offering the elusive express service) that I'll have to take another flight back to retrieve it (sighs)? Is there anyway they can post it to me? 

 

Thanks all for now folks. Thank you for your time and any contributions to my noob questions! 
 

Info about me:
I'm Half Thai/UK (born in Britain) wanting to marry an American (my grandma would be horrified).
I have a British AND Thai passport (will be using my British for the process).
Lives in Chiang Mai permanently.  
29 this year.  

[sfcscott 34]

Hello!

 

     I can help you with some of your questions by what my wife experienced during the K-1 Process. 

 

Fist, you can have your vaccination done just about anywhere you choose. I would try to find a place that knows what you need to get though the K-1 process and required by the U.S.. There is some that are vaccinations required just to complete the K-1 and later on the rest can be done here in the U.S, BUT I would highly recommend that you get ALL of your vaccinations done in Thailand just because its so much cheaper.   This the options that my wife and I chose to do.  As far as the medical exam goes, there are only a few options that are available.  The embassy will tell you which hospitals you have to choose from.  I think there might have been 2 in BKK.  I am not sure about Chiang Mai.    

 

The police clearance. There seems to be no consistency with this process.  I have read what others have experienced and everyone is a little bit different.  Here is what I can tell you about my wife's experience.  We were both in BKK the day that she went to the Police station.  I waited outside but this is what she told me happened.   When she arrived, she was told to get into line and wait to been seen by several different stations.   While she was waiting in line, one police officer approached her and asked if she would like to do the "express" option.  She asked how much the "express" option was.  He told her 1000 baht.   She agreed and was placed at the front of the line and finished in about 20 minutes.   When she finished she was told that they would mail the document to her within the week.   I wasn't very optimistic when she told me what they offered but sure enough, within 3 days she had received it in the mail.    So to answer your question, yes, you will have to go to BKK to get the police clearance but they will mail it back to your home address in Chiang Mai.  If they offer you the "express" method, that is entirely up to you. I would say it depends on how fast you need it.  Also keep in mind that it is only good for 90 days, so don't get it too soon. You don't want to have to go back to BKK again.   

 

Hope you found this helpful and if there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to ask.   Good Luck.

 

Scott    

Edited January 23, 2018 by sfcscott

[sfcscott 34]

Hello!

 

     I can help you with some of your questions by what my wife experienced during the K-1 Process. 

 

Fist, you can have your vaccination done just about anywhere you choose. I would try to find a place that knows what you need to get though the K-1 process and required by the U.S.. There is some that are vaccinations required just to complete the K-1 and later on the rest can be done here in the U.S, BUT I would highly recommend that you get ALL of your vaccinations done in Thailand just because its so much cheaper.   This the options that my wife and I chose to do.    

 

The police clearance. There seems to be no consistency with this process.  I have read what others have experienced and everyone is a little bit different.  Here is what I can tell you about my wife's experience.  We were both in BKK the day that she went to the Police station.  I waited outside but this is what she told me happened.   When she arrived, she was told to get into line and wait to been seen by several different stations.   While she was waiting in line, one police officer approached her and asked if she would like to do the "express" option.  She asked how much the "express" option was.  He told her 1000 baht.   She agreed and was placed at the front of the line and finished in about 20 minutes.   When she finished she was told that they would mail the document to her within the week.   I wasn't very optimistic when she told me what they offered but sure enough, within 3 days she had received it in the mail.    So to answer your question, yes, you will have to go to BKK to get the police clearance but they will mail it back to your home address in Chiang Mai.  If they offer you the "express" method, that is entirely up to you. I would say it depends on how fast you need it.  Also keep in mind that it is only good for 90 days, so don't get it too soon. You don't want to have to go back to BKK again. 

 

Lastly, here is some great reading material that might help you along as well.  This is directly from the embassy website.  https://th.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/packets/ 

 

Hope you found this helpful and if there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to ask.   Good Luck.

 

Scott    

[Orientalelf 50]

14 hours ago, sfcscott said:

Hello!

 

     I can help you with some of your questions by what my wife experienced during the K-1 Process. 

 

Fist, you can have your vaccination done just about anywhere you choose. I would try to find a place that knows what you need to get though the K-1 process and required by the U.S.. There is some that are vaccinations required just to complete the K-1 and later on the rest can be done here in the U.S, BUT I would highly recommend that you get ALL of your vaccinations done in Thailand just because its so much cheaper.   This the options that my wife and I chose to do.    

 

The police clearance. There seems to be no consistency with this process.  I have read what others have experienced and everyone is a little bit different.  Here is what I can tell you about my wife's experience.  We were both in BKK the day that she went to the Police station.  I waited outside but this is what she told me happened.   When she arrived, she was told to get into line and wait to been seen by several different stations.   While she was waiting in line, one police officer approached her and asked if she would like to do the "express" option.  She asked how much the "express" option was.  He told her 1000 baht.   She agreed and was placed at the front of the line and finished in about 20 minutes.   When she finished she was told that they would mail the document to her within the week.   I wasn't very optimistic when she told me what they offered but sure enough, within 3 days she had received it in the mail.    So to answer your question, yes, you will have to go to BKK to get the police clearance but they will mail it back to your home address in Chiang Mai.  If they offer you the "express" method, that is entirely up to you. I would say it depends on how fast you need it.  Also keep in mind that it is only good for 90 days, so don't get it too soon. You don't want to have to go back to BKK again. 

 

Lastly, here is some great reading material that might help you along as well.  This is directly from the embassy website.  https://th.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/packets/ 

 

Hope you found this helpful and if there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to ask.   Good Luck.

 

Scott    

Dear Scott,

Thank you so much for your reply. I was so happy someone answered my post - thank you for all your information!
1. I will definitely found out where I can do the vaccinations, your information here was greatly appreciated.
2. I also very much agree the consistency of the police clearance is very random. I will makes sure once the process starts rolling to go and get it done in BKK as you have instructed. Hopefully, they will offer me something in which I can have it sent back to Chiang Mai! 

I have no further questions at the moment except, is it quite rare for the US Embassy in Bangkok to turn couples down? I'm slightly concerned as I have only met my fiancee once in the past two years. *fingers and toes are crossed* 

Thank you again! 

 

[Orientalelf 50]

14 hours ago, sfcscott said:

Hope you found this helpful and if there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to ask.   Good Luck.

 

One more question!

Did you translate the Police Clearance in Chiang Mai? If so, could you recommend a reputable translator?

 

Thank you! 

[sfcscott 34]

The Police Clearance will already be translated so no need to do so.   If I recall, there wasn't much that needed to be translated for my wife.  She is full Thai and I think her birth certificate and Single Status document was the only thing we need to translate.   We did all of our translation in BKK so I am not sure about the Chiang Mai area.  There are many around the U.S Embassy area.  Some are more expensive than others.  Just make sure they are certified to do the translation.