please help understanding timelines

[steve-phuket 10]

I'm a USC, wanting to get green card for my Thai girlfriend. i was planning to marry in Thailand but i'm i am sick of Thai BS just to get married, i'm thinking K1 visa maybe better

 

so can someone confirm if i understand the timing correct please?

 

I want to apply around Nov this year, with the expectation we'll get the visa between Sept and Dec 2021 and then she has up to 6 months to enter the US.

We want to enter the US in the early spring, so say Mar 2022, not really before which is why I don't want to start the application now. I understand we have 90 days to get married, file for AOS, EAD and AP. I understand that can take a while, maybe a year or so, which is fine, BUT

 

suppose we want to come back to Thailand for the winter, say Nov-Mar, would that be a problem?

 

thanks

 

Edited August 24, 2020 by steve-phuket

[AD19 36]

You could check my timeline,even tho its not same country,might be a lil different and mainly bc of covid19, we applied for k1 in Nov and i got approved in June,so can be faster than you think,also could be longer...  And traveling is possible with EAD/AP which i got around 4 months after applying for AOS,and mostly everyone does. I still didnt get GC and its been almost a year. So AP she will get earlier and i heard people travel with it with no problem. 

[steve-phuket 10]

i just read this 

"You may apply for Advance Parole if you have an adjustment of emergent personal or bona fide business reasons."

 

so i guess can't stand cold weather isn't sufficient reason to get an AP. maybe one of her sister's is planning to get married then i suppose. how seriously do they take your reason for wanting to travel outside US?

 

Edited August 24, 2020 by steve-phuket

[geowrian 22,337]

The reason for requesting or using AP due to a pending AOS application is not important.

 

AP is used for various purposes...some of which the reason is very important.

For example, DACA recipients used to be able to obtain and use AP for emergencies (e.g. a dying relative).

 

Timelines are virtually impossible to gauge, especially now. Loose, general ideas are fine, but the K-1 process requires that you remain flexible on timelines or you will be setting yourself up for disappointment.

[steve-phuket 10]

i just found out that the bangkok embassy is not accept K1 applications anyhow.

 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, steve-phuket said:

i just found out that the bangkok embassy is not accept K1 applications anyhow.

You start the K-1 process with an I-129F petition filed to the US and adjudicated by USCIS. That will take several months.

 

But yes, most embassies/consulates are not routinely processing K-1 cases right now. They are processing CR-1/IR-1 and other mission critical cases with IV units. No idea when this will change with Bangkok...local conditions will dictate reopening of consular services.

[Unlockable 7,314]

5 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

i just found out that the bangkok embassy is not accept K1 applications anyhow.

 

 

Unfortunately, this is the life of immigration. Sacrifices have to be made. Either with long periods of living apart from your loved ones, spending a lot of money, and/or not being able to choose your desired place/time of your union. This is a realization many of us had to come to. Best advice is to make a decision and start the process now. True that spousal visas have preference over fiance visas now. So that may be a factor in your decision. But whatever you decide, remember that the end result, no matter how difficult it is, is that you will be with your loved one.

[SalishSea 17,829]

11 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

I'm a USC, wanting to get green card for my Thai girlfriend. i was planning to marry in Thailand but i'm i am sick of Thai BS just to get married, i'm thinking K1 visa maybe better

 

so can someone confirm if i understand the timing correct please?

 

I want to apply around Nov this year, with the expectation we'll get the visa between Sept and Dec 2021 and then she has up to 6 months to enter the US.

We want to enter the US in the early spring, so say Mar 2022, not really before which is why I don't want to start the application now. I understand we have 90 days to get married, file for AOS, EAD and AP. I understand that can take a while, maybe a year or so, which is fine, BUT

 

suppose we want to come back to Thailand for the winter, say Nov-Mar, would that be a problem?

 

thanks

 

She won't be able to travel or work for 6-9 months after applying for advance parole/EAD.

[Chancy 6,241]

15 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

I'm a USC, wanting to get green card for my Thai girlfriend. i was planning to marry in Thailand but i'm i am sick of Thai BS just to get married, i'm thinking K1 visa maybe better

 

If you and your girlfriend are ready to get married but just don't want to deal with local bureaucracy, how about getting married abroad?  Once the pandemic situation gets under control enough to ease travel restrictions, that is.  Have you considered getting married in Hong Kong?

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

22 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

I want to apply around Nov this year, with the expectation we'll get the visa between Sept and Dec 2021 and then she has up to 6 months to enter the US.

We want to enter the US in the early spring, so say Mar 2022, not really before which is why I don't want to start the application now. 

File now.  There is no way to really time thing out out this stage.  You can delay things easier later.

22 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

I understand we have 90 days to get married, file for AOS, EAD and AP. I understand that can take a while, maybe a year or so, which is fine, BUT

 

suppose we want to come back to Thailand for the winter, say Nov-Mar, would that be a problem?

You have no way to time the length of time to get AP/EAD.   Part of the unknown is the amount of time it takes to get certified copy of the marriage certificate.  Some states/counties take months.  Lage counties in California is pretty bad.

20 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

i just found out that the bangkok embassy is not accept K1 applications anyhow.

 

Which isn't relevant as you don't even have an approved petition.  Timelines and delays change things.  You are at the back of the line until you file.

21 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

i just read this 

As stated, the I-131 is used for many purposes.  A reason is not needed when filing as AOS.

22 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

i was planning to marry in Thailand but i'm i am sick of Thai BS just to get married,

and . . .

6 hours ago, Chancy said:

Have you considered getting married in Hong Kong?

This is why we married in Hong Kong.  Complete the paperwork 2 to 3 weeks ahead and show up 3 days before the date.  In and out pretty easy and you get the marriage certificate right then and there.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[steve-phuket 10]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

 

This is why we married in Hong Kong.  Complete the paperwork 2 to 3 weeks ahead and show up 3 days before the date.  In and out pretty easy and you get the marriage certificate right then and there.

 

problem is if i leave Thailand, can't get back right now because of covid

 

anyhow, i was just angry yesterday with local gov't officer telling me to go to US embassy to get something i know they don't have, but i figured it out now and i think all i need is certified translations of what i have already.

its frustrating because i was married to a Thai for 16 years already and got divorced in that very same office just 3 months ago by the same girl that i talked to yesterday, but i guess bureaucrats will be bureaucrats

Edited August 25, 2020 by steve-phuket

[Just Paul 4,595]

8 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

if i leave Thailand, can't get back right now because of covid

There is a lot we can't do because of covid.   Hopefully you can enjoy your time there!

[Trutta 103]

There have been a grand total of 3400 corona cases in Thailand, and 58 deaths. The last death was in May -- 3 months ago. Seems reasonable to keep the embassy there shuttered, right?

[steve-phuket 10]

1 hour ago, Trutta said:

There have been a grand total of 3400 corona cases in Thailand, and 58 deaths. The last death was in May -- 3 months ago. Seems reasonable to keep the embassy there shuttered, right?

i guess they forgot to check with me. 95% of Thais (or Thighs as trump calls them) agree with keeping the borders closed even though its devastated the tourist industry

[Trutta 103]

1 hour ago, steve-phuket said:

i guess they forgot to check with me. 95% of Thais (or Thighs as trump calls them) agree with keeping the borders closed even though its devastated the tourist industry

Most Thais probably would have agreed with it even before corona hit. They don't exactly have a glowing view of other nations.

 

I don't know what that has to do with the US embassy there though, since that's controlled by America.

Edited August 26, 2020 by Trutta