B2 from Thailand to US

[Mr KFC 0]

I'm in Chiang Mai on a non-O retirement visa, US citizen, have been coming to Thailand for 3 to 6 months every year since about 2014.

Was planning to return to the US in April 2020, then came Covid and as it evolved decided I'm better off here than there. 

 

Right now planning a trip to the US for 4 - 5 months, mainly to prepare my house for sale or rent, then return to Thailand. 

We're starting to look into getting my GF a B2 visa so she can come along.

Tentative plan is to leave Chiang Mai late May, return early September.

 

Have been advised that US Immigration assumes everyone intends to immigrate and we must prove intent to return.

So this is what we have:

I'm 67 yrs old with a non-O retirement visa, good through Dec 2021.

She's 50, a tailor with a well established business, same location for 10 years, bank records to prove it. 

Has a valid passport, never used. 

Her son (20 yrs) is at University in Phitsanulok, (no longer a legal dependent but she does pay for all college expenses) and her parents are farmers in Fang. 

She owns 6 rai of farmland in Fang, is in her name. 

We both can show long term lease agreements in Chiang Mai.

I'll have about 600K baht in the bank, she'll have about 200K in her account. 

Impact of Covid has reduced her business to about 1/3 of what it was before which is why she's OK with stepping away for a while. 

I can buy a round trip for myself and include proof in the 'invitation letter' - have been advised should not purchase hers till the visa is approved. 

Can provide proof of my ability to pay for all expenses.

 

Any suggestions, observations? 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by Mr KFC
forgot a detail - misspelled word

[aaron2020 11,651]

A US citizen boyfriend does not help in getting her a visitor visa.  You paying for her does not help in getting her a visitor visa.  An invitation letter from you will not help get her a visa since invitation letters are not considered.  You are a tie to the US.  You are not a tie to Thailand.   Under US laws, all visitor visa applicants are presumed to want to immigrate to the US and they can overcome this legal presumption by showing strong ties to their homeland; i.e. reasons why they would return home after a visit to the US.  Emphasize her ties to Thailand.  Not to you. 

She apply based on her circumstances.  She's limited to information that can be provided on the DS-160. 

Best of luck.

[jaysaldi 213]

They want to see that she has strong ties to Thailand and weak ties to the USA.  The American boyfriend hurts her case for a tourist visa, it doesn't help her. 

 

Her lack of ever traveling anywhere and then returning to Thailand is a strike against her.

 

Her desire to spend 4-5 months in the USA would also be viewed with suspicion. That doesn't sound like tourism. That sounds like you guys want to try out living together in the USA and then if she likes it you get married in the USA and stay.

 

You're her boyfriend and you spend 6-9? months a year in the USA. Why wouldn't she just stay with you in the USA?  That's what the consular officer may ask. 

[Adventine 3,209]

She can try applying for the tourist visa, assuming that the US embassy in Thailand is doing interviews. 

Chances are not great, considering that she has never travelled internationally before and she is planning to spend a significant amount of time in the States with her USC boyfriend.

 

However, you'll only find out for sure when she applies.

 

Definitely don't purchase flights for her until she gets the visa.