Very new and still learning: I-129F for two-week visit?

[MooGooGaiDan 0]

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. I have tried searching not only this forum, but others as well. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my Thai girlfriend (21, college student with a career in the military) over here to America for a two-week vacation.

As I understand, the I-129F form is only if I intend to marry her within 90 days of her coming over, but we don't plan on actually getting married until she finishes college (4 years from now). If not the I-129F form to get her a visa for a visit, how shall I go about doing so? Is there any way to "sponsor" her visit, along with her doing her part in showing her ties (ie bank account, job, school, acknowledgment and time off from work specifically for vacation abroad) to Thailand to make a compelling argument that she'll return?

Also, if the I-129F is the only way to get her here, what are the repercussions if she simply goes back to Thailand instead of marrying me within that 90 day period? Do I get in trouble, legally, or does that pretty much damn any chances of her returning for another visit, or eventually coming here permanently for marriage? Thanks in advance everyone -- I've really been trying to learn as much as I can, but my brain is full and I need to ask questions now instead of more force-feeding info.

[L_n_O 3]

Moving this post to Regional Discussion: Asia: South Forum since you don't really need to go through the whole K1 visa just for a two week visit

maybe someone from that region can guide you on how to get a visitor visa for her to the States

Edited July 10, 2007 by liz_legend 'n Ol

[~Nini~ 2]

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. I have tried searching not only this forum, but others as well. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my Thai girlfriend (21, college student with a career in the military) over here to America for a two-week vacation.

As I understand, the I-129F form is only if I intend to marry her within 90 days of her coming over, but we don't plan on actually getting married until she finishes college (4 years from now). If not the I-129F form to get her a visa for a visit, how shall I go about doing so? Is there any way to "sponsor" her visit, along with her doing her part in showing her ties (ie bank account, job, school, acknowledgment and time off from work specifically for vacation abroad) to Thailand to make a compelling argument that she'll return?

Also, if the I-129F is the only way to get her here, what are the repercussions if she simply goes back to Thailand instead of marrying me within that 90 day period? Do I get in trouble, legally, or does that pretty much damn any chances of her returning for another visit, or eventually coming here permanently for marriage? Thanks in advance everyone -- I've really been trying to learn as much as I can, but my brain is full and I need to ask questions now instead of more force-feeding info.

Couldn't you possibly get your girlfriend to apply for a tourist visa at her closest US consulate? I definitely don't agree that you should apply for an I-129F visa - you're correct in your assumption that the visa is only if you intend to marry her. It's an immigrant visa, so using it for the basis of a "visit" will be a complete waste of your efforts and money. (Not trying to be harsh here, but just stating the facts - a few hundred dollars and the months-long process of compiling evidence, medical exams and consulate interviews may not be what you two had in mind.)

If you do apply for an I-129F and she does go back home within the 90-day period, it may make it harder for both of you in the future if you do intend to apply for the visa again - they'll certainly look at the application more closely the second time around.

I'd suggest just looking at the requirements for a tourist visa from the US consulate website in Thailand and going from there.

(Did this really need to be moved?)

Edited July 10, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[L_n_O 3]

I thought I'd move it because the OP didn't have any intention of doing a K1...

and I figured he'd actually get some answers from this forum on how to get a tourist visa..

[GaryC 7]

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. I have tried searching not only this forum, but others as well. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my Thai girlfriend (21, college student with a career in the military) over here to America for a two-week vacation.

As I understand, the I-129F form is only if I intend to marry her within 90 days of her coming over, but we don't plan on actually getting married until she finishes college (4 years from now). If not the I-129F form to get her a visa for a visit, how shall I go about doing so? Is there any way to "sponsor" her visit, along with her doing her part in showing her ties (ie bank account, job, school, acknowledgment and time off from work specifically for vacation abroad) to Thailand to make a compelling argument that she'll return?

Also, if the I-129F is the only way to get her here, what are the repercussions if she simply goes back to Thailand instead of marrying me within that 90 day period? Do I get in trouble, legally, or does that pretty much damn any chances of her returning for another visit, or eventually coming here permanently for marriage? Thanks in advance everyone -- I've really been trying to learn as much as I can, but my brain is full and I need to ask questions now instead of more force-feeding info.

Fiance visas are only for bringing an intended spouse to the USA. It isn't used for a vacation visa. Any other use and it is considered visa fraud. If you get her one and she goes back and then at a later time you decide to marry her a thing called IMBRA will cause you trouble. There are limitations for multiple K type visas and you would have to apply for a waiver if it was sooner than 2 years. If there were more than 2 fiance visas in your past then you would need a waiver regardless of how long it has been.

I would suggest that you try for a visitors visa. Those are applied for and granted by the US embassy in your girlfriends country. You should contact the embassy in her country for details of how you apply. You can also go to her countries US embassy web site for more information. If a visitors visa is hard to get from her country (many are near impossible for single women) then your only option is to visit her yourself.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Moving this post to Regional Discussion: Asia: South Forum since you don't really need to go through the whole K1 visa just for a two week visit

maybe someone from that region can guide you on how to get a visitor visa for her to the States

Liz, based on the username, the China forum may have been more apt. South Asia is mainly the Sub-continent and Afghanistan.

[MooGooGaiDan 0]

Moving this post to Regional Discussion: Asia: South Forum since you don't really need to go through the whole K1 visa just for a two week visit

maybe someone from that region can guide you on how to get a visitor visa for her to the States

Liz, based on the username, the China forum may have been more apt. South Asia is mainly the Sub-continent and Afghanistan.

Ha, no, my username is from an inside joke a long time ago. My girlfriend lives in Thailand, which has a notoriously difficult screening process for granting travel visas to young, single women. I was wondering if my intentions to marry her EVENTUALLY would have any credence to getting her a travel visa, so that we can spend time together here in America and really get to know each other before the plunge. I guess the concept of being her "sponsor" only applies to if she comes here permanently, not for travel?

As far as filling out an application for a travel visa, I've been told that her age and the fact that she doesn't own her home (she lives on the army camp where she is a sergeant) will count against her, dropping her chances to below 50 percent. Is that true? Then how can I help her chances? Writing a straight forward, honest letter? Showing her mother has traveled out of Thailand and has returned? Applying multiple times if the first time was denied? Any advice would greatly be appreciated, and also, THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed so far!

[MooGooGaiDan 0]

P.S. Sorry I forgot to mention, but I have actually read everything I could at the USCIS.gov website and at the US Embassy website in Thailand. I really couldn't find what I was looking for and every time I tried to call I was trapped in an automated system with no option of speaking with an officer. Besides, I've dealt with bureaucracies and government agencies enough to know that they don't like advertising the more technical and direct way of getting things done -- they like keeping processes as general and standardized as possible. The government isn't known for customer service!

Edited July 10, 2007 by MooGooGaiDan

[L_n_O 3]

So, I'm assuming MooGooGaiDan (OP) that you're happy in this forum, yes?

Good, just checking..

good luck!

[MooGooGaiDan 0]

So, I'm assuming MooGooGaiDan (OP) that you're happy in this forum, yes?

Good, just checking..

good luck!

Oh yes, enjoying it and learning so much! So now I figure I can totally count out the I-129f for the time being, since my goal is to just get her over for a two-week vacation. So now, from what I understand, all she needs to do it try to go through the standard channels of getting a travel Visa from Thailand to the U.S. Ok, simple enough. But is there anything I can do (besides stress to her to make a competent and confident argument for why she plans to return to Thailand)?

I hear mixed things about writing a letter for her for support -- some say don't do it, even going so far as to tell my girlfriend to say she's going sightseeing and visiting girlfriends, NOT a boyfriend, because that would be a red flag for a flight risk. Then I come across the I-134 Affidavit for Support and get thrown completely for a loop! Am I supposed to fill that out and file it before she goes for an interview? Should I even fill that out at all if she's just going for a travel visa? Would it help her more if she says she's going to see girlfriends, or should I, as her boyfriend, help her by writing letters? So confused -- please help! Haha, thanks again for everything guys -- I love awesome forums like these where members are so helpful to newbies!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Basically, she would need to follow the procedure for tourist visa (check with the embassy/consulate in her country).

Other options:

• Meet in a third country (check visa regulations on possible third countries before making that choice); oft, an excellent choice
  
• You visit her in her country