SAWASDEE 2

[Yodrak 7]

Bill,

Whoa - get a dictionary! There are many ways to transliterate Thai into English, but doesn't make sense using any of them.

Have a safe trip.

Yodrak

.....

Kha poon krab! (Thank You!) ....

Bill & Pao

[TucsonBill 0]

I am lost and my fiance does not seem to know what to do either. She has packet 3 now. But we don't know what to do from here. Does she just fill in the DS230, only part 1?, and send it back to the embassy? When does she pay the fee, what else gets sent in?

I would be enormously grateful if someone could outline this process for us. Thanks.

RELAX! hehe - Just carefully follow the instructions. I think the instrucitons change from time to time, but the instructions we got in our packet 3 were scanned and a link is posted somewhere around page 100 of this thread.

I think you have to return the passport photos and a photo copy of the Thai passport photo page and the checklist too before you get your Packet 4 with the appointment date. The rest of the stuff your fiance will take to the interview as described in Packet 4.

The instructions could have changed again, our packet had inserts with the 'new proceedures' that were not on the webpage for download, so be careful not to trust 100% what anyone tells you here because the proceedures can and do chage. Your own packet will have the current instructions and proceedures.

Bill

[TucsonBill 0]

Bill,

Whoa - get a dictionary! There are many ways to transliterate Thai into English, but doesn't make sense using any of them.

Have a safe trip.

Yodrak

.....

Kha poon krab! (Thank You!) ....

Bill & Pao

I do my best - haha (She's the one needs the dictionary, I got her one of those 'talking' ones )

[Yodrak 7]

goontar,

The instructions that come in the visa application package leave a bit to be desired, but they answer most of the questions you ask here.

The instructions for paying the visa application fee will come in the interview notice package. Pay at a Thai post office and take the receipt to the interview.

Yodrak

I am lost and my fiance does not seem to know what to do either. She has packet 3 now. But we don't know what to do from here. Does she just fill in the DS230, only part 1?, and send it back to the embassy? When does she pay the fee, what else gets sent in?

I would be enormously grateful if someone could outline this process for us. Thanks.

[goontar 0]

I am lost and my fiance does not seem to know what to do either. She has packet 3 now. But we don't know what to do from here. Does she just fill in the DS230, only part 1?, and send it back to the embassy? When does she pay the fee, what else gets sent in?

I would be enormously grateful if someone could outline this process for us. Thanks.

RELAX! hehe - Just carefully follow the instructions. I think the instrucitons change from time to time, but the instructions we got in our packet 3 were scanned and a link is posted somewhere around page 100 of this thread.

I think you have to return the passport photos and a photo copy of the Thai passport photo page and the checklist too before you get your Packet 4 with the appointment date. The rest of the stuff your fiance will take to the interview as described in Packet 4.

The instructions could have changed again, our packet had inserts with the 'new proceedures' that were not on the webpage for download, so be careful not to trust 100% what anyone tells you here because the proceedures can and do chage. Your own packet will have the current instructions and proceedures.

Bill

Thanks for responding Bill. Do I send in the DS230 alone. Then follow up with the Checklist, Photos, Passport Photo ect...

She had her doctor yesterday and she will have her Thai Police Cert March 6th. Should I tell her to fill out the checklist and send it in. I am just trying to get an interview as soon as possible. She has almost everything she needs. Just needs to get a lot translated.

Once she sends the checklist, pictures, how long does it take to get the interview packet?

Also, What address should she send it to? The Wireless road address?

I appreciate the advice.

[rin and john 71]

I had inquired at NVC via e-mail about Rin's I-130 and I-129F because CIS had her name wrong on the NOA2. Finally reached them on the phone and they said it wouldn't matter as they use the application documents forwarded by CIS, not the NOA2 info. Yesterday I received two e-mails; one stating they did not have the petition (reference to I-130) and the second stating that the petition had been completed and forwarded to the embassy in Thailand (included BNK number, etc). My questions are:

Has anyone recently done a K3 visa in Bangkok that can advise what needs to be returned to the embassy? Is it the same (with regards to the items returned immediately) for the K1 and K3? I wanted to have Rin get everything together and mail as soon as I can verify that they have sent Packet 3. Based on past posts, I am thinking:

1. D-230 part 1

2. Copy of passport information page

3. two passport photos

4. checklist

Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for the help!

John

[skyman2112 0]

Hello all, how do you renew a Thai passport? We are going back to Bangkok in April and i hear it only takes a couple days at the embassy. I am afraid to let go of it while we are on this trip cause what if they lose it or there is a delay??? Then we can't leave.

Also, does anybody know how to get a transit visa for Tokyo? I fly standby and they won't let me go through Tokyo without it (they do let me go through on the way TO bangkok however).

[rin and john 71]

Hello all, how do you renew a Thai passport? We are going back to Bangkok in April and i hear it only takes a couple days at the embassy. I am afraid to let go of it while we are on this trip cause what if they lose it or there is a delay??? Then we can't leave.

Also, does anybody know how to get a transit visa for Tokyo? I fly standby and they won't let me go through Tokyo without it (they do let me go through on the way TO bangkok however).

If you are in Bangkok, you would go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Ayudhya Road, Bangkok 10400 Thailand. Rin went there to get her new passport with her new name (after first changing her ID at the local Amphur). They have a website at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1.php . Not sure if she had to leave her passport or not, but we went and picked up her new one the next day.

If you are in the US, then I think the Thai embassy is your only option.

[TucsonBill 0]

I am lost and my fiance does not seem to know what to do either. She has packet 3 now. But we don't know what to do from here. Does she just fill in the DS230, only part 1?, and send it back to the embassy? When does she pay the fee, what else gets sent in?

I would be enormously grateful if someone could outline this process for us. Thanks.

RELAX! hehe - Just carefully follow the instructions. I think the instrucitons change from time to time, but the instructions we got in our packet 3 were scanned and a link is posted somewhere around page 100 of this thread.

I think you have to return the passport photos and a photo copy of the Thai passport photo page and the checklist too before you get your Packet 4 with the appointment date. The rest of the stuff your fiance will take to the interview as described in Packet 4.

The instructions could have changed again, our packet had inserts with the 'new proceedures' that were not on the webpage for download, so be careful not to trust 100% what anyone tells you here because the proceedures can and do chage. Your own packet will have the current instructions and proceedures.

Bill

Thanks for responding Bill. Do I send in the DS230 alone. Then follow up with the Checklist, Photos, Passport Photo ect...

She had her doctor yesterday and she will have her Thai Police Cert March 6th. Should I tell her to fill out the checklist and send it in. I am just trying to get an interview as soon as possible. She has almost everything she needs. Just needs to get a lot translated.

Once she sends the checklist, pictures, how long does it take to get the interview packet?

Also, What address should she send it to? The Wireless road address?

I appreciate the advice.

Hey, sorry again for not getting back to you! It's been sorta crazy as we had our 'unofficial' ceremony in Thailand on the 17th and we've sorta been on honeymoon ever since - hehe (ie no time for VJ).

I figure you must have figured this out by now, but what I did was send back all the Packet 3 stuff at one time in one envelope, assuming we'd have everything together by the time the interview rolled around, which was in fact the case.

Everything went well at the POE, as I went through with her - and the immigration officer only asked one question "when are you getting married?" Actually, we've been so busy seeing relatives, and seeing the sights in Tucson that we've not had a chance to go down to the JP yet, but hopefully we'll get to that sometime this week.

Best Wishes!

Bill

Edited February 27, 2007 by TucsonBill

[skyman2112 0]

Hey does anyone know how to get a transit visa for the tokyo airport?? I fly standby so I have to have one cause we don't have a confirmed seat. Thanks all!

[TucsonBill 0]

Can anyone tell me the proceedure to get Pao's (married) name changed on her Thai passport?

Is this even necessary? What about future trips to Thailand if her name on her tickets does not match her passport?

Bill

Edited March 4, 2007 by TucsonBill

[rin and john 71]

Bill,

Not sure how to do it in the states, probably through the Thai embassy (www.thaiembdc.org). There is a directory where you can call or e-mail the consulate. She'd probably need her Thai ID, marriage certificate, and old passport.

If in Bangkok, then see my previous post (1733) in this section. After we married in Thailand, Rin first went to the Amphur to change her Thai ID card, then took her old passport and her new ID to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Left it there and went back the next day to pick up the new one. In and out both times in less than 20 minutes.

[heyx2rr 0]

Hello Everyone!

I've been browsing this forum for a while as a guest and now as a member. About a year and a half ago I met a wonderful Thai woman, and we became engaged this February. We're both very excited and looking forward to a long life of "happily ever after." Ah, but first things first, the visa....

We're working together on putting together the paperwork to submit for a K-1 Fiancee Visa for her to come to the US, where we plan to get married. The information in this forum has been very helpful, and we've made quite a bit of progress in consolidating all the required info, but there are a couple of areas where I have questions - and I'm hoping that the folks on this forum might be able to provide us with further benefit of their experience.

First, when my fiancee was born her mother was very young, and on her birth certificate her Grandparents were actually listed as her parents and she took her Grandparents surname. Her Grandparents have both since passed away, and her actual parents are now listed on her census form, but she has kept her Grandparents surname. Is this likely to cause any confusion in the Visa process? My plan is to just fill out the form with her current surname (from her Grandparents) and not make any mention of the earlier history.

My second question is concerning my fiancee's daughter. My fiancee had a daughter out of wedlock at an early age. She lived with the father for a couple of years before she moved out (due to infidelity and a gambling problem) - she moved out over five years ago. My fiancee was never married to the father, but the Father is listed on the daughter's birth certificate. The Father has now been married for several years. He has never provided any financial assistance for his child, or contacted her in over five years. After we are married in the US, my fiancee and I plan to find a new home together (I own a one bedroom loft) and then bring her daughter to the US for adoption about 6 months to a year after we are married. This will allow my fiancee and I some time to settle in together, while her daughter lives with her Grandmother. We will probably also find a prep school that her daughter can attend to help with her transition to US schools (she's 9 years old now - a very smart child who is consistently number 1 or 2 in her school class, but her English is very limited). After that lengthy preamble, here's are my questions - are there any issues regarding custody that you can anticipate with bringing the daughter to the US for adoption, or any potential issues with bringing the daughter over 6 to 12 months after my fiancee arrives?

Thanks very much for any insight you can provide - I'm trying to make sure I think things through thoroughly before we finalize the paperwork so that we get things right the first time through.

- Rich

[Yodrak 7]

Bill,

Buy the tickets using the name that's in the passport?

That's what my wife does.

Yodrak

..... What about future trips to Thailand if her name on her tickets does not match her passport?

Bill

[TucsonBill 0]

--snip--

First, when my fiancee was born her mother was very young, and on her birth certificate her Grandparents were actually listed as her parents and she took her Grandparents surname. Her Grandparents have both since passed away, and her actual parents are now listed on her census form, but she has kept her Grandparents surname. Is this likely to cause any confusion in the Visa process? My plan is to just fill out the form with her current surname (from her Grandparents) and not make any mention of the earlier history.

My second question is concerning my fiancee's daughter. My fiancee had a daughter out of wedlock at an early age. She lived with the father for a couple of years before she moved out (due to infidelity and a gambling problem) - she moved out over five years ago. My fiancee was never married to the father, but the Father is listed on the daughter's birth certificate. The Father has now been married for several years. He has never provided any financial assistance for his child, or contacted her in over five years. After we are married in the US, my fiancee and I plan to find a new home together (I own a one bedroom loft) and then bring her daughter to the US for adoption about 6 months to a year after we are married. This will allow my fiancee and I some time to settle in together, while her daughter lives with her Grandmother. We will probably also find a prep school that her daughter can attend to help with her transition to US schools (she's 9 years old now - a very smart child who is consistently number 1 or 2 in her school class, but her English is very limited). After that lengthy preamble, here's are my questions - are there any issues regarding custody that you can anticipate with bringing the daughter to the US for adoption, or any potential issues with bringing the daughter over 6 to 12 months after my fiancee arrives?

--snip--

- Rich

Regarding the I-129f petition, you don't need the 'census form', and some would say you don't need her birth certificate either, (although I'd advise sending it anyway as some have received RFE's for this item). As long has her present name matches that which is on her birth certificate, then I don't see any problem. When it comes time for the interview, she'll need her house registration, and I dont know if that is the same as the 'census form' you refer to or not, but assuming that it is, I'd include a letter of explanation. They may send her to get some sort of statement from Amphur regarding this, but I sorta doubt it.

Her child is another matter. Good luck getting any answers here! I did not have much luck, but I do have experience now.

I brought my fiance's, (Pao's), daugther, (Sabrena),here to the US, she accompanied Pao and came at the same time. Similar to your situation, Sabrena was born out of wedlock but the father was a citizen of South Africa and didn't have any rights in Thailand. Secondly, Pao was married to the man in South Africa but only AFTER Sabrena was born. I was told by USCIS and by the local office, that I should have no problem bringing her daughter to the US. The Consular Official, at the time of the interview, sang a different tune and wanted her to get something from Ampur stating that Pao had sole custody, or proof that Sabrena was born out of wedlock. I argued with them that it should be obvious that Sabrena was born out of wedlock since Sabrena's birth certificate pre-dates the marriage certificate and they eventually agreed with me and issued both visa's.

I'd STRONGLY suggest you get this issue settled BEFORE you bring your fiance to the US, and if at all possible, have her accompany her mother so you are SURE you can get them both here. I dread to think what would happen if your fiance came here and then her daugther could not follow. Personally, I had a big issue with seperating the mother from the daugther and would not even consider bringing Pao here to the US unless Sabrena came with her. Even if your fiance says now that its 'OK' - if later there are problems and the father exercises parental rights, and she has 'abandoned' the child in Thailand... she could lose her daughter. Even if that does not happen, would you like to be the 'cause' of why this little girl does not have her mother anymore? I'd be very careful about breaking them up like that, given these circumstances.

I advise you to bring them both together.

As I understand it, Pao's relatives could have given statements to Amphur that the natural father provided no support and she could have gotten a statement giving her legal custody. I know that the fact that Sabrena was born out of wedlock was a significant factor, but also in my case the father was not a Thai citizen and Thai law may be diffent since the father is Thai.

If I were you, I'd attempt to bring the child here and try to show proof that the child was born out of wedlock. In the event the Consular Official wants a custody staement from Amphur, I'd cross that road when I came to it.

In the event that you decide to go ahead and wait and bring them to the US seperately, then I'd be DARN SURE your fiance has full and sole custody from Amphur BEFORE you bring her to the US, and then be darn sure that you get the daughters K2 visa approved BEFORE one year expires. You can't wait 9 months, then apply for the K2 and expect approval before the year is up. You should apply for the K2 right away, as I am pretty sure it's good for 4 months from the date of issue, but if you wait to long to apply for it, you might run out if time to get it as I have read about others doing.

GOOD LUCK!

Bill