SAWASDEE 2

[daboyz 36]

Quick question...

Do the packet 3 docs get sent to this address, or am I missing something? Can it be written in Thai as it shows on the top of the Thai instructions in the same checklist?

Consular Section

American Embassy

95 Wireless Road

Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Thanks!

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_vis...structions.html

I would suggest using EMS just to be safe.

[*Robert* 2]

It was our immigration attorney's who explained to me when she said she was previously married, they asked "paper married or just married?" and they explained the carnally/culturally versus legal differences common in her area. They said "if there aren't papers, it didn't happen (legal recognition)". I learned their ceremony/carnal definition and her area could care less about legal any more than I do unless it prevents something they need. Legally her parents, her Uncle who's the mayor (or whatever you call him) of their soi, her sister and brother and grandparents were never (legally) married, either but all are known as married.

Everyone's different. We're breaking no laws. We'll do the blessing ceremony there for the cultural formality ($)/announcement, then again here. Soon as she gets here, it takes less than a week to get into the courthouse and get the paperwork going (our paperwork ceremony, so to speak--hardly a marriage on our eyes). Our purpose is to appease the governments and get papers 2 months earlier so we can return to Thailand sooner. No laws against wedding bands (not that we're using one since her culture doesn't do rings in the first place), no wedding planner, we're not stuck on dates or legal whatever and we're doing what gets us paperwork fastest (2 months faster) and most importantly, we're complying with Thai and US law 100%...everything else is protected under freedom of speech and expression in both countries (rings-if we used them, ceremonies, etc)... We're doing what makes us and our families happy and not harming anyone or breaking any laws in the process.

I did not state or imply you were breaking any laws. It's a matter of perception on the part of the CO at the embassy, and the CBO at the POE. If they see wedding bands, then it is possible for them to assume you are married, which invalidates the K-1 visa. It will then be up to you to prove otherwise.

It's all about perception, not the law or the facts.

[mnbinth 2]

I did not state or imply you were breaking any laws. It's a matter of perception on the part of the CO at the embassy, and the CBO at the POE. If they see wedding bands, then it is possible for them to assume you are married, which invalidates the K-1 visa. It will then be up to you to prove otherwise.

It's all about perception, not the law or the facts.

For what its worth, my wife and I had our ceremony and exchanged rings in Thailand. At the K1 interview in Bangkok we didn't wear our rings, but had they asked a direct question, we would have told them. It's far worse to get caught in a lie then to tell them you had a ceremony. The people that work at the embassy aren't stupid; they know you'll probably have wedding events before leaving the country.

At the POE in San Francisco we left our bands on and the IO just congratulated her. As soon as we got home, we went to a local judge and had the legal ceremony. The judge made us take off our bands and exchange them again in front of her. ha! This time I got to kiss the bride in front of the witnesses, unlike during the ceremony in Thailand.

[symbiosis 0]

Quick question...

Do the packet 3 docs get sent to this address, or am I missing something? Can it be written in Thai as it shows on the top of the Thai instructions in the same checklist?

Consular Section

American Embassy

95 Wireless Road

Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Thanks!

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_vis...structions.html

I would suggest using EMS just to be safe.

It's an added expense, but I agree here. Regular Thai Post is a bit dodgy.

[HYENA 4]

I did not state or imply you were breaking any laws. It's a matter of perception on the part of the CO at the embassy, and the CBO at the POE. If they see wedding bands, then it is possible for them to assume you are married, which invalidates the K-1 visa. It will then be up to you to prove otherwise.

It's all about perception, not the law or the facts.

For what its worth, my wife and I had our ceremony and exchanged rings in Thailand. At the K1 interview in Bangkok we didn't wear our rings, but had they asked a direct question, we would have told them. It's far worse to get caught in a lie then to tell them you had a ceremony. The people that work at the embassy aren't stupid; they know you'll probably have wedding events before leaving the country.

At the POE in San Francisco we left our bands on and the IO just congratulated her. As soon as we got home, we went to a local judge and had the legal ceremony. The judge made us take off our bands and exchange them again in front of her. ha! This time I got to kiss the bride in front of the witnesses, unlike during the ceremony in Thailand.

Glad you shared that. I think what we're doing is very common for the same reasons we have; we won't be back for a year and to get the all important gold and cash transfer before you take their daughter (the family, if poor, will need it and like it). I'm wearing a band now and she's wearing her engagement ring and we haven't taken them off since making our commitment to each other when we were engaged. Sure I'll take it off for the interview but she can leave her engagement ring on. No bands (we've already got rings we'll re-give for both ceremonies like you did. She's got 5 others to choose from if she wants a wedding ring but after an engagement ring, a wedding ring seems moot by that point (to me). No one in her village wear rings, none of her married friends wear them so it's just another adornment.

We're doing it pretty much just like you have except having a reception/family ceremony at our house after we've been here for a couple months (in time for everyone to make plans). It's not that complicated (to us).

I'm growing impatient here! CSC has been rockin and VSC is smoking quaaludes!

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

Everyone,

Today Om picked up her visa and we are flying to Florida on Dec 25th!! Thank you to everyone it has really been a journey and now we can be together

without the disruption of goverment blah blah..

Good luck to everyone waiting to be with there future spouse.

Congratulations and best of luck to you both. :thumbs:

[HYENA 4]

This waiting is killing me. People who filed after (some long after) have their NOA2...not even a touch. I wish I could do something..this is terrible! Whatever I have to do to avoid this again or cut waiting in the future, I'll do...insanity!

[eric_f 0]

My approval was almost 5 months later. I didn't have any touches as well before approval.

[*Robert* 2]

I did not state or imply you were breaking any laws. It's a matter of perception on the part of the CO at the embassy, and the CBO at the POE. If they see wedding bands, then it is possible for them to assume you are married, which invalidates the K-1 visa. It will then be up to you to prove otherwise.

It's all about perception, not the law or the facts.

For what its worth, my wife and I had our ceremony and exchanged rings in Thailand. At the K1 interview in Bangkok we didn't wear our rings, but had they asked a direct question, we would have told them. It's far worse to get caught in a lie then to tell them you had a ceremony. The people that work at the embassy aren't stupid; they know you'll probably have wedding events before leaving the country.

At the POE in San Francisco we left our bands on and the IO just congratulated her. As soon as we got home, we went to a local judge and had the legal ceremony. The judge made us take off our bands and exchange them again in front of her. ha! This time I got to kiss the bride in front of the witnesses, unlike during the ceremony in Thailand.

Glad you shared that. I think what we're doing is very common for the same reasons we have; we won't be back for a year and to get the all important gold and cash transfer before you take their daughter (the family, if poor, will need it and like it). I'm wearing a band now and she's wearing her engagement ring and we haven't taken them off since making our commitment to each other when we were engaged. Sure I'll take it off for the interview but she can leave her engagement ring on. No bands (we've already got rings we'll re-give for both ceremonies like you did. She's got 5 others to choose from if she wants a wedding ring but after an engagement ring, a wedding ring seems moot by that point (to me). No one in her village wear rings, none of her married friends wear them so it's just another adornment.

We're doing it pretty much just like you have except having a reception/family ceremony at our house after we've been here for a couple months (in time for everyone to make plans). It's not that complicated (to us).

I'm growing impatient here! CSC has been rockin and VSC is smoking quaaludes!

Chutima and I exchanged rings at our Buddhist ceremony, in front of her friends and family. Afterwards I always wore my ring, and she wore her rings, with the exception of her interview, which she only wore her engagement ring, and arriving at Honolulu. We of course removed them prior to our wedding in Kauai, at which point we became legally married.

Exchanging rings is not part of Thai culture for getting married. It’s something that Farangs do.

[toma1 10]

How many wedding dates do you intend to have?! There is no reason to rush to a court house to get married, because 90 days is plenty of time to plan and get married, especially if you’ve already done some ground work, like finding a wedding planner, or someone like that.

Robert

Well in my case, the rush is saving 1000s of dollars if we have the wedding by December 31. The difference in income taxes between filing "single" and "married filing jointly" is pretty big. I know it's not romantic, but we discussed it and she thought it was a good idea... and after all, we had the unofficial Buddhist ceremony in Thailand back in August.

So we are doing the same thing. Courthouse wedding in December... family wedding later.

[toma1 10]

Here is a marginal tax rate calculator to do "what if" calculations if anyone is interested:

http://www.dinkytown.net/java/TaxMargin.html

[*Robert* 2]

How many wedding dates do you intend to have?! There is no reason to rush to a court house to get married, because 90 days is plenty of time to plan and get married, especially if you've already done some ground work, like finding a wedding planner, or someone like that.

Robert

Well in my case, the rush is saving 1000s of dollars if we have the wedding by December 31. The difference in income taxes between filing "single" and "married filing jointly" is pretty big. I know it's not romantic, but we discussed it and she thought it was a good idea... and after all, we had the unofficial Buddhist ceremony in Thailand back in August.

So we are doing the same thing. Courthouse wedding in December... family wedding later.

Well that's one good reason for getting married by Dec 31st!

[symbiosis 0]

How many wedding dates do you intend to have?! There is no reason to rush to a court house to get married, because 90 days is plenty of time to plan and get married, especially if you've already done some ground work, like finding a wedding planner, or someone like that.

Robert

Well in my case, the rush is saving 1000s of dollars if we have the wedding by December 31. The difference in income taxes between filing "single" and "married filing jointly" is pretty big. I know it's not romantic, but we discussed it and she thought it was a good idea... and after all, we had the unofficial Buddhist ceremony in Thailand back in August.

So we are doing the same thing. Courthouse wedding in December... family wedding later.

Well that's one good reason for getting married by Dec 31st!

Yeah, in our case, not sure it would have made up the difference for the more expensive flight though! Oh well.

Does anyone know a good Website (free or otherwise) to download contemporary Isan music? I kind of like it (in small doses) and was hoping to surprise my SO by having some MP3s for her to make her feel at home.

Thanks!

[HYENA 4]

How many wedding dates do you intend to have?! There is no reason to rush to a court house to get married, because 90 days is plenty of time to plan and get married, especially if you’ve already done some ground work, like finding a wedding planner, or someone like that.

Robert

Well in my case, the rush is saving 1000s of dollars if we have the wedding by December 31. The difference in income taxes between filing "single" and "married filing jointly" is pretty big. I know it's not romantic, but we discussed it and she thought it was a good idea... and after all, we had the unofficial Buddhist ceremony in Thailand back in August.

So we are doing the same thing. Courthouse wedding in December... family wedding later.

I'd suspect the majority do it this way for K-1's. Some of my family and friends (6 I know of) did the courthouse quickie (everyone thought the wedding ceremony was it, no one knew at the time). Some for getting a passport and everything ahead of time for the honeymoon, others to prevent from passing out (when you're younger and it's your first one, there's a good possibility of passing out)!

I was reading on another board (and here) quite a few of us do it this way for the the same reasons: include family and friends abroad, then do the legal one here. Makes sense to me. I'm not confused (well, insane but not confused).

It's driving me crazy waiting for NOA2. If it takes 'till end of January, that will be 8 months (since the last leg seems to be 2 months or so)... We filed August 3 so I figured 8 months was plenty...but maybe not! My friend has to be back here by March 31. I was hoping to go middle of February and bring her back March 31...not so sure now. I thought 6 months was the average....Uggghhh!

I gotta stop doing the webcam thing. I'm starting to go insane...see buy no touch. I'd love to be touched by UCIS or her at this point. She's been working at McDonalds for 79 cents an hour to pass time. She said it's driving her nuts even worse (Thais...so quiet, you'd never know). I gotta learn the cool heartedness or I'll drive her even more insane! We both have a lot to learn culture-wise.

I'd love to be able to get her on for taxes...but nooooo!

Edited December 26, 2008 by HYENA

[toma1 10]

Does anyone know a good Website (free or otherwise) to download contemporary Isan music? I kind of like it (in small doses) and was hoping to surprise my SO by having some MP3s for her to make her feel at home.

Thanks!

You checked the normal online sources already?