SAWASDEE 2

[TucsonBill 0]

Hi all,

I also want to add my condolences to the Bryan and his friend... I've been through the tourist visa rejection with my fiance (before we were engaged and we just wanted to visit my family). The fact is, they just don't have to give those tourist visas to anyone unless they're sure you'll come back, and to make them sure enough can be impossible depending on your life circumstances.

I have a question for anyone who has been through the K-1 process with a Thai fiance: Can you tell me whether the Bangkok embassy will request the I-134 or the I-864? I'm just working on the I-129 right now, but I want to be ready for when the affadavit of support is needed.

Also, am I right in noticing that everyone in Thailand goes through the BKK embassy for the K-1 process? My fiance and I live in Chiang Mai, but I've noticed on this site that there are no reports of interviews at the Chiang Mai consulate.

Thanks

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa...0for%20Thai.htm

But then,

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa/ivfaq.htm says:

Q: What happens after I’ve received an I-797 Notice of Approval from USCIS?

It’s a multi-step process.

First, USCIS forwards the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth, NH.

Then, NVC sends out an application instructions packet (Packet 3) directly to the petitioner for immigrant visa cases.

Next, the petitioner must complete the required I-864 and pay the fee. (Only then does NVC forward the case to the Immigrant Visa Unit in Bangkok. It takes an average of 2-4 weeks for cases to arrive for processing in the Immigrant Visa Unit.)

So, I'm a little confused myself!

Bill

Edited October 9, 2006 by TucsonBill

[LastSurvivor 0]

I'm sure most of us have been through the "Tourist Visa" denial drill. To add my two cents I have a friend who tried not once but twice to come to the U.S. on vacation. She is 38 years-old and her documentation included:

Her work record of 20+ years at the same hospital

A letter from her employer stating that she is a great employee

Proof of ownership for two homes (A condo in Bangkok and another in Udon)

She owns a car

A bank account with a substantial sum of money in baht.

Even the above was not considered strong enough "ties" to Thailand.

During the second application we included a letter from my congressman on her behalf.

I've always considered it incredibly unfair that I can show up at the airport in BKK and I'm given 30 days no questions asked. I think Thai citizens should be given the same treatment.

My two cents.

Rich

Edited October 9, 2006 by LastSurvivor

[Pom Kid Thung Khun Krap 0]

A question for the couples who have applied for the AOS. After they recieve your package how long before they deposit your check? We sent them the package two weeks ago and they recieved it the next day but stil no activity on my bank account. Is this normal?

Also does anybody have the number you can call to get more information since I hear that emails don't work to well.

Thanks

Su and Ray

Su and Ray

I hope things are going well for you. I looked at my records and found that I made the check out and mailed it on 7/26/2006 and it was cashed on 8/9/2006. I hope this helps you.

Mike and Jass

http://www.myspace.com/116087025 "Work in Progress"

Thanks yea that gives me some more information as to how long before I will see any action. Wow you were able to get your Green Card in only a few months that is great. How did you pull that one off? Congrats on that. Once again thanks for the info.

WOW: I just went and checked my account and they did deposit the checks. Let's hope everything else goes fast too.

Edited October 9, 2006 by Pom Kid Thung Khun Krap

[CJ&Jum 0]

Hey Ray, you and Su are moving right along, keep on going! Jum received her greencard last week. Hope you have much success too, we applied for the EAD, AOS, and Travel Document all together to cover all the bases. From Receipt Notice date for the AOS to the Welcome Letter email was 41 days for Jum. This was a pleasant surprise. The fastest part of the whole process that I thought would be the longest. Check out the AOS Sawasdee thread for info. Send me a PM if you need any special tips on how to get it passed through faster.

C.J.

A question for the couples who have applied for the AOS. After they recieve your package how long before they deposit your check? We sent them the package two weeks ago and they recieved it the next day but stil no activity on my bank account. Is this normal?

Also does anybody have the number you can call to get more information since I hear that emails don't work to well.

Thanks

Su and Ray

Su and Ray

I hope things are going well for you. I looked at my records and found that I made the check out and mailed it on 7/26/2006 and it was cashed on 8/9/2006. I hope this helps you.

Mike and Jass

http://www.myspace.com/116087025 "Work in Progress"

Thanks yea that gives me some more information as to how long before I will see any action. Wow you were able to get your Green Card in only a few months that is great. How did you pull that one off? Congrats on that. Once again thanks for the info.

WOW: I just went and checked my account and they did deposit the checks. Let's hope everything else goes fast too.

[TucsonBill 0]

Could someone who has 'been there and done that', scroll up a few messages and give me and e_b_d some clarification regarding Packet 3? I am confused buy the US Embassy web page wich seems to be giving conflicting information.

Also, any of you ever try to request a provisional file to be opened?

Bill

[Yodrak 7]

dbirner,

Who knows the details of the information presented in those two visa applications? All that's been posted here is superficial information about the nature of the appliants' situations. And nothing at all about the person whose visa application was approved.

Yodrak

But yet her friend was approved for a trip to Vegas. Who knows what goes on inside the heads of some the Consulate officers?!?!?

Rich,

Try immigrating to Thailand, getting their equivalent of Permanent Resident status and then citizenship.

It's a good thing that Thai citizens are not given the same treatment.

Yodrak

....

I've always considered it incredibly unfair that I can show up at the airport in BKK and I'm given 30 days no questions asked. I think Thai citizens should be given the same treatment.

My two cents.

Rich

bryan,

It is difficult to show compelling ties, I agree.

How could she find a job? How could she enroll in school? Isn't it painfully obvious, many Thai women have done it - find a farang and marry him.

I'm not so sure about no choice of where to apply for a B2 visa. My inlaws have lived in Chiangmai their whole lives, they went to Bangkok to apply. Not sure why.

Yodrak

bryan,

I see some double-edge swords here, so let me say first off that much on the list of documents doesn't tell us anything without seeing the documents to know specifically what information was provided and how it was conveyed.

.....

Yodrak,

Thanks for the response. I guess after thinking about some of your points I can see both sides of the argument. When she portrayed the documents every effort was given to try and show a history of travel and returning to Thailand. Continuing her studies are the strongest evidence of a reason for her to return.

I guess I'm at a loss to think of what other evidence a single, educated, well-traveled, young Thai women could provide to prove and guarantee her return? I realize she has a good employment credentials, but how would she be able to find a good job in the US with out the right legal status? To the same point, how could she continue school in the US without the right non-immigrant status?

The uncle's letter was just a simple invitation letter trying to show she had a place to stay and some one to show her around.

She applied at the consulate in Bangkok. There is no choice about where she could apply, it depends upon what part of Thailand she has lived in the most during the last year.

Bryan

e_b_d,

I-134

Work on I-129f - I-129 is a petition for an alien worker.

The only immigrant visa post in Thailand is the consular section in Bangkok. The consulate in Chiangmai processes only non-immigrant visas, and the K visas are processed by IV units.

Yodrak

Hi all,

....

I have a question for anyone who has been through the K-1 process with a Thai fiance: Can you tell me whether the Bangkok embassy will request the I-134 or the I-864? I'm just working on the I-129 right now, but I want to be ready for when the affadavit of support is needed.

Also, am I right in noticing that everyone in Thailand goes through the BKK embassy for the K-1 process? My fiance and I live in Chiang Mai, but I've noticed on this site that there are no reports of interviews at the Chiang Mai consulate.

Thanks

Edited October 9, 2006 by Yodrak

[TucsonBill 0]

Oh ye wise Yodrak, Guru of the Thailand thread, are you mad at me or something? Did you foget me?

I am trying to understand the conflicting web information about the I-864 vs the I-134. Maybe your answer addressed my question too, and I'm just too dim to understand, mind spelling it out for me? (As for me, I meant the I-129F as did the previous poster I think he made a typo)

Bill

Edited October 9, 2006 by TucsonBill

[Yodrak 7]

Bill,

Provisional files were stopped when Powell was Secretary of State.

Yodrak

...

Also, any of you ever try to request a provisional file to be opened?

Bill

Bill,

I don't see conflicting information. The correct information may not be as easy to find as we might wish it to be, but it's there. Keep in mind always that the K visas are non-immigrant visas even though they are processed by IV posts.

Can you point out the spot where you see the conflict? (I am as prove to overlook things as anyone.)

Yodrak

....

I am trying to understand the conflicting web information about the I-864 vs the I-134. Maybe your answer addressed my question too, and I'm just too dim to understand, mind spelling it out for me? ....

Bill

[TucsonBill 0]

Yodrak,

As I think I may be getting close to my NOA2 for my I-129F I am trying to understand what I need to do for my next step. If understand correctly, the NOA2 is actually a I-797. When I go and look at the contents of packet 3, that goes out after the NOA2 I found this page:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa...0for%20Thai.htm

This page says I-134 is the financial affidavit to be used.

As I dig a little deeper into the FAQ section, I find this page:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa/ivfaq.htm

--- Quote---:

Q: What happens after I’ve received an I-797 Notice of Approval from USCIS?

It’s a multi-step process.

First, USCIS forwards the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth, NH.

Then, NVC sends out an application instructions packet (Packet 3) directly to the petitioner for immigrant visa cases.

Next, the petitioner must complete the required I-864 and pay the fee. (Only then does NVC forward the case to the Immigrant Visa Unit in Bangkok. It takes an average of 2-4 weeks for cases to arrive for processing in the Immigrant Visa Unit.)

--- End Quote ----

Now, this answer does go on to say that the process is a little different for nonimmigrant visas, but it does not talk about any differences in the financial affidavit. I'm just wondering which one is correct, the I-134 or the I-864? I had come to beleive that the I-864 was something we did at the AOS process after we were already married.

I'm just trying to get clarification.

This next step is really confusing me.

Thanks,

Bill

[Yodrak 7]

Bill,

As I wrote in my previous post, "Keep in mind always that the K visas are non-immigrant visas even though they are processed by IV posts." The 2nd page that you reference is about immigrant visas.

I gave e_b_d what I believe to be the correct answer. The web pages give the same answer. But we may both be wrong - it's happened. If you want stronger assurances or better information than you can find on the internet you want to have a consultation with an immigration attorney who is familiar with the IV unit in Bangkok.

Yodrak

Yodrak,

As I think I may be getting close to my NOA2 for my I-129F I am trying to understand what I need to do for my next step. If understand correctly, the NOA2 is actually a I-797. When I go and look at the contents of packet 3, that goes out after the NOA2 I found this page:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa...0for%20Thai.htm

This page says I-134 is the financial affidavit to be used.

As I dig a little deeper into the FAQ section, I find this page:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa/ivfaq.htm

....

Now, this answer does go on to say that the process is a little different for nonimmigrant visas, but it does not talk about any differences in the financial affidavit. I'm just wondering which one is correct, the I-134 or the I-864? I had come to beleive that the I-864 was something we did at the AOS process after we were already married.

I'm just trying to get clarification.

This next step is really confusing me.

Thanks,

Bill

Edited October 9, 2006 by Yodrak

[dbirner 0]

For the K1 you will need the I-134 not the 864. After New Hampshire receives your file, they will then forward it to BKK. At that time you will be able to get your packet 3. I know things have changed a little now, but you used to be able to go to the embassy and pick it up, but I think now you have to have them semd it to you snail mail.

[TucsonBill 0]

For the K1 you will need the I-134 not the 864. After New Hampshire receives your file, they will then forward it to BKK. At that time you will be able to get your packet 3. I know things have changed a little now, but you used to be able to go to the embassy and pick it up, but I think now you have to have them semd it to you snail mail.

Since you can download the forms off of the BKK Embassy website, why do you have to wait for the packet? Can't we go ahead and start completing the necessary forms in advance?

Bill

[malydon 0]

For the K1 you will need the I-134 not the 864. After New Hampshire receives your file, they will then forward it to BKK. At that time you will be able to get your packet 3. I know things have changed a little now, but you used to be able to go to the embassy and pick it up, but I think now you have to have them semd it to you snail mail.

Since you can download the forms off of the BKK Embassy website, why do you have to wait for the packet? Can't we go ahead and start completing the necessary forms in advance?

Bill

Yes you can. If you can download it off the Embassy Web site then you can fill it out in advance. We never actually received the Packet 3, it has happened to others also. We just waited a period of time and sent it in to the Embassy when we were reasonably sure they had our case.

Mike

[TucsonBill 0]

For the K1 you will need the I-134 not the 864. After New Hampshire receives your file, they will then forward it to BKK. At that time you will be able to get your packet 3. I know things have changed a little now, but you used to be able to go to the embassy and pick it up, but I think now you have to have them semd it to you snail mail.

Since you can download the forms off of the BKK Embassy website, why do you have to wait for the packet? Can't we go ahead and start completing the necessary forms in advance?

Bill

Yes you can. If you can download it off the Embassy Web site then you can fill it out in advance. We never actually received the Packet 3, it has happened to others also. We just waited a period of time and sent it in to the Embassy when we were reasonably sure they had our case.

Mike

WOW! This is really great information to know, THANKS!

[e_b_d 0]

Thanks to Bill for the BKK embassy website links, I had been on there but somehow missed those very important pages. Thanks to Yodrak also for good information.

I have another question and am glad we have this community where I can ask Thailand-specific questions. Where it asks on various forms (G325A etc) for address (number and street), we can use the house number and neighborhood (Moo) number right? That's what we use for mail and we don't know the names of some streets, especially for the former residences and former employers. For example:

Number and street: 55/129 Moo 12, Tambon Sansai Noi

City: A. Sansai

State/province: Chiang Mai

Country: Thailand

I just want to be sure there's no problems on the forms, I'm sure you all understand that!

Thanks

Erin