Tourist Visa to USA for Thai Wife...questions!

[Allen A Hale]

With a Green Card, a person is allowed to stay in the USA and to work in the USA. It is a step on the way that leads to citizenship. It is more expensive and takes much more time to obtain - IF the person qualifies to apply for one. Wives of US citizens or Resident Aliens qualify and do not have to wait to apply or worry about a quota. Everyone qualifies to apply for a Tourist Visa. The US Government will gladly accept your $119 USD and then reject your application because you did not convince the interviewer (strickly at the interviwer's discretion and can not be appealed) that you would return to your home when your Tourist Visa expires.

[writemotive]

Were you able to apply and receive a temporary permemant resident card "green card" in Thailand? Thanks.

[KHONDAHM]

What am I missing? If the wife goes with a 'Green Card', she can stay as long as she chooses to...may be forever. If she travels with a tourist Visa, it will be illegal to stay over the limit. Is the Green Card process complicated? Tourist Visa can be simpler?

The premise the State Department uses is completely different. As a tourist, the applicant must prove strong ties to Thailand sufficient enough to - in the opinion of the interviewer - NOT remain in the USA. As a green card applicant, the premise is already that the applicant WILL remain. The green card process looks to "prove" the person won't likely then become a burden or threat to society after they are admitted. Obviously, it is a flawed process on many levels.

Having successfully navigated both processes on behalf of my wife and daughter myself without assistance (really, there's no need to pay someone else), I think spouses and pre-teen children of a non-naturalized American spouse who have been demonstrably married and co-habitating for more than 2 years in another country should be given a much easier go at it.

At the very least, as in my case, if we decide to leave the USA for more than a year, I should not have to start the process from square one again. There should be some way to mothball the green card(s) until we decide to return to the USA. There is an extension option if the wife gives birth abroad (until the child is 2), but it is ridiculous that after having had a green card AND after having given birth to an American citizen, my wife (and underage daughter) can't simply hop on a plane with me and my son to go back and visit with friends and family who haven't yet met my son since he was born. Yes, I know she can easily qualify for a tourist visa. That's not the point. She should be able to keep the green card she was already issued.

That is just stupid and I hope proposed immigration reform fixes things like that...

[Allen A Hale]

Were you able to apply and receive a temporary permemant resident card "green card" in Thailand? Thanks.

There is no such thing that I am aware of. I will be applying very soon to extend my "Long Stay Visa" by reason of "Retirement" for Thailand for another year. It needs to be extended each year and I will also apply for Re-Entry Permit so that I do not have to start the process from square one when I return to Thailand from visits outside of the country.

[Shado]

Jim Styers, an Udon Thani resident, is very knowledgeable about USA visas. I know he has been a great help to some of the UM forum members including myself. He has an office in Bangkok and a home here in Udon. He spends most of his time here. I checked with him and he gave permission to post his email. [email protected]

He's a straight shooter and knows exactly what is required for all types of visas to the USA.

[Stantheman]

Were you able to apply and receive a temporary permemant resident card "green card" in Thailand? Thanks.

There is no such thing that I am aware of. I will be applying very soon to extend my "Long Stay Visa" by reason of "Retirement" for Thailand for another year. It needs to be extended each year and I will also apply for Re-Entry Permit so that I do not have to start the process from square one when I return to Thailand from visits outside of the country.

Allen, to clarify writemotive was talking about getting a 2 year U.S. green card for family member while still in Thailand. Some call it a temporary green card as applicant must apply for 10 year card later proving still eligable for permanant green card.

[writemotive]

Stantheman, That is correct, but after reading my post again I can see how it would be easy to confuse my question. Yes, I wanted to know (from the post above mine) if the applicant (Thai spouse) was able to apply for the "green card" in Thailand for the US. I was under the impression this could only be done from the states (unless military, etc.) after applying for and receiveing a spouse or fiance visa then start the process for the "green card" in country (USA). Thanks for any feedback.

[maaka]

sorry to cut across this thread again, but yo Muppet..me being an inquisitive sort of bloke, I contacted Canada Embassy Bnagkok, and ran the broad idea of an American man married to a Thai living in Thailand wanting to visit Canada as tourists for a family reunion..they came back and did not say it was impossible, the american did not need a visa and the wife would have to apply for a Temporary Resident visa, which is their name for a tourist visa..if you look at their website if outlines what hoops your wife would have to jump thru to get such visa, but it does not seem outside the realms of possibility....just thought I would let you know it is worth a go if you cannot find another solution re green card thingy..I guess Mexico is also a possibility, but abit far for your old dad to travel...

[muppet]

Thanks for that. I have looked at the Canada requirements. I'm still intent on re applying for US Visitor Visa.

[padthai69]

Thanks for sharing such helpful experiences. I also found this helpful website which has many US visa interview experiences. Feel free to check it out and if possible share your visa experience there too.

https://visatrack.co/