Tourist Visas Approved!

[reach449 2]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

It has been quite a while since I have been here, but I thought I would write about our experience trying to get Tourist Visas for my Mom, Dad, and Brother-in-Laws.

We started all the paperwork early this year and got our appointment, but ended up having to cancel it because of the riots in Bangkok. However we rescheduled it and got an appointment the last week of June. WE SENT EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF; photos, IRS returns, ID's and my in laws had a lot of paperwork. They took their title of the small house they owned and bank statements. My brother was unemployed at the age of 38. I also wrote a great letter, (in my opinion), to invite them all to visit.

Well, to make a long story short, they traveled from Central Thailand in the wee hours of the morning to make their 8:00am appointment. They turned in their package with all the photos and forms and the girl at the embassy window gave everything back except the letter I wrote. They were called in for their interview a few minutes late and sat down with the embassy official, which was an american that spoke fluent Thai. The only paperwork that the interviewer had in front of her was my letter; everthing else as I said, was given back to my in-laws earlier.

What happened next was weird. They never even talked to my mother and father-in-law. They only asked questions to my brother-in-law. Apparently he did not answer the questions correctly and he was given his passport back, while they kept my parent-in-law's passport. My brother-in-law was disaproved and my parents-in-laws was approved.

Just a few days later, (today), my parents got their passports back with a 10 year Tourist Visa! My wife and I are so happy! We wish my brother was approved, but he was unemployed. My parents were retired and in their 60's and 70's.

We hope to bring them here in November of this year or later in February of next year.

I hope everyone has the luck that we did and I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, feel free to respond.

Thanks for listening,

Reach449

[daboyz 36]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

It has been quite a while since I have been here, but I thought I would write about our experience trying to get Tourist Visas for my Mom, Dad, and Brother-in-Laws.

We started all the paperwork early this year and got our appointment, but ended up having to cancel it because of the riots in Bangkok. However we rescheduled it and got an appointment the last week of June. WE SENT EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF; photos, IRS returns, ID's and my in laws had a lot of paperwork. They took their title of the small house they owned and bank statements. My brother was unemployed at the age of 38. I also wrote a great letter, (in my opinion), to invite them all to visit.

Well, to make a long story short, they traveled from Central Thailand in the wee hours of the morning to make their 8:00am appointment. They turned in their package with all the photos and forms and the girl at the embassy window gave everything back except the letter I wrote. They were called in for their interview a few minutes late and sat down with the embassy official, which was an american that spoke fluent Thai. The only paperwork that the interviewer had in front of her was my letter; everthing else as I said, was given back to my in-laws earlier.

What happened next was weird. They never even talked to my mother and father-in-law. They only asked questions to my brother-in-law. Apparently he did not answer the questions correctly and he was given his passport back, while they kept my parent-in-law's passport. My brother-in-law was disaproved and my parents-in-laws was approved.

Just a few days later, (today), my parents got their passports back with a 10 year Tourist Visa! My wife and I are so happy! We wish my brother was approved, but he was unemployed. My parents were retired and in their 60's and 70's.

We hope to bring them here in November of this year or later in February of next year.

I hope everyone has the luck that we did and I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, feel free to respond.

Thanks for listening,

Reach449

Very interesting. I thought about bringing my wife's parents here for a visit. I never thought they could get a visa. They have a house and 7 rai in Sisaket, so sounds like it might be a possibility. Thanks for the post.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Very interesting. My MIL is applying in a few months too. It seems like a real ####### shoot in Ukraine.

[rsn 135]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

It has been quite a while since I have been here, but I thought I would write about our experience trying to get Tourist Visas for my Mom, Dad, and Brother-in-Laws.

We started all the paperwork early this year and got our appointment, but ended up having to cancel it because of the riots in Bangkok. However we rescheduled it and got an appointment the last week of June. WE SENT EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF; photos, IRS returns, ID's and my in laws had a lot of paperwork. They took their title of the small house they owned and bank statements. My brother was unemployed at the age of 38. I also wrote a great letter, (in my opinion), to invite them all to visit.

Well, to make a long story short, they traveled from Central Thailand in the wee hours of the morning to make their 8:00am appointment. They turned in their package with all the photos and forms and the girl at the embassy window gave everything back except the letter I wrote. They were called in for their interview a few minutes late and sat down with the embassy official, which was an american that spoke fluent Thai. The only paperwork that the interviewer had in front of her was my letter; everthing else as I said, was given back to my in-laws earlier.

What happened next was weird. They never even talked to my mother and father-in-law. They only asked questions to my brother-in-law. Apparently he did not answer the questions correctly and he was given his passport back, while they kept my parent-in-law's passport. My brother-in-law was disaproved and my parents-in-laws was approved.

Just a few days later, (today), my parents got their passports back with a 10 year Tourist Visa! My wife and I are so happy! We wish my brother was approved, but he was unemployed. My parents were retired and in their 60's and 70's.

We hope to bring them here in November of this year or later in February of next year.

I hope everyone has the luck that we did and I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, feel free to respond.

Thanks for listening,

Reach449

It seems like this is always a hit-or-miss situation. I've talked to people who have secured tourist visas for relatives who have very little income and a low-paying job. It seems like a letter from a USC and/or LPR truly helps, as this appears to be a common theme in many of the approved B2 visa apps. We are going to attempt to obtain a B2 for my wife's mom soon and plan on including a letter from us and a letter from my wife's sister and BIL (at least) to show ties to Thailand.

[thongd4me 69]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

It has been quite a while since I have been here, but I thought I would write about our experience trying to get Tourist Visas for my Mom, Dad, and Brother-in-Laws.

We started all the paperwork early this year and got our appointment, but ended up having to cancel it because of the riots in Bangkok. However we rescheduled it and got an appointment the last week of June. WE SENT EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF; photos, IRS returns, ID's and my in laws had a lot of paperwork. They took their title of the small house they owned and bank statements. My brother was unemployed at the age of 38. I also wrote a great letter, (in my opinion), to invite them all to visit.

Well, to make a long story short, they traveled from Central Thailand in the wee hours of the morning to make their 8:00am appointment. They turned in their package with all the photos and forms and the girl at the embassy window gave everything back except the letter I wrote. They were called in for their interview a few minutes late and sat down with the embassy official, which was an american that spoke fluent Thai. The only paperwork that the interviewer had in front of her was my letter; everthing else as I said, was given back to my in-laws earlier.

What happened next was weird. They never even talked to my mother and father-in-law. They only asked questions to my brother-in-law. Apparently he did not answer the questions correctly and he was given his passport back, while they kept my parent-in-law's passport. My brother-in-law was disaproved and my parents-in-laws was approved.

Just a few days later, (today), my parents got their passports back with a 10 year Tourist Visa! My wife and I are so happy! We wish my brother was approved, but he was unemployed. My parents were retired and in their 60's and 70's.

We hope to bring them here in November of this year or later in February of next year.

I hope everyone has the luck that we did and I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, feel free to respond.

Thanks for listening,

Reach449

Congrats on the TVs.

My stepson who graduated from Chula U. on July 8 may want to come next year.

An awesome career with the Nestlé corporation would be his reason for returning,

so I hope it won't be too much of a hassle. With aged parents it's usually not

so hard, they are happy to get home after visiting.

My brother and his family just returned yesterday from an awesome 2 weeks in Austria.

If Americans had to show the deeds for their houses to do a little foreign travel, there

would be a lot of empty planes out there.

[thongd4me 69]

How does a 10-year tourist visa work?

Is it 10 years of multiple entries of under X months each?

[reach449 2]

How does a 10-year tourist visa work?

Is it 10 years of multiple entries of under X months each?

I haven't asked my inlaws how long the visits can be, (it is stated on the VISA itself), but they are usually for up to many months at a time and many visits as you want during the ten years. You are essentially cleared to visit as much as you like withing the next 10 years. I will know more when I talk to them and ask them the limitations. I will post when I find out.

Reach449

[reach449 2]

Congrats on the TVs.

My stepson who graduated from Chula U. on July 8 may want to come next year.

An awesome career with the Nestlé corporation would be his reason for returning,

so I hope it won't be too much of a hassle. With aged parents it's usually not

so hard, they are happy to get home after visiting.

My brother and his family just returned yesterday from an awesome 2 weeks in Austria.

If Americans had to show the deeds for their houses to do a little foreign travel, there

would be a lot of empty planes out there.

If your stepson has a good career with Nestle in Thailand and is established with them; it will be easy for him to get a Tourist Visa. My wife had a good career and she could have got one if she needed, as her business would write a letter and endorse her. Many of her fellow female/male co-workers came to the USA to visit. She worked in the Pharaceutical Business as a rep and salesperson.

Reach449

[thongd4me 69]

If your stepson has a good career with Nestle in Thailand and is established with them; it will be easy for him to get a Tourist Visa. My wife had a good career and she could have got one if she needed, as her business would write a letter and endorse her. Many of her fellow female/male co-workers came to the USA to visit. She worked in the Pharaceutical Business as a rep and salesperson.

Reach449

I figured as much but it's good to get some confirmation as my wife has mentioned it as a wish several times.

I didn't want to raise her hopes if there was not a firm expectation of a positive result. I just said I thought he

would be able to get a visa but we'll have to research it a bit more. His co-workers may be better sources of

info for what administrative steps he has to do to get an "endorsement" as you say. They make a bigger thing

of graduation ceremonies over there. I believe the school term was over in March while the ceremony took place

on July 8.

I haven't asked my inlaws how long the visits can be, (it is stated on the VISA itself), but they are usually for up to many months at a time and many visits as you want during the ten years. You are essentially cleared to visit as much as you like withing the next 10 years. I will know more when I talk to them and ask them the limitations. I will post when I find out.

Reach449

Thanks for the info

TD4Me

[Eddyy 5]

I have my interview on the 26th of July so I will tell you all how it went. I have all the documents(bank statements+payslips, work contract, invitation letter, round trip ticket, letter from my manager aproving my holiday, lease from my flat) so what happens happens:)

[Mitchamy 0]

Hi...

Can you give us an idea of what was the content of your letter? We are planning to invite my mother and sis in law next year.

[satraylor 0]

I haven't asked my inlaws how long the visits can be, (it is stated on the VISA itself), but they are usually for up to many months at a time and many visits as you want during the ten years. You are essentially cleared to visit as much as you like withing the next 10 years. I will know more when I talk to them and ask them the limitations. I will post when I find out.

Reach449

Be careful. A B-2 vias does not allow you to come and go from the United States as you please. If you take too many trips and spend too much time here you run the risk of having the officer at the airport determine that you are no longer a visitor but are really residing in the US. S/He will then void the visa and send you back. Also, remember that a visa is not an automatic entry into the US: you have to convince the airport officer each time that you are really a visitor and don't intend to work or study in the US. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but sometimes they are just in a bad mood and give you a hard time. Stephen Traylor Attorney at Law

[reach449 2]

Hi...

Can you give us an idea of what was the content of your letter? We are planning to invite my mother and sis in law next year.

Hi,

It is simply a letter inviting them to come visit you. You can add what ever you like that make the interviewer feel "more at ease" with approval. I am not the LPR, my wife is, however I wrote the letter. I explained that I would be responsible for their healthcare, sustenance and housing while they were visiting my wife and I. And most important, I promised to have them on an airplane back to Thailand at the end of their stay. I explained how important I feel that they be able to share the cultural differences here in the USA as I had shared when I visited Thailand. I also explained how I was welcomed into their home and I would like to return the favor. The letter was only a page with all the headings and stuff.

I am a Veteren of the USAF and I metioned that. I don't know if that information helped and probably never will. If I can, next week when I am off of work I will try to post my letter here on this forum if I can figure out how to redac it and post it. I hope this helped.

Reach449

Edited July 15, 2010 by reach449

[reach449 2]

Be careful. A B-2 vias does not allow you to come and go from the United States as you please. If you take too many trips and spend too much time here you run the risk of having the officer at the airport determine that you are no longer a visitor but are really residing in the US. S/He will then void the visa and send you back. Also, remember that a visa is not an automatic entry into the US: you have to convince the airport officer each time that you are really a visitor and don't intend to work or study in the US. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but sometimes they are just in a bad mood and give you a hard time. Stephen Traylor Attorney at Law

Satraylor, (Attorney at Law),

I agree with almost everything you say, but don't be such a "spoil sport". Yes, a tourist can't be coming to visit ten times a year or stay six months at a time. I think most people here on VJ have enough smarts to realize points such as these that you mentioned. After all it is a Tourist Visa.....and yes the custom official determines the time of stay the visitor will have here and he can deny it. But like you said that rarely happens and as long as the Tourist are prepared for the entry, by letting customs know that they are only here for a few weeks visiting their relatives it really should be no problem. The people they send back, which is rare, are the ones that are hiding something or acting suspicious.

Reach449 (Aircraft Maintenance Technician)

[reach449 2]

I have my interview on the 26th of July so I will tell you all how it went. I have all the documents(bank statements+payslips, work contract, invitation letter, round trip ticket, letter from my manager aproving my holiday, lease from my flat) so what happens happens:)

Good Luck Eddyy! Be sure to let us know how it went. We here at VJ wish you the best!

Reach449