Future Mother - in -law visiting US?

[skylane 6]

In final stages of K-1 process.

We would like my Thai fiancées mother to attend our US wedding ceremony. Is this just a pipe dream?

We are talking about a tourist visa or whatever appropriate non-immigrant visa would apply. Her family has limited means, and she doesn't speak English.

Is it unlikely that she can ever visit the US? Wedding ceremony aside?

What's the low down on this?

TIA

[Chris921 13]

shouldn't be any trouble if you apply for the visa, my mum came to my wedding under the VWP wihout trouble, just as long as she is upfront with the officials she should be ok

[nenooye 8]

nope..i had my mom came to my wedding from indonesia..she came with me on her visa tourist (b2) and me on fiance visa..my fiance at that time he wrote an invitation letter explaining the plan she will have in US, such as wedding (explain the wedding date) and camping and visit parents inlaw..just make sure she has something to proof that she will come back to her country for example letter of employment, house paperwork, mortgage, or any infestation she has...

and my mom cannot speak english..only broken english..and thats not a big problem because people who work in embassy usually has to master local language..I made a conversation guideline for my mom, and we practice on interview too.. so she is not so nervous

[xxxwabbiexxx 70]

VWP is only available to 36 countries Thailand isn't one of them. Everything I'm going to write is just what I've picked up from other post, I have no specific knowledge or expertise.

First off, you say you're in the final stages of the K1 yes, well then I would move quickly to try and get the visa for the mother in law because I'm not sure how long tourist visa's or non-immigrant visa's take to process in Thailand - don't forget you're on a tight schedule once your fiance arrives. Put together a fantastic application, include everything and more.

There's no harm in trying for it, the worst that can happen is a no - for any future applications she will have to declare and past denied applications though.

Her having limited means may/will cause problems I believe, even though I'm sure it doesn't matter to you and that you would take care of her, it matters when it comes to visiting America (and the UK for that matter) because, unlike the K1 visa, she need proof that she won't be a burden on America and that she can take care of and support herself, it doesn't matter that you can support her. She needs to show that she has ties to Thailand and that she won't use the tourist visa to remain in America.

Not sure about the language thing, its always good to have the basic's in my opinion but I can't see them justifying a denial for a tourist visa because of language - just a guess though!! You could always help with the basics for when she arrives at the airport.

I wouldn't say its impossible that she'll never come, its just a case of putting together a good package and case for obtaining a visa. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much just yet that she'll be at the wedding. purely because it would be better to think she's not coming and then she can, that to plan for her to come and then she can't.

If she can't make it to the wedding, there's no harm in going ahead and then in saving loads of money over the next 2 years, and then when the conditions are lift going to Thailand have having a small/big party. (depending on the size of the friends and family over there)

Or if she can't make it to the wedding because she can't get a visa in time, go ahead and try and get her the visa and if she get it, then she can just come for a holiday later on.

You're going to hurt, upset and offend people though the visa process, its not nice for family and friends in the beneficiaries country, but just remember, all that matters is that you're both happy!

[skylane 6]

We are probably at least 3 months from the wedding as we are awaiting my fiancées interview.

We plan on going back to Thailand to have her Thai ceremony when my fiancée is able to reenter the US, but want her mother to be involved in both ceremonies. This is my fiancées special day and I want to attend to her wishes.

I would expect that I will finance the trip, and maybe even get find someone to work with her on some English, or maybe hire someone to escort her through the airports.

So maybe this isn't an impossible goal.

[xxxwabbiexxx 70]

Definitely isn't impossible just put everything together as professionally as possible, and as nenooye has been there take their advise on board.

[skylane 6]

nope..i had my mom came to my wedding from indonesia..she came with me on her visa tourist (b2) and me on fiance visa..my fiance at that time he wrote an invitation letter explaining the plan she will have in US, such as wedding (explain the wedding date) and camping and visit parents inlaw..just make sure she has something to proof that she will come back to her country for example letter of employment, house paperwork, mortgage, or any infestation she has...

and my mom cannot speak english..only broken english..and thats not a big problem because people who work in embassy usually has to master local language..I made a conversation guideline for my mom, and we practice on interview too.. so she is not so nervous

I believe she will have house paperwork, and she has 2 sons.

How will she be addressed at the US POE?

[Ning 619]

We are probably at least 3 months from the wedding as we are awaiting my fiancées interview.

We plan on going back to Thailand to have her Thai ceremony when my fiancée is able to reenter the US, but want her mother to be involved in both ceremonies. This is my fiancées special day and I want to attend to her wishes.

I would expect that I will finance the trip, and maybe even get find someone to work with her on some English, or maybe hire someone to escort her through the airports.

So maybe this isn't an impossible goal.

While I am sure everyone means well you need to understand the unique situation that occures in Thailand. Tourist visas are very hard to come by. There has been very high fraud activity related to Thailand. Indonesia is not Thailand.

Each case is decided on its own merits. USCIS views each person with a visa as an intending immigrant. They use the " strongest ties" rule to determin the case.

She must be ready to express why she MUST return. In Thailand its best to do this in written form because these cases are usually decided before the interview based on what ever is submitted.

A female her age has a good chance if the case is prepared well. Dont leave anything to chance. Help her think over what would compel her to absolutly have to return. Job, house, family, culture,language ect. The fact that her reason for going is to attend a wedding will help but will not really influence the officer as you might think. But it is the truth. Make sure its clear how long she will need to stay. The actual time is set at the POE but it is part of the application.

The only way to ever know is to pay the fee & step up to the window. These things are always so subjective. She will interview & it will be done in Thai to accomadate her. Tell her its ok to be nervouse but try to relax. The embassy is good at this & knows how they feel.

The language problem is only in the minds of people that havnt experianced these things. This will not be a problem at any point if her trip. Once she boards the plane she will find the air hostesses speak Thai. Other on the plane speak Thai. In all airports there are people waiting at the correct points to guide her if she needs it. She will have no problem as long as she follows the crowd or simply asks the airport staff for help. Her boarding pass is all she needs.

At the POE she will be taken care of as required to get her through the process. She will need help finding her bags but again there are people right there to do just that. The thru customs which is no real problem.

[skylane 6]

Thanks for everyone's input on this, thank you Ning, you always bring the "Thai" perspective to these discussions.

She is married, owns a home, has 2 sons, and has a farm in the Isaan region. Hopefully these things are enough to show her anchors to Thailand... not to mention my fiancée and I have no interest in jeopardizing her compliance with our immigration laws and path to citizenship.

I guess in the end you have to take your swing at bat. If you don't try the answer is most certainly "No"!

[Ning 619]

Thanks for everyone's input on this, thank you Ning, you always bring the "Thai" perspective to these discussions.

She is married, owns a home, has 2 sons, and has a farm in the Isaan region. Hopefully these things are enough to show her anchors to Thailand... not to mention my fiancée and I have no interest in jeopardizing her compliance with our immigration laws and path to citizenship.

I guess in the end you have to take your swing at bat. If you don't try the answer is most certainly "No"!

I think she has a good chance based on what you say. I would suggest you,the USC, write a letter in English to express her ties to Thailand. The officer is required to read anything submitted. The Thai staff tries but if you do it in English for her it will be read by the American officer. This is where these cases are decided not at the interview.

I would include all the things you said here. I would also indicate why she has no desire to remain in the USA after a resonable stay. Also tell them your intention to have her come back some day & that everyone understands if this visa is used correctly it will help her obtain another. Nothing wrong with saying you will provide the funds for her trip but be careful of going too far & making it sound like you are fully supporting her.

My husband & I learned a lot during the 3 denials we suffered thru. At that time the USC was allowed inside so my husband was able to speak to the officers enough to learn something about this. Our case wasnt anything like yours but the procedure is the same. It was those denials that led my husband to change our lives & bring my daughter & myself here so we are actually happy they denied the tourist visas.

[SSr2 0]

Just to add from what I've seen and experienced, owning land in Thailand shows strong ties to the country. My relatives in Thailand that own land were able to get B2 Visas, but relatives that did not were not able to (renting a condo or apartment). I can't say that this is true for all cases, but just from what has happened with my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

[Boiler 45,657]

Does it matter.

Either she gets a visa or does not, it seems to have no effect on your plans.

[Casprd 167]

Does it matter.

Either she gets a visa or does not, it seems to have no effect on your plans.

Of course it matters. Yes the K-1 visa and wedding will go ahead, but it certainly matters to the future bride if her mother is there and as the OP says, it is her day so he is trying to accommodate everything she wants for the wedding plans.

[Boiler 45,657]

She wants to visit.

She can only do so by obtaining a visa.

If the thread is about how nice it would be if she gets one it should be in Off Topic.