Paul_Light

Our instructions were a little different. No mention of the 60 days. And I was specifically asked not to scan and upload any documents because it's a paper-based application. I ended up creating a placeholder number in order for us to get to the appointment booking screen. I did this because the CEAC system kept crashing, I wondered if it was doing this because it was expecting an application from us. No way of checking that. So, medical and embassy appointments are booked. I did run the scenario through ChatGPT that responded with for some DCF cases the embassy will sometimes conduct a manual DS-260 at the interview. I do have copies of my emails and messages that requested assistance during the past week. Fingers crossed.

Hi I've tried to remove the photo but it didn't work. Back to the problem. We are applying for a CR1 visa via Direct Consular Filing with the embassy in Bangkok. My first interview was to determine if the embassy would accept our case and I-130. They did approve it and I paid the $675. I was told during the interview that it was a paper-based case and NOT to upload any documents to the online visa system. And, that I would receive an email with instructions later that week. We did receive the email last Friday which requests that my wife set up a medical and visa interview at the embassy. We will have to travel to Bangkok 2 more times. (1 hour drive and 1 hour flight). The hospital will not book the medical without evidence of the embassy appointment. We couldn't make the appointment for a few days; it appears that the visa computer system wasn't working properly. Now we can make the appointment but we're "stuck" when it asks for the DS-260 number. We've never been asked to complete the DS-260. The visa call center doesn't appear to know what Direct Consular Filing is and they keep referring to the National Visa Center. When you call the embassy, they give you 2 options. 1. Call the visa call center or 2. Send an email. So far, we've probably sent 10 emails and called another 10 times. We just keep going around in circles. My wife wants to fly to Bangkok, turn up at the embassy and demand to be seen. I told her that probably wouldn't work. I'm due to start my new job on December 1 2025. This is the most frustrated that I've been in years. Any suggestions? Paul

No, it's not on the appointment confirmation.

Hi I know that this is a long shot. Does anyone have a contact at the U.S. Embassy to Bangkok? We've spent the last week emailing and calling the visa "helpline". They don't appear to understand our case. I'm stuck in a loop and all I need to do is book an appointment. We've never been given our DS-260 number and the system won't let us move forward. Thanks

Hi everyone, We have an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok in September to file the I-130 and I-130a. Does anybody have a list for the documents required for the initial I-130 submission and interview when applying via DCF in Bangkok? I'll have the job offer letter, the I-130 and I-130a, photographs, translated marriage certificate and divorce papers What else do we need? Thank you.

Thank you. With the help of a strong magnifying glass we retrieved the number. 😀

Hi, I'm preparing our I-130 for our upcoming interview for DCF in Bangkok. I'm a naturalized U.S. citizen. How do I respond to question 38 if I'm unable find my original certificate of naturalization. It's $555 for a duplicate. Do I need it if I hold a current U.S. passport? If I don't need it how do I answer the question?

I’ll probably use my passport to enter the U.S. in December 2025 and then renew once in situ.

Thank you. The document isn't very clear. My U.S. passport is good until April 2026. 😀

UPDATE The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok has accepted that we can file the I-130 there in person. I’ve read the instructions several times already. It’s a flight and overnight stay for us so I want to make sure that we have everything. Plus the $675 filing fee. As far as I can tell we will need to supply : 1. Translated copy of our new marriage certificate. 2. Translated copy of my wife’s previous divorce. As far as my evidence of U.S. citizenship will a copy of my U.S. passport (D on the list) suffice? I have no idea where my certificate of citizenship issued my USCIS is. It’s not clear if it’s enough to provide 1 document on the list. Thank you.

Thanks. We are planning on getting married next Monday. I can get a job offer letter, yes.

Thank you. That's exactly what I did.

Correct. Work authorization NOT required. She will NOT be working.

I just thought that it would be fun to show her around and also make a little money for a year or two. I quit working at 54 years old and I'm curious how I would handle going back after 3 years. Like many, I just with that the visa process wasn't so complex, lengthy and expensive. It's not like we intend on living in Texas for a long time.

I understand. What would be your recommendation for someone that wanted to remain in the U.S. for a 2 year period? Again, not working.

Thank you for your fast response. She doesn’t want to do anything. 😀 Literally just be at the rented condo when I get home from work. I’d like to go back to work at the end of November 2025 for 6 months minimum or 2 years maximum. What if she did a B2 visitor visa and we took a short trip to Mexico every 6 months?

Hi everyone, I’m a U.S. citizen living in Thailand with my Thai partner (we are actually planning on getting married next week). I have the opportunity to go back to the U.S. to work for a couple of years. i would really like her to come with me, probably a deal breaker if she cannot. What type of visa should we apply for? It’s for 2 years. She does not want to work or remain in the U.S. We have a home and family here in Thailand. Thank you.