Paul_Light

9 hours ago, OldUser said:

Great ! You can use it for sure. If you're thinking of travelling, consider renewing it in October-November this year. Many countries require 6+ months validity to use it for entry.

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

20 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Typically unexpired US passport is acceptable proof of citizenship. In very rare cases, you may be asked for other proof such as certificate of citizenship. You only need 1 doc from the list. It's still good to think about replacing certificate of citizenship in the future.

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.

21 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Do you have a solid job offer requiring you to move back to the US soon?  DCF at US consulates is only accepted under exceptional circumstances (immediate need for the USC to repatriate being one of the common reasons).  That being said, you actually have to be married first which I understand is going to happen soon, then you need a solid job offer requiring your need to repatriate, then you contact the consulate requesting they accept the I130 filing.  This is the fastest way, and she will enter with a GC if the consulate accepts your filing.  If that works for you, it is your best option, then I would plan to stay for 4-5 years allowing her to naturalize, and once that is complete you can come as go as you please.

 

Good Luck!

Thanks.

We are planning on getting married next Monday.

I can get a job offer letter, yes.

20 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

Best option in your situation is contact the US consulate where you live and request a spousal visa via DCF (direct consular filing) with a written job offer in the US for you.  Of course you'll need to get married first.  If that route is not accepted, just stay where you are.  Even a B2 could be difficult for her, given her relationship with a US citizen--immigrant intent would be assumed, and even if that works out, she could only stay in the US for six months maximum.

Thank you.

That's exactly what I did.

Correct.

Work authorization NOT required.

She will NOT be working.

2 hours ago, smilingstone said:

 

It would be either student or employment visas. Both very difficult to get in the current climate. 

 

Honestly, if it were me and I was so adamant to not be apart from my partner, and if they were so adamant to not work, I would just remain in Thailand. 

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.

4 hours ago, smilingstone said:

 

You mean what if she openly abused the condition of the visa? Not reccomended. 

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.

5 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

There's no temp visa for spouses of USC's, so it would have to be a full immigrant visa application if based off your status. Assuming the job can't wait until you get one of those for her, which will take at least 18 months, then she'd need to look at her own visa independent of yours i.e. employment based. What does she do?

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.

Have as much evidence that you and your wife had a good marriage, bills in both names, insurance, lease, car titles, life insurance, medical insurance, bank statments for account in both names, pictures. And I know for a fact that the officer is going to ask you why you are/were seperated (I hope you get back together because if you don't, you have a higher chance to be denied). My aunt went through the same thing, her husband gave her hell and than he moved out before interview, but he went with her to the interview. Thank God that they lived together at that time. But the husband told the officer that it was an anger moment and all couple could go through that and he prooved that their marriage is real. So have a good reason and have your wife go with you, without her you can't get approved. Good luck

Thanks for the replies.

The way things are now with my wife if I take her to the interview she's likely to say that I married her to get the visa, just to twist the knife.

I don't think that her being there will help at all.

Paul

Hi guys,

In October 2012 I moved into an apartment, without my wife.

I was still waiting to hear about my removal of conditions, my visa had expired.

I went to my local USCIS office and told them I was concerned that I had heard anything, they stamped my passport for 12 months.

I changed my address online.

Today my wife gave me a letter from USCIS that requires us to go for an interview in 3 weeks to prove that we are married.

What do I do? We are not divorced, just separated, for now.

Yours concerned

Paul

Reply to the RFE, you might luck out and get approved without an interview.

If divorce is filed and you are assigned an interview date then at the interview you can request they change your filing to divorced and request the divorce waiver. You'll be RFE'd for the divorce decree but can still remove conditions without her.

Don't let her use your immigration status to bully you but do try to get the threat/promise in writing as it would come in handy in the divorce.

"Reply to the RFE, you might luck out and get approved without an interview"

I thought about doing that but it didn't seem the right thing to do.

Paul

Can the marriage be saved? Can you guys go to counseling?

I've suggested this several times. She says that she wants out of the marriage.

All I think about is work etc. etc. etc. It's not like it was in the beginning etc. etc. etc.

Paul

Hi guys,

Well, after jumping through many, many hoops with immigration, finding work etc. etc. my wife has decided that she wants a divorce.

I filed for removal of conditions in November 2011 and, approximately, 6 weeks a ago I received a letter requesting more evidence and that I had until October 2012 to comply. My lovely wife said that she would help fill out the form IF I signed over the house to her so that I can stay here.

It is my understanding that, provided the marriage was entered into in good faith, then I should be O.K. to stay here.

Any ideas as to what I do now as far as "paperwork"?

Official divorce proceedings have not been started, yet.

Thanks

Paul

I am not sure what a permanent resident visa is. Do you mean a conditional green card? If you wish to divorce and wish to stay you can do so with a divorce waiver.

Sorry, it's a Permanent Resident Card.

For some reason I'm not thinking straight this morning, can't imagine why.

Hi guys,

It's been a while.

We were married in June 2009 and things aren't going that great.

What are my options? I have a job and can support myself here in the U.S.

My temporary "PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA" expired November 2011 and I have had the fingerprints taken for the next part of the process.

Any ideas?

Paul

Hi

I had the fingerprints and photo taken today, 1 step closer.

Question, can I study for a Real Estate license whilst waiting for Employment Authorization?

Paul

Hi

I have my appt. at 1.00 p.m. today.

Can my wife come with me?

Will I be able to ask questions / receive an update on my case?

Thanks

Paul

Hi C/S

I know how you feel. I was in EXACTLY the same situation in early 2006. I met Renee on January 4th in a hotel in Cancun, flew to Dallas for Valentines Day and spent 3 weeks there. Flew home to the U.K. April 2006 she visited me and we went to Florence, my mind was made up. June 2006 I sold everything I had in the U.K. and turned up with just 2 suitcases. I discovered that the U.S. really only like you to stay a total of 3 months within a year. Well, my time "ran out". I decided to move to Mexico so that we would be closer, Renee is from Dallas. We applied for a K1 in the U.K., I flew back for my medical BUT had to make another trip for the interview. We missed the date by about 2 weeks. Then we filed again with me being a Mexican resident.

That's the short version. 3 years later, MANY flights from Dallas to Cancun and Cancun to Dallas, $$$$$ spent filing papers etc., not to mention the flights. We were married on June 13, 2009. We bought a new home just 3 days ago. Today I have my biometrics test. Hopefully, I'll be able to work in September/October after being here since the end of March 2009.

It just takes time. I know it's difficult. If I would have had the option to pay $20,000 to have it done quicker I would have done.

Hang on in there.

Paul

I sent a COMPLETE copy of my passport.

But did you send a copy of your I-94?

Sorry K1 Visa.

And, yes, a copy of everything in the passport. Every page, including the I-94.

Paul

Hi y'all

Today I received a Request for Initial Evidence

1. Evidence of your lawful admission or parole into the United States. Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, or a copy of the nonimmigrant visa page of your passport showing admission to the United States.

I sent a COMPLETE copy of my passport.

I'm frustrated because I tried to call USCIS and got the automated system that won't let me talk to anybody.

Does anyone have a number other than 1 800 375 5283?

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul

Hi

I'm very excited. Received my biometrics interview date (22 August 2009).

When do y'all think I can start looking for work?

Paul

Hi

I've been told twice at the immigration office whilst on an INFOPASS appointment not to even apply for work until I receive the work authorization. Very frustrating. But ALL the forms are in Chicago now so I'll just have to be patient.

Paul

Hello all,

I really hope your visa journies are going well, and all that are still awaiting to be approved at any stage are!

I have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them:

I am a K1er and I have just applied for my EAD (when I say just I mean when I got married I did it straight away) I got my NOA from that saying they would be in touch to send me an appointment for biometrics.

Weirdly I checked online and on the 6th July the USCIS said they sent me a letter saying that they approved my I765 APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION. However I haven't received the letter yet and have as of yet not been able to talk to a human rep about this.

From people's experience, does this mean I can start looking for jobs? of course I can't work until I have my EAD in hand but would it harm things at this stage to start sending my resume to interested parties (I have a few people chomping at the bits for me to send my resume).

Also what happened to the biometrics interview? can these be waived?

thanks muchly in advance and good luck to all those foriegn job hunters out there! and for that matter any US job hunters out there!

Since April 2009 I have visited my local USCIS office twice and they have been very clear. Do not even look until you receive authorization. I was told that, if I did and was found out, they could deport me even though I'm now married to a U.S. citizen. Crazy.

Paul