Basab

August 3, 2016

Very sorry to hear that. Did she apply for visitor B2 visa or was it K1 or 485 Adjustment of status. Which visa got denied ?

My wife of 5 years has been rejected twice.

She owns a house and property

She has money in the bank

We live where I can throw a stone and hit any number relatives, mother, brothers and sisters, etc.

She is nearing 50.

She works but does work for a number of companies on contract basis

I have been retired living here for 5 years.

The interview

The interviewer barely glances at the docs

question 1, asked in Thai "How do you spend money?" My wife answers in Thai " I don't understand what you mean." He goes to next question.

question 2 asked in English " Why does your husband like living in Thailand?" My wife answers as best she could, since she is not me.

Next he wants to see my passport, My wife gives him copies of all the pages. He says "No. I want to see the original". In Thailand the law states that all foreigners MUST have their passports with them at all times. I am out in front of the embassy since I am not allowed in for the interview, but he won't let her go and get it. REJECTED

March 19, 2016

You're calling her your girlfriend, so the K1 isn't the right visa. Its for people who are committed to getting married as soon as the immigrant arrives. They give you 90 days to make wedding plans, not to date and get to know one another.

Unfortunately, its very common for visitor visa denials. We as US citizens are privileged because we can generally travel anywhere we want in the world. Its not the case for people who want to visit here.

At this point she is not a fiance. She is just a girlfriend. So K-1 is not the right visa. I would visit her once more spend some time - take pictures etc. Then decide about K-1. Thank You.

She was correctly denied. she had no ties at all, really.

True.

OP: No one can truly tell you if a K1 is right for you. The larger question both of you need to consider is what any other couple must: is marriage right for us? Do I love this person enough to be married to them? Am I ready to marry? Am I ready to leave home and family behind to start a new life in a new country? If you can answer all of those questions without big issues cropping up then yes, marriage through this path is right for you.

If you feel that you need more together time, then you'll have to visit her, because she has no real other options.

Agree and I have to find that out myself.

Baron555 is absolutely correct. I've seen relationships like your many times on VJ since I was originally here in 2008

The money thing is not a good thing as in K1 Visas, but accepted with marriage visas.

Go visit her again, and see how it goes.

Best wishes on your journeys.

If she asked for money and I gave her money - then I have a bigger problem than Visa. She never ask for money. She spend her whole savings on me whatever little she had when I visited her. I give her because I feel good about it. She is poor. Me sending her money won't be part of the K-1 application.

Sending money is not a good idea and is definitely not evidence of a legitimate relationship.

It could work against you.

Why you think so ?

She was correctly denied a B2, she has no ties to home and the minute she mentioned boyfriend in their eyes gives her reason to not go home. There is nothing unfair about it. You should not be sending her money. You stated you that 5 months was not long enough to know if she wants to marry you and a K-1 visa is not an I need to get to know you better before we marry visa, it's a visa to get married. The obvious answer if you want to get to know her better is to take another trip to see her.

She did not mention boyfriend in the first application. She got denied which is a norm because she could not prove strong ties.

March 19, 2016

March 19, 2016

n

March 19, 2016

OP has only met her once, said himself far to early. Sending her money worries me, why?

I just choose to send money out of generosity. She do not want it and never asked for it. I probably would not give her any money had she asked for it, which would send me a wrong signal. Her family is poor and it makes me feel good to give her. She is very grateful. She just found a new job in a hotel as receptionist and was very excited.

It is indeed far too early which is why I want to visit her again before deciding on the K-1. Marrying someone is no joke.

Why do you think it was unfair?

While its the normal practice to deny B-2 visa unless she has strong ties with her native country, we thought it was unfair because all she wanted to do was visit me for two weeks. We mentioned in the application that she just needs a two week visa. I am busy here with a 2 businesses and a full time job. It will cost me way too much to visit Thailand. Bringing her to US would be cost effective. I have had many friends visit me from different countries and they never had a problem getting a tourist visa. I never intended for her to overstay. We had the funds and showed all proofs that she has ties to Thailand. So I thought it was unfair.

March 19, 2016

n

March 18, 2016

Basab,

Sorry for your situation, unfortunately they consider it very fair. As most others have said, strong ties to Thailand would allow her to travel. I am stationed in China for 2 1/2 year with a contract from my company and my wife got a tourist visa to the US denied last year. They told her they didn't think she would return. Talk about feeling things were not fair, did they think she would live in the US without me? lol

Start keeping things like all of your chat logs. Take pictures of your chat and make a folder of chat pictures. If you keep up with it daily it won't feel so big a task. It is a real pain to make pictures of 3 months of chat. So keep up with it as you go.

Keep all train, hotel, airline tickets as proof that you have spent time together. If you visit again, I suggest putting her name on the hotel reservation with yours. That way the bill will show both of your names. Do anything you can to show you have had as much contact as possible.

Take a lot of pictures together, and get them printed. Phones are not allowed into the interview, so you need it all printed out.

K1 is your best option, it is faster than getting married and doing a CR-1, and it does give you 90 days to live together in the US before you must be married or she goes back to Thailand. So, if you do a K1, you can take the first 60 days and then discuss it with her, heck, you should have a pretty good feel for each other after living together for 60+ days. Just remember, intercultural relationships involve a lot of compromise, and most of that will be on your end. She is after-all, leaving everything she knows behind. In my opinion that puts the burden on you to compromise to make her more comfortable in the US.

If you don't mind some suggestions of things to discuss up front. Talk to her about the dowry, you will most likely be asked to give money to her family, this is normal as I understand it, best to talk about it sooner than later. After that, ask her if she will expect you to send money monthly to her family back in Thailand after she moves to the US. This is a reoccurring theme on the forum if you take some time and read about it. It might sound callus of me, but keep your eyes open for red flags.

Thank You so much for your detailed answer. Very helpful. I am already sending her money every month. She never ask for it but I give her anyways. I am aware of the dowry things and not worried about that. You are not callus at all. She is not at all into money. Never asked me for anything. I do however get your point. K-1 will be what I choose. Maybe it will be a good idea if I visit her one more time. Good luck with your wife and her CR1

If you try to apply K1 Visa, I do not see any problem being denied unless you do not have proof for bonafide relationship. I have known people/friends who only been in the relationship for 3 months and got approved with K1 Visa. Nevertheless you got denied and you still want to pursue, visit her again in Thailand and marry her.

All the proofs you are together e.g. airline tickets, passport stamps, receipt, conversations, phone calls/bills, pictures with family and both of you together of course (with caption of date), proof of sending gifts or packages, etc must be shown either you are applying K1 or Spouse Visa.

Thank you. I would guess getting approved for Visa after marrying her would be harder than K-1 won't it. Plus I've only been with her for one week together even though we been talking long distance for 5 months. Good advise on keeping all proofs.

The US Consul is very well trained & they can only approved tourist visa if the applicant has a STRONG TIES in their country (example: permanent full time job, getting a good salary, profession, relatives & family, if you own a house, etc. The applicant have to convince the Consul that she has a strong reason why she would be back in Thailand.

I got denied for 3 times when I applied a tourist visa because as Consul said, my ties are not enough to prove that Im coming back in my country. I tried again for the 4th times because I got promoted in my job, salary increased & I was enrolled to school too) then finally I got a 10 year multiple visa entry. Also, another tip, NEVER EVER LIE to the Consul because they are expert to know when the applicant is lying.

About your K1 visa plan, don't rush it if you are not 100% sure about it. My fiancé and I are in a long distance relationship for 2 years but we managed to see each other every year and to work out the relationship, compromise & communication is one of the ingredients We applied for K1 and I just got approved yesterday If you are planning to apply for K1 visa, you have to make sure that you have proof of bonafide relationship. Put in mind that it does not mean that the applicant will be denied for K1 application because of twice denied results for tourist visa, if you can prove to USCIS & US Consul your Fiancé relationship, then nothing to worry about

Thank You. Good advise on not rushing things and telling the truth.

hi

yes it's fair, she's supposed to show strong ties to her country, that she has reasons to return

no, it won't have a negative affect on the application

Thanks. I don't feel as bad now.

March 18, 2016

Hello

I am sorry if this is covered in an old post but I could not find anything.

I am a US citizen and my girlfriend is Thai. We met 5 months back in October 2015 - when I visited Thailand and we like each other a lot. We have been chatting and talking over the phone everyday since. We visited many places in Thailand together. She does not have a full time job in Thailand. She lives with her parents mostly and does part time work at some store.

So I wanted her to visit me for 2 weeks in US so that I can show her around and decide if we are both OK with being with each other. The US embassy in Bangkok denied her visa twice citing reason that she does not have strong ties with Thailand. Is this fair ? I never intend for her to break the law and wanted her to go back after her duration of stay.

In our paperwork for tourist visa first time she said I am her friend and got declined. Then second time she said boyfriend and that got declined too

So question is if I apply now for a K-1 Visa - will it get declined because her B-2 visa was declined ?

We are very stressed due to this. I feel they treated her unfairly. Is being from Thailand a factor ?

I want to see her more and I feel she needs to see me more before marrying. 5 month is not a long time. We do love each other. Is the K-1 Visa right for us ? I really appreciate any suggestion in this stressful period

May 31, 2011

Congrats Lvivlovers on your recent update..My interview letter came in 3 days from the notice I have updated Panama2011 and kizonzo

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==============================

N-400: January 2011 Applicants

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======================================

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

CarolineM........|12/31/10.|01/10/11.|01/13/11.|02/09/11.|--/--/--.|03/24/11.|05/03/11.|Jacksonville,FL|R/S Oath

Luis&Susy........|12/31/10.|01/07/11.|01/12/11.|02/02/11.|--/--/--.|04/20/11.|05/13/11.|Albuquerque,NM.|

Matt&Helen.......|01/04/11.|01/06/11.|01/07/11.|02/03/11.|03/03/11.|04/11/11.|06/02/11.|Boston,MA......|

Inrusa...........|01/05/11.|01/07/11.|01/10/11.|02/11/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York,NY....|

Cherry23.........|01/07/11.|01/14/11.|01/20/11.|02/07/11.|03/0?/11.|04/11/11.|05/16/11.|Norfolk,VA.....|

Basab............|01/11/11.|01/17/11.|01/17/11.|02/03/11.|05/21/11.|06/23/11.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|

Ashburn..........|01/14/11.|01/25/11.|01/25/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Washington DC..|

Gen&Paul.........|01/15/11.|01/19/11.|01/20/11.|02/14/11.|02/28/11.|03/30/11.|05/11/11.|Memphis,TN.....|

Nigel............|01/15/11.|01/19/11.|01/21/11.|02/02/11.|03/04/11.|04/05/11.|05/03/11.|Jacksonville,FL|Walk-in FP

JJ1028...........|01/15/11.|01/24/11.|01/21/11.|02/08/11.|02/23/11.|04/12/11.|05/18/11.|San Antonio,TX.|

Nanya21..........|01/17/11.|01/25/11.|01/25/11.|02/22/11.|03/21/11.|05/03/11.|07/13/11.|Boston,MA......|

sabnimim.........|01/18/11.|01/22/11.|01/28/11.|02/23/11.|03/06/11.|04/06/11.|04/06/11.|Baltimore,MD...|

Mr2100...........|01/18/11.|01/25/11.|01/14/11.|02/24/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|Walk-in FP

Gsieffe..........|01/18/11.|01/26/11.|01/24/11.|02/15/11.|--/--/--.|03/29/11.|--/--/--.|Dallas,TX......|

Bollweevil.......|01/19/11.|01/25/11.|01/31/11.|02/15/11.|03/28/11.|05/02/11.|05/06/11.|Orlando,FL.....|

jval.............|01/20/11.|01/23/11.|01/24/11.|02/23/11.|03/03/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

Bishop M.........|01/21/11.|01/31/11.|01/05/11.|02/25/11.|03/08/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|Washington DC..|Walk-in FP

LvivLovers.......|01/22/11.|01/26/11.|01/24/11.|02/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|

xunnprac.........|01/25/11.|01/28/11.|02/01/11.|02/18/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|

Ricardo4eva2.....|01/27/11.|02/07/11.|01/31/11.|02/14/11.|02/28/11.|03/31/11.|05/19/11.|Memphis,TN.....|Walk-in FP

imen.............|01/27/11.|01/28/11.|02/03/11.|02/22/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Norfolk,VA.....|

NY_IZMIR.........|01/29/11.|02/08/11.|02/14/11.|02/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York,NY....|

karlita..........|01/31/11.|02/10/11.|02/14/11.|03/11/11.|03/26/11.|04/28/11.|05/09/11.|Mt. Laurel, NJ.|

PANAMA2011.......|01/31/11.|01/31/11.|02/08/11.|03/01/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

Aminah...........|01/06/11.|01/13/11.|01/19/11.|02/10/11.|04/02/11.|05/09/11.|06/15/11.|GrandRapids,MI.|

Kizonzo..........|01/08/11.|01/12/11.|01/19/11.|02/02/11.|03/08/11.|04/12/11.|05/27/11.|Wichita,KS.....|

LKDougherty......|01/11/11.|01/18/11.|01/19/11.|02/28/11.|03/05/11.|04/13/11.|06/03/11.|St. Louis......|

fawaz2011........|01/19/11.|01/25/11.|01/28/11.|02/16/11.|04/04/11.|--/--/11.|--/--/11.|Los Angeles,CA.|

BoyanZS..........|01/27/11.|02/02/11.|02/05/11.|02/22/11.|05/04/11.|06/14/11.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles,CA.|

RobAndTania......|12/29/10.|01/10/11.|01/12/11.|01/28/11.|02/09/11.|03/14/11.|04/28/11.|Indianapolis,IN|

Yauha............|01/18/11.|01/21/11.|01/25/11.|02/18/11.|02/22/11.|03/29/11.|--/--/11.|Indianapolis,IN|

DeeBee...........|01/24/11.|01/??/11.|02/02/11.|03/17/11.|03/30/11.|04/28/11.|04/28/11.|Seattle,WA.....|

===========================================================================

USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

john doe.........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|city ,state....|

jane doe.........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City,State.....|

May 26, 2011

Updating Lovenjstar's interview schedule.

Good luck on your interview Lovenjstar :thumbs: Please let us know in detail how it goes I am the next one after you scheduled in Atlanta.

May 25, 2011

I SENT MY APPLICATION ON 1/31 SO HOPE TO RECEIVE MY LETTER SOON.

Hi PANAMA2011 why don't you tell me your details about when you filed and check cashed date and fingerprint date etc so that we can add you to the January list and keep track of things

May 21, 2011

Based on this LINK it appears that the next Oath Ceremony for Atlanta is on August 12 2011 Someone please tell me that I'm looking at the wrong place. Usually in Atlanta Oath and Interview fell on same day for most people.

May 21, 2011

Updating myself with Interview Date. Doubt it but would be real nice if oath is on the same day.

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CarolineM........|12/31/10.|01/10/11.|01/13/11.|02/09/11.|--/--/--.|03/24/11.|05/03/11.|Jacksonville,FL|R/S Oath

Luis&Susy........|12/31/10.|01/07/11.|01/12/11.|02/02/11.|--/--/--.|04/20/11.|05/13/11.|Albuquerque,NM.|

Matt&Helen.......|01/04/11.|01/06/11.|01/07/11.|02/03/11.|03/03/11.|04/11/11.|--/--/--.|Boston,MA......|