ThaitoUSA

Here it is, in this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293184-travel-to-us-territories-not-states-for-honeymoon/

Seems like they stayed on Saint Thomas, which I would not advise. There are three major US Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John or sometimes affectionately called the #######, the Lady and the Virgin. St. John is the most pristine since 2/3 of it are National Park. The only place one would encounter Immigration on St. John would be at the ferry dock; officers occasionally ask to see ID or proof of legal residency.

She does not relinquish Chinese citizenship upon immigrating. She can return any time she wishes. Just be sure the Chinese passport has not expired.

Ok thats great. would we need any special travel docs to travel to the US Virgin Islands?

The US citizen needs to have a valid passport or government issued photo ID e.g. a driver's license AND official copy of birth certificate. The reason is that the US Virgin Islands are an international port, so upon leaving St. Thomas' airport everyone has to pass through immigration and customs. I find carrying a passport is far more convenient than a birth certificate, especially if I want to make a side trip to the British Virgin Islands (Remember, ironically, the British citizen cannot do this or risk having to start the immigration process all over again).

The non-US citizen just needs his or her passport. We had the signed copy of the marriage certificate with us and the agent asked to see it. Agent asked a couple of other questions like "When did you get married?" "When did you arrive in USA?" We were through in just a couple of minutes.

Not possible with a K-1 visa: you cannot marry before entering USA or the visa is void and you must marry within the USA and file for the green card before you can leave the country.

You can marry in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or like we did the US Virgin Islands.

PS Do not go the British Virgin Islands once you are in the US Virgin Islands or else you won't be allowed back in with the K-1 visa.

Skype won't work for the I-129F petition, since it asks for proof of having met in person in the last two years. No proof of ongoing relationship is requested or required for the petition. Some suggest one "front-load" the petition with such evidence, but you would not receive an RFE for not having it.

It would be acceptable to include such evidence for the interview and a useful technique would be to either print screen or use the built-in photo taking function while doing video chats. We did this and printed out about three pages with four photos per page, showing us Skyping over a time period of two years in different locations.

Since the check was never cashed and the petition was rejected, it would seem as there is no case to withdraw.

We were able to have her name changed on her Social Security card by showing them her work authorization card, which she received about a month after sending in AOS. With the new SS card, we were able to use her married name on driver's license, bank account, apartment lease, etc.

I'm a single American man living in the mid-west and hoping to marry my Thai sweetheart of 6 years.

If you've been together for six years, there is no doubt she will say "yes." I don't think any lady the world over would commit to six years if she wasn't willing to go all the way.

If you are methodical and organized, and you research the process, you are likely to go through pretty smoothly. Just be prepared for a wait of months, sometimes up to a year before she will arrive.

All the best on your visa journey.

Depending on how soon one marries and files for AOS (as well as work authorization), it is possible to begin working in three to four months from entry into USA. My wife was a bit restless for those couple of months. However, she had the opportunity to apply to several jobs and synchronistically found one just a couple of days after received her EAD card.

All the best with your new business.

I'm not in the process yet. I'm letting my GF know how long she needs to stay in the U.S. near the end of her second year to make sure she gets the card(she has two children back in Thailand, so she doesn't want to be away from them any longer than is necessary. I basically am looking for an average length of time and another member gave me an idea.

She can visit Thailand and return to America with the two year conditional green card, so long as she does not stay for an extended period of time i.e. over six months. My wife is planning on returning to Thailand this summer after being here for nearly two years, and applying for lifting of conditions upon returning (within the 90 days).

Yes, it would hasten the process if you begin assembling the required documents for the Bangkok interview. You can find a current list on the Bangkok embassy's website.

Who here celebrates Thai holidays with their Thai spouse? Or perhaps, if you are or were Thai, do you still have some observance on those special days?

We go to the Thai temple just outside DC for the holidays. Lots of authentic cooking, plants for sale, festivities, and Thais make it a good time. We also get together with other Thai-American couples in the area for dinner from time to time.

Having evidence of two-way communication is vital; calls, emails, letters coming from petitioner and beneficiary. What's done is done, but there have been many conversations on whether it is beneficial to provide proof of money transfers. Generally petitioners do not include such evidence as it may be misconstrued. Be certain that your fiancée can adequately explain during the interview the precise nature and purpose of those exchanges.

Where in Thailand does she live that she does not receive mail?

Been using VOIP Discount for nearly two years and only wish I had found it earlier.

Most of our African American soldiers find their way to the beach town of Pattaya, where they're treat extra special!

I worked with a black teacher who had been stationed in Thailand while in the Army and he said that most Thai were curious to see him, but that he had gotten along just fine with them. He was out in the sticks most of the time.

As misguided as this policy may seem there are mitigating circumstances that were omitted from the article. Most blacks in Thailand come straight from Africa and are not European or American. A black American friend quickly discovered this when every black man he met n Bangkok, which weren't too many, didn't speak English. Of those Africans that visit, a sizable number of them are involved in illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and prostitution. Race aside, if a sizable portion of any group engages in an activity, one would be wise to protect against it. I don't recall gypsies getting worked up over people's caution around. Can't imagine a middle eastern terrorist calling race card if he were profiled.

Of course barring someone solely based on gender, race, age, height, etc. is discriminatory and damaging, but is it ok to be politically incorrect and say, "I don't want terrorists, drug dealers, pedophiles in my establishment" or should the proprietor be more tolerant of such folks? I do not personally know this Ribkat and will not presume to know his character. However, there could be more to this story than simply racist Thais.

Sky train and MRT will be cheaper than taxis to most locations. They are air-conditioned and avoid the traffic jams that taxis get caught up in, so they can be quicker at times. If you really wish to travel like a local, ride on the khlong boat. It travels across the city on the open canal/sewer in only 40 minutes (up to an hour and a half in a taxi in traffic) and costs about 20 Baht ($0.70). I used to take it all the time to get from my neighborhood, Hua Mark, in the east to the Chao Praya river on the west side of town.

Tuk-tuks are almost never the most economic method of travel, but can be fun to try once. Don't pay more than 50 Baht (short distance) or they are taking advantage.

When you're out in LA, you may wish to visit Thai town. They have some supplies that are tougher to find here on the east coast. I was out there two weeks ago and sent home a box full for my wife.

It appears as though he did write concubine not combine. However, harem would be more appropriate. I refer to my wife as my consort.

It seems like many folks have sent in the I-693 (Medical Exam) with their I-485 (Adjustment of Status). However, in the guides it states that if the overseas exam was completed within one year of filing for AOS, then another exam is not required. As well so long as the DS-3025 is not marked "incomplete" the I-693 is not required. Some folks who did not send in the I-693 received RFE for it. We did not send it in and were approved without incident.

It seems as though there is a bit of inconsistency in the adjudication process.

Generally speaking it is more common in East Asian nations for men to be the older spouse in relationships. Gary was not denying that the converse doesn't exist or that your relationship is valid, rather that it is likely to send up a red flag that you should be prepared to address with ample evidence and honest explanation.

My understanding is that the officer makes a judgement based upon the totality of circumstances: Age can be a factor, but unlikely to be the sole criterion for denial.

it was murder when he was 17 - you can read more about it in my posted link. but since even death row inmates made it i really want to try (my man will be released in 3 years).

Would someone who has been convicted of murder be able to successfully petition for a K-1 visa? I recall it being a question that must be answered on the I-129F: Is it grounds for denial or just a declaration to notify the visa beneficiary?

At some point in the near past contractors would take boxes of petitions home and work on them there. Not certain if this is still practiced, but could explain work on Sabbath.

I concur that 76 pages of evidence is unnecessary. A sampling of a dozen or so pages over a period of time i.e. several months, would be fine for proof of an ongoing relationship, which is not even required until the embassy interview. However, many will suggest it be included now in a technique called "Front-loading."

Some embassies have been known to refuse evidence presented on the day of the interview e.g. phone records, photographs, etc. and then claim that there was insufficient proof of an ongoing relationship. By front-loading, it ensures the evidence is accepted, since it is included in the petition that has already been approved by USCIS. Most embassies do not reject/ignore evidence presented during the interview, so front-loading is more of an embassy specific practice. We front-loaded some evidence, but gathered and brought plenty more to the interview.

Even in support of the argument of front-loading, 76 pages of texting from a single month seems excessive. 1 or 2 pages per month over a period of several months or years is more compelling than scores of pages produced in a single month.

I know that the form is I-129F for the initial fiance visa, but I know there are additional forms that need to be filled out and submitted with them. The biometrics form is one, but what else is there?

There are several items to include with your I-129F petition. Follow the guide here http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide for a complete list of items to enclose. Most members of this site follow the Guides and have no issues. There are even filled out example forms to help you.

The Vermont Processing Center is where my papers will end up and their wait time is 5 months. I think I'm pretty clear on the initial process but what I am unclear of is what happens AFTER the wedding? You have to wait for the marriage certificate to come in and apply for a an adjustment of status, is that right? Which form is that? And from there 90 days before the 2 year anniversary you do ANOTHER adjustment? Is that correct?

Within 90 days of entering America on the K-1 visa your fiancé and yourself must be legally married. After marriage you assemble another petition of Adjustment of Status (AOS) to legal permanent resident i.e. Green Card holder. However this is called Conditional PR, because it is only valid for two years. As you correctly stated, 90 days or less from the two year anniversary, your husband must apply to "remove conditions" and receive a new ten year Green Card. This step is largely to catch those engaged in immigration fraud.

To find the appropriate forms and steps, follow the Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

When will he be able to work?

While filing for AOS after marriage, he can submit at no additional cost an I-765, which is a petition for work authorization. Approval times can vary: we got ours in just two months. The Green Card also allows one to legally work. From arrival in America until he can work could be two months or longer

When is the sponsor information needed and how does it work?

The Affidavit of Support is first submitted at your fiancé's interview in London and again during AOS. Be certain to find out from members in the UK forum on this site whether a co-sponsor is accepted at that embassy.

I saw something about a government assistance ban for 5 years after the marriage - is that just for my fiance or would that include me? What kind of assistance does that include?

He would not be entitled to any Public Assistance whatsoever. From reading other members' posts, you would still be entitled.

I found the overview of the information on the site that appears to mean by the time it's all said and done it'll be right under $2,000. (That's a daunting amount)

That figure would include only the I-129F petition, visa interview, and AOS filing fee. There are several other incidentals such as photocopying, mailing forms internationally, obtaining a UK police and health certificates, etc. In two years time, there will be an additional fee for Removal of Conditions. Expect to spend several thousands of dollars over the next few years.

Also - are there any other ways get married without having to do the fiance visa step?

You could travel to the UK or he could enter America on the visa waiver program and you can legally marry. However, if the intention is for him to legally immigrate, he must either go for the K-1 or marry here, leave and file for the CR-1 spouse visa. It still requires relatively costly fees and a wait time, but he would have a Green Card and legally be able to work immediately upon entering America. There is a Guide to that too, if you are interested