[AlissBart]

Who reading this has had experience in helping a Thai national successfully get a visa to visit the USA? What are the steps?

Is a round-trip ticket needed in hand before applying for the visa? What particular questions are asked on the visa application? What are some of the things that the US embassy looks for? What is the interview like?

Answers to these and other questions are appreciated.

Brad.

[7kitthuptarill]

As in Wife?? I mean you want a Visa to get someone here then apply for naturalization?

In the case of a wife, I know the US Embassy wants proof of a relationship, even love letters that may have been sent. My friend's wife tried 3x before she came over here and he Thai too. He wrote her in English, but she couldn't read English, she took letters to the embassy while applying and they asked her in Thai what the English letters said. She did not know, she had not had them all translated by her friend yet.

But letters, and pictures showing that the relationship is an ongoing relationship and not only a 2 night affair, I know is something they watch closely for.

[AlissBart]

No, sorry for not being clear. No love or marriage plans in this visit. Just a plain ol' short-term (2 weeks, 1 month, maybe longer) visit to the US for a Thai person. Thanks.

[Emedgella]

In order to obtain a tourist visa, the individual must show evidence of sufficient resources, have a job, own a house, or have some other compelling reason to return to Thailand. It is, unfortunately, very difficult for most Thais to come to America just for a visit. I live in Miami and resent the fact that I had to provide an affidavit of support for my wife, while any Cuban who can set foot on the beaches gets automatic asylum. I see these people using food stamps in the line at the market, while my wife and I pay in cash. The system is totally a mess. Thailand has always been an ally of the U.S. and the Thai people have never been terrorists or trouble-makers.

[7kitthuptarill]

Those are the US requirements?!! That is just wrong! I had no idea they were that strict. My in-laws can't afford a visit, nor can we pay for all of them to come here, especially for a vacation. Such hard working group of people in comparison to the many that are not hard working already here. The whole refugee system for the most part seems very pathetic and unjust, I only never knew it was to that degree Vision. Thanks for the information.

[yespkorg]

visionchaser45 is correct in that they want to see a reason for you to return after your visit. The interview is going over what you have submitted to make sure you know what you have submitted and to guage you as a person. You can be rejected for any reason.If you pass all of the you get a visa card good for 1, 2 or if you did extremely well 10 years.

However that's not the end and when your friend comes over tell to bring a copy of your phone number and address with them. When they arrive they will be interrogated by US Immigrations and they can if they so choose reject them and send them on the next flight back. Customs is more concerned where they will be staying and if they can contact you that may make things easier

[O25YtQnn]

Quote[/b] ]Is a round-trip ticket needed in hand before applying for the visa?

It doesn't help much.

Quote[/b] ]What particular questions are asked on the visa application?

Why do you want to go to USA?
Where will you live when you go there?
And all common questions about yourself.

Quote[/b] ]What are some of the things that the US embassy looks for?

The evidence of sufficient resources.
The compelling reason to return to Thailand. ( This is the most important)

Quote[/b] ]What is the interview like?

They will ask you,why do you want to go there?, who will support your expense?and all about the attachments with your application form.

All this is depends on the status of the applicant. If you want to know more you should post more details about the applicant. Such as student, worker ,etc.

It may help if you write an invitational letter for your friend and confirm that you can be your friend's sponsor.

[bortycuz]

I have mixed experiences with getting US visas. On one hand, I never had any problems getting one. As a consequence, I hold three different American visas, two tourist and one student visa. One of them is for 10 years, and another was practically infinite, lol. I wish Thai immigration could be as generous...

On the other hand, my relatives were immediately rejected on many instances, when tried to apply to tourist visas to visit me in the US.

Quote[/b] ]Is a round-trip ticket needed in hand before applying for the visa?

It depends. I had one the first two times (for tourist visas), but didn't have one when I applied for a student visa.

Quote[/b] ]What are some of the things that the US embassy looks for? What is the interview like?

Like others said, the interviewee has to convince the officials of compelling reasons to return to the country of origin. That's probably the most important point. All of my interviews were pleasant experiences. I was talking with the consul directly. The exclusion of the translator made the whole process a bit less formal.

[Roorseprate]

Well If you are the holder of an Australian or British Passport, you will have no problems.

[Anteneprorid]

Quote[/b] (paul_au @ Jan. 20 2005,19:59)]Well If you are the holder of an Australian or British Passport, you will have no problems.

Please, dun be a nerd. If they are holding passports from these countries, or even from Singapore for that matter, they wouldn't be asking such questions.

Your answer serves no purpose in helping the people facing such a predicament. It is unnecessary cos people cannot chose where they are born and perhaps they are not as forunate as you. But you need not rub it in, ok?

I dun know, each country has its own set of problems. Years ago, I remembered I was in Perth as a tourist, and the economy in Australia wasn;t too good at that time. I saw a man in his late 20s with board over his shoulders saying "Will work for food". Did I despise him? No! I remembered my own poor background as a kid and approached him, invited him for a meal at McDonalds and we sat and talk. Unless he is a great actor/liar, I empthasize (not sympathize) with him as he did not want to be in such a situation either. As we parted ways, I passed him a bit of cash (how long can it last, I wondered) but I told him this. "Mr. X, whatever happens, do not lose your own self respect. It is something no one can take away from you". Today he is the owner of a decent grocery store. married to a beautiful lady with 2 wonderful kids. Whenever I visit Perth, I stay at his beautiful home (to me the best hotel in Perth). And guess what, his wife couldn;t care less that he does not have a high level of education.

[Roorseprate]

Quote[/b] ]I remembered I was in Perth as a tourist, and the economy in Australia wasn;t too good at that time.

The last time when Australia was in a significant recession when the unemployment levels were around the 13% mark was from around 1991 to 1994. I remember 1992 was a particular difficult time for me. As far as I'm concerned Australia has had a good economy, since federation in 1901 , with one exception for the great depression in 1929. since 1901 there have been may minor depressions, that affected some areas of the labor market, I suppose your friend who was unemployed was in that sector, high unemployment in the unskilled sector, the manufacturing and construction industry was affected the most. Most service and retail jobs were not effected greatly, but part of the problem in Australia when there is a recession, is there is a minimum wage, that has to be paid by Law, which means there would have been more jobs available back in 1992 if the cost of Labor had of been more flexible.
On the other hand some people do very good in recession, those with securer government jobs can afford to buy a larger house cheaper, when prices come down.
About your friend having no Qualifications, well that is the same as my self, and if you look at the amount of self made Billionaires in Australia, the amount who have no qualifications is amazing.
I found a lot off Australians from this early 90's recession went into business because the job market was to unreliable, and they started small business, like mowing peoples lawns. Now these people have grown there businesses and have become quite well off.

[AlissBart]

Leave it to paul to get us off the topic. Thanks thanchart
for also seeing this. What does any of the above have to do with a Thai citizen's getting a visa to the United States?

[O25YtQnn]

I'm Thai,and I have experience to apply USA visa myself. As I've told you,how to get a visa to USA for Thais is considered in case by case. It depends on the status of applicant. If the applicant is student so it needs the financial statement of sponser,an essay about why it needs to go to USA, etc. For a worker it needs a letter to confirm the status of the worker, financial statement , etc. There are many cases to consider for getting a visa to USA. If it's possible for you to tell us the details of your friend that would be easier to recommend.

[AlissBart]

Again, this is for a tourist visa. Not a student. Not a worker. Tourist.

I think I may have enough information for now. Thank you all.

Brad.

[O25YtQnn]

I told you about tourist visa and all I told you that for tourist visa.

[ultimda horaf]

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/
Hi Brad,
Sorry I just got a chance to read your post.
I applied a visa for my mother three years ago. I printed out forms from the site above then I filled out all information about her. I wrote a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. She did not have any problem getting her ten years tourist visa. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand was nicer than some Thai Government Offices in BKK. It took me two full days to renew my Thai I.D. Anyway you have to make sure that your friend will go back because you can get in a big trouble with the U.S. Immigration.
Good Luck!

[ultimda horaf]

LOL !!! take it easy "alone" don't get mad at Brad......Ha_ha(in Chinese)

[O25YtQnn]

LOL .. Sabai
I didn't get mad at Brad. I understand that he may not know how crazy for Thais to get US visa. We have to pay $100 by don't know that we will have got visa or not. If it's rejected we will lose that money. For this amount of money it's quite much for Thais. Someone applied for three times and still got rejected.So everyone have to make sure that they prepare all NONSENSE documents which the US embassy needs.
As I've known more than the half of applicants were rejected.
It's funny for me when I applied US visa. The appointment of interview was too late for my plan so I decided not go to USA and on the interview day,the interviewer asked me why I want to go to USA? I told him no I don't want to go anymore ,this appointment is too late for my plan. That's all he asked me and then I got 10 years tourist visa.

Quote[/b] ] The U.S. Embassy in Thailand was nicer than some Thai Government Offices in BKK

Sabai,you have to ask the ones who were rejected. 哈 哈 哈

[bortycuz]

Quote[/b] ]how crazy for Thais to get US visa. We have to pay $100 by don't know that we will have got visa or not. If it's rejected we will lose that money.

I'm sorry to say, but the Land of Smiles doesn't treat its foreign visitors any better. Application fees for Thai visas are also non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa was granted or not. Furthermore, considering the visaruns your glorious government subjects us to do, those fees can add up quickly to be quite more than a meager 4000Bt.

While Americans may be choosy, but once approved, that's it for the US visa. You can put the worries all behind you for the next ten years. I know because I have one. However, Thai visas must be very delicate creatures, as they tend to have a very short lifespan. In my case, a couple weeks. If you would like to know how much fun it is to play the visa game by the Thai goverment's rules, please check out this blog entry.

If nothing else, it shall make you feel better that Thais are not alone when it comes to visa hassles. It could be worse.

[O25YtQnn]

Quote[/b] ]While Americans may be choosy, but once approved, that's it for the US visa. You can put the worries all behind you for the next ten years.

In fact, not everyone have got ten years visa. It depends on the reliability of the applicant and the consideration from the embassy. Some have got only a week, two weeks, one month, two months,one year or ten years. And some need to make their appearance at the embassy when they come back. That's weird.
I have read your blog.It's so funny and tricky. Anyway Thais can't do this with US visa.

Quote[/b] ]If nothing else, it shall make you feel better that Thais are not alone when it comes to visa hassles. It could be worse.

Thanks for sharing this story. I feel good now.