ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE
But in order for an IDL to be valid, you must also have a valid DL from your home residence. When your DL expires, so does your IDL, until you renew your DL.


I was just typing that, you beat me to it!!
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-22 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (HYENA @ Jan 30 2009, 09:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jan 29 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i'm sorry to hear it didn't go as planned guys. i have my fingers crossed you'll be sorted soon and back on track.



I'm panicking now. We had a lot of emails and only when we had a problem and weren't taling too much, she'd send an email 9typical marital spat only our of paranoia on my part but now everything is OK)

so they need emails MORE? I don't know how I can do anything different...any suggestions anyone????

sh&*( I'm freaking right out here! We only have the K1, hopefully no mistakes. SIam caught a translation error...hopefully that's all ok and everything looks good though.

we had a lot of emails early on but once we got se up with webcams that's what we did.

I only recently learned to save the history of the chat session but she doesn't write much says it takes a long time. I TOLD HER 6 MONTHS AGO TO START EMAILING ME but maybe it's inherent do minimal culture? I'm vvery frustrated here trying to think what I can do differently to show enough evidence.

We have stamped passports we went to Cambodia together, some emails early on, my money transfers but only emails and pictures about business but not related to relationship as much.


ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT! I'M PANICKING BIG TIME HERE!


My Fiancee even mentioned that she needed to email me for the embassy, but of course she only sent about 1 every other week, cause we spent so much time on the phone. I had 200 pages of call details report from my calling card, but he said that was me contacting her, not the other way around. Everybody has been baffled by needing more evidence, and completely baffled that they want to read our conversations. I would have thought being here for the past 2 months with her, would be evidence enough, but hey what do I know.

I have been dwelling on this all day and I am sure I will be until Monday when we go back to give the info they requested. Most likely no sleep for me all weekend.

AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-30 11:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE
-Aaron....ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW????? #######??? YOU WERE ON YOUR WAY?


Not AR, the other guy Eric, got AR. We just have to provide for evidence of our relationship. I guess staying in BKK for 2 months, and hundreds of pages of calls/chats/sms is just not enough. We also have to clarify her mom's name change, which she never changed. Her birth certificate had her Mom's name wrong, and he crossed it out and wrote a note at the top, which did not get translated to english, and the Thai girl helping the consular, said it was changed, from another certificate, which it never was.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-30 10:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (eric_f @ Jan 28 2009, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, I got a call from my fiancee at 12:30 Thai time. Our case has been put under administrative review... great


Today was not the day to be interviewing. Apparently the Thai girl helping the guy was rude and did not go through the files very well. He would ask does she have this, the girl would say no, and Nam would say it is in there. So in the end...

We had a problem with an error on her birth certificate, her mom's name was wrong, it was noted in thai at the top, but the translation service missed it. And apparently, 2500 text messages, 200 pages of calling cards, over 100 pages of cell phone bills, pictures of us together, 48 pages of MSN chats (although the content was blacked out), and at least 10 pages of emails is not enough evidence of relationship. Appaernently he wants to read the MSN Chats and have the emails spelled out that they were from her to me. He said to much one sided evidence.

I actually went into the embassy and asked to talk to him, presented my passport, and nicely asked to talk to the gentleman. He let me go to the window and he explained to me that he wanted to see more of her contacting me. I explained I have been here for 2 months, and we don't chat, talk on the phone, or email each other while I am in country. I also showed him the email trail, he looked back at the thai girl with a pissed off look, but he still said I need to read the content of your Msn Chats to make sure this is a real realationship. I also explained to him, that she calls me, hangs up and then I call back on the calling card, since a call from her cell phone is free if I don't pick up, and 2 cents a minute if I call back, no need to spend EXTRA MONEY to talk to me, when it is cheaper the other way. So he made some notes in the computer, and told me the case was very solid, he just needed to see more contact from her to me.

I will be printing the all the SMS text messages on my phone (content), and the entire messages of the MSN conversations, and every bit of detail I can scrounge up this weekend and will be back in on Monday with all this BS stuff.

There was another girl there that was told there was not enough evidence, so I see at least 3 today not getting approval in Thailand. What a disappointing system there is in place.

I am sorry to hear about the AR.

The guy was very nice when he talked to me but Nam said the same thing, he seemed to be looking at her sternly like she was lying about everything. My take on it, is the thai girl helping him was in a foul mood and did not present the correct info to him. She looked really pissed off, when I called her out on saying items weren't there that were in our packet.

-Aaron
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-29 03:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE
DS-156
DS-156K
DS-157
I-134, and
the medical examination forms,

would you intepret the letter to mean that copies of those should be included, the original forms or bring them to the interview?


You send in the original forms, but photo copies of any items that are originals, such as passports, birth certificates, etc. Those are the original items you bring to the interview.

Also everything needs to be sent except for Evidence of Relationship, which you bring to the interview.


AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-26 23:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Our interview is also on the 29th. Guess they will see each other there. I will be waiting outside for the good news smile.gif
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-21 07:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (cheryl & jim @ Jan 20 2009, 06:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ThaitoUSA @ Jan 20 2009, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
http://bangkok.usemb...structions.html

It states here to send back:

signed checklist
DS-230 Part I
two frontal photographs and
a photocopy of a passport photo page


Where does it now state to send back all documents?


Yes, it states in this web link http://bangkok.usemb...structions.html[/url] BUT....it is different in the new packet 3 instructions.


In the instructions we got in the mail, they said to send back all the documents, except for evidence of relationship, however we did send in our photos (6 pages with 6 pictures on each page).

Also I believe for the Police Clearance you just need to show them the NOA2 to start the process, there is a bunch of other items you have to bring, including a copy of the Petitioners US Passport. I am pretty sure if you showed them the NOA1, they would do it also, they looked at if for 2 seconds and said go over there and fill out a form.

Edited by AaronLV, 20 January 2009 - 09:11 AM.

AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-20 09:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE
My wife is too nervous to go it alone, needs me there. Shes not planniong on coming till April anyway.


I don't think it matters, from what I have been told the petitioner can't go to the interview anyways. I was told you have to wait outside of the embassy, so they will be in there alone anyways.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-19 23:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
The lawyer sent mine in today. They said most likely would have interview within 2 weeks.

QUOTE (eric_f @ Jan 14 2009, 05:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
By the way, anyone know if it's still in the 2-3 week range for the interviews? If so, that would be great smile.gif

Edit! Holy beans, 10 days?! That's great news!


AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-14 07:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (Birch-Beer @ Jan 11 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OK you thai'er guys and gals.
Our NOA2 was just approved on the 7th. I am in Thailand now visiting her till the 18th and wantt o prepare the P-3.
we are K-3'ers, by the way. I need some estimated timeline help with the emabssy in bangkok.

1- what, when, where can somebody point me to the tracking method of the papers leaving NVC to and arriving in BKK?

2- after filing the p-3, what is the time frame of sending the p-3 in to the interview date?

I ask these as I am trying to time sending the p-3 in to her getting an interview date about march 1.

any help and/or thoughts would be appreciated.


thanks


You can call NVC and get your BNK number and they willl tell you when it is sent out to the embassy, and then you can check DHL to find out when it arrived. Mine was sent out from NVC on 31st of Dec, and arrived Jan 2nd, we were approved on the 19th of Dec. We have not got the official word from the embassy that they have recieved the papers or not. We are waiting for the police certificate (Jan 14th), and then I will email them and see if they have it.

From what I have heard it takes between 6 and 8 weeks to get an interview date in Bangkok. Hopefully it will be shorter and I should know end of this week or next when ours is scheduled. Will let you know when we schedule ours.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-01-12 00:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (eric_f @ Nov 29 2008, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, it's a good thing I would classify seeing my future wife as "essential travel" smile.gif

Having a route into and out of the country is also essential! I hope this mess ends today.


If anyone decides they want to route through Cambodia, I have a phone number and email of the company that drove the bus down to the boarder. It was about a total of 9 hours to Bangkok.

Everywhere in Bangkok right now is not busy. We were out last night, not a lot of people out.
AaronLVMaleThailand2008-11-29 20:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Made it to Bangkok last night at 11pm. What a long couple of days. Here is how I got here.

I left from LAX on Tuesday 10:50 to TPE, I was advised that going I could get stuck in TPE for a while and had to go through immigration pick up my bag and wait for another flight. Had to sign a bunch of waivers that Eva Air was not responsible for hotel or food, nice part of the flight is I flew economy, and had a row to myself, which I got to lay down and sleep for the entire flight. When I arrived in TPE (Thursday 5:40 am), I checked the news and read the situation was getting worse. So I decided to re-route through Phnom Penh Cambodia, since my ticket was not allowed to change route, I spent an half an hour arguing with the supervisor and they finally agreed, and seeing how I have over 80K miles with them in the past 7 months, they agreed to let me pay the upgrade fee to biz class for 117.00 rather then 743 for a new ticket. I figured Cambodia was a lot cheaper then Taipea and could get some train / bus / car to Thailand.

So I was on the 9:10 am flight and having no idea how I was going to get to Thailand, once there. Biz class on this plane was essentially First Class, so it was quite the nice 3 hour flight smile.gif When I was getting off the plane I happened to over hear this American guy in front of me tell the guy next to him they had re-routed on there way to BKK. I told him I was in the same boat. He sad him and 2 other guys were renting a Van and going to the boarder, I asked if I could tag along, he said no problem.

We got a van for 230USD to take us to the boarder (I think we overpaid, but I didn't negotiate it, I had talked to this holland couple and they said we should be paying about 20.00 per person, oh well I just wanted to get to Bangkok), after paying 20 + 1 dollar for VISA and picture in Cambodia (Bring change they don't break 100 bills), we were headed out for the Cambodia/Thai Boarder. Leaving a little after 1pm, we arrived at Poipet, at 7:30 pm with one stop for gas. The guys I met were really cool, and we had a great time talking the entire way. One was married to a Thai and lives near Pattaya, the other two were friends and one was his first time in Thailand. NOTE: Boarder at Cambodia / Thai in Poipet closes at 8pm.

We got across got a Taxi to Bangkok, for 1900 baht and left there about 8:15 arrived at my apartment at 11:00. What a crazy day!!!

-Aaron

UPDATE: It was a good call since I just saw that the airport will be closed until at least 6pm Saturday.

Edited by AaronLV, 27 November 2008 - 05:23 PM.

AaronLVMaleThailand2008-11-27 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (Birch-Beer @ Nov 23 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Any of you guys that go back to Thailand on a semi regular basis to see your fiancee/wife, find that there is an adjustment period for the first few days your back in LOS? That it may take her a period of time to get "re-acquainted". Even though you talk on the phone a few times a day.....

Just curious, I am leaving to go back to Thailand for the 6th time, on 12/3, to see my wife. I've been doing this every 2 1/2 months or so now. (you can see my schedule in my time line below). I may be seeing this pattern....not sure.....

just some thoughts.........


When I went back at the beginning of September, there was a little bit of "re-acquainted", about 6 hours, after that it was fine. When I made it back at the end of October, there was none at all. I will be interested to see how it is when I show up on Thursday to surprise her. We just had one of our contracts shelved until next year, after Obama gets in and sees how he cuts defense spending. So I volunteered to take all my vacation, rather then having to layoff one of the other engineers. I will be in LOS for the next couple of months.
AaronLVMaleThailand2008-11-23 21:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (roi_aggie @ Nov 22 2008, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is not directed at anyone on here, I just want to express an opinion. I feel that if someone is not going to respect the culture of the person they want to marry, then they should find someone from a culture that they will. I have never understood why a western man would marry an Asian woman, and then try to change her into someone different, aka “Westernize” her. Once again… just my opinion.


Very well put, and have to completely agree.
AaronLVMaleThailand2008-11-22 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisas, Embassys, and @ssholes!
QUOTE (luckytxn @ Feb 5 2009, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If it is a legally registered wedding then you have to do a marriage visa if it is just a show wedding and not legal then you have to do a fiancee visa.

The problems it seems you had from the visa disaster before seems like can be overcome. They will ask if you had applied for a visa before and be honest with them and say that you have but give the reasons for the rejection. At that time just say that you thought you qualified but found you did not and learned from that.


Yep just be honest on when they ask. That is always the best policy.

You may also want to go to the SE Asia forum, there are some people going through the process in Cambodia, and can probably give you a better idea of how their experiences are at the Cambodia embassy.

I think the biggest problem with most Americans is that they think since we have such an easy time traveling that it is just as easy for anyone one else from any other countries. To be honest when I met my fiancee, I had thought it was going to be as simple as going to get her a visa and taking her to the US to visit. After doing the research, I realized just how difficult people from these countries have going to other countries.

It is a process doing it, but in the end it is worth it, and the wait time goes by fast, just stay positive.

AaronLVMaleThailand2009-02-05 23:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisas, Embassys, and @ssholes!
QUOTE
I had filed a Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and it was denied (My job is not good enough to bring her over, we have a bad name, just total bs).


Was this a Tourist Visa? If so it should have no bearing on the K Visa. Most tourist visa in all the SE Asia countries get denied unless there are significant ties to the country, because the people who apply for them are doing exactly what you were trying to do, circumvent the immigration laws.

QUOTE
The bs in Cambodia is that either the applicant or the host for the applicant is either rich or a business person, or owns land of extraordinary value. So their rejection were based on because we are average people with no business or extraordinary wealth.


They actually only base it on the applicant, not the host, as a US Citizen you can NOT SPONSOR someone for a Tourist Visa. They have to earn it on their own merit. And again this is to assure that the will return to their country and not ILLEGALLY immigrate to the USA.

QUOTE
Me and my "wife" married traditionally and have not done any paperwork in the US nor abroad to be legally married yet.


If it is not registered it is not legal. Best just to not bring it up at the embassy or in any of the paperwork. I think a majority of the people on K1 from these countries end up doing a ceremony in the country before heading out to the US to do the official wedding. We did here in Thailand.


It is a tough road ahead, and just prepare for the wait time. I read, and researched the best visa to bring my Fiancee over to the US. I am sure we could have gotten her a tourist visa, because of her mom's money, in Thailand, but in the end, I decided it is best to do it the right way for the long term, that way there is no chance of her getting deported because some bureaucrat decides to make an example of her. I am picking up her Passport at the embassy today with her Visa in it, and it will be exactly 5 months from NOA 1. I had figured 6-9, so it went a bit faster then expected.

So good luck, and do IT RIGHT! Shortcuts are not worth it in the long run.

-Aaron


AaronLVMaleThailand2009-02-05 01:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCurrent K1 filers-How soon will you get married / Previous filers-what would you do differently?
We plan on just getting married legally about a week or two after she arrives. We did a big ceremony in Thailand back in November, so now it is just a matter of getting a slip of paper.

QUOTE
Thus, we have a prenup to protect my financial assets.


Just a word of advice on a prenup, make sure you get it translated into Thai, with a certified translator so she can read, and understand what she is signing. I had a friend marry a girl from mexico, and she divorced him after getting her 10 year GC, and when they went through the divorce proceedings the judge threw the prenup out cause she said she did not understand what she was signing at the time, since English is her 2nd language. He got taken to the cleaners.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-02-08 01:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSecurity Clearance job
QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Apr 5 2009, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am well aware of the briefing and NISPOM. IF your stance is true I take it your wife has no clue what you do and your work is aware of your close and continued contact with a foreign national.


As a matter of fact, all she knows is I work for a software company, knows my position, but has no idea as to the nature of my work.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-05 20:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSecurity Clearance job
QUOTE
Being with a foreign national it is important to keep you company informed but actually there is not greater need to conceal your work than there is to a US citizen. Uncleared is uncleared citizen or not.


You are partly correct, it is important to keep your Security Office informed, however you should also not tell foreign nationals that you work on classified projects. If you are in software you just tell them you write applications for company X. Remember your Opsec briefings.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-05 16:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSecurity Clearance job
QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Apr 5 2009, 08:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It can totally mess up you visa. My petition was running along nicely until the interview. Then the CO insisted that Joseph tell her details of my job. Not where I work , not what my degree in in but details. She basically told him tell her details or no visa. So we ended up with no visa and I ended up reporting attempted espoinage because her actions fit the reportable profile of attempted blackmail for classified data.
I guess the up side is that he shouldn't see that woman at the embassy again, except maybe cleaning toliets.


I would refrain from a generalization, and the CO does not fit the profile for attempted espionage, for one it was not being directed at you, and two if your husband did know detail information about your work, then it would have been your husband that fit the profile for trying to extract information from you. I am sure being from a high-fraud visa country did not help. I highly doubt she will be demoted based on your case. Also if you did tell your husband you work with classified work, you are the one that has put yourself in a position of compromise. No one should be telling a foreign national that they have a security clearance or work in a classified capacity. Always deal in generalizations, for instance, if you do classified software work, you just tell them you work in software. This should have been covered each time you have submitted your notification of foreign travel, and/or your quarterly refresher training.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-05 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSecurity Clearance job
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Apr 4 2009, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Philosykos @ Apr 4 2009, 02:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Apr 4 2009, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sometimes a high level security clearance will prompt a more complete detailed vetting that adds time to the petition approval process. Usually it makes no difference but I've never seen anything to indicate it speeds the process in any way.


I would not have expected the fact that the petitioner has already passed security checks for their job to speed up the process in any way, but I still wonder why some people here (and I've seen such statements in other threads) claim that it might slow it down. I can't imagine why, as the person in question would not be in their job if they hadn't passed security checks already.


The significant foreign contact and prospects of a foreign spouse sometimes prompt even more extensive vetting than that used to get the security clearance in the first place. This will vary with multiple factors not the least of which is the country from which the spouse or fiance(e) will be coming.


They would not do extra checks at the USCIS stage period. If you have a clearance it assures you that you will not come back with any hits in the background check, and I would surmise that it may even happen quicker or it may actually cause the FBI to not run your name through all of the databases, since you have already been checked and cleared through the databases they are looking through, of course this would depend on the level of clearance you have.

What will happen, is as soon as you have foreign contact you are required to report it to your security office. The security office will go through a series of questions and depending on the answers will decide what, if anything they need to do. Best to keep them in the loop let them know when you file for the visa, and just keep the SFO apprised of the situation. It really is no big deal. They may do some checking of your spouse at that time, or they may just wait until the 5 year update for your clearance. Those factors are determined by the answers to the questions you give when telling them about your spouse.



QUOTE (Naz&Omi @ Apr 4 2009, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for this topic, I was wondering the same thing... I think there are too many factors (where your spouse is from, what kind of clearance you have, etc. etc.) that affect each person's case for there to be a definite answer... But I'll surely post anything if my case is faster or slower than the Afghan K1's that are waiting with me smile.gif

Good luck, and definitely keep thinking positively.. I can't imagine a security clearance doing anything but helping validate our requests, so that's what really matters! Time is relative smile.gif


That was my feeling to, the government has already determined you to be a truthful and honest person, and having a clearance you are less likely to commit fraud (I did not say people would not, I just said less likely, that is the perception)
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-04 19:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSecurity Clearance job
QUOTE (quirky @ Apr 4 2009, 07:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If the USC spouse has a security Clearance job, do you all think that the process will be faster? Do the service centers and stuff
that process the visas know about the spouses security clearance?


The process is not faster. They might know depending on which databases your name is processed through.

Just remember to report the foreign contact immediately to your SFO. However, that should have been reported when you were debriefed from your trip overseas. Also when you have a change in status such as getting married you will need to report it to your SFO also.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-04-04 16:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvaccination records
QUOTE
Yes, you can file AOS but you will get an RFE and they will not adjust status until all vaccinations are complete. Vaccinations must be complete and current for AOS, it tells you that in the guides which you read many months ago when you filed the petition. Another case where reading through the entire process before filing would have been helpful. Her K-1 visa is valid for 6 months, you can delay entry while you get shots, otherwise you will delay AOS, your choice as always.


I have recently read through the guides and have not seen anywhere that states the "series" of vaccinations must be completed prior to adjusting status. Can you please link to where it says that?

Thank you.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-06-23 22:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI Have AOS Questions, Lots Of Them!
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Jul 2 2009, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lancer1655 @ Jul 2 2009, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
5. You'll need an international translation of the license and then abide by the laws of your state in terms of getting your license. Typically you need EAD before getting a US license. Until that time the foreign license can be used.


Not all states will permit you to drive with a foreign drivers permit. California, for example, will allow you to use a foreign permit to drive in the state, but you have 10 days after establishing residency in the state to get a California permit. California doesn't recognize an International Drivers Permit, or IDP. Best to check with the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state where you'll live.


If she has a current Thai License it is in both Thai and English, so she can use that to drive in the US. All states must recognize the foreign license provided the pertinent information is in English. This is based on the US signing international treaties back in the 1940's (can't remember the exact name or date right now) Basically States cannot pass laws that supersede treaties signed by the US.

Now when state DMV's say they do not recognize foreign licenses that normally means they will not accept it as proof the person knows how to drive, so they must take a test rather then just turning in their foreign license to get a state license.

I did a lot of research on this subject. Including talking to many people I know in law enforcement at the state and federal levels.

I think the rest of the questions were answered.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-07-03 00:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnyone getting married in Vegas?
QUOTE
Do you know if we can get the proper marriage licence by post or do we have to physically get it from the recorders office? I ask because we are not too sure how long we will be in Vegas after the wedding.


There is a form on the above link and you can order them by fax or post. They are $10 per copy.

QUOTE
I'm not sure if this will work in Vegas but when we got married we took in the signed paperwork ourselves right after the wedding, watched the woman enter our info, and then asked for 5 certified copies right then and there. The place you get married at might not be ok with that, so make sure you ask. The court may not take kindly to that either, since they have to process so many. But it's definitely a possibility. I would just make a few phone calls to the appropriate personnel.

The reason you need certified copies is for your AOS from K-1 to permanent resident, amongst other things... so whatever you do don't leave Vegas without those cert. copies IN HAND!


You can not bring them to the recorders office yourself. It is sent in through where you get married. Usually takes between 3-5 days to be recorded.

There is no reason to have it in hand, if you are in town by the time it is recorded you can go pick them up great. If not, just fill out the form and have them mailed to you. It is no big deal.



AaronLVMaleThailand2009-08-04 10:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnyone getting married in Vegas?
QUOTE (ccndyeth @ Aug 3 2009, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep!! Some people had a problem with their AOS when you get married in Vegas since we all know that everybody can get easily get married in vegas.

You want to make sure that your marriage is registered before you leave vegas you want to have your marriage license in your hands and multiple copies of it.


The above statement about problems with AOS because it is easy to get married in Vegas is FALSE. The problem is people don't read what they are given when they get the license. They give you a nice certificate that can be used to frame or etc, but IT IS NOT THE OFFICIAL / CERTIFIED license. After the ceremony the actual license is sent into the recorders office to be recorded, and the officiating person gives you back the "unofficial one". I know someone recently that sent that in for AOS, and got an RFE for the official certified one.

Once you get married in Vegas it takes a few days to record the marriage, and then get the certified copy from the recorders office: http://www.accesscla...nformation.aspx <--That link gives you all the information.

We got married on a Friday and then picked up the certified copy the following Tuesday. We just used the civil marriage place to get married, it was 50 bucks. In an out in about 15 minutes. We had a big ceremony in Thailand, so no reason to have one here.

AaronLVMaleThailand2009-08-04 00:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help RFE problem...doesn't have the 2 year meeting requirement for a K! visa
The requirement for the K1 as everyone has mentioned is that you have met in the past 2 years. It is highly unlikely you will get a hardship wavier. Your situation is not a hardship, just unlucky.

I would suggest taking the money you have for her flight and going asap to see your fiancee, and then come back and send the RFE in before the 25th. There is still plenty of time and you can get flights to the Phillipines right now out for 700 bucks. The fact is waiting for NOA2 and then embassy interview, there will be time to save more money, for her trip to come over when she does finally get the Visa.

Also you have the expense of 1010 when she gets here to file AOS.

Spend the money now, and save for the expenses later otherwise, you have just wasted 455, by not reading the requirements.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-08-06 23:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThai wedding on a K1
QUOTE
Also it says all documents must be in english OR Thai if not you must have them translated is this True? has anyone turned in a Thai birth cert or other doc to the Bangkok embassy with out a translation and it passed? I am not trying to take any chances so I will have all docs translated but maybe they dont need to be?


You are going to need the translation for AOS, so you might as well get it done in Thailand, it is only a few hundred baht.

QUOTE
This is a collection of opinions.


Actually it is not. If it is not registered at the Amphur then it is not a legal marriage in Thailand, they Thai government will not recognize the woman as being married, and she is free to marry anyone. The US Government will only recognize marriages outside the US that are considered legal within the country. Main point is, don't register it at the Amphur. This is why your wife once married in the US, is still considered single in Thailand until she registers the marriage at the Amphur.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-09-09 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThai wedding on a K1
QUOTE (bigcasino75 @ Sep 7 2009, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks everyone for the help I read a lot on VJ not to get married before your fiencee comes to US but I think it is different in Thailand if it is not a legal marrage. My reason for this is for my Fiencee and her Family they are very old fashion and to them wee will be married then and there so it is ok for her to go to the US with me if not they would look down on this even if we came back after the fact and got married there. I already explained toy fiencee that we can not tell the embassy that we will have a Thai marrage if they ask to tell them that6 we will have a engagement party with her family and get married in the US so I think I got it covered Thank again


I wouldn't even bring up the engagement party. Just more information they don't need to know.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-09-07 23:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThai wedding on a K1
As long as it is not registered it is not a "legal" marriage. Just don't have her mention that she will be getting married in Thailand before going to the US at the interview. We had our ceremony in my wifes hometown, before we did the embassy interview, we just didn't mention it or show any pictures. This is actually a fairly common practice in Thailand with people who are doing a K1. Our attorney told us a majority of their clients end up doing this.
AaronLVMaleThailand2009-09-07 17:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPROCEDURE AFTER I ENTER THE U.S.
Getting SSN is optional before filing for AOS. We got married, filed for AOS, and then went and got the SSN after in her married name. I didn't want to deal with the SSN office twice (even though it was no big deal), I just figured it was easier since she was changing her name, then going back and doing it a second time.

When we went in for the AOS interview, the interviewer just asked if we had gotten a SSN, we said yes, and showed him the card.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-02-16 23:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThailand traditional wedding and K1

I wouldn't do it. There are plenty of Thai/Thai couples who have wedding ceremonies but never register their marriage at the Amphur office. They're still considered to be married by other Thais. There may be limited to no legal protections to these couples, but they are still culturally considered to be married. It's a cultural norm, and if the CO wants to be harsh about it and deny you, then they can.

If you're set on doing it now then you sure as heck don't want to include pictures.

A better idea might be to go through the K-1 process first. Once she has her K-1 (or at least her interview day) then you can fly back to Thailand and have the ceremony. Then the two of you fly to the US and register your marriage at your county clerk's office. From most accounts, Thailand is not considered high fraud. To my thinking, though, it's not worth the risk.


There is no problem doing a wedding ceremony before getting the visa. What matters is if it is legally binding and recognized by the government, the fact is a marriage ceremony in its self is not recognized by either the Thai government or the US government. IT IS NOT A LEGAL MARRIAGE, therefore you are not married.

Don't worry about it, do the ceremony, don't include pictures or bring it up at the interview. If asked don't lie about it. I have yet to see anyone one on this site that has gone through the embassy in Bangkok, asked if they had a marriage ceremony. Just like all of your evidence go through it, and make sure there is nothing in it that is ambiguous and could be interpreted wrong.

On a side note, speaking with the attorney we used for our Visa (hired prior to finding the site), they said the majority of their K1 filers do a marriage ceremony prior to getting the visa.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-03-24 10:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThailand traditional wedding and K1

Hi everyone,

Read a lot about about K1 and doing traditional wedding ceremonies. Seems to me like it's ok to do as long as the country where the wedding takes place does not recognize that ceremony as a legally binding agreement/marriage.

My question is for Thailand specifically. Has anyone here applied for a K1 visa for a Thai fiancé(e) and done a traditional ceremony while waiting? Did that cause any problems with the visa request or interview? My fiancée and her family say the ceremony is not legal but I wanted to hear others' experiences with this.

Thank you very much.


We had a ceremony prior to the visa, since it is not legal, there is no problem. Just remember do not register it with the local Amphur and you will be fine. Also as was mentioned, do not include photos of the ceremony in P3, and do not mention it during the interview. I am not positive this would be a problem if it was mentioned, but no need to add any extra red flags or excuses to hold up the Visa. Your fiancee will probably be asked how long do you plan to wait to before marrying once you arrive in the US? My fiancee's answer was a few weeks after we arrived.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-03-23 16:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
If you look at the time lines of when people get interviews scheduled this time of year, it is normally 4 to 6 weeks out from when P3 is returned. If you go back to posts about this time last year same thing happened. My guess is with all the extra holidays the embassy gets quite a few workers take vacation, and it just slows down the process.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-05-13 10:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

Hey toma1. This could be way off base but for some reason I have the impression they X-ray or scan all packages even if it list just documents. I think they have the ability to look/check if they are really interested. I think I have seen packages arrive with a label that says contents x-rayed.

No, I am not taking any excessively imagination inducing medications.


I know you are talking about the post office, but on a side note, my luggage was x-rayed on the way out of customs when I arrived a few weeks ago. In all my trips I have never had to put my luggage through the x-ray machine on the way out.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-05-12 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

Hello,

I am a 21 year old full time student and I havnt had a real job for a couple years. I read that the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok does not accept co-sponsors for a K-1 Visa?????I was planning on having my dad co-sponsor my fiance. Is this true? does anyone have some first hand experience about this issue? I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks

Shane Headlee


From what I have read on this forum, BKK does not accept co-sponsors. Most of the SE Asian countries do not. I would suggest finding a 2nd job to push your income level over the poverty level. Or you could marry and go the CR-1 route, if I remember correctly they will accept co-sponsors for a married couple (someone else can chime in and confirm).
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-05-06 03:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

@TheBears - Your husband is from Nakhon Pathom, is that right? Audy (my fiancee) is from Nakhon Pathom. It is not one of my favorite towns in Thailand as it is a small quiet town. She lives well on the outskirts of town with nothing but dust and dirt around their home.

You can do the reverse of sending money to Thailand. You need to give him your bank's ABA Routing number. He should be able to go into his bank and they will send half of his account (or whatever amount) to their main branch in (probably) New York. That requires a SWIFT number but you do not need it. Then your husband gives them your name, account number, Bank name and ABA Routing number and his bank's main branch in the USA will get it into YOUR account if that is OK with him.

I do this in reverse with Audy. I send money from my bank to her main Bank in New York with Bangkok Bank's ABA number to New York. I also give my bank the SWIFT number, Audy's real name, account number and bank branch in Thailand and she gets the money in about 4 days. The last exchange was about 31.9 baht per dollar. The best I have gotten in the past 6 months was 32.6 baht to the dollar.

Anya seemed to describe something similar to what I had in mind for getting Audy her own credit rating. I think having a good credit rating is very important and something i definitely want to do for her.

Take care


I do the same thing. Also be aware, if you are moving large sums of money out of thailand from a Thai bank it is very difficult. They don't want their money to leave. I had transferred in bunch and then wanted to transfer it back to my US bank, and they made me fill out a bunch of forms and asked a ton of questions, in the end I just left it there and use it when we go there now.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-04-28 17:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

I do not plan on ordering tax transcripts. The packet 3 says "a copy of the petitioner's tax return (1040) for the most recent tax year. I hope I am not setting myself up for failure.


I used my tax 1040, I didn't do tax transcripts you should be fine. Just remember to print the entire return with all the forms attached.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-04-25 23:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
BNH is in the Silom area. Go to Bumrungrad you should be good.

I will be there next week, hopefully it has calmed down.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-04-22 18:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

Sawasdee Krap everyone! Just recieved NOA2 on April 20th. Me and Pornnaphat are working on the packet 3. She has her police certificate and other important documents translated to English. I hope this mess right now clears up. My heart goes out to everyone that is being affected by the current political situation. I really hope this does not interfere with her interview. Can anyone tell me how long we can expect to get an appointment after we send in the packet 3. I am trying to time my vacation. I am US Military so I have to put my vacation in early.


Take a look at the timelines, it should give you a good indication of when they will schedule the interview.
AaronLVMaleThailand2010-04-22 16:24:00