ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the embassy emailed me and said they sent my fiancee Packet 4 on the 15th and told me the interview date is August 21st at 7:30 am. So now the fun begins!! I have to get my trip planned now.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-17 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Yes, tourist visas are very hard to get over there even if you have some money in the bank and you have no doubt the person will return to Thailand. I think it is mostly a money making gimmick for the US. It does not seem fair that we let so many other countries in here, even some that don't need a visa to come visit, and we boast of having 175 years of friendship with Thailand and we treat them like ####### when they want to come visit. So what if a few stay here illegally!! Look at all the people from Mexico and other countries down there that are here and we still pretty much do nothing about it. Oh, well. Hope your visa goes well too.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-16 08:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Congratulations!!! Good to get some great feedback on the ongoing process at the embassy. We are just waiting for the interview date now and it's on the way since they called my fiancee to confirm her address and tell her it was on the way. I am curious as to what documents you had with you to show the relationship. I have already gathered up a ton of stuff since we have been together just short of 3 years and I could give them over 600 emails or more if I wanted to freak them out and probably over 1000 SMS's and chats. But just a good idea of how many of each thing you provided to them would be good to know.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-16 07:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
My fiancee got a call from the embassy in BKK today, Tuesday, informing her that they are sending out the letter with the interview date and confirming her address and also asking her to send in the checklist, which she told them she already did and the embassy emailed me to tell me they had all the documents. Of course, there is a big holiday Thurs and Fri so I am not sure if she will receive it before she goes home to Korat tomorrow night for 4 days but at least it sounds like I should know when I will be going over there real soon. I just hope it is toward the end of August or the first week in September that we have the appt. to make sure we have time to get all the documents ready....I have most....and to accomodate our other plans.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-15 06:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Yes, we only wish it were that easy to do here!!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-12 17:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Well, my experience with the police is everytime we have been stopped on the roads by the police for speeding, which my girls does routinely, she just negotiates and we pay them off. They seem like the most corrupt bunch of people around. So the wait is on to see when the new interview list is posted next week.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-12 07:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I would not trust the mail and go pick it up. My lady ordered hers two weeks ago this coming Monday and she told them she would go pick it up. After having to mail the Packet 3 papers three times before the embassy got them, I wouldn't even trust the police to do it right. Good luck!!!

The new interview dates should be posted on the website sometime early next week, I imagine, and I'll be looking for ours. If our number is there I'll be getting my trip planned!!!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-11 19:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I figure our interview will fall end of August, early September. At least that is what I think from what I have seen happening with other people and their interview dates. So I plan on being in BKK in September probably for a month. Thanks for all the good info. I have never been inside the embassy, only past it, so I don't know what goes on inside. I just hope it all goes well when we get there.

My GF has been there before and she said NOT to bring a huge pile of papers as the slot to slide them under at the interview is not that big. I, of course, will come prepared with more than enough to show we have known each other for about 3 years and that I can support her with no problem, although she already has my neighbor and an owner of a Thai restaurant and grocery store wanting her to teach them yoga so that's good for me to keep her busy.

So if anyone has had a very recent trip to the embassy with their fiancee, please let us know if you were talked to, got to go in with the fiancee or what happened.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-10 20:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Thanks all!!! I am not sure the embassy would tell you in an email. I was just wanting to know what people's past experience was. I am hoping we have our interview date when they post the new ones any day now as I am anxious to get back over there to see her since she wanted me to wait and cancel my June trip to save the money and come for the interview so we can settle things up and she can come back with me if all works out well. I am still interested in other people's comments if they were there for the interview to see what is going on now.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-10 17:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I have a question. For those of you that were at the embassy in Bangkok with your fiancee for the interview, how many were talked to during the interview process or were you left outside or in a waiting area and never talked to? I plan on being there for the interview so I am curious whether they usually talk to the other person or not. Thanks.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-10 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I understood that if your fiancee comes here on a fiancee visa and you get married there is no fee to change her status to a married visa. Is that not true?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-08 13:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (sference @ Jul 2 2008, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ Jul 2 2008, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sference @ Jul 2 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Jul 2 2008, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ Jul 2 2008, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Jul 2 2008, 07:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I talked to my girl last night after she ordered the police report. She said they charged her 200 baht, it was not free, and would be ready in two weeks. She apparently had not problems dealing with them and did have the NOA2 with her that she printed out from the email I sent her.

It's interesting that the fees for the medical exam are cheaper at Bumrungrad than the other hospital. And I just dont understand why they keep wanting more pictures done!! You would think the ones you send in at the beginning would be enough. It adds up having pictures done and all the fees for everything.


Tom,

She paid 2000 baht? Ours was free.
But then again the idiots working there totally screwed up our paper and we're still waiting for it.



No. She paid 200 baht, not 2000. I told her it was supposed to be free before she went and she knew that but who's going to stand there and argue with them when, if you piss them off, they can make a real mess for you? So she paid the 200 and they said she could come get it in two weeks so we'll see what happens then. I am glad it wasn't 2000 or I would have been screaming bloody murder as this visa is costing enough as it is.

Do you know if they asked to see the NOA2?


Sference,

My fiance went with our lawyer, and the police asked my fiance for the copy of the NVC letter. I just called my fiance and asked her if the police asked her for it, and she said they did.

Well I'll see what happens. She is going there tomorrow (Friday morning BKK time.) I had her print out packet 3 from the embassy website, maybe they'll take that. I can't believe those clowns would even know the difference, but maybe they will. If so, she'll just have to make another trip down to BKK.


It's like rolling the dice and seeing what comes up...snake eyes or something good. Better to be prepared than keep going back. Good luck!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-02 22:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
sference, my lady says all they did was ask her to fill out a form that had the reason for requesting the report on it. She did not show them the NOA2. So that's what she told me. I would have something just in case since you never know who you will talk to or what they will want.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-02 21:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Can't remember but I will be chatting with her online later tonight and I'll ask her and let you know.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-02 19:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ Jul 2 2008, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Jul 2 2008, 07:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I talked to my girl last night after she ordered the police report. She said they charged her 200 baht, it was not free, and would be ready in two weeks. She apparently had not problems dealing with them and did have the NOA2 with her that she printed out from the email I sent her.

It's interesting that the fees for the medical exam are cheaper at Bumrungrad than the other hospital. And I just dont understand why they keep wanting more pictures done!! You would think the ones you send in at the beginning would be enough. It adds up having pictures done and all the fees for everything.


Tom,

She paid 2000 baht? Ours was free.
But then again the idiots working there totally screwed up our paper and we're still waiting for it.



No. She paid 200 baht, not 2000. I told her it was supposed to be free before she went and she knew that but who's going to stand there and argue with them when, if you piss them off, they can make a real mess for you? So she paid the 200 and they said she could come get it in two weeks so we'll see what happens then. I am glad it wasn't 2000 or I would have been screaming bloody murder as this visa is costing enough as it is.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-02 18:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I talked to my girl last night after she ordered the police report. She said they charged her 200 baht, it was not free, and would be ready in two weeks. She apparently had not problems dealing with them and did have the NOA2 with her that she printed out from the email I sent her.

It's interesting that the fees for the medical exam are cheaper at Bumrungrad than the other hospital. And I just dont understand why they keep wanting more pictures done!! You would think the ones you send in at the beginning would be enough. It adds up having pictures done and all the fees for everything.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-02 06:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
My girl is going today to get the police report ordered. I scanned the NOA2 with the BNK number and her name and sent it JPEG to her in an email to print out. Figured it would not hurt for her to have it. She also told me that they sent her the form for the medical exam in the Packet 3 materials, so I guess we will get that done soon too. Anyone else have the medical exam paper come with Packet 3?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-07-01 21:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
The third time was the charm. The BKK embassy emailed me that they have finally received all of the Packet 3 documents and now I will have to wait to see when the interview will be. I am hoping late August, early September as that would work out great for me to head on over there.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-30 22:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Isn't there a letter that comes with Packet 3 that the fiancee can use to go to the police headquarters ahead of Packet 4 so she can get things moving quicker? Seems that's all the proof they need is the fact they received Packet 3 to show a visa is in process. They don't get a copy of the NOA1 or 2 sent to them in Thailand.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-30 09:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
FINALLY, partial success with Packet 3!!!!!! They received her documents without the checklist she forgot to send and called her today, Friday, to tell her to mail the checklist, which she has done. This is only the THIRD time we have mailed the papers and it's getting costly to get passport photos and pay for her printing the papes at internet cafes, etc. So maybe now I will get lucky and finally get an interview date early next week after the checklist arrives. A sigh of relief on my part since she first got the Packet 3 the end of April.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-27 06:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Question for those of you that have sent Packet 3 EMS to BKK embassy. Ours was delivered yesterday but the recipient only says RONG MUANG.

Is that what everyone else got that sent theirs EMS to the embassy? They don't put the name of the actual recipient but the area?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-26 07:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
From what I have seen on the board, sometimes it takes up to a month to get the certificate from the police. I think I'd play it safe and have her work on it right away. If you get it quickly, that's great. If it takes some time then you will have some leeway. Glad the email worked.

Our Packet 3 will be delivered today after two other unsuccessful attempts at mailing it to them from BKK. This time I finally got her to send it EMS with a tracking number...but she didn't include the checklist!!! So when they notify me they received the packet, I am sure they will tell me what's missing and thankfully she is doing the checklist today and mailing that out EMS today also. I am hoping for an early Sept interview date and it looks like they are about 6 weeks out and not the 12 they told me. So hopefully I will hit it just right.

Edited by Tom and Wariya, 25 June 2008 - 09:30 PM.

Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-25 21:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (shawndoc @ Jun 25 2008, 04:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Jun 25 2008, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What email address are you using? Maybe they just like me!!! I only use visasbkk2@state.gov and not the other one without the 2 in it.


Didn't know there was a visasbbk2 email address. I will try sending to that one.


The secret address (not really). Just make sure the subject line is 1st IV INQUIRY, your BNK case # and your full name. You might not hear back until tomorrow but don't sweat it. They have been very nice to me even calling my fiancee to tell her how to make sure to do something.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-25 16:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (shawndoc @ Jun 25 2008, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Jun 25 2008, 10:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
John, they post the interview dates about once a month so they will post again around July 11th. The interview date is about 12 weeks after they receive the Packet 3 information. It takes about a month before they mail Packet 4 to your fiancee. If you don't do the subject line of the email correct they will not respond. But I have written them at least 7 times and I have gotten a personal response from them each time. Sometimes it takes a couple days but they get back to me.


I also have only gotten the automated reply. These emails were sent last week. The format in the subject was correct.



What email address are you using? Maybe they just like me!!! I only use visasbkk2@state.gov and not the other one without the 2 in it.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-25 15:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
John, they post the interview dates about once a month so they will post again around July 11th. The interview date is about 12 weeks after they receive the Packet 3 information. It takes about a month before they mail Packet 4 to your fiancee. If you don't do the subject line of the email correct they will not respond. But I have written them at least 7 times and I have gotten a personal response from them each time. Sometimes it takes a couple days but they get back to me.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-25 12:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE (shawndoc @ Jun 24 2008, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When you apply for a change of status (to resident alien) also apply for "Advance Parole". AP will let her travel back home. Once the status is adjusted she is a permanent resident and will be able to travel all she wants.


Once it is adjusted to being married you mean? But does the visa then get changed to a K-3 in her passport?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-24 21:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I have another question for some of you that know the answers.

After my fiancee gets here and we get married and we apply to change status to married and then the visa is changed, right? No longer fiancee visa.

Then can my wife travel back and forth to Thailand as she pleases without any hassles while that visa is good? Is it then changed to a K-3 visa and how long is that visa good for?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-24 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Thanks J&L. That clears it up in my mind and I will just not worry about it until we get the visa and she gets here and then we will apply for the SSI. I was just wondering if it helped at all. Maybe some day with all the increase in fees they will get their forms straightened out and people won't keep wondering about all that stuff.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-23 12:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Congrats on your success!!!!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-22 21:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I have a question about the DS-230, question 33a and 33b. It asks if you want an SSI number and you check yes or no, and then the disclosure is yes or no to release information so you can get the SSI number.

I assume this is so an SSI number can start being processed after they get the forms or what? If someone can give me some clarification on this I'd appreciate it. I told my girl to check yes on both for her and her daughter since we are now sending the Packet 3 a THIRD time since the embassy says they have not gotten the first two and it's been over a week for the last one mailed EMS in BKK...and she threw away the tracking number. She is visiting family in Korat for a couple weeks and I am having her FedEx overnight the packet this time and sending me the tracking number so I can see that they received it.

So, my dear friends with lots of informtion, will checking yes on 33a and b speed up the issuance of an SSI or not?

Thanks!!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-22 20:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Haha....doesn't make me feel better really. Now I have to keep asking the embassy if they got it and I don't really want to do that but I need to know since the first one never made it. She knows how important it is to save stuff because I drill it into her head everytime she goes to the doctor this year or signs up for yoga lessons to save the receipts for taxes this year after we are married. I don't know why she threw it out this particular time. Go figure!!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-17 21:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Well, I found out this morning talking to Wariya on the phone that she THREW THE TRACKING number away so I can't check it. She had called her mom to see if anything had come to the home in Korat. Well, DUH!!!!!!!!!!, they don't mail out Packet 4 that fast!!! I guess I will have to have her do another Packet 3 and use my FedEx number and send it that way. Then I know I can track it for sure. At times I feel like strangling her!!!! Why in the heck would you throw the number away?? I wrote the embassy about sending FedEx and gave them her new cell number so I'll see what they answer in reply to doing that. I don't see why that would be a problem.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-17 18:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
First thing, my girl remailed the Packet 3 docs EMS on the 11th after the first packet did not arrive and they STILL have not arrived at the embassy and she mailed them in BKK again. What is wrong with their postal system??? Can anyone give me an idea how long their Packet 3 papers took to get to the embassy when mailed in Thailand? She called and checked with the tracking number and the embassy also emailed me and told me they had not received them. If they have not received them by the end of the week, I think I will have her use my FedEx number and send them that way.

As to littleasianman's email problems, I have emailed the embassy 3 times so far and they have responded very nicely to my emails to let me know the packet has not arrived yet. I don't know why you are having a problem with them. I just emailed them again this morning to make sure I can FedEx the papers if they don't receive them and to give them my girl's new cell phone number since she lost yet ANOTHER expensive phone.
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-17 06:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I would think that your father's signature would suffice as usually that is the controlling SSI on the taxes...if he is listed first. Also, I don't see why you can't use previous two years and just note that they had not filed their taxes yet so you could not provide this year's. If the income is close to the same every year it should not matter. Of course, if you want to be really safe and avoid any problems, I'd get both their signatures. Better safe than sorry, you know?

Are you in California? I grew up in Ventura County and retired from the courts there in Ventura. Just curious where you are located since I know So. Cal well.

Edited by Tom and Wariya, 15 June 2008 - 09:15 AM.

Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-15 09:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Out of curiosity, which is the best POE to come in through, Dallas, Chicago or JFK? Or does it really make any difference? Is one easier or quicker than the other? Does JFK still give EAD if you ask?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-12 12:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I wrote them to see if the received the packet mailed on 5-21 regular mail and it was a no show so she remailed all the docs Wed Thai time EMS. They even called her to tell her what to do.

When they wrote me back, they said interviews were being set about 12 weeks our after receiving Packet 3 back.

Don't know if postage stamps will work...hahaha.. but I guess you never know!! Maybe they would find it funny to see the Packet 3 show up with
a ton of stamps with your pics on them!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-11 20:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Thanks, but I keep copies of all my returns. It's just a lot to copy when they are 1/4 inch thick or more. Just when would they tell me how many copies of returns they would want? When Packet 4 goes out?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-10 18:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Well, I have to give the BKK embassy some good words here. After they notified me they had not received Wariya's Packet 3 papers back in the mail, I wrote and asked them what we should do. They not only wrote me back and told me to have her resend them, but they also called her on her cell phone and told her what she needed to do!!! I was quite impressed that they took the time to call her and make sure she sent them the right way....EMS this time.

So they go in the mail tomorrow Thai time (Wed) and I sure hope I get an interview date soon since she asked me not to come next week and wait until the interview to save money so she can fly back with me. Of course, I hate delaying my trip but if I do I will just stay longer as we will have to clean out the apartment we have in BKK and take some of the stuff back up to Korat.

Do you know, is one year of tax returns enough for the financial support or should I do two years?

Thanks for all the help!!
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-10 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Well, including a full copy of a couple years of tax returns might be nice if it's only a few pages but mine are easily a quarter inch thick each year with several pages of #######!!!! What should they care what my deductions are on the transcript side if all they care about is seeing that you make enough money that your fiancee is not going to be on welfare?

I would be interested in more feedback from other members of the forum. And how many copies of the financial support form notarized did y'all give them?
Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-09 21:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
On the vaccination issue, she is 30 years old but by birth certificate she is only 28 cause she was living with grandma and grandma never went and got
her birth certificate within the 30 days required by Thai law so she got the year grandma went and got it. Confusing, isn't it?

But it may not be cheaper to do them in Thailand as the plan is to get married as soon as she gets here and then I can put her on my health
insurance and only pay the co-pay for the doctor visit. I just wondered if I would get hit with a bill for a bunch of shots when she went for her medical exam which will now be delayed as I got an email back from the BKK embassy telling me the Packet 3 papers she mailed on May 21st have never been received by them. So now I am wondering what we should do....resubmit them this time sending EMS or wait to see what the embassy tells me to do. I am sure she sent in the signed checklist and how would we duplicate that? I asked her to make copies of the forms she had to fill out but I don't think she would have copied the checklist.

Should I wait longer to see if the papers show up? She is going to check at the post office and see what they can tell her about the delivery as she has
the receipt with some number on it she said. Anyone have experience with this?

I have a trip to BKK for the 18th that I was going to delay thinking we would have an interview date soon that might fall in late July, early August but with this delay it looks like September now so I plan on going unless something changes between now and the 18th.

I have another question, though. Will I need the affidavit of support for the visa interview I plan to attend? I am a court reporter for the state and I have a unique situation in that I am an employee for the State for what I do in court, but appeal and other transcripts are 1099 self-employment income so I also do a Schedule C for my tax returns. When I provide a copy of part of my returns from the last couple years to show my income, should I include a page or two of the Schedule C showing that income and the deductions I take? I don't want to give them anymore than I have to. I would think just the first couple pages of the 1040 would be enough that would show all my income and the adjusted gross income.

Edited by Tom and Wariya, 09 June 2008 - 12:52 PM.

Tom and TeawMaleThailand2008-06-09 12:48:00