ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
ThailandFYI on regions, districts, and sub-districts of Thailand
For those of you who are still confused about the regions and provinces of Thailand when they asked for city/province/district of your significant other's birth place, here are some clarifications for you. Under the Administrative System, Thailand is divided into 4 regions(Northern, Northeastern or Isaan, Central, and Southern). Each region has provinces, for example, Northeastern or Isaan region is divided into 19 provinces (Jungwat, ???????). Each province has its districts (Amphoe, ?????); each district has its sub-districts (Thumbon, ????); and each sub-district has its smaller villages (Ban, ????), which all are under province control. Under this system, Thailand has a total of 76 Provinces. Isaan has 19, Northern has 17, Central has 26, and Southern has 14. I hope this helps. If you still need more info, please read my blog at http://mythaiworldne...k.blogspot.com/
ThaiStyleUSAMaleThailand2013-03-06 18:55:00
ThailandUS Embassy visa approval process?

If it gets to over 6 mths medical, police record & interview is redone at most

embassies for others its a year, so if waiver is approved they will send an

instruction letter & request passport to stamp ot


JawareeMale02014-10-10 02:51:00
ThailandInterview timing and visa validity

Which consulate?


Lainie BFemaleAustralia2014-08-22 23:52:00
ThailandTravel Question
My wife traveled from the US Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands and back on her Thai passport and GC with no issues.

The most important factor is what is required by the other nation. BVI allow the Thai Passport and GC with no additional visa, while other nations do. I am confident you already looked into this.


ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2014-09-01 17:29:00
ThailandHi, All. Marrying a Thai national and would like thoughts, comments, criticisms
If sin sot has come up also be aware of your future wife's expectation to continue to support her family from America. If she is traditional Thai, she will continue to support them the rest of their lives and may expect you to chip in. In the least I would recommend that you speak to her about this as it has been a sticky issue in many Western/Thai relationships. To understand this culturally it comes down to mae nom ????? - mother's milk - the belief that since the parents have sustained you growing up, you owe it to them to return the favor as they age.

All the best


ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2014-09-26 19:49:00
ThailandInterview timing and visa validity

Each consulate has their own rules.  Some assign you the date while others wait for you to pick one.  Some even have a hybrid of the two depending on the type of visa.  Go to the web page for your specific consulate to look it up.

 

Generally you have 6 months from the date of the visa issuance to enter the United Statesl, but some, like Manila, start the 6 month clock ticking from the date of your medical.  Again, there is no substitute but to read that consulate's rules.

 


Al422MalePhilippines2014-08-23 08:08:00
ThailandQuestions regarding vaccinations and medical exam.

Not everybody needs all of these shots.  Many of them are for only certain age groups.  My wife (age 41) needed only tetanus, MMR and varicella (which she is exempt from because she already had chicken pox).

 


Al422MalePhilippines2014-09-11 11:45:00
ThailandInterview timing and visa validity

Thank you for the reply!

Sorry to be dense, but it's still not quite clear to me at what point consulate sets time for interview. Is interview time set as soon as consulate contacts beneficiary? Or is it set after beneficiary returns required documents to consulate?

 

You need to be clear about which consulate you are referring to.  Some consulates do not schedule your interview, you are the one to schedule it.  Some consulates also have their own procedures on how you should prepare for the interview.  Some require you to send things to the embassy first before you can have your interview scheduled, and others just want you to bring all your documentation to the interview.

 

If you want a more direct answer, specific to your country, you need to say which consulate you need more specific information about.
 


ZedaynMalePhilippines2014-08-23 15:55:00
ThailandTravel Question

I got my answer. Thanks.


khwaidee1MaleThailand2014-08-19 13:43:00
ThailandTravel Question

I am posting this here because it pertains to traveling on a Thai Passport with GC and wanted to see if anyone has any experience.

 

LAX to Costa Rica with a few hour layover in El Salvador.

 

Thanks in advance.


khwaidee1MaleThailand2014-08-19 13:27:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification

I got the answer.  The US Embassy officially recognizes 6 different translation companies, but acknowledges that there are many more.  Attached is a list of those 6 companies.

 

A photocopy of the translation company's certification issued to them by the Thai government must be obtained from any translation company that is not on the US Embassy's list.  In other words, a copy of their occupational license must be obtained.  They should be able to scan this and email it to any client who makes a request.

 

Hmm...nice work in finding that document. 

 

 

Here is what USCIS says about translation.

http://www.uscis.gov...g-documentation

  • Translations. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.

DualityOnenessMaleChina2014-08-19 23:44:00
Thailandtravel to thailand
if anyone is considering trip to Thailand we booked 2 round trips Aug20/sept18, Cathay pacific,$2013.00 total....I paid $2117.00 just for myself Aug2013!!! Also, we have a early morning departure Sept18(11:50am),and since we cannot get to BKK from Korat by bus that early we were able to book 2 nights at the Landmark BKK, a five star hotel for $60.00 per night! Don't know if there low prices are due to the past and present "situation in Thailand? We were worrying about receiving Songsang`s EAD/I-131 combo card in time but we today received e-mail that combo card went to card production!
steve n songsangMaleThailand2014-07-26 13:27:00
ThailandHi, All. Marrying a Thai national and would like thoughts, comments, criticisms
Welcome and good luck...check our timeline to get an idea...
steve n songsangMaleThailand2014-09-25 05:16:00
ThailandVisa approved but what is "GSS"?

 

?????????  Glad I could help.
 

Good news I got my visa package already.  We are both so happy and excited.  Thank you so much again.


Rose and MikeFemaleThailand2014-08-18 10:43:00
ThailandVisa approved but what is "GSS"?

At last Karee my visa is Issued today, thank you so much for the help you have given me whenever I had questions.  Thank you so much.


Rose and MikeFemaleThailand2014-08-15 02:41:00
ThailandVisa approved but what is "GSS"?

Thank you Karee, I realized it after I posted this.  I did already before my interview.  That's why the CO mentioned that they will send it to the applicant's address on GSS profile.  I forgot.


Rose and MikeFemaleThailand2014-08-14 06:38:00
ThailandVisa approved but what is "GSS"?

Please help, I received an email today but I do not know what GSS means.

 

Dear Applicant/ Petitioner,

 

Thank you for your email.

We have received your said documents. Please be informed that your visa has now been approved. We are working with the preparation of your visa package and will mail it to the applicant address on GSS profile which takes approximately 7-10 days. Applicant should refrain from making any irrevocable travel arrangements until he/she receives the visa package back in hand.

 

Best Regards,

Immigrant Visa unit

U.S. Embassy Bangkok

 

 

Thank you so much in advance.


Rose and MikeFemaleThailand2014-08-14 03:09:00
ThailandInterview timing and visa validity

Bangkok is pretty quick about scheduling interviews once you send in the readiness form (e.g. completed packet 3).  Ours was scheduled two weeks after we sent the packet in.  The unfortunate thing that we had is that they never actually sent out packet 3 to us, we ended up contacting them after 2-3 weeks of our packet arriving from the NVC and they did confirm that it was okay to compile all of the documents on the beneficiary side to send in.


ThaneMaleThailand2014-08-29 10:14:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification

 

 

Source: http://www.visajourn...nt/translations

 

That's it.  That's all I used.  Not sure if the policy has changed since then, but I don't think it has.

 

 

I got an email from the US CIS, but the lady forgot to attach the form, as per our conversation.

 

Irregardless, I feel the above is similar to what the form contains, which is what I was asking about in my OP.  This form would serve as the translator's certification, if it's done by an individual with bilingual skills.

 

Case closed.  Thanks.


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-08-22 01:49:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification

 

 

Source: http://www.visajourn...nt/translations

 

That's it.  That's all I used.  Not sure if the policy has changed since then, but I don't think it has.

 

 

The US CIS just called me with additional information.

 

A company doing the translation must simply provide their contact info, i.e. letterhead, attached to the translation.

 

An individual doing the translation must complete a certification form which is provided by the US CIS and attach it to the translation.  The lady said she will email this form to me.  I will post it when I get it.  She said she's working alone today and will email it to me as soon as she can.


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-08-20 22:31:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification

http://www.thaivisa....ator/?p=8270631

 

I'm assuming doontp from TVF and dakotap here on VJ are the same person.  I'm wondering where that requirement came from?  That is definitely new.  I've had monks here in Dallas at the Thai temple translate documents for me that were submitted to USCIS.  I can assure you they're not on any US Embassy approved list. 

 

Something is not making sense here unless there's a new policy.

 

Your assumption is correct.  doontp and dakotatp is the same person.

 

I called USCIS at Tel.: 02-205-5352.  USCIS said a business license issued to them by the government allows them to provide translation services.  

 

Again....the below is taken for the Form I-130 Instructions.

 

(1) Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct, 

and

(2) Any foreign language document must be accompanied by the translator?s certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.

 

What certification or proof does the monk have that indicates he is competent to translate the foreign language into English?  A Bachelors Degree in English?  Perhaps I'm going overboard with my understanding of the I-130 instructions?  Perhaps I'm being a little too #######?  Perhaps the person I spoke with over the phone (who I will add did not sound like an American) was wrong?

 

I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers.  I'm not here to debate what's right or wrong.  Bottom line I don't want any problems or holdups on my wife's visa application.  My wife's visa app will be a documentation-gathering of perfection.  My wife will not be denied.  I'm looking for any loose end, any I that hasn't been dotted, any T that hasn't been crossed. 


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-08-20 21:47:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification
 

I got the answer.  The US Embassy officially recognizes 6 different translation companies, but acknowledges that there are many more.  Attached is a list of those 6 companies.

 

A photocopy of the translation company's certification issued to them by the Thai government must be obtained from any translation company that is not on the US Embassy's list.  In other words, a copy of their occupational license must be obtained.  They should be able to scan this and email it to any client who makes a request.

 

Attached Files


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-08-19 22:51:00
ThailandTranslator's Certification

I'll be soon submitting an application for a US Visa for my wife.

 

Below is copied and pasted from the Instructions regarding translation of foreign language documents.

 

Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct, and by the translator?s certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.

 

I submitted Thai language documents for translation to English via email.  They were promptly translated and hard-copies mailed and soft-copies emailed to me.  I paid by bank transfer.  No problem.  The translated docs are stamped, "Certified complete and correct translation" and signed by the translator.

 

I subsequently (repeatedly) asked, via email, for the "translator's certification", but I get no response.

 

(1) What exactly is the "translator's certification?"  Is this similar to a business license? 

 

(2) Is the United States Citizen Immigrant Services really strict about seeing a copy of the translator's certification?

 

(3) Why are they ignoring my email?  I used what appears to be a very large translation company in BKK.

I printed out the homepage of the translation company's website.  Can this suffice as proof of their validity?

 

 


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-08-19 01:29:00
ThailandI-864: Letter from Employer

The US Embassy, rather than the US CIS, handles everything associated with the I-864, which involves a sponsor's letter of employment.

 

The US Embassy in Bangkok finally replied to my questions.

 

 

Question 1:  The Embassy does not have a specific format for a sponsor's "Letter of Employment"

 

Question 2:  No

 

Question 3:  it's a waste of time using 2 sponsors, if both of them, individually, meet or exceed the income requirements.

 

 

 

 


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-10-17 04:57:00
ThailandI-864: Letter from Employer

Hello,  I'm in Thailand and I did the DCF last week.

 

My uncle has completed an I-864 and provided all of the supporting documents to me.  

 

The only problem is the letter from the employer verifying my uncle's employment.  It is not in the below format the US CIS wants.  

 

Instead, his employer provided him with what his company referred to as an, "Employee Data Report."  This report shows the company address and telephone # and it is dated.  But it's not signed by anyone nor is anyone's name and job title listed.  It does have the dates employed and my uncle's job title.  It does have his wage per month and per year.   My uncle works for a very large corporation and the Employee Date Report is very official looking.

 

 

Question #1:

Is the US CIS strict about the format of the sponsor's letter of employment?

 

Question #2:

Is there any positive or negative consequence to having 2 sponsors?

A friend of mine has already provided me with a completed I-864 along with all of the supporting documents, all of which are perfect, including the Letter of Employment.

 

Question #3:

Would it be better if I only used my friend as a sponsor, because everything he submitted to me is correct?  Or should I go ahead and submit both my friend's and my uncle's I-864 together?

 

 

 

US CIS Format

letter of employment:

 

Re: Employment verification for __________________

 

Use below template to instruct your employer to generate letter on company letterhead.

 

1.    Letter should be typed on company letterhead showing company address and telephone.

2.    Letter must be dated.

3.    Letter must be signed and that person's job title must be listed.

4.    Letter must include the dates employed and the employee?s job title.

5.    Letter must have wage/hour or wage/mile or wage/load and translated into salary/year


dakotatpNot TellingThailand2014-10-10 22:42:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

OK

 

Moved into Management.


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-24 20:30:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

So to use a Football example they get relegated down through the divisions.

 

Makes sense.


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-24 18:56:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

So what happens when they are not so young?


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-24 18:29:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

Hollywood fairy tales

 

:cry:  :cry:  :cry:


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-24 18:17:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

But, but....

 

pretty_woman_ukquad_CAB20.JPG


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-24 18:07:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

BoilerMaleWales2014-07-12 22:39:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

Rent, not buy, that should be a stickie.


BoilerMaleWales2014-07-12 20:46:00
ThailandCatch-22 Police Clearance style...

**** Moving to Thailand forum for country specific answers on the police cert   ******


Penguin_ieFemaleIreland2014-07-20 08:16:00
ThailandRoman or Thai alphabet

Hello. I am new here and have a few questions. I have used search function and cant find what I need. I am starting on my I-129F package and have questions about Roman alphabet and native language on forms.

 

I have her address written in Thai, but cant translate it to English letters. I have ran it thru a few translators online. On one it gives the street name as a car and the city is wrong. The other gives the street name as something about an ice cream truck, but has the right city. What would be the best way to get this worded in English? I will have the same problem on I-129F form, so I need a correct translation.

 

 

 

On the address for Letter of Intent under her name on the header.Do I put address in Roman letters or her native alphabet?   I am assuming that everything but I-129F where it asks specifically for native language, that they want Roman letters used?

 

 

This is a little off the wall, but I am not sure how this works. Life would be a lot easier if she knew English better and I knew Thai. I am really confused.

When the embassy sends packets later in process or I want to send package, do we use Roman letters or Thai alphabet to send? Do postal people in Thailand know what house to deliver to if its written in English letters? What is the best way to send packages/letters between USA and Thailand? USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL?

 

Maybe I am making more out of this than I need to.

 

When we talk on Viber, Tango, etc, we communicate in Thai. Will I need to have these chat logs translated back to English before I send them with package? Some of this stuff is so confusing and has too much grey area.

 

Thanks, Phil

 

 

 

Now that the address thing is resolved, let me answer some of your other stuff.

 

On the I-129F it has a space for the English address, and for the foreign language address.  Just squeeze it as best as you can.  If you can't do that, attach a piece of paper with the address in Thai.  When they say native language they mean Thai in your case.

 

It's perfectly fine to mail/fedex/UPS things within/to Thailand with the English address.  I do it all the time.  Use the address I sent you via PM.  It'll get there no problem.

 

They don't care much for chat logs as proof of relationship at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok.  They like pictures, pictures, pictures!!!  Of course you'll need to add a few other things.  Plane ticket receipt proving you met within the last two years etc.


 


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-22 20:42:00
ThailandRoman or Thai alphabet

Hello. I am new here and have a few questions. I have used search function and cant find what I need. I am starting on my I-129F package and have questions about Roman alphabet and native language on forms.

 

I have her address written in Thai, but cant translate it to English letters. I have ran it thru a few translators online. On one it gives the street name as a car and the city is wrong. The other gives the street name as something about an ice cream truck, but has the right city. What would be the best way to get this worded in English? I will have the same problem on I-129F form, so I need a correct translation.

 

 

 

On the address for Letter of Intent under her name on the header.Do I put address in Roman letters or her native alphabet?   I am assuming that everything but I-129F where it asks specifically for native language, that they want Roman letters used?

 

 

This is a little off the wall, but I am not sure how this works. Life would be a lot easier if she knew English better and I knew Thai. I am really confused.

When the embassy sends packets later in process or I want to send package, do we use Roman letters or Thai alphabet to send? Do postal people in Thailand know what house to deliver to if its written in English letters? What is the best way to send packages/letters between USA and Thailand? USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL?

 

Maybe I am making more out of this than I need to.

 

When we talk on Viber, Tango, etc, we communicate in Thai. Will I need to have these chat logs translated back to English before I send them with package? Some of this stuff is so confusing and has too much grey area.

 

Thanks, Phil

 

 

Post her address here in Thai, or if you don't feel comfortable with that, send it to me via PM.  I'll get it back to you in English.


 


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-22 19:56:00
ThailandGetting Medical Prior to Packet 3 Request

Hi Karee,

Out of all the required vaccines only two was required to get K1? If that is the case I am not too concerned. I just didnt want my baby getting stuck like a pincushion on the medical. When we could start that now and have them done or close to done.

Thanks for the info.

 

I believe that to be the case.  However, I think she'll need to have them completed before you file for adjustment of status here in the U.S.  Probably best to get them done in Thailand where it's cheaper.
 


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-08 18:37:00
ThailandGetting Medical Prior to Packet 3 Request

1. Cost is worth the risk to me. Don't see it as much risk getting it early. I see more risk in waiting and finding out something that requires a waiver right before your interview. The time that could be saved is worth the risk of the second medical (less than $100). 

2. I was under the impression from what I have read that the amount of vaccines and the enforcement of getting them prior to K1 approval has changed. I know the IR-1/CR-1 requirement where different at one time, but now are pretty much the same. 

 

What was your experience in 2009 with vaccines for your IR-1/CR-1?

 

Thanks 

My wife got the packet 4 with the interview date (Nowadays you just download it I think), and then went and got the medical done.  She didn't have any vaccination records, so they gave her the first shot of the series (which ended up being 2 shots) and then she went back the next day and picked up the medical report.  That was it as far as the shots were concerned.


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-02 21:26:00
ThailandGetting Medical Prior to Packet 3 Request

Hi All,

              Newbie here. Applying for K1  Fiancé Visa in Thailand. We have NOA 1 and CSS is doing the work. Think there is a possibility the process could go faster than we expected and want to lean forward so we can get through the interview process as quickly as possible. Also with the vaccine rules they now have for the K1 and my Fiancé not having any records we wanted to start her getting them now so she would not have them all at once at the medical. She called Dr. friend in her village and she had no luck getting any records. Then she called one of the Board Dr's in Bangkok to see what her options are. The office stated she could not do medical before embassy sent packet 3 and she should wait for the vaccines. Here are some questions I have for the people that have been through this in Thailand in the last 12 months.

 

1. Why can't she do the medical early? I know it is only good for 6 month but I don't see doing it in Sep as much risk with the current processing times at CSS. I also have read on this site of people doing medical prior to packet 3 request in Thailand.

 

2. Why not lean forward and get the list of vaccines started? I know if she has medical issues they may say she can't have some but she has no medical issues. Also would be less expensive at government facility than the board Dr.  and she would not be getting them all at once.

 

3. What was your experience with the medical process in regard to vaccines? Again I would like responses from the last 12 months as the vaccine rules changed.

 

Thank you for your help and comments, Glenn

1. Why risk it?  You never know what might happen and you'll be getting the medical done again if it expires. 

 

3. What rules have changed?


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-02 18:39:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

Some that lived near me when I was a little girl changed leagues and became what today is called human traffickers selling girls to people that sent them to these bars. Their own families would bring them to sell them into this life or they were kidnapped.   

 

Now all it takes is for them to show up back in the village with their new IPhones and nice clothes.
 


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-24 20:29:00
ThailandIs my future Thai Bride a Bar Girl?

So what happens when they are not so young?

It's kinda funny.  After awhile you rotate out to Phuket, then maybe Pattaya (the worst place on the planet)  You can still make money by working at the bar.  Basically when you buy a round of drinks for the girls, they get a cut of that.  Of course the girl drinks are more expensive.  The bars I hung out in had a bell.  When you ring the bell you buy everyone a drink.  I left there many nights after running up a $150 tab. 


KareeMaleThailand2014-07-24 18:35:00