Thai friend to travel with me to US
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
Even with her mother already in the U.S. with a 10 year green card it still took us nearly 4 years to get her daughter a visa...
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
HH,hhfarang wrote:Even with her mother already in the U.S. with a 10 year green card it still took us nearly 4 years to get her daughter a visa...
I just thought of something, what type of Visa? This is a critical part of the discussion as some are far more difficult and complicated then others with a lot of scrutiny. I am talking a B2 tourist Visa in my case. Guess we should all clarify when we state "Denied" or "Approved with no issues"
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
This was nearly 20 years ago so I don't remember the particulars, but I think it was a 30 day tourist visa. Tourist visa for sure, just don't remember the length of time it was supposed to be good for.
The daughter's visa was applied for incorrectly at the advice of embassy personnel (application submitted by green carded birth mother). After a couple of years of fighting and waiting we went to a lawyer and he got it done correctly (application submitted by U.S. citizen as stepfather).
The daughter's visa was applied for incorrectly at the advice of embassy personnel (application submitted by green carded birth mother). After a couple of years of fighting and waiting we went to a lawyer and he got it done correctly (application submitted by U.S. citizen as stepfather).
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
As a Brit and as an aside, our Embassy was renowned for harsh treatment of Thai ladies who applied for temporary visas.
I've been through it twice. The first time for my ex girlfriend and it was impossible. I took the matter to the House of Commons through my Minister of Parliament. A no go after a lot of heartache. So, I moved here.
That initial relationship fell through but many years later my wife got a family visit visa within three days.
It's always the "reason to return" that really matters. No difference there between the US and UK authorities. In our instance, the reason for my wife to return was me as I demonstrated that I lived here.
I appreciate that there's a huge difference between a "friend" applying for a visa or a "wife" applying for one. And there are obviously differences between the US and UK.
However, if refused, never give up. I assume that US citizens are able to ask for the reasons for refusal. Then prepare for the second application.
Good luck.
I've been through it twice. The first time for my ex girlfriend and it was impossible. I took the matter to the House of Commons through my Minister of Parliament. A no go after a lot of heartache. So, I moved here.
That initial relationship fell through but many years later my wife got a family visit visa within three days.
It's always the "reason to return" that really matters. No difference there between the US and UK authorities. In our instance, the reason for my wife to return was me as I demonstrated that I lived here.
I appreciate that there's a huge difference between a "friend" applying for a visa or a "wife" applying for one. And there are obviously differences between the US and UK.
However, if refused, never give up. I assume that US citizens are able to ask for the reasons for refusal. Then prepare for the second application.
Good luck.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
^ Indeed Iomuamart,
I guess without knowing specific reasons for folks denial it is hard to assess. The process seems pretty straight forward. You want to visit the US as a tourist, you want to tour around, sight see. You have ample assests in the world to return i.e. her family, own a descent chunk of land, a couple of bank accts, a car, 2 motocycs, a ailing father etc. Its actually a PIA for her leave quite frankly but this is a perfect opportunity as she will start a new job in about 4 months
And she will not give up if refused, my timing return is not set in stone so I can wait for her to get it straight. Her timing is more of the issue as her friend is holding the position for her until her return but if refused and delayed the window shortens significantly for her to travel and she wants to see a lot. Its expensive for her. I am not paying for her trip. I think its a great opportunity to visit with a built in tour guide(me)
I guess without knowing specific reasons for folks denial it is hard to assess. The process seems pretty straight forward. You want to visit the US as a tourist, you want to tour around, sight see. You have ample assests in the world to return i.e. her family, own a descent chunk of land, a couple of bank accts, a car, 2 motocycs, a ailing father etc. Its actually a PIA for her leave quite frankly but this is a perfect opportunity as she will start a new job in about 4 months
And she will not give up if refused, my timing return is not set in stone so I can wait for her to get it straight. Her timing is more of the issue as her friend is holding the position for her until her return but if refused and delayed the window shortens significantly for her to travel and she wants to see a lot. Its expensive for her. I am not paying for her trip. I think its a great opportunity to visit with a built in tour guide(me)
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
The only specific reason they gave me was insufficient evidence that she would return to Thailand before her tourist visa expired. They are all powerful just like immigration here. They don't have to give you specifics beyond that and a "no".
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
HHF, that's no difference to the UK either. However, from reading the above, if the US say no, you get an appeal. In the stated circumstances, there would be no appeal for the UK.
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Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
Yes, BB. The ex's refusal letter for her first application ran along the lines of "the applicant has failed to satisfy us that she has sufficient reason to return to Thailand. We therefore do not believe that she is a genuine applicant who wishes to visit the UK for tourist reasons". That was essentially the gist of it if not the exact words.
However, we did get a sort of appeal at the Embassy but it was me who was interviewed by the head of the consular section as I insisted on it. Probably wouldn't happen now as this was some 16 years ago. The ex waited outside. I don't think that they were too impressed that they'd been told to see me by the Home Office in the UK. That was curtains for the ex's visa and we never bothered the hallowed halls again.
Sorry if my posts seem to be hijacking the thread. That's not my intention. It's just that the Brit and US systems seem to be fairly closely aligned.
However, we did get a sort of appeal at the Embassy but it was me who was interviewed by the head of the consular section as I insisted on it. Probably wouldn't happen now as this was some 16 years ago. The ex waited outside. I don't think that they were too impressed that they'd been told to see me by the Home Office in the UK. That was curtains for the ex's visa and we never bothered the hallowed halls again.
Sorry if my posts seem to be hijacking the thread. That's not my intention. It's just that the Brit and US systems seem to be fairly closely aligned.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
There are similar constraints with similar outcomes, I think Australia same way.
I find this entire process rather bothersome as it is left to what appears to be a tremendous amount of subjectiveness. How can they possible assess your intentions? Is there a certain dollar amount? Is their a certain number of cars, years at a job, family situation. The questions on the DS 160 form are very straight forward. You do not write any comments or elaborate. With that said I believe it all hinges on the interview and what the interviewer "Feels". Ahhh got to love the US for its subjective governing systems. Always a loophole, both for and against.
I find this entire process rather bothersome as it is left to what appears to be a tremendous amount of subjectiveness. How can they possible assess your intentions? Is there a certain dollar amount? Is their a certain number of cars, years at a job, family situation. The questions on the DS 160 form are very straight forward. You do not write any comments or elaborate. With that said I believe it all hinges on the interview and what the interviewer "Feels". Ahhh got to love the US for its subjective governing systems. Always a loophole, both for and against.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
Wanted to update
My friend got her Visa approved.
She filled out the 1 DS-160 form and submitted, Paid for the PIN fee($12). Paid the Visa fee ($140). She scheduled her appointment online. Arrived on time with her basic supporting documents and went right in. There were about 20ish or so people in line at BKK Embassy location. She was in and out in 2 hours, Visa approved.
She requested a Thai interviewer. She said the interview was easy. They ask some very pointed questions but said they were not out of line. She did say quite a few during her wait for the interview were rejected. The couple she spoke with said that their paperwork was inaccurate and one girl(she said about 17) was trying to get a Fiance Visa and was rejected almost instantly.
She paid for the envelope and they will mail her passport with Visa in about a week.
My friend got her Visa approved.
She filled out the 1 DS-160 form and submitted, Paid for the PIN fee($12). Paid the Visa fee ($140). She scheduled her appointment online. Arrived on time with her basic supporting documents and went right in. There were about 20ish or so people in line at BKK Embassy location. She was in and out in 2 hours, Visa approved.
She requested a Thai interviewer. She said the interview was easy. They ask some very pointed questions but said they were not out of line. She did say quite a few during her wait for the interview were rejected. The couple she spoke with said that their paperwork was inaccurate and one girl(she said about 17) was trying to get a Fiance Visa and was rejected almost instantly.
She paid for the envelope and they will mail her passport with Visa in about a week.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
That's a good result. Well done to her.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
^Thanks, She was nervous as she read about all the denials.lomuamart wrote:That's a good result. Well done to her.
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NatureSavior
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Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
good luck to you the last mate I talked to had 1 hell of a time with the embassy in Australia for thai tourists!
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NatureSavior
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Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
e yhhfarang wrote:Even with her mother already in the U.S. with a 10 year green card it still took us nearly 4 years to get her daughter a visa...
Do you know perhaps if there actually a specific 'requirement' as of the exact amount in the fams bank account to get a tourist visa? I know girls that aren't finished studying in college can get in on a work and travel program pretty easily.
Re: Thai friend to travel with me to US
Not sure about Australia but there is absolutely no specific information or minimum money stated or required to visit the US. You fill out the form, you answer the questions. In the end the entire Visa is granted on the applicants guarantee they will return to Thailand and the applicant supports that by bringing info that shows they have a vested interest to return i.e. Business, Family, Job, Money in banks, Vehicle(s), Spouse, Land. Those are the critical aspects that the interviewee is looking at. This is definitely coupled with the applicants ability to answer questions appropriately and not contradict what was written on their submitted DS-160 form.NatureSavior wrote:e yhhfarang wrote:Even with her mother already in the U.S. with a 10 year green card it still took us nearly 4 years to get her daughter a visa...
Do you know perhaps if there actually a specific 'requirement' as of the exact amount in the fams bank account to get a tourist visa? I know girls that aren't finished studying in college can get in on a work and travel program pretty easily.
This was my 1st involvement in the this process but my 10,000 ft assessment is that most appear to fail from inaccurate or incomplete paperwork, contradiction in the forms submitted and the interview discussions. I also suspect that some offer too much information both in paperwork and during the interview. If I was an interviewer and someone brought me too much or offered to much info in the interview I would question it. I am only talking Tourist B1/B2. The others are an entirely different set of parameters and may require a ton more info but this is just a visit for fun. It should be simple and relatively fast. I did suggest to my friend to remember what she wrote on the form and stick to it and not offer anymore info. Answers the questions with as much Yes and No.