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Does a Thai woman need a visa to come to the USA if she marries an American citizen?

Visa RequirementsThailandMarriage VisaCR-1 VisaK-1 VisaImmigrationThai Expat LifeCouplesFiancé VisaUS Immigration Law
Mar 16, 2024
8 months ago
Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I plan on marrying a Thai Lady in Thailand. I am an American. Will she still need a visa to come to the USA if we are married?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American planning to marry a Thai woman needs to realize that marriage does not automatically grant her entry into the United States. Comments emphasize that she will require a visa, specifically mentioning options such as the CR-1 spousal visa, which can take 1-2 years, or the K-1 fiancé visa, which is generally quicker. Multiple users offer advice on the necessary documentation and steps involved in applying for these visas, highlighting the complexities and potential challenges of the process.
Terary **********
It's a good question to ask now.

There are two visas to consider.. The wife visa and the fiance visa and they have different requirements. I looked into this about 10 years ago and in my situation the fiance visa made more sense.
8 months ago
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Steve ********
Sure we can't talk you out of that marriage business stuff? Good Luck.
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Why?
8 months ago
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Scott ********
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David *******
Just cross at the border of Mexico. No documents needed, free room and board, free 10k debit card of cash. No passports needed
8 months ago
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Nicolas ********
Jesus Christ how did these people survive before the internet? 🤦🏻‍♂️
8 months ago
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Jan ***********
What is the benefit of getting married for man?
8 months ago
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Bill *********
@Jan **********
 none
8 months ago
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Jan ***********
@Bill ********
 you know, I know. Why they still don't get it?
8 months ago
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Jan ***********
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Bill *********
Are you going to live in the US ? If yes you need a K1 visa takes a year .Plus $2500 for documents , medical exams etc .
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill ********
 Living in the US would be preferred
8 months ago
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Bill *********
@Scott *******
8 months ago
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Bill *********
@Scott *******
8 months ago
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Bill *********
@Scott *******
 K1
8 months ago
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Bill *********
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Marshall ********
Yes and it is best to bring her here on a fiancee visa before you get married.
8 months ago
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Bill **********
When I was in your situation in 2006, we got a US fiancee visa. Took several months, but worked out in the long run. Then, marriage in US; then a green card, followed by citizenship. Upon return to Thailand, registered our marriage in/with Thailand.
8 months ago
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Steve **********
Yes, and it's not an easy visa to receive.

Read requirements for fiance visa, get your documents in order. Save all joint emails, photos etc, she will need to provide proof she'll be returning, ie: job ( pref govt ) home, land, family , school etc, insur, ret ticket. financial .

All on internet.
8 months ago
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Lloyd ****
Yes
8 months ago
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Jason ******
Maybe her motorbike /buffalo is still sick
8 months ago
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Ray *********
Im a retired immigration attorney. I would be happy to get on the phone for a few minutes and provide you some general guidance.
8 months ago
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Pål *********
Check google.com
8 months ago
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Michael **************
Yes but i think its a different form also i think you can at the same time get her green card and passport
8 months ago
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Frank **********
Of course she needs a visa.
8 months ago
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David *******
@Frank *********
 no. No visa or passport needed if you go through Mexican border
8 months ago
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Frank **********
@David ******
 true.But the way my luck runs, my wife would probably be stopped and denied, 555.
8 months ago
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Frank **********
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Steven *******
It’ll be very difficult and time-consuming to get her to the US before you’re married or after. It takes years. I know. The US consular officials that approve visas are now held accountable whenever someone, who they issued a visa to, overstays. As a result, most of them severely curtailed the number of visas they approved. They get paid the same whether or not they issue visas.
8 months ago
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Danielle ********
First hand knowledge and experience here

1. The Fiance’ visa has taken 9 months so far and was approved just last week, we’re now waiting to hear from the BKK US embassy for our interview

2. A marriage visa I’m told takes 1.5-2 years so the Fiance’ visa is a quicker option

3. I know an immigration layer in California (a friend) and she advised me in several things that I think helped

A tourist visa to the US is almost impossible for a Thai citizen to obtain , my Fiance was denied after waiting 6 months and there were 20 people in the group all Thais asking for a tourist visa and ALL were denied
8 months ago
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Rob **********
Yes of course she will.
8 months ago
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Peter *********
Yes
8 months ago
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Larry **********
If you get married in Thailand you’ll probably have to deal with the dowry. But it will be harder for her to run away when her feet hit the ground in the US
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any American in Bangkok who would care to have lunch and tell me what they like and dislike about being there, I’m buying lunch. I will be back in Bangkok May 2 through May 28
8 months ago
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Jay ****
Easiest way. Fly her to Mexico, have her walk across into Cali, AZ, TX. Instant citizen, free house, car, living expenses, phone, prepaid debit cards, free Healthcare. Skip the 'legal' way.
8 months ago
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Jay ****
@Scott *******
 Still here long term.
8 months ago
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Michael **********
@Scott *******
 like: ladies dislike: ladyboys
8 months ago
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Michael **********
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Brad *******
Need a CR1 visa, a process that takes 1-2 years. Even though married, you can still be denied for many reasons if the embassy doesn't think it's legit.

Its very old fashioned and out of date in how they expect you to prove it's real, including evidence of joint financial ties.

Advise you to have a will naming her beneficiary. Also name her beneficiary on all financial accounts,

Put her name on any deeds you may hold.

Also have a joint bank check account.

Show evidence that youve already lived long term together.
8 months ago
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Bobby *********
8 months ago
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Bobby *********
Yes
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
Nobody seems to mention her simply getting a tourist visa after you are married. If you plan on living here then there is no need to go through the hassle of the CR1 or K1. The odds of a Thai woman being denied the tourist visa is typically high, but if you state your intentions to move to Thailand on her application it improves the odds. That's how my wife got her tourist visa, after being denied several times before we were married and before I moved here.
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wylie ******
 Are you in Bangkok?
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wylie ******
 Thank you
8 months ago
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Scott ********
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Vladimir ************
Prenap!!!!
8 months ago
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Matthew **********
Get a good Thai immigration lawyer and about $14,000 and you can get her here
8 months ago
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Steve **********
@Matthew *********
 not so, can do it yourself and the process and documents are all on line.

Takes patience, and a lot of backup data.

Best of luck

Be patient, but it is an 6 to 12 month process
8 months ago
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Steve **********
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Kool *******
Being married, or not married, makes no difference in her being approved for a visa to the US.
8 months ago
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John ********
Much easier if you are married

Almost impossible if not
8 months ago
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John ********
@Kool ******
 not true
8 months ago
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John ********
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William ******
There are a few ways, bit the CR1 is the way I'm going. It will probably take 10-14 months from the time you submit the endless amount of paperwork

K1 if you are not married in Thailand.
8 months ago
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Bernie **********
yes
8 months ago
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Maurice *********
You can just pack her in a suitcase. No visa necessary. 😂
8 months ago
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Steve **********
@Maurice ********
8 months ago
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Steve **********
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Koob ***********************
Yes she'll need some type of visa to enter into the US.

I married my Thai wife in Thailand and did the CR1 Visa (spousal visa)

From start to finish, it took us 1 year and 5 months.

Best of luck and I hope everything will go well for you two
8 months ago
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Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Koob **********************
 Thank you
8 months ago
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Scott ********
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Richard **************
Chok Dee
8 months ago
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Euan ********
If you need to ask that question then you really shouldn't be getting married
8 months ago
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Michael *********
Not as long as you send her as excess baggage you should be fine. She on the other hand might not be too happy. But hey welcome to the Land of Smiles.
8 months ago
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Braulio *********
555 555
8 months ago
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Todd ********
8 months ago
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Bonnie *********
Have you met this woman you’re planning to marry yet?
8 months ago
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Joseph *******
@Bon***
 of course not, he hasn't arrived at the gogo bar yet
8 months ago
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Joseph *******
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Luis ************
.....................some months later
8 months ago
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Declan **********
This is going to be fun to watch
8 months ago
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Steve **********
@Declan *********
 Not for the couple !

It's frustrating.

Assisted a friend 15 or so years ago. Was quite, ( not complicated ), but a frustrating process, then the interview in Bkk.
8 months ago
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Steve **********
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Coolidge *****
You have to filed for Cr-1 spouse visa for her to come to the USA. Another option if you want to marry her in the US filed for Fiancee(K1 visa)
8 months ago
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Rod ********
Scott ….. really?
8 months ago
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Karl ******
This is going to end up well
8 months ago
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Andy ************
Yes she will need a visa. That will take A LOT of planning and time and a lot of luck too
8 months ago
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Cary ******
Better to apply for a fiancé visa and marry in US. Www.visajourney.com
8 months ago
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Chris ******
@Cary *****
 Get a lawyer as it’s becoming more and more tenuous because lawmakers have find to find their two hands.
8 months ago
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Darrel *********
@Cary *****
 right now marrying in Thailand is better than marrying the United States. The fiance visa has longer total time than a marriage visa via another country marriage. Not to mention she will not be able to work or leave the USA during adjustment status. Either way you are looking at 1 year to 1.5+ total time.

The marriage visa however will give them a 2 year visa or 10 year with work permit depending on how long you guys have been married
8 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Cary *****
 the time differences between the 2 methods are pretty similar now. But I'd still use the fiance method as well.
8 months ago
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Richard *********
@Brandon ***********
 if they were to use the marriage route, she would get a green card and be able to work when she arrived (if married for two years). Else another wait if she intends to work. First time denied but second time was successful. My new Thai wife with no previous travel has a USA tourist visa, and she is with me now in the USA. We will be returning to Thailand after a 85 day in USA as that is where we chose to live.
8 months ago
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Richard *********
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Gary *********
Of course she’ll need a visa. She’s not an American is she ?
8 months ago
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Brandon ************
Just being married to you doesn't give her a free pass into the country. Only a US passport does that which she cannot get until she's a citizen. You have a LOT of research to do.
8 months ago
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James ******
@Brandon ***********
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Brandon ***********
 a Thai passport with a visa does it too. Depending on their plans maybe they don't need to go through the whole process for her to be a citizen, or can't even if they don't plan on living in the US. My wife got a tourist visa after we were married because it's all she needs based on our plans.
8 months ago
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Chris ******
@Wylie ******
 I replying to the group! Nothing personal! My comment applies to all.
8 months ago
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Chris ******
@Wylie ******
 easier if you get married in the states!

You arrive as a student or visitor on a 6 month visa !

Then you get married!

I visa status change from visitor to married to a USA citizen can be made through an immigration attorney in the USA!

If you get married in Thailand she can no longer ask for a visitor visa and then claim she’s married as the status is known before travel which puts you in a ambiguous situation!

It’s become really complex in the USA and I strongly suggest you get a god immigration attorney!

The one you want to seek out are the ones that retired from US immigration, as they intimately know the process and people within the system.

If you try to do

It yourself you run a high risk of refusal!
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Chris *****
 not true at all, and i believe you meant to respond to the op not me. My wife and I got married in Thailand and then she got a "visitor" visa after we were married. So I know as a fact it can be done. If a couple has absolutely no intention of living in the US there is no need for her to get a CR1, k1 visa or US citizenship.

As far as your suggestion for a Thai female to get a "visitor" visa and then go to the US and get married that is extemely frowned upon. If one plans on getting married in the US they should apply for the K1 visa prior to going. It's also EXTREMELY difficult for a Thai female to get a tourist visa because of exactly that. Most women are rejected unless they can show very strong ties and reasons they won't just stay in the US. Being married to a US citizen that has moved to Thailand is a valid enough reason.
8 months ago
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Chris ******
@Wylie ******
 Like I said at the of my posting!

Get a lawyer as they keep changing the rules!

There are numerous ways to do it! Depending on the moron that gots your application and depending if they got up on the wrong side of the bed , your screwed! If there in a good mood you win!

It’s like a lottery !

A good connected Immigration attorney will tell you the easiest way at the time of application!

However the delays can be 18 to 24 plus as they are processing hundreds of thousands applications at any given time
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Chris *****
 like I said, I think you mean to respond to the op, not me. I already live in Thailand and my wife already has a tourist visa. And I can tell you that there has been no rule change that says a Thai female cannot get a tourist visa if she is married to a US citizen. A tourist visa also does not take anywhere near 18-24 months and a lawyer can do absolutely nothing to help get one. I assume you are referring to a k1 or cr1, which can take that long and a lawyer can help with. You really need to read posts and comprehend them before replying.
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
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Brandon ************
@Wylie ******
 the only "free pass" as in not needing a visa, is having a US passport.
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Brandon ***********
 i guess i get what you are saying , but the op asked if she will need a visa and your reply made it sound as if you are saying that is the only way to enter the US . She can 100% get a tourist visa with a Thai passport and enter the US. No need to to become a citizen and get a US passport.
8 months ago
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Wylie *******
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