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How can my Thai husband obtain a visa to the US in case of an emergency after our marriage?
Non-B VisaThai VisaMarriage VisaTourist VisaCR1 VisaK1 VisaU.S. ImmigrationEmergency TravelExpat Advice
Jan 21, 2025
a year ago
Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, I am an American citizen marrying a Thai here in Thailand(Bangkok), I am on a Non-B visa but I have a sick grandmother in America, if after we are officially married, how can he come to America for emergency situation?
How long does a tourist visa take for him if he is married to me an American citizen, we plan to live here for the next few years. Also, do we go to the American embassy or somewhere else?
How long does a tourist visa take for him if he is married to me an American citizen, we plan to live here for the next few years. Also, do we go to the American embassy or somewhere else?
TLDR : Answer Summary
An American citizen in Thailand is seeking advice on how to bring her Thai spouse to the U.S. in case of an emergency after their marriage. Comments suggest that obtaining a tourist visa for a Thai spouse can be challenging and often result in rejection, as authorities may suspect intentions beyond temporary travel. Options like the K1 fiancé visa are recommended as potentially quicker alternatives. The discussion emphasizes the need for proving the spouse's ties to Thailand to enhance the chances of a visa approval.
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Dca *****
Do you already have a Thai Marriage Certificate?
Derek ***********
Good luck with a tourist visa for a Thai national. Even owning land or business.
Marriage or K1 fiancé visa is about the only way to come to the US.
K1 is by far the quickest.
Marriage or K1 fiancé visa is about the only way to come to the US.
K1 is by far the quickest.
Sasi ************
A friend of mine just got k-1 visa expedited this past month due to her fiancé’s being ill . Let me know if you want me to ask how he did it.
Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sasi ***********
Yes that would be great! Thank you!Derek ***********
@Abigail *******
Get a lawyer to save the headache with all paperwork. About 2k. 5 months later my fiancé was here. Done
Reply to
Derek ***********
Reply
Us *****
Sweetheart, we have a new sheriff in town. It doesn't matter if you are marrying a guy, girl, or other, you're not getting in base on marriage.
Jack ********
All depends on his social status. If he has a lot of money and significant assets in Thailand it won’t be a problem to get a visa
Bart **************
Won't be easy to get him a visa.
Jack ********
@Bart *************
any experience with this? Or just the need to always comment?Reply to
Jack ********
Reply
William ***************
If its an emergency situation you might stand a better chance . Other than that unless you have been married a while and show that its evident he will return to Thailand , you will have to go the normal route ....
David *********
Trump wont allow that anymore it will be a long process unless your are very rich
Gregory ***********
Trump talks a lot but you have to see if he comes through with his threats.
Reply to
Gregory ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
It actually becomes much more difficult for the spouse of an American to get a tourist visa to the US. They will assume that you are just trying to get them to the US so you can apply for adjustment of status and get a green card, and skip the CR1 visa process. It's possible to get a tourist visa, but it's incredibly rare and most people just give up and either stay in Thailand or start the CR1 visa process after multiple failed tourist visa applications.
Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I read online that with the CR1 visa we have to have proof that we will reside in the US permanently in the future but we plan to live in Asia and return to US every 3 years, will that be a problem?Wayne ********
@Abigail *******
my wife, got the tourist visa on her second attempt good for 10 years multiple entry. She had already been in the United States on a K-1 visa and we returned to Thailand because she did not want to live full-time in the United States. The problem with the CR1 visa is you are not allowed into the United States until your application for permanent residency has been approved by USCIS. My suggestion would be if you’re not married yet to apply for a K-1 fiancé visa they can be approved in as little as nine months. The only requirement is once your fiancé comes to the US. You must be officially married in the US within nine months.Brandon ************
@Wayne *******
You must be married within 90 days, not 9 months. A K1 visa only gives 90 days permission to stay in the US.Wayne ********
@Brandon ***********
correct my mistake.Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
well actually we are doing our marriage registration tomorrow, so I wouldn’t have time to apply for a fiancé visa for him, but thank you for the advice!Wayne ********
@Abigail *******
you’re welcome.Reply to
Wayne ********
Reply
Wylie *******
@Abigail *******
yes, you need to live in the US the way I understood it. I would definitely apply for a tourist visa after you are married since you plan on living here. My wife had a tourist visa denied before we were married but approved after. I used one of the free form answers on the application to explain that I had retired and moved to Thailand with no immediate plans in the future to move back. That the tourist visa was really the only option for her to be able to travel back to the states with me to meet friends and family 1-2 times a year for 3-4 weeks at a time.Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wylie ******
wow thank you so much! How long did it take for her to get approved?Wylie *******
@Abigail *******
can't recall exactly. You have to book an appointment online for an interview at the embassy. Thats the determining factor and will be approved at that time. Filling out the application online is quick and easy. I believe the earliest appt was something like 3 months out at the time. Once you book the appt though you can go back in and check if any earlier spots open up. I believe she was able to move it up a couple of months that way.
Abigail ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wylie ******
Thank you for your help!Reply to
Abigail ********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Abigail *******
I don't know. I've never gone through the process. CR1 is not a good option if you are not going to live in the US though as green cards have a time in the US requirement or you lose it.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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