Answereda year ago
What are some recommended agents for applying for a USA tourist visa for a Thai spouse?
Okay folks, looking for an agent to handle USA visa app for my wife. We've been married years, I live here full time, we own land, have a business... All of the "right things". We failed twice and it is just a miserable emotional smog to go through the process and get declined. I don't want to do anything shady, but I'd like to remove the pain from the application process. So, did anyone here use an agent and successfully get a tourist visa to the USA for your Thai partner? Would you please refer me to the agent you used.
For all the "just get her a green card" commenters- buzz off. I don't wanna .
Thanks for the help.
For all the "just get her a green card" commenters- buzz off. I don't wanna .
Thanks for the help.
Answer summary
The post discusses the author's struggle to obtain a USA tourist visa for his Thai wife after two unsuccessful attempts. He seeks recommendations for visa agents who have successfully helped others in similar situations, emphasizing a desire to avoid any illegal practices. Comments from the community highlight various perspectives on using visa agents, the importance of proving ties to Thailand, and personal experiences with the visa application process.
34 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bradford ******
Contact your state representative or senator and advise them of your issue. They can make things happen with one call.
Jeffrey *********
@Bradford *****
If the embassy receives an inquiry from a US senator or member of Congress about a case, they will send a polite response explaining the section of law under which the applicant was refused. That's all.Stew *********
Unfortunately using a Visa Agent there is no guarantee getting your wife a travel visa. Does she have a social media account like Facebook? And she has a job in Thailand, house, family, money in her own account. These things matter.
My wife recently got her Travel Visa to America. The first time 6 years ago she was declined. This time it helped that she showed on her FB account her business. It's a water sweet shop, coffee, Thai tea, snacks. I believe it helped her due yo the fact they checked. And asked about having social media.
My wife recently got her Travel Visa to America. The first time 6 years ago she was declined. This time it helped that she showed on her FB account her business. It's a water sweet shop, coffee, Thai tea, snacks. I believe it helped her due yo the fact they checked. And asked about having social media.
Jack ****************
OP@Stew ********
how was she able to show this? They didn't look at any of our documentation. It was a 20 second interview. I know it's not a guarantee but if I can outsource the hassle of dealing with it it will make my life better.Stew *********
@Jack ***************
, her first time she used a Agent from Chiang Mai. Expensive and no guarantee on the outcome. Second time we did it on line through US IMMIGRATION. Total time to apply and interview was about a 13 months.Stew *********
Prior to the interview immigration already had made the decision, just a formality the interview process. This was done in Chiang Mai
Stew *********
@Jack ***************
prior to her interview, they did research on her. Looked at bank statements, verify house, and looked up her Facebook profile. They questioned her old FB account. And saw her new account showing her shop, products made. Her first time applying she was denied for travel visa. The second time we were married, had a business, family here in Thailand and property in Thailand.Stew *********
@Jack ***************
my understanding is that 99% of people applying for a travel visa are denied prior to the interview. The decision was already made.Stew *********
@Jack ***************
we filled for a DS 160.Jack ****************
OP@Stew ********
for a tourist visa? I saw no evidence of any of that happening.
Wylie *******
I really don't see how an agent can help to get a tourist visa. The application is online and pretty straight forward. For the interview they won't let anyone but her into the building (with the exception of a translator I believe).
I had the same issue with my wife prior to marriage. After we got married I had her try again. She ended up getting the 10 year tourist visa. What helped I believe is in one of the open form questions of the online application I had her use it to explain the situation. Rather than just answer the question since there was no other place to add additional comments. In it we explained that I have moved to thailand permanently with zero intentions of moving back, so she had no desire to get a green card. Between that and perhaps Chaing Mai being more lenient that Bangkok she ended up being approved.
I had the same issue with my wife prior to marriage. After we got married I had her try again. She ended up getting the 10 year tourist visa. What helped I believe is in one of the open form questions of the online application I had her use it to explain the situation. Rather than just answer the question since there was no other place to add additional comments. In it we explained that I have moved to thailand permanently with zero intentions of moving back, so she had no desire to get a green card. Between that and perhaps Chaing Mai being more lenient that Bangkok she ended up being approved.
Heather ***************
I spoke with my mom, an immigration attorney in the US. Asking the same, how can I take my spouse to vacation in US on tourist visa and her reply, you can’t he can’t. Tha US will not provide tourist visa for a spouse of US citizen it has to be the correct visa since they will ask if you’re married etc. I have seen some people post recent success but not sure what visa class it was good luck.
Jeffrey *********
@Heather **************
The US issues tourist visas to spouses of US citizens all the time, but usually that US citizen is living outside the US, and so there's little perceived incentive for the spouse to remain illegally in the US. If the US citizen is residing in the US, there will be a strong (but rebuttable) presumption that the spouse will want to remain there to unify the family.Heather ***************
@Jeffrey ********
you have to show an incredible amount of certainty that you will leave. Proving you are required back in the other country. For someone who has not much, it’s gonna be a no. US assumes your goal is to remain in the US. I’m not here to argue or prove a point. Simply stating info. US assumed you’re trying to bring your spouse over, it’s the applicants job to prove otherwise.Jack ****************
OP@Heather **************
that is plainly stated on the website. But earlier you said that the immigration lawyer said that the us WILL NOT issue a tourist visa if the applicant's spouse is a citizen. That is a strong claim is all (their claim, not yours) and so people are going to want to poke at it.Jack ****************
OP@Heather **************
that's interesting. I've certainly never heard that take on it and it seems if that was the case that it would be published as such like the form ought to just reject your application if you do that right? It's a hot f****** mess.Wylie *******
@Heather **************
perhaps thats changed with the current administration, but my wife successfully got a 10 year tourist visa a few years ago.
Vicky *****************
Thai Visa Solutions
Jane *******
Check out
@Visa ******************
Brian *********
I'm convinced the tourist visa process is a cash collector. I've seen a few examples where people were quite prepared and the interviewer didn't bother to review documents or any details, as though the interview was only an exercise to deliver the pre-decided denial.
Working on a K-1 now.
Working on a K-1 now.
Jack ****************
OP@Brian ********
that is exactly what has happened with us. I don't think it's enough money that that is the purpose... But I suspect they have quotas of something that they don't publish. The decision is absolutely made before you get there.Jeffrey *********
@Jack ***************
They do not have quotas, and the decision is absolutely not made before the applicant arrives. I know lots of people believe as you do, but that simply isn't true.Jack ****************
OP@Jeffrey ********
based on what? What possible informed decision can they make in a 20 second interview?Brian *********
@Jack ***************
I really think so! And those fees are a big ask for many of these people. 🤷♂️Gerg **********
@Brian ********
That’s why I went the K-1 route back in 2017. It was practically impossible for a regular Thai to get a tourist visa. It worked out well for me. Married in the states 8 years and now retired and happy in Thailand.Jack ****************
OP@Gerg *********
hi Greg, I think earlier I was using loose vocabulary because it is outside my wheelhouse. Isn't the k1 the green card route?Gerg **********
@Jack ***************
You have to hold the green card for 3 years before eligible for citizenship. Her getting citizenship wasn’t hard, only took 4 months from start to finish. I can’t remember how much but it wasn’t that bad.Jack ****************
OP@Gerg *********
man that feels like a lot of work to do it that way... What is the rough cost and timeline?Gerg **********
@Jack ***************
Yeah I said that. Thats why I didn’t stay with just her green card and got her citizenship. We wanted to live full time in Thailand but be able to return whenever we wanted. We will only be going to the U.S. for a visit every few years.Jack ****************
OP@Gerg *********
so do you intend to spend 6 months out of the year in the us? Earlier someone said that's a requirement if you do it that way...Gerg **********
@Jack ***************
Yes, k-1 is the fiancé visa, and gives you 90 days to marry after entering the states. After you marry, you start the green card process to permanent resident.Brian *********
@Gerg *********
thanks so much for that feedback. Encouraging. 👍Gerg **********
Green card won’t be any good for your situation anyway, if you’re not moving to the U.S. You can’t be out of the country more than 6 months of any given year or you lose your green card. That’s why I got my wife’s citizenship and U.S. passport before we moved to Thailand, so she can come and go as she pleases. Good luck on your tourist visa. Hope an agent can help.
Jack ****************
OP@Gerg *********
hey thanks for that bit of trivia. People all the time ask why we don't do it and my answer is "because I'll never live there again" and they seem dissatisfied. Good to know. Thank youmActivity
10 joined10
people
Related
25What should I do with my old passport when applying for a DTV visa in Thailand?
1.6k9282mo
What should I do if my Thai DTV visa application is delayed before my travel date?
1.4k13102mo
What should I know when transitioning from a Non-B visa to a DTV in Thailand?
573533mo
What was the experience of a Chinese national obtaining a visa to Thailand while in Vietnam?
4.7k1533mo
Are American passport holders being denied DTVs if they were previously in Thailand?
1.9k15233mo
What are the new photo requirements for a Thai spousal visa renewal?
33.5k2365165mo
What are the best visa agents in Australia for obtaining a retirement visa for Thailand?
7k221726mo
What should I consider about my visa status after multiple visits to Thailand in one year?
2.7k22297mo
Is it possible to apply for the Australian visa without having 500,000 baht in cash for the last 3 months on my bank account?
3k26279mo
Should I hire a visa agent or lawyer for my Thailand visa application?
3k252910mo
What was the process and documentation required for obtaining a Destination Thailand Visa under the Self-Employment category?
1k3131y
What are the steps and requirements for applying for a Soft Power DTV visa in Thailand?
2k11251y
What advice can I get for starting the visa process in Thailand and finding a good agent?
4.6k38451y
What are the challenges and considerations for a foreign man wanting to marry a Thai woman and bring her to the UK?
36.3k1985111y
Why was I denied entry to Thailand and how can I ensure a stamp next time?
40.2k2605392y
Can unregistered partners and their child apply for a DTV Visa to Thailand together?
849422y
What documents and evidence did you provide to successfully obtain a DTV in Hanoi using the medical route?
3.3k23282y
What are the steps to successfully apply for a DTV visa in Thailand based on recent experiences?
1.6k2272y
How long does it take for a Thai citizen to get a US tourist visa, and is it advisable to hire an agent for the process?
8.3k83462y
Can I change my O visa based on marriage to a retirement visa in Thailand?
20.2k1173513y
Can I change my visa from Non-O to Non-OA after approval?
5k47363y
Will a return flight on the 92nd day prevent me from getting a 90-day visa for Thailand?
3.3k25343y
What are some recommended visa agencies for obtaining a retirement visa in Bangkok?
4.4k33443y
What are the best tourist visa options for an elderly visitor from India to Thailand, and what is the application process?
2.7k25144y
What options do Australian retirees over 50 have for obtaining a visa to live in Thailand?
9.2k90625y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served