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What should I do if my Thai girlfriend's tourist visa application to the U.S. is denied?

U.S. Tourist VisaVisa DenialVisa Application ProcessThai Girlfriend VisaImmigration Advice
Mar 30, 2023
2 years ago
Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
PSA: If your Thai girlfriend has applied for a tourist visa (u.s. specifically) the consulate has already approved/denied it BEFORE the interview. Found this out the hard way today. We had all the proper documentation and every reason for a tourist visa and NOT a K1 or any other visa. Neither of us wishes to live in the U.S. They didn't look at a single document, passport, or anything else. 3 questions, what's your boyfriend do for work, what do you do for work, and how long did you plan to stay in the u.s.? Denied in under a minute.

SUGGESTION: for those applying for a legitimate tourist visa for their girlfriend. They will be denied the first time, almost 100%...BUT, you can apply again immediately and in the next interview (even though they will likely be expecting to deny it pre-interview date) ask them to reconsider. State you were denied, and you are reapplying because you'd like them to reconsider, and explain why you will not be using the tourist visa to stay in America and not come back, and that you have all the supporting documents and reasons, that show your gf/bf will return to Thailand.

Just food for thought, for those in the same situation. I'm not a lawyer, but a lawyer was the one that said it was denied pre-appointment, and the interview is just a formality.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A recent user shared their experience with the U.S. tourist visa application process for their Thai girlfriend, highlighting that the consulate often denies the application before the interview despite having all the proper documentation. Suggestions include reapplying immediately after a denial and asking for reconsideration, explaining strong ties to Thailand, and ensuring all supporting documents are ready. Many commenters shared similar experiences, indicating that factors such as job stability and ownership of property significantly influence visa approvals. Overall, while some people experienced quick approvals, others faced repeated denials, emphasizing the variability and subjectivity involved in the U.S. visa process.
Mark ***********
I was told by someone at the US embassy that 99.7% of tourist and student visas are turned down. And he also said it helps if she is wealthy, or has major property holdings here. My wife was turned down for every visa request, until we got married. Then all they asked to see was my passport, and a 10 year, multiple entry was approved.
2 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Mark **********
 That person was either lying/joking, or doesn't actually work in the visa section (the embassy is a very large place and the vast majority of staff have nothing at all to do with visas). Numbers go up and down, but in most years the approval rate is around 80% or higher.
2 years ago
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Mark ***********
@Jeffrey ********
 total nonsense. 80%? That very, very bad information.
a year ago
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Mark ***********
@Jeffrey ********
 Not for tourist visa, nor student visas. Not even close.
2 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Greg *********
You don't mention what fields of work you're both in. Perhaps that was a consideration in the decision? Sorry if I missed that in the other comments
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Greg ********
 i am PhD in Environmental Engineering played college bad man.
2 years ago
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Greg *********
@Jo *********
 From what I understand it's the applicant that requires significant ties to their homeland, Thailand in your case. Job, house/property, dependents (even elderly perhaps), bank accounts etc., financial interests. I'm sure it must be frustrating. Hope it works out in the end. I'll be going through the same but to Canada in a couple of years.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Greg ********
 Job is the most important, provided it's a white collar job. The rest usually falls into place, but with a job, that's the best indicator an applicant needs to return home.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Jackie ***********
My wife got the tourist visa on the first try.

I can attest, your story about the three questions is correct.

Your advice to supply a stack of documents proving you have no intention of living in the US is also sound. Real estate owned in Thailand, thai driver's license and car registration, a timeline of your travels out of Thailand over the past five years, copies of your passport pages, thai bank statement, these help

Being married, rather than just a girlfriend, also helps.

We originally petitioned for a k1, but withdrew it because there are US domicile requirements that I don't meet. I provided documentation that we withdrew the k1 petition for this reason , this also helped
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 you should also be aware that the adjudicating consular officer has on his computer screen a wealth of information about the applicant. Not just the details provided in the application, but name-check database results that include input from the local police, the Thai government, interpol, FBI, DHS, and also criminal history data from other allied governments that share info with the USA. So they know if she's applied for visas elsewhere or had any trouble with the police in almost any country.
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 I also provided copies of my expired diplomatic passport and expired thai diplomatic residence permit from when I was assigned to embassy bangkok. So who knows, maybe they were just throwing a bone to a former colleague, but my wife didn't say anything about me being a retired foreign service officer and I didn't mention this in the cover letter. the consular officer would have only seen these documents if he looked through the entire packet and found them at the end
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 Well I mean, if as you hypothesize he actually did take the docs (which in itself is a rarety, how'd you manage that without dropping names/FSO title??) and he was reviewing it in the back then very possible could've been professional courtesy, so all bets are off then as far as what actually helped.
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 my wife told me what happened. He took the documents, I am not hypothesizing. In fact, the instructions from the embassy say to bring documents to prove employment, income, bank balances etc. Your assertion that the adjudicating consular officer will almost always refuse to look at documents does not ring true to me. It also contradicts what consular officers themselves have told me while I was an FSO. I think it is bad advice to discourage people from having these documents on hand when they go to the interview.

Now that I think about it, my wife, when asked the question "what job does your boyfriend have ?" , answered that I was her husband, I was retired, and I used to work at the embassy. Then she handed him the documents. So the answer to the "boyfriend's job" question is probably critical to the adjudicating consular officer agreeing to look at any documents.

That may be the key to the reason why your girlfriend was refused and why you are so skeptical about having corroborating documents to show. How did she answer when they asked about your job ? Was the answer "Travel blogger" ? "Crypto trader" ? The consular officers are trained to be suspicious of various occupations like these and many others, like bar owner, pizzeria owner, beauty salon owner. Once they hear something like this, they make a summary refusal and don't bother looking at documents.

I'm not speculating about this. This comes directly from consular officers I knew who told me.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
The hypoethesis I speak of was that he saw in your document folder that you were a former FSO. And as you now confirm, your wife actually did mention it, which may have warranted him checking for your file in the backroom (I'm hypothetizing that now). The point is really, if you were given professional courtesy, doesn't matter what documents you may or not have brought with you, as you stated, it is possible you were thrown in a bone as a former colleague.

99.99% of applicants do not share this past history, so on that token alone, your experience is different than that of us common folks.

As for documents, I am not relying on my solo personal experience - that is exactly what I say people tend to do, and who tend to apply it incorrectly as de facto 'reality'. As I mention, I run several groups for US Tourist visa, with over 250,000 aggregate members, across different countries. NOT being asked to show documents that applicants spent hours preparing, is a _recurring_ (and frustrating) experience shared by HUNDREDS upon hundreds of applicants, _both_ approved and denied, including on this same thread in this current group.

I promise you, many many, MANY people try to offer xyz documents, only for the visa officer to say they don't need to see them. That your wife had the VO take the a whole package and go review in the back for a full 10 minutes just doesn't happen (unless of course, former FSO.)

I have it also in good reference from (ex) visa officers that they are trained not to rely on documents, because they can be easily falsified. I constantly have to ban and block persons who come to my groups offering (fake) bank statements and any document requested for a visa application.

While I would like to defer to your past experience as an FSO, I simply know from personal and countless shared experiences that what I am saying is very accurate. Here, from an ex-visa officer's own mouth, on documents:

*******************************************


While I repeat that 99% of times documents are NOT requested or seen, I never suggest people not to bring documents, because you never know that 1% chance.
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 all valid points, and thanks for that interesting youtube vid. I don't think the former visa officer refutes anything I'm saying. He's absolutely right that the consular officers have to work fast and complete scores of interviews per day.

The process can be subjective and arbitrary, I agree, but I'm inclined to disbelieve that you HAVE to be married to a retired FSO to get them to look at your documents. They just have to like what you said during those first two critical questions. Whats your job ? What's your boyfriend's job ?

You must realize that your Facebook groups and advocacy on social media attracts mostly people who have been refused visas, right ? That, and your own personal experience, might be skewing your perception. As you showed me, the refusal rate today is only about 25% in Thailand. That means a lot of people have succeeded in getting their documents examined and visas approved. Not all of them are married to retired FSOs.
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 i also included a signed I-134 affidavit of financial support and my latest IRS tax transcript. Also proof that she was covered in the USA by my health insurance
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 i was not present during the interview. I gave my wife a packet of documents, about 30 pages with a cover letter and table of contents. I told her to make sure she gave them to the adjudicating consular officer for his review. The consular officer took the entire package, left my wife at the window, and spent 10 minutes at his desk, reading them I suppose. He came back and approved her visa
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 Which documents did they ask to see from the ones you brought?
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
"The VO's decision making process is a black box" ... to people on the outside yes. But I've had numerous lengthy discussions with dozens of consular officers over the course of 13 years and it isn't too hard to understand. Every B1/B2 applicant is a potential immigrant. Each applicant has to convince the adjudicating consular officer that there is a compelling reason for the applicant to return to their home country. Day of the week, time of day, whether the consular officer is hungry or not ... this is nothing but speculation based on anecdotal evidence, and any FSO you ask will agree with me.

My wife got her foot in the door because I was a retired FSO. But if I had a domicile in the USA, if I resided in the USA and only visited Thailand rather than the other way around, she would have had a compelling reason to overstay and they would have denied the visa, despite my former career.

"documents are hardly used for adjudication because they can be faked" this is a broad generalization and it's validity depends on the country. Each consular officer is briefed on the fraud situation at their assigned post. Philippines is a special case and you can't apply assumptions about Manila to other countries. Manila ranks among the top 5 posts worldwide for visa volume and has a lot of fraud. Bangkok is nowhere near Manila in the visa volume and fraud threat.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 'only passport was hand[sic] over'
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
"That means a lot of people have succeeded in getting their documents examined and visas approved."

To be clear, I never claimed that one needs to have documents reviewed to get approved (or denied). Only that documents are hardly used for adjudication (because they can be faked).

I have countless other reports from actual applicants similar to this one (this is from applicants in the Philippines), but also in Thailand and other countries.

And yes, the process can look arbitrary, especially when seen from the point of view of a single person's application. The VO's decision making process is a black box, but with my fairly large data pool I've been able to discern some patterns, particularly in terms of which days of the week, and even appointment times (early in the day vs lunch hour) may yield higher approval rates, which are (a rather normal) reflection of the subjectivity of the humans behind making these decisions.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Jo **********
@Jackie **********
 great solid answer
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Rogerio ******
SO THE FUNNY THING IS... my gf got denied a number of times, and due to that I've gone deep into the US tourist visa rabbit hole. So much in fact that now I run several FB groups related to US Tourist Visas. And I see LOTS and LOTS of essentially assumptions here that I've seen over and over in my groups.

1) they never or rarely look at documents, because in some embassies there are vendors who offer to print whatever you want that the embassy might request, so then, officers do not look at them because they can't trust them to be real.

2) they do not pre-approve/deny your visa. In fact, the visa officer has never looked at your application until you stand in front of them and they pull your record. They might look at your relatives/job/education but that's it. No they don't (usually)look at your social media.

3) The visa officer's decision is basically based out of their impression of you. How you answer the questions, and how you tell your story, matters. Essentially they are looking for a story that makes sense. And even then, I have actual stats that if you go early in the morning you have better chance than right before lunch as they are hungry. Mondays have higher rejection rates. Thai women are denied more than men.

4) While they don't have quotas, they try to keep their visa officers approval/denial rates about the same. So that may influence at any point looking at an applicant and them being on the fence, denying or approving depending on their impression (and mood) with you.

5) Having a bf in the US _can_ be a red flag, in the sense that it just makes it more likely that the applicant has support in the US for a possible overstay situation. That does NOT mean that having a bf in the US is an immediate denial, just raises the bar higher for the applicant to try to convince the officer they are legit tourists. (so if you know/have a gf who got approved, congrats, does not change the statistics)

6) To the OP, there's no such thing as asking for a "reconsideration" - it's not an official term - the visa officer will look at the previous application rejection notes and decide on any new information if that changes the assessment. Some people have been denied, applied again in 2-3 weeks time, had a more sympathetic officer, and had the visa approved. This is not common though, but, if you have to go, it's worth a try. The risk is you get rejections added to your profile with the embassy.

7) visa approval rates for Thailand, overall, hover around 75%, so yes if you're denied it may seem like everyone else may be, but that's not backed up by the actual statistics released by the Department of State:

****************************************************************************************************


There's a whole bunch of other bits of info, but just whatever I thought up to type on the fly.
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
 I'm surprised the refusal rate is so low now. It used to be much higher. I guess thai people have learned how difficult it is and only qualified people are applying
2 years ago
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Jackie ***********
Also, since then, the fees have doubled, which discourages many potential applicants
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 As I said, if you have data to back it up, then it backs up. Not very often I run into ex/FSOs on this topic, so it usually tends to be pointed experiences made into 'facts'.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Jackie ***********
13 years years ago, before social media, when I worked at Embassy Bangkok, there were no Facebook groups in which potential visa applicants could learn about the difficulties involved. That long ago, the refusal rate was a lot higher
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 I've only been tracking it since 2 years ago, and 2020 had similar approval/denial rates. Unless you have more information, may I suggest your 'fact' is more based on general impressions than actual reality. I see this often in my groups, people saying "don't bother applying, they are rejecting everyone right now" 'facts' when really is based on them going to the interview, seeing the people in front of them being denied 2-3-4 people, and building this idea it happens to 'everyone'.

The US tourist visa process is a black box and visa officers never disclose why they rejected you (unlike Schengen) and so that leaves people to hypothesize and pass often repeated theories as facts, some of them being repeated on this same thread.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Jackie ***********
@Rogerio *****
I'd like to join your Facebook groups, can you provide links ?
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Jackie **********
 Just search for 'usa b1/b2 visa application' you will find a few.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Mark ********
It's all politics and I read Thailand is beginning to lean more towards Chinese politics than the US. So I can only assume this like punishment to Thai people, even though Thailand still treats Americans well. The US is just immature and dumb like a child who refuses to learn.
2 years ago
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Matthew *******
@Mark *******
 that is one of the stupidest comments I have ever seen
2 years ago
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Mark ********
@Matthew ******
 Must not read much...
2 years ago
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Matthew *******
@Mark *******
 you will take a lot to beat
2 years ago
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Mark ********
@Matthew ******
2 years ago
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Mark ********
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Jeffrey *********
@Mark *******
 Decisions like this one are based on visa law and have literally nothing to do with politics - and the US certainly isn't "punishing" Thailand in any way at the moment.
2 years ago
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Mark ********
@Jeffrey ********
 Well, this issue with Thai nationals just started in the past couple of years and that's when Thailand started siding with China more. And these Thai women are not breaking any rules. They are respectable women and they are simply just being looked at and told "nope." The US does not work in such a clean form and fashion. They definitely do some suspicious things depending on politics. You actually think the US system follow the laws 100% themselves? If we can visit Thailand so easily, then the US should allow them to visit our country with ease too.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Mark *******
Thailand doesn't "side with China". It has a very strong relationship with the United States, particularly its military. Every year the Cobra Gold exercise is held.

Thailand balances its relations with other countries well, not getting too deep into any one camp, even though it is America's oldest ally in Asia and one of its strongest.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Mark *******
I don't think this just started recently. It's based more on Thailands socioeconomic conditions and the propensity for Thais, particularly women under the age of 40, to overstay and work illegally. Young Thai women have ruined it for their fellow countrymen.

Case in point is New Zealand. Prior to 1996, Thais received a 90 day visa waiver to enter. Then selfish Thai women started taking advantage of this, becoming prostitutes and massage workers, Thai restaurant workers employed illegally. Half of Aucklands main shopping street had illegal Thai workers employed there. So the New Zealand government scrapped the visa exemption and there is now a similarly vigorous process for Thais wanting to visit New Zealand as there is for the USA and Australia.

Thailand for its part then lowered the previous 90 day reciprocal visa waiver for New Zealand citizens down to 30 days.

So you could say that Thai women ruined it for Kiwis coming to Thailand too.
2 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Mark *******
 If by "this issue" you mean young, single Thai women having difficulty getting US visas, it definitely didn't start within "the past couple of years" - the same complaint has been made by American boyfriends throughout the 30 years I've been coming here, and I'm sure it wasn't new even then. Thailand's relationship to China has absolutely nothing to do with any of this.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Jeffrey ********
I agree, in this case. It's Thailand's socio-economic conditions and propensity for Thais, particularly young Thai women to overstay and work illegally.

Malaysians don't have nearly the same difficulty getting a visa and Singaporeans can just get an ESTA, which is the equivalent of a visa waiver (pre approved visa waiver).
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Phil ********
They let all the Afghans in that had no passports, no ID and no papers but they don't let your Thai girlfriend visit?
2 years ago
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Mark ********
@Phil *******
 Just depends on the current political agenda
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Phil *******
 exactly my point as well
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Joel *******
Passport inequality is a bitch. I'm sorry your girlfriend isn't able to travel freely wherever she wants. šŸ˜¢
2 years ago
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Pat ****
Yeah a Thai passport is not respected the world over. Many have ruined it for many others.

Just taking the mrs to Philippines was a ball ache at immigration and she was visa exempt. About 100 questions with frustrated people in the queue behind.

I don't even consider taking her to the UK. Why go through all that just to get rained on and taxed?
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Pat ***
The Philippines is always a bit of a problem- they ask lots of questions particularly of young single women including and especially their own citizens departing the country.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Robin *******
@Bill ***********
FYI

Memeā€™s denial earlier this weekā€¦
2 years ago
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David ******************
Thanks for sharing .. Do any of those 3 questions, and answers received, hold any weight to change the outcome?
2 years ago
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Aaron ******
Given your profile pic Iā€™m honestly surprised.

Has she gotten visas for other major nations besides France/EU?

Normally once you get a few of those getting into the US isnā€™t hard.

Also what were the answers to those questions they ask?

Any red flags in her past including visible on social media?

While the interview is the final say of course some prefiltering happens. To me the shortness of the interview suggest something flagged before the interview.

And the questions were just to confirm.

Like if you or her owned bars in Pattaya for example. Which would suggest sex work.

And even visa free nationals get esta denials over sex work. Including a recent case an OnlyFans model had.

Not saying or suggesting you or her are into the bar scene. Just giving it as an example.

Digital nomad work might flag too since it suggests she would be working while in the US. And the US is not grey at all when it comes to digital nomads.

Housesitting also flags them and gets denials since under US law that is work.
2 years ago
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Nick *************
Yet people complain about Thai immigration.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Nick ************
 thatā€™s an excellent point Nick. And one I think about a lot. People should really think about this
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Matt *******
Its because both of you can get married in the US and then she isnt obligated to return back to Thailand. They are trying to prevent this from happening. Itā€™s better to state the reason as sightseeing only and not for the purpose of traveling to visit a boyfriend.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Matt ******
 Yes that's right. Just state sightseeing and general tourism activities. Make sure the applicant holds a good, white collar job OR their own business. They'll need a letter from their employer permitting them to leave from x date to x date. A leave of absence should be for 3 weeks or less because if it's too long it starts to look suspicious.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Alex ****
I don't think so. This is about someone wanting to visit the US as a tourist and her husband could be residing in Thailand. A green card is for someone who wants to reside in the US.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Alex ****
 my friend has visited with his Thai wife literally a dozen times over the past 15 years.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Alex ****
 I mentioned someone with a different outcome. Given your monumental rude attack, itā€™s probably your personality that gets her denied.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
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Paul *******
@Alex ****
Well that simply isn't based off any reality.

I have several Thai friends (young females) who run their own businesses and while fairly well off, certainly don't have millions upon millions in assets. (OK, they each have property worth I don't know, 10-20 million Baht each) and they had absolutely no problem securing 10 year visit visas on their first application.

My wife's auntie received a 10 year visit visa being retired, about 10 years ago. She spent 6 months (the maximum allowed per visit) visiting my wife in the USA and has never been back since.

I guess if a bar girl or store clerk applies, they'll know and these types of women will be knocked back.

The best method is for the wife or girlfriend or whoever to apply for a visa using HER assets and job and not even mention a boyfriend, husband or partner of any sort. It's not necessary and can only make things more complicated.

Any white collar Thai of respectable background who has a good job, decent savings, perhaps some assets such as property (though this isn't essential) will get a tourist visa.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@Matt ******
If anything, if already married, the applicant stands a better chance than merely having a "boyfriend ".
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Matt ******
 getting married in the USA has no affect on her visa status. Only a fiancƩ visa would allow her to stay.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 incorrect. If you get married in the USA, you can apply for a change of status. Happens literally all the time.
2 years ago
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Matt *******
@Terry *******
 if she enters the US on a tourist visa, nothing is stopping her from getting married, and then applying for adjustment of status which allows her to live in the US based on being married to a US citizen until a decision by USCIS is made, that can take up to 2 years. Thatā€™s why immigration always scrutinizes those who say their purpose for visiting is to visit a boyfriend, itā€™s easy for anyone in the US to get married and adjust status then they donā€™t have to leave.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Matt ******
 heā€™s legit dense.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Matt ******
 that is completely false. This is not my first rodeo. I married a Mexican citizen many years ago. It took me two years after that just to get her a green card. In the meantime, she could visit the USA but didnā€™t have the right to stay there.

Anyways, in this case my gf isnā€™t ā€œgoing to visit her boyfriendā€. Iā€™m retired here in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 Ok, goofball, IF you married her outside the USA, she can't adjust status, you need to apply to bring her in permanently . HOWEVER, if you marry inside the USA, as long as your gf/wife entered legally, you can apply to change status, and they don't have to leave. Not hard to understand, how do you keep not understanding it? You are just wrong.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Roberto ******
 youā€™re the one that is not understanding it. I lived it!

Getting married in or out of the USA does nothing for your wifeā€™s ā€œstatusā€. I had to explain this to numbskulls like you many times. People think that getting married automatically makes your spouse a citizen or gives them the legal ability to stay in the USA. It doesnā€™t work like that!

The only way it works like that is if you bring her in on a fiancĆ© visa. Thatā€™s not what weā€™re talking about here.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 have someone read and explain this too you, since you are clearly incapable.
*****************************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Roberto ******
 you really need to go back to school to learn how to talk to people in a civilized manner. Your constant name calling makes you sound like a 10 year old.

Laws and regulations can and do change. I can only tell you my experience, which was quite some time ago. If you were able to take advantage of a loophole, then good for you.

I donā€™t take kindly to trolls. If you continue with the insults, Iā€™ll simply block you.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 if you were a man, what youā€™d be saying Iā€™d ā€œI was wrongā€ not still trying to make excuses. Zero loopholes. Zero changes. You are 100% wrong.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Roberto ******
 I am not wrong in my experience. I was there. If you canā€™t accept that, itā€™s your problem.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 ffs man, you have serious reading and thinking limitations. You said ā€œit doesnā€™t matter if you marry inside or outside the USAā€ which is 100% wrong.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Roberto ******
 I warned you. Have fun talking to the wind blowing through your head.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 oh no! Whatever will I do?
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Terry *******
 wrong. Iā€™m on my second marriage where I did an adjustment of status. Do I have to give you a free google search so you can look it up? I live it when people who donā€™t know what they are talking about, and arenā€™t very bright, try to talk down.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
Hey odd that the USA immigration department says you are 100% wrong!
***********************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
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Michael **********
Better to fly to Mexico and walk/swim across the borders
2 years ago
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Joel *******
@Michael *********
 US border control at Tijuana is notoriously lax.... if you are white. If you look Mexican or are any other race, not so much.
2 years ago
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Joel *******
@Roberto ******
 I was practically waved through at the CBX from Tijuana airport. When I told them I need to go to fill in my paperwork the guy looked at me funny and said (and I quote) "but you're not Mexican". I have heard similar stories from others.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Joel ******
 moronic statement, you still need a passport in your hand. I've driven and walked across that border at least 100 times, you are lying.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
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Nick **********
@Michael *********
 Even a U. S. Citizen returning to U. S. from Mexico needs a valid U. S. Passport. Been in effect for at least 15 years. Last time, about 15 years ago that I crossed Mexico to U. S, scanned my passport, and the agent said, "nobody loves you", which meant, nothing negative on the computer
2 years ago
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Nick **********
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Tony *******
United states embassys are making 100s of billions off this scam. Millions of illegals are welcome to walk into the country and fully financially supported by hard earned taxpayers. United States Immgration is totally broken or for profit via the democrates. Many woman scam US men but that doesn't excuse the lack of effort the US Embassy puts into investigating legit .v. scammers.
2 years ago
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Bruce *********
@Tony ******
 You are making up all sorts of stuff

The US is making hundreds of billions of dollars off visas. You are living in a different world
2 years ago
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Tony *******
@Bruce ********
 In your own words, "you are a person of high standards only if the bar is set so low." Uneducated fool.
2 years ago
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Bruce *********
@Tony ******
 okay then show some proof. You're making the claim so now you have to back it up.
2 years ago
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Tony *******
@Bruce ********
 how about proving to me I am wrong, you're the one with doubts.
2 years ago
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Bruce *********
@Tony ******
 I understand that you have an opinion on this matter, but could you provide some evidence or support to back up your claim? Without any evidence, it's difficult for me to understand or accept your viewpoint.
2 years ago
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Tony *******
@Bruce ********
 dude I made a comment, it is based on my facts and experiences. Feel free to think as you wish and I believe as I wish. I am not your teacher, professor or Master. I need not to prove anything to anyone. I know what I know and could care less if you accept my viewpoint or not. Good day to you.
2 years ago
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Bruce *********
@Tony ******
 then to me and everyone else your basis is in fact an opinion.
2 years ago
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Tony *******
@Bruce ********
 based on fact which you may or may not investigate on your own. You can put a dress on a pig but it's still a pig. Get over yourself. You can accept it or not, your choice.
2 years ago
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Bruce *********
@Tony ******
 I don't accept it.
2 years ago
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Tony *******
@Bruce ********
 United states embassys are making 100s of billions off this scam. Millions of illegals are welcome to walk into the country and fully financially supported by hard earned taxpayers. United States Immgration is totally broken or for profit via the democrates. Many woman scam US men but that doesn't excuse the lack of effort the US Embassy puts into investigating legit .v. scammers.
2 years ago
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Tony *******
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Leo ******
Probably done her a favour... Why anyone wants to go there is beyond me...
2 years ago
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Ivan ***********
Who wants to live in the Wild West?
2 years ago
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Matthew *******
My mate took his wife to Aus on a tourist visa first time no problem

Next time they applied she was knocked back

Nothing had changed

Go work that one out (different country I know but yet another example )
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Matthew ******
Maybe she stayed too long or worked illegally while she was there?
2 years ago
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Matthew *******
@Paul ******
 no all was legit

None of us can work out the logic or Jack of behind it
2 years ago
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Matthew *******
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David *****
Did not have a problem getting a Visa. You need to show that your girlfriend has a reason to return to z Thailand. Mine had a secure job, a good bank account, car and home ownership. They don't mind you coming to visit, they just don't want you to stay there
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@David ****
 Did she mention she had a US boyfriend?
2 years ago
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David *****
@Rogerio *****
 yes she did. She was coming to see my home and my family
2 years ago
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David *****
@Rogerio *****
 didn't I mention above about my Thai girlfriend?
2 years ago
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David *****
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Paul *******
@David ****
Precisely.
2 years ago
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David **********
@David ****
 yes that is the main factor I agree.
2 years ago
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David **********
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Shane ********
Also don't apply to USA, apply to Mexico or Canada and just drive in
2 years ago
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Graeme *******
@Shane *******
 Good luck with Canada just as difficult and takes longer.
2 years ago
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Graeme *******
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Shane ********
What is the correct answer for those three questions?
2 years ago
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Michael **********
Perhaps because a lot of thai ladies have been caught in the states working illegally while having a tourist visa? I live in Taipei and when the country opened its borders a few months ago it has been a landmark for high class thai hookers/katoy. They have literally filled up a block in town, they stay there for 2 weeks (the lenght of their visa) and then move to another asian country to keep up with their working/holidays trip
2 years ago
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David ********
Saved you a flight ticket not the end of the world
2 years ago
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Jim ********
I was told that don't want a couple to get married in the US without completing a K Visa.
2 years ago
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Angy ********
also visa for europe are more difficult to get, the collection of document is done by VFS and they ask for documents also when are not required, example a warranty of funds from insurance when the person has proved money on his bank. I think they get some benefit from insurer that they suggest and also there are agents that facilitate the process and have connections with VFS. Don't go to europe, not friendly for thai turist
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Angy *******
 no get one every time
2 years ago
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Damien ********
@Jo *********
 Angy Pereti in 4 years my partner has never been denied a tourist visa to the UK. Always made sure the paperwork was in order. Not much more you can do.
2 years ago
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Angy ********
@Damien *******
 the paper work was in order and she wish to go to Italy where she lived many years before covid and also went to school there, VFS scam
2 years ago
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Angy ********
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Diego *********
@Angy *******
 this really pisses me off. First I believe borders should be open. But for spouses, there shouldn't be any questions, the guarantor is the national spouse, the visa has to be granted automatically.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Diego ********
For Europe it basically is. A spouse of an EU citizen can be issued a visa for free and even the same day in many cases.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Cliff ************
I am curious. My wife was denied once. I will try again this year. If she is denied again, I intend on contacting my congressman in the US. Has anyone tried that?
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Cliff ***********
 all it means is someone at the embassy has to send a templated letter back to the congressman and be pissed off that they had to do that. Congressmen do not have any power to adjudicate on a person's profile as a potential tourist.
2 years ago
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Nick *********
@Cliff ***********
 they work for the corporations that pay for their political campaigns not the people who voted .
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Nick ********
 yes šŸ‘
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Kenny *******
For the people saying this is a Trump thing.... Its not. I tried 3 times with my ex under Obama several years back. Denied all 3 times. She had a fulltime job, strong ties to Thailand, owned a condo.... Pretty convinced only the HiSo, super rich Thais get American visas consistently. The middle class/poor have almsot no shot at it.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Kenny ******
 I've met a few bar girls that have been the the U.S on holidays, must be luck of the draw.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
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Aaron *******
It's easier to get a Fiance Visa than a Tourist Visa.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Aaron ******
 Fiance takes 1-1.5 years. Loads more paperwork.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Aaron *******
Having a USA husband/wife, bf/gf.... is considered a big red flag at the Thailand US Embassy, when applying for a Tourist Visa.
2 years ago
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Randy **********
@Aaron ******
 just wondering how they would know you have a wife/husband (if a marriage visa wasn't in the passport) or a gf/bf if you dont mention during the interview.

I would think saying or showing you have some sort of "sponsor" to a husband/wife or bf/gf and they will be traveling with, the interviewee would be better than saying just traveling alone or with a group of other thai friends...?

I have never tried to help or "coach" a person on trying to get a tourist visa to the US. Truly just wondering for future knowledge.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Randy *********
 Having a contact in the US makes it easier for a tourist to overstay, because they might have a place to stay, people who may connect them to under the table jobs. So, while there are no statistics about this, I've seen some tv show like 'Border Control' (or something) where suspected tourists are stopped at Immigration control when they fly in, and the Immigration Officers are allowed to check the tourist's personal phone and see if there's any conversations/emails/chats with people about jobs (which I assume would be people in the US already).
2 years ago
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Randy **********
@Rogerio *****
 ahhh....that does make sense now. I do remember seeing that many times on the Aussie Border Crossing show. I can see how knowing somebody there can make it make it more suspicious.

But I have never seen one where they pulled a person out when a non-resident of that country while traveling with a resident of that country and they alprared to be a couple...but it has been a while since I have seen that show.

And if traveling alone to meet them I wonder if the idea of bringing a few of their copied pages from their passport that would match up with the visas on the person's entering passport to show they travel together.

Just throwing it out there...as I was only wondering. Thanks for the reply, that did help with your explanation.
2 years ago
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Randy **********
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Diego *********
@Aaron ******
 I don't get it? Having an American spouse means that getting a green card is extremely easy, the first major step already taken. It's more than logical as an American, that you want to bring your spouse to your home country.
2 years ago
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Aaron *******
@Diego ********
 Than apply for spouse or fiancee visa, not a tourist visa.
2 years ago
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Aaron *******
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Randy **********
Just wondering if those that were denied....did they have visas to other countries to show or prove they do travel and then return back to thailand at the end of the visa they were approved for of the visa in their passport.

Just wondering if a few short term "vacations" to other countries to show they do travel and return back to thailand would at least soften up the interviewer by showing a consistent leaving and coming back home would work? Also bring or show a copy of the pages of your (the bf or husband) passport to show the vacations were taken together and returned together....anybody tried this as a possible method?
2 years ago
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Michael **************
Went thru same thing they only ask one question than denied
2 years ago
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Michael **********
Took us 4 times. Round trips, hotels, food, and Embassy fees every time. Don't give up
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Michael *********
 What changed the 4th time? in the space of how many months/years?
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Terry ********
True. My GF was denied twice. They didnā€™t even glance at the documents. I even talked to the section chief through email and was just given bureaucrat-speak. Meanwhile, thousands of illegals pour over the southern border.
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Terry *******
 send your girlfriend to cross the border then if itā€™s so easy? If she has been denied twice perhaps there is a issue with your application or the both of you?
2 years ago
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Michael **************
@Werner ***********
Sorry donā€™t know what to stories you hear but my future son in law is on the border and he tells a different story
2 years ago
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Michael **************
@Werner ***********
 agree send her to the border she crosses they give her everything for free
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Michael *************
 she crosses she gets put in a cage for about 90 days, then taken advantage of as a undocumented person under the table subject to immigration raids and deportationā€¦.tell her to try it out, I am always amazed by the amount of racists that go live overseas in foreign countries though lol šŸ¤¦šŸ¼ā€ā™‚ļø
2 years ago
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Werner ************
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Terry ********
@Werner ***********
 we have joked about that. But no, there is no issue with either of us. She has a government job, owns our property and has plenty of family here.
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Terry *******
 thatā€™s odd then - maybe the embassy just doesnā€™t like Thai ppl? I always see Thai people on the plane to Los Angeles though about 30-40% so more people approved than denied is my guess
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Werner ***********
@Terry *******
 75% approved
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2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Werner ***********
 there is an old bias against Thai women. Los Angeles has a very large Thai community. The Thais you see on the plane are probably naturalized and the lucky few who get a visa.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
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Jo **********
why is the USA like this? they let in 10,000s of illegal immigrants in and celebrate about it
2 years ago
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Kenny *******
@Jo *********
 Yup. tens of thousands walk across the border everyday and are released into America illegally without consequence... In fact, they are given free government services. Try entering America the proper, legal way.... You will be denied and lose your money and time.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Kenny ******
 Link to these free government services. And, no, they are not, even people applying for asylum are being kept in mexico. Your ignorance and lies are ridiculous.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Roberto ******
1.3 million illegals crossed into the US last year. You're the one in denial.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Paul ******
 people that "crossed illegally" aren't counted. just how unable to think are you, that you think they have a count of the ones that sneak in? 2.8 million people were apprehended and sent back, last year, which ends your ignorant lie that "they are just letting them in" what we are seeing a lot more of, is people applying for asylum. Applying for asylum is legal, is that too hard for you to understand? and even they have to wait in Mexico. quit spreading lies.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Roberto ******
 12 million illegals live in the USA and that's just a conservative estimate. Many of the ones who were sent back, come right back in!
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Lynn ********
The real solution here: strap a sombrero on the girlfriend and send her over the southern border
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
@Lynn *******
 yeah, it's that easy... That's why they find bodies all over the desert of Arizona, and texas. FFS.
2 years ago
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Roberto *******
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Roberto *******
@Jo *********
 ā€œthey let in illegalsā€. Dumbest statement ever.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Roberto ******
 ok more accurate they tolerate much more than we do in Europe
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Roberto ******
 not dumb at all. When President Dipshit encourages it.
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Frank *********
 you would be the first person whining if Thailand didnā€™t let in farangs, probably even try to cross the border illegally lol
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Werner ***********
 what does that have to do with this post in particular? If my wife wants to visit the US, she should be allowed to. Same with everyone else l.
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Frank *********
 she can she just needs a visa first and there is a application process for that which she didnā€™t pass, most pass and get visas itā€™s not rocket science and embassies around the world issue visas everydayā€¦.you are the one saying people cross the border illegally everyday? would you cross the border illegally into Thailand?
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Werner ***********
 no I wouldn't cross illegally. Haven't tried to get a visa for my wife yet as I am not traveling to the US. I tried for a tourist visa when we were not married and it was denied, even though we were going to return to Thailand together. Anyway doesn't change the fact that by his words and actions , the so called President we have now has encouraged illegal border crossings.
2 years ago
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Frank **********
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Mark ********
@Jo *********
 They also like to reward the worst types with the most monetary gain so I guess there is a connection there.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Mark *******
 yes itā€™s disappointing
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Werner ************
@Jo *********
 not really - those illegals cross illegally then melt into the underworld undocumented until caught and deported
2 years ago
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Jim *******
@Werner ***********
 get a clue......4million plus since the brain dead piece of shit took office
2 years ago
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William *********
@Werner ***********
 yes really. The current administration turns a blind eye to them walking across the border and then pretends they are doing good by the country for letting them in.
2 years ago
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William *********
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Michael *********
Unfortunately too many Thaiā€™s work illegally & or disappear into the ether, she needs very strong ties to return to Thailand, job, kids, property/rent/mortgage, loans to be paid etc. if sheā€™s got more reasons NOT to return youā€™ll always be denied.
2 years ago
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Edgar ************
They deny based on quota, rarely based on background info. They have to deny a minimum of 100k applications per day, because too many people apply to come to the US.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ned *******
 very plausible. I thought it was a numbers game going into this. So wasn't surprised it was denied. Just the way it was is what bothered me
2 years ago
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Edgar ************
@Jamie ************
 Genuine people get denied and even banned from the US AFTER being approved for a visa for no reason at all other than power tripping TSA and immigration.
2 years ago
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Edgar ************
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Zubair *********
@Az***
2 years ago
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Duncanc **********
Plenty of people approved first time - even for 10 year multiple entry
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Duncanc *********
I know. A Thai couple I'm good friends with got approved the first time with a 10 year multiple entry tourist visa. They both run their own business and got it very easily but they're quite wealthy.

A second Thai couple I know, she's a business woman and he's a police officer got a 10 year visa on the first application too.

Then again, she sent her husband 1.5 million Baht as a birthday present last year and it's clear she has no intention of moving to the USA to live.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Duncanc *********
 I'm not saying they're aren't any. I'm saying for the majority that got denied, this is highly plausible. While waiting for her interviewer, she saw one person approved for their visa, that wasn't there with a school. So no telling what their visa type was either tho. Everyone the interviewer spoke to before her, was denied, almost in the same amount of time as her
2 years ago
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Duncanc **********
@Jamie ************
 Good luck next time

************************************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Duncanc **********
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Kool *******
@Jamie ************
 you are aware that a big part of acceptance, or denial, is based on heavily on the DHS (Department of Homeland Security), investigation, that started at the time of the application, that includes the Thai Police, and Interpol, among other sources. There are lots of different reasons for denial.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Kool ******
 Completely FALSE. They do NOT check your application until the visa officer is looking at you.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Rogerio *****
 do not mention things you know nothing about, as your comment shows.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 fully aware. And legitimately there was no reason for a denial. Other than "because"
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Jamie ************
 weā€™ve never had visas declined including the USA and we are not citizens etc so there is a flip side, Iā€™ve known many who have been declined for many countries and try again with approval
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 ironically, it is supposedly helpful to apply for tourist visa to the u.s. if your other half is not American. My friend's wife got asked same 3 questions and was approved in same amount of time. Only difference really, is he's not an american
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Jamie ************
 maybe they donā€™t like Americans or figure most are bringing girls over than getting married and not leaving? Western embassies also flag many women who just met a westerner and are trying to go back etc because itā€™s a ā€˜sex tourismā€™ country - you would be surprised how many men try to bring hookers back home with them etc so thereā€™s always that stigma with the western embassies
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 they are Americans doing the interview. But I'm fully aware of all the other stuff. The tourist visa has been abused too much, and is tough to get. I get it, and knew it was slim chance. But damn, give her enough time in the air conditioning to enjoy it lol. Less than a minute, and denied?? Only makes sense if the decision was already made. Which is the point I was making. But we shall try again
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Jamie ************
 try again after the May elections in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
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Av **********
well yeah, should have never said she had a boyfriend. They dont want you getting there, getting married and getting stuck with her....
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Av *********
I don't think they care about what color the babies are going to be. Either they care or don't care foreign women give birth in the states.
2 years ago
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Robert ***********
@Av *********
 Wow...Another stupid comment. Congrats.
2 years ago
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Av **********
@Jamie ************
 yeah but you do have a reason to lie, its the usa. they dont want women coming there and getting pregnant and making little american babies...(well unless they are white). U see how they usher the ukranian refugees in, but not the ones from south america.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Av *********
 for sure, but had no reason to lie. We half expected denial, but not in the way it happened.
2 years ago
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Reply to
Jamie *************
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Stephen ******
My wife of 15 years was denied tourist visas twice, both pre-Covid during the Trump presidency. She had already been to the States twice (2005 and 2011) on a previous tourist visa. I provided her with tons of paperwork, including photos of her elderly parents, our school here in Thailand, her university degree, etc....They didn't look at any of it. They just gave us a letter telling us to try again ($$$) and provide more info. What is the point of supplying more if they don't even bother to look at it? It is a total disgrace. As a taxpaying US citizen I am appalled by this. All we wanted to do was attend out daughter's high school graduation. I am so disgusted by this that I never want to step foot on US soil ever again.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Stephen *****
That is absolutely appalling. I feel sorry for you and your wife. If she's been to the States before twice and never overstayed or even stayed too long, I don't understand the problem.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *****
 that's awful, sorry to hear that. But it's definitely a common occurrence apparently. And I agree, I wish I didn't have to step foot in that place again, but living ain't free, even in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Werner ************
Itā€™s possible that your Thai girlfriend has applied for visas in western countries previously so if the information doesnā€™t line up its declined all the western embassies share info and data centres as part of security etc
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 according to her, she hasn't. She has only ever applied for one previous visa, and that was when we went to Europe. And that was approved no prob. We've also been to 7 other countries Thais can go without applying for visas
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Jamie ************
 it really depends there are many variables and a well presented application is key with supporting data - Iā€™m Canadian and my wife received a ten year visa for the U.S. when we applied for tourism etc the main things looked at were savings, long term employment history and purpose of the trip etc
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 I'm not saying it wasn't looked at by someone BEFORE the interview, but certainly wasn't touched today at the interview.
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Jamie ************
 yea they review prior and make a assessment so the interview would be to corroborate the application info and itā€™s likely something didnā€™t correlate possibly with the answers also a big proponent is the length of the relationship etc - embassies approve and deny visas every day for decades and decades, the process is more algorithmic with computers today rather than a individual processing each one, so your application was marked for review do to some anomalies etc since you are not in the actual appointment and interview you will never really know what was said or not
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 I agree it's a numbers game. But the three questions were all easily answered, same as it was before the interview. What's your bf do for work, what you do for work, and how long you plan to stay...zero chance to answer those incorrectly
2 years ago
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Werner ************
@Jamie ************
 you would be surprised, any inconsistency matters like not explaining a job correctly, or using words like ā€˜I think heā€™ etc or ā€˜I donā€™t know how long but maybe 2 weeksā€™ are enough to get it declined
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Werner ***********
 I agree. But in this instance there's zero chance of it, due to she knew the exact dates and knows exactly what I do. Unless she couldn't remember what she does for work lol
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Ross ********
The first part of your post is correct...the next part is rubbish
2 years ago
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Reidar **********
@Ross *******
 How would you know boy ?
2 years ago
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Ross ********
@Jamie ************
 TIT...up to you
2 years ago
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Ross ********
As has been mentioned you have to prove significant ties to Thailand, a reason to come back and enough assets so support a tourist trip... mentioning BF or husband is going to disqualify 95% of applicants...they don't give a crap about your "reconsideration"
2 years ago
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Ross ********
Keep wasting your $280
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ross *******
 I've wasted it on worse lol
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ross *******
 according to some others, the second part worked for them. Worth a shot.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Reidar **********
Tell her to shack up with a Canadian .. zero issues, we welcome all Asians šŸ˜
2 years ago
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Mitchell *******
Canada needs immigrants. The problem is that after a year or 2, they all move to the same 3 cities.
2 years ago
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Randy ********
@Reidar *********
 yeah right. Itā€™s about as hard to get a wife into Canada as it is the US. Trust me, I know.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Reidar *********
 half the reason we wouldn't overstay is due to the weather in Minnesota. Canada is not an option lol.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Mark ********
My wife is a law-abiding Thai national who has been a nurse for 20 years with the Thai Navy. She was denied for a US tourist visa and they didn't give her a second to explain or ask questions. The US sucks. She never got to meet my Grandmother who just died last week.
2 years ago
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Eric ********
@Mark *******
 ā˜¹ļø
2 years ago
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Eric ********
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Eric ********
My partner was denied out of hand also, no visible consideration given. The paper she was handed was neither dated nor signed, just the USA/PC version of F..off. (She is Thai government staff with assets). There is no chance at all that she will reapply, itā€™s a big world.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *******
 believe me, if I didn't have to go to the u.s. for business, I would never return either. Just would've made it easier than being away for a month or two.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Frank **********
This is not correct. The applicant needs to clearly demonstrate strong ties to Thailand and that they will return. It doesnā€™t matter if they have a husband or a boyfriend, if the interviewer has any concern that the applicant may stay in the US, thatā€™s where you get the no. When my wife (then girlfriend) applied, she provided them my details and ties to Thailand in addition to her own. It can be tough to meet their idea of qualified, but it is not predetermined and being a wife or a girlfriend of an American citizen is probably equally concerning when they weigh your circumstances.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 if this was true, it's a pure numbers game. Only x amounts approved per day or something. She has a lot to come back for, and has zero interest in staying in the u.s. for longer than a month. I'm the same way, I'd rather never be there, but have to for business
2 years ago
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Frank **********
Reapply. Include a letter (top sheet) about you and your circumstances and your ties to Thailand. Include the reason for your trip, and that your life is here, but youā€™d like for her to join you on your work trip so that she can meet family. Keep it short, and include your visa type and how long you have been here. Make sure she makes them read it (canā€™t stress enough, short and simple), and that everything you say is factual and verifiable. This did the trick on my wifeā€™s second attempt. They asked her to come back with my passport, and she got a 10 year visa.

She was unemployed, had less than 10k USD in the bank, was a ā€œgirlfriendā€ of a U.S. citizen, and owned a 500k THB condo. Not exactly ticking all the boxes that everyone is talking about, but the interviewer felt that she would return to Thailandā€¦ good instinct, because weā€™ve been four times and always come back. Good luck.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 this is exactly what we are planning to do. I included a letter for her this time as well, stating essentially the same things, but they were through with her in less time than it takes to pick out the outfit to wear for the interview šŸ˜”
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Frank **********
Dress her up like a Mexican and sneak her in.
2 years ago
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Allen **********
My understanding is that a very high percentage of Asian girls who are granted a visa overstay their visa. Also, Asian women are primary targets for sex traffickers. Put those together and you get a visa denial unless the woman has a bank account with a history of fairly high balances, a ā€œrealā€ job and owns property.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Allen *********
 she had all those. But that is true, that many have abused the tourist visa in the past, of all races, and that hurts a lot of people's chances
2 years ago
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Allen **********
@Jamie ************
 usually, if she has a long history of bank balances in the $10k and over range, she has a long and stable employment history and she owns property, that gives her a good chance. Note that making a large deposit into her usually almost empty account a few months before the application actually hurts you. You should make sure that your application accurately reflects these things. That is proof that she has things to come home to.
2 years ago
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Allen **********
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Henry *********
Is it the fact that she's a girlfriend not your wife, the reason? Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships are possibly not a strong enough level of commitment?
2 years ago
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Dave **********
@Henry ********
 I'm not married to my Thailand partner. But she was approved for a 10-year non-emocrat travel visa to the USA
2 years ago
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David *********
@Dave *********
 did the interviewer know she and her boyfriend (you) would travel together? Or did she get it on her own. Not mentioning she was American boyfriend ??
2 years ago
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Dave **********
@David ********
 she had a complete dossier filled out mentioning that she would travel with me. As far as I know they didn't even get that far into the papers. She was 40 years old with two school-age children owned her own home owned her own car and had a mother and father that she helps take care of.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Dave *********
 School aged children are strong reasons to go back to Thailand, bf or whatever else being negative.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henry ********
 strong possiblity is what I was told. But we don't want marriage, no reason to include the government in what we got going on at home on a daily basis haha.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Frank **********
Same thing happened to me. She has a house, land adult kids. Asked 5 questions and denied. Bad thing is the officers word is final.
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Av *********
 she did have other visas to Germany, Belgium and Austria.
2 years ago
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Av **********
@Frank *********
 did she try getting visas else where first? Before applying the USA you have to get visas to other places like europe etc and prove for many years that you can follow those other country's rules. America should always be the last country to apply for.
2 years ago
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Av **********
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Lawrence **********
Approved very quickly. So not true.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Lawrence *********
 just because you had good luck doesnā€™t make the OPā€™s experience untrue, or his statement that the decision is made before the appointment.
2 years ago
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Lawrence **********
@Terry *******
 .... he made the statement 90% rejected. It's just not true
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Lawrence *********
 how do you know itā€™s not true? Were you there at the time? Are you there every day?
2 years ago
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Lawrence **********
@Terry *******
 ... yes. Every one
2 years ago
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Lawrence **********
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lawrence *********
 as a girlfriend, or a wife?
2 years ago
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Lawrence **********
@Jamie ************
 ... gf
2 years ago
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Lawrence **********
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just relaying what I've been told, for our situation. If the word boyfriend isn't husband, it's getting denied before they have a chance to get dressed for the interview
2 years ago
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Ross ********
@Jamie ************
 correct šŸ’Æ
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jamie ************
 you used a lawyer ??
2 years ago
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Bob **********
Well good luck I know it takes a long time to get the visa were you in the interview room with her ???
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
But I waited outside, and didn't even have enough time to start sweating before she came back out. And I was in jeans and a long sleeve shirt lol
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 no, I wasn't allowed in the building without an appointment
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jamie ************
 have you been with your GF a long time???
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 almost 2 years
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jamie ************
 well unfortunately youā€™ll never know what was said in the room as some Thai women do not want to go but hopefully thatā€™s not the case
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 definitely not the case here. She was more upset than I was. I almost sent the reapply message before she went in haha
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jamie ************
 thatā€™s cool good luck buddy
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 thanks. We will definitely need it apparently
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 no, spoke to one after. Used visa service that we used when she got approved for her EU visa. Just to dot the Ts and cross the Is.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Jamie ************
 I would try by yourself next time and leave the agent out make sure she has a healthy bank account and a home and land
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 she has sufficient money and assets. As well as businesses that can't operate long without her being local. I firmly believe it was dependant on our "relationship status" as bf/gf and not husband and wife. I knew it was low percentage chance of approval, but what we experienced was nothing short of ridiculous.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Jeffrey *********
I'm sorry your girlfriend's application was denied, but what the lawyer told you is factually untrue - decisions are not made in advance of the interview.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
 that's what I believed until today. The fact it was denied in less than 60 seconds, and the interviewer never looked at a single document, or even her passport, tells me different
2 years ago
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Don ********
@Jamie ************
 itā€™s the word boyfriend. Same thing happened to us. Mine told the truth about me being her fiancĆ© and was denied in less than a minute. She is a government employee owns a home has two kids. She reapplied the next year after we were married and received her visa. You could always fly her to Mexico and walk across the borderšŸ˜‚. Seriously good luck, I know how painful it is.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
@Don *******
@Jamie ************
 Yep "bf". My gf applied a handful of times and each time denied. I'm also from teh US and have no intention to go back permanently. Every time they ask if she's still with me and that probably is the factor. However, everyone here is speaking from basically the experience point of 1 or a handful of people. _everyone_'s interviews are usually 1-10 questions and documents are 99% NOT part of the equation, because, in many embassies, there's vendors outside literally offering whatever document the embassy would ask (i.e. fake). So officers do not rely on these at all.
2 years ago
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Rogerio ******
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Jeffrey *********
@Jamie ************
 1) Many decisions were made that quickly even 20+ years ago, when officers had no information about the applicant until they walked up to the window, and therefore could not possibly make a decision in advance.

2) The description of what happened during the interview was completely from the applicant's perspective. Applicants are under a lot of stress during the interview, and often don't know or notice what the officer is looking at or considering, or realize how long the interview is taking. It's totally believable that the officer didn't look at her documents - in most cases they're irrelevant - but the interviewer always looks through the passport (not that that would make her feel any better).
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
 we will just have to agree to disagree then. Her folder was never opened, and passport never touched by the interviewer. As well as she watched others getting denied left and right in the same amount of time.
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
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Brandon ************
@Jamie ************
 everything they need to make the decision is supposed to be submitted beforehand.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Michael ********
@Jeffrey ********
 agree, friend of mine works in the US embassy we talked about it before
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 they happen to mention if the reconsideration route works?
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Jamie ************
 Didnt ask we were just chatting about friend in Singapore who got denied and she has good job her own apartment (not cheap in singapore) and he said she would probably been denied a tourist visa when they knew she had an American boyfriend. Then he said its basically then up to the person doing interview, anything seems a bit off get denied. They get trained in body language and all that sort of stuff that immigration and custom officer do.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
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Garrett ***********
Does she have a job?
2 years ago
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Jamie *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 she owns her own business. 2 of them actually
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Jamie ************
 just straight up racist mate. Sorry for your disappointment.
2 years ago
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Robert ***********
@Nigel ********
 Its not racist. But good try.
2 years ago
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Andy *******
@Robert **********
 probably not racist at all .. but it definitely stinks if they decide before interview but make people trudge to Bangkok for no reason .. why not inform of denial prior to interview, then save people so much hassle .... All government bureaucracies are the same, no consideration for normal people .. it stinks
2 years ago
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Andy *******
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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