Definitely not a forgone conclusion. They can and do deny CR1 if they think it's fraudulent due to numerous factors ranging from big age gap to lack of supporting evidence. The waiting time is 18 months to 2 years or more.

Hiring a lawyer achieves absolutely nothing to advantage an application and can, in fact, slow or down if any errors are made on the application. Keep in mind that immigration lawyers typically assign all their visa administration work to less qualified legal assistants as it is seen as simple paperwork. However these assistants can and do make errors that can harm an application.

Processing times vary according to countries with SE Asia typically drawing up the rear due to large numbers of applications and the necessity for closer screening due to higher levels of fraud.

I wanted to stay 4 mo's so I went to Cambodia after 60, had a nice little long weekend And returned to Bangkok for another 60.

Paying 1900b for 30 days made no sense for me, see? It's not for everybody.

Just because you speak English does not mean you can teach it. How would you communicate with students who only speak Thai? It's not as simple as it sounds

Just take a quick flight out for a weekend and return..if it's your first time I doubt you'd face any problems at airport immigration.

@Brandon ***********

you're right that virtually no one from SE Asian society who's not in the top 10% economically is bothering to apply because it's pointless. The govt stat masks the grossly discriminatory nature of who it allows in, namely only the very rich is Asian society. Even then, I'm skeptical.

@Brandon ***********

66% of Thailand is self employed selling things like fruit and street food . That's not going to cut it

@Brandon ***********

the requirement just to have a decent bank account alone is enough to rule out the vast majority from SE Asia for a tourist visa.

@Brandon ***********

I'm saying it's patently false. My wife has never heard of a single person from Vietnam getting a tourist visa. They don't even get fiance and spouse visas, never mind tourist

@Brandon ***********

that chart also claims a 22% rejection rate for Vietnam which I know is laughable ..I'm married to a Viet. Almost nobody gets through on a tourist visa.

@Brandon ***********

yr referring to Thailand. I'm referring to all of SE Asia. I question that 20% stat