You’ve met the love of your life in Thailand and want to bring her back to the US. Before your fiancee can come to the US she will need to pass a visa interview at the American Embassy in Bangkok.
Once your fiancee’s petition has been approved by USCIS they will forward it to the National Visa Center (NVC). NVC will send her a letter known as packet 3 which will contain all of the documentation she needs for her interview.
1. Petition for Alien Fiancee
Once the US citizen has filed the I-129F petition for their Thai fiancee it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will process the application by conducting a background check on the beneficiary and verifying that they are not inadmissible to the United States. This normally takes 4 weeks to complete.
The NVC will then send a letter known as Packet 3 to your Thai fiancee and instruct her to submit the DS-160 application form along with the US Visa Fee. They will also schedule her for the interview at the Embassy or Consulate.
This interview may be the most difficult part of the entire K1 Visa Thailand process as the US Consular Officer will conduct a due diligence endeavor to ensure that the couple is who they say they are, that the relationship is bona fide and that there are no legal grounds of inadmissibility.
2. Filing the Petition
A US Citizen must file a K1 visa petition (I-129F) to bring his/her Thai Fiancee into the United States. USCIS will then issue a Notice of Action with a WAC number to track the application.
The couple must prove that they are legally free to marry under the laws of the United States and that they have met in person within the past two years (unless a waiver applies). USCIS also looks for evidence of ongoing communication and a mutual intention to get married.
In addition, the US Citizen must meet certain minimum income requirements and submit a Financial Affidavit along with the petition. The Affidavit is to verify that the US Citizen meets the financial requirement needed to support his/her Thai Fiancee during the visa process and after arrival in the United States.
3. Getting the Petition Approved
A K1 visa can be a great way to bring your Thai fiancee to the US. However, the process takes at least 6 months to obtain. This is due to USCIS having a backlog of applications and other factors.
Once the petition is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) will send you a letter and your Thai fiancee will receive her BNK number which she will use in all her future correspondence with the Embassy. The NVC will also schedule her interview with the US Embassy in Bangkok.
The interview is a very important part of the application and should be prepared for. It is not a simple walk-in and can be difficult with language barriers, time zone differences and limited time. The couple should be ready to answer questions about their relationship, immigration law and marriage.
4. Getting the Petition Approved for Children
After the petition is filed, a K1 visa interview at the US Embassy in Thailand must be scheduled. The interview is a face-to-face meeting with an American government official and can be intimidating. Especially, if the applicant has never had an interview with American immigration officials before.
During the interview, the Consular Officer will verify all of the documentation and ask questions to make sure that everything is correct. He will also check to make sure that the petitioner meets the income requirement and is free to marry (no previous marriages).
It is recommended to hire a professional consultant like Siam Legal who can prepare the couple for their interview and help them with the documents including translation, police clearance, scheduling of medical examination. Other services are cheaper but they do not have the same competitive advantages as a law firm.
5. Getting the Petition Approved for Travel
If the USCIS approves your petition for a K-1 visa, you will receive a notice of approval. Then, you will need to prepare for your visa interview. The interview is held at the US Embassy in Bangkok, and you must follow the instructions in your visa packet to prepare.
This includes preparing a visa interview checklist, making a list of documents you need to bring with you to the interview, and completing Form DS-160, an online nonimmigrant visa application. It also includes paying the visa fee and scheduling your medical exam. It is a good idea to hire a professional immigration consultant in Thailand to help you through this process. They can translate your petition into Thai, schedule your medical examination, and help you prepare for the interview.