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This is the K1 Visa in Thailand is a US fiancee visa for your Thai girlfriend or Thailand fiance visa. The Thailand fiancé visa for your Thai girlfriend is explained below. If you are taking your Thai fiancée back to the US then you need to apply for a US fiancée visa in Thailand. The process takes approximately 9 months once the I-129F application has been filed with the USCIS in the US up to the final interview at the US Embassy in Bangkok. The timeline for the K1 visa in Thailand greatly depends on the caseload at the US Embassy and also at the USCIS. This is a US visa for your Thai girlfriend.
Depending on where in the US you live the I-129F application is submitted to the USCIS service center in the region where you reside in the US. You can either fall under the Vermont Service Center or the California service center. The immigration lawyer in Thailand will know where this needs to be submitted for your application. Also, ensure that you meet the income requirement for a K1 visa of the visa. The fiance visa for Thailand is explained further.
The most common visa from Thailand is the K1 fiancée visa. This is more common than the K3 visa or the CR1 visa and CR2 visa. They all however start with an application form called the Form I-129F which is explained in detail on this website. Below we will explain the process for your Thai fiancée from beginning to end.
A K-1 fiancé visa is a special visa for your Thai fiancé engaged to you as a U.S. citizen. To use this visa, the fiancé can come to the U.S. and get married. First, you are a U.S. citizen and must file the forms called Form I-129F and Form DS-160. Then, there’s a visa interview. Once all the fees are paid and the interview is done, your Thai fiancé can travel to the U.S. to get married.
As the sponsor, you will need to meet or exceed the financial requirements for the visa. This will depend on your State as the levels of poverty are different. If you are active US forces then you will have a lower income requirement for the visa. You will have met your fiancee in person at least once in the last 2 years and you will also need to be able to show that you have a valid relationship. This includes emails, photos, and other proof that you might have.
If you are dating then that is fine as many start their fiancé visa application before they are engaged to get married. Always consider your K1-visa early as it does take a while to complete the process. There is also a 21-month timeline which the US government requirement when you file for your K1 application. It states that you must have met at least once within 2 years of you meeting face to face. You will note the income requirement for the K1 visa from Thailand.
Your Thai girlfriend will need to be single and be able to prove this. The Thai government does have a “Celibacy Certificate“ which will state that she is unmarried. This will need to be translated and certified. If she is divorced then she will need a copy of her divorce decree which has also bee translated and certified. This process normally starts at the District Office or Amphurs Office where she lives.
She will need to complete the medical examination which would include an X-Ray to check for TB as well as a check on her vaccinations. She might have to obtain this where she grew up when she had it as a child. They will also check for other illnesses that she might have that she would not be permitted to have in the US.
This is important and will make up the largest part of your application. You will need to show letters, emails and telephone calls. Chat messages and photos of the two of you together. This must have occurred at least once in two years.
Much like meeting your fiancee, you will need to show that you are a couple. This includes emails, photos and all other material you have to show that you are an actual couple. It is very important to show a bonafides relationship.
She will also need to obtain a criminal record certificate. This takes about 3 weeks to obtain and you will need a proper visa letter to obtain the certificate.
You will need to be single when you get married. If you are divorced then ensure that you have a original of your divorce decree.
You should not have a criminal record when you are petitioning for a K1 visa. This is a major issue and you should not have been arrested. This for harm to a child, assault, kidnapping or domestic abuse. If a criminal conviction is an issue then you are not going to do well with your visa application for your Thai girlfriend or fiancee.
You will need to be well established in that you will need to pass the poverty guidelines for your State. You would be looking at an income of at least USD 20,000/annum. Note that there is a special poverty rate for active duty soldiers.
Much like your Thai girlfriend you will also need to help collect all your photos, emails and chat messages to prove that you are a bonafides couple. The US Embassy and Homeland Security are very careful when it comes to marriage or immigration scams. Ensure that you have loads of photos, dates and other interactions. This usually makes for a very big file with all the dated emails.
You must have met your fiancee or Thai girlfriend at least once in a two year period. Usually in Thailand this is not an issue as many Americans visit Thailand more than once each year.
NOTE: You need to ensure that you meet the US visa financial requirements of the K1 Visa from Thailand. There is a breakdown of the financial requirements on this website. If you need more information or are unsure then speak to us online or send us an email for assistance in this regard. This Thailand fiance visa is the most common US visa for your Thai girlfriend.
– Consultation
– Comprehensive list on the required documents
– Assistance with collecting the required documents
– Preparation of the USCIS petition
– Filing the petition with the USCIS
– Preparation of the application for the US embassy
– Assistance with medical check up
– Assistance with Police report
– Interview preparation
– Submission of the application to the US embassy
– Constant update about the application
If you have more questions about your US visa application then speak to us today online or in person at our offices in Bangkok or Phuket or call us toll-free on our US telephone number. The US visa for your Thai girlfriend can be applied for from Thailand. Again the US fiancé visa for your Thai girlfriend can be obtained in Thailand.
Let me take the time to thank you for all the assistance when it came to the US fiancee visa from Thailand for Aom. We are now back in the US and have completed our wedding last week. Its going to take time for Aom to get accustomed to the US .
The US fiancee visa that you helped us with was easy to complete. Thanks to all of you for assisting Achara collect all the documents for the visa application. We moved back to the US and I just wanted to send you an email to thank you for all the help.
When it comes to obtaining a K1 fiancé visa in Thailand, the process usually takes about 7 months on average. However, it’s crucial to ensure all your documents are accurate and submitted on time. Errors in your paperwork can lead to delays, so attention to detail is essential.
Determining the required funds for the K1 visa is based on the poverty line in the US, usually around 125% of this line. If you’re in the armed forces, you need to meet only 100% of the poverty line. Additionally, you can use the equity in your property to fulfill the financial requirements.
Comparing the speed of fiancé visas to spouse visas, the fiancé visa is quicker. This is because it demands fewer documents. On the other hand, the K3 marriage visa takes longer, and the CR1 or IR1 visa (spouse visas) typically have the lengthiest processing times. However, IR1 visas allow your Thai spouse to find employment in the US more rapidly. See more on the US Visa Thailand page for more information.
To expedite your K1 visa application in Thailand, the key is to avoid errors. Keeping all your documents accurate and organized is crucial, as any mistakes can result in delays. It’s important to be aware of any Request for Evidence (RFE) requests, as they can slow down the process. By ensuring your application is correct and complete, you can prevent the possibility of a US visa denial.
Firstly, one of you must be a U.S. citizen. Likewise, either you or your Thai fiancé should have U.S. citizenship. Secondly, both of you must intend to marry each other within 90 days. This is after she enters the United States on her K-1 visa. This visa is specifically for couples planning to get married shortly after arrival.
Additionally, you must be legally allowed to marry in the United States. Likewise, any previous marriages must have ended through divorce, annulment, or death. This requirement ensures that all legal aspects are in order. Note that same-sex partners are eligible for K-1 visas. See also the article on LGBTQ rights in Thailand on this website.
Furthermore, you and your fiancé must have met in person at least once within the two years before filing your application. However, if meeting in person is against your religious or cultural practices or would cause extreme hardship, you can request a waiver for this requirement.
Likewise, to strengthen your case, you need to provide evidence proving the legitimacy of your relationship. This evidence should cover the entire duration of your relationship, from its beginning to your engagement. It could include photos, letters, or any other documents showcasing your relationship’s genuine nature. This is the largest part of the application process in terms of paperwork.
Lastly, you as a U.S. citizen must meet a certain income requirement, which is set at least 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. Note that each State has different levels. If their income in the US falls below this threshold. You can submit a supplemental Form I-864 or Form I-864A with your application to meet the financial criteria for the visa application. Also always take proper advice from our immigration lawyer in Bangkok when you need assistance.
You can read the detailed article on this website on Form I-129F and what is needed when you complete this form. You will also need all the documents when completing it. Below is a brief overview of what is needed when completing the form. Note that when you submit your Form I-129F petition to USCIS. You are going to need to include various supporting documents. This is to prove the legitimacy of your relationship and your eligibility for the K-1 fiancé visa from Thailand. Here’s a breakdown of the documents you’ll need:
Firstly, you must provide evidence that you are a U.S. citizen. Likewise, you can use a copy of your U.S. passport or your certificate of naturalization. There is also the possibility of your U.S. birth certificate.
Secondly, the biggest part of the documents is to prove the authenticity of your relationship. This is going to require you to gather time-stamped pictures of you and your fiancé together, along with flight records and hotel reservations from trips you took together or visits to each other. Likewise include letters, emails, or texts exchanged between you over the years. Additionally any written statements from family, friends, or colleagues who are aware of your engagement. These can all help validate your relationship.
Now, if either of you were previously married. You will need to provide proof that those marriages have ended. This could include annulments, divorce decrees, or death certificates.
Furthermore, you need to show that you have met in person at least one time within the past two years. Provide proof such as flight itineraries or photos or receipts for that time. Sworn statements, written and signed by both partners, describing your relationship can also be included. Additionally, you can appoint an attorney to help you draft these statements. Be sure to state your intention to get married within 90 days of your arrival in the United States in these statements. It’s advisable to provide the original signed statements and keep copies for your records.
Finally, include a copy of any Form I-94 arrival-departure record she received when visiting the United States, and provide one passport-style photo of each partner. These documents are essential to support your K-1 visa application.
As of November 2023, the processing times are as follows:
The processing times for the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (I-129F) form vary depending on the service center.
| Location | Processing Time (80% of Cases) |
|---|---|
| California | 16 months |
| Nebraska Service Center | 5 months |
| Potomac Service Center | 19 months |
| Texas | 12.5 months |
| Vermont | 7.5 months |
Please note that these processing times are approximate and subject to change based on various factors and the workload of the respective service centers. (Change to Table in Website)
USCIS processing times for the I-129F petition can range from 4 to 15 months, depending on the specific service center location where you submit your forms. The duration of the processing period is determined by the service center to which you send your documents. During this waiting period, it’s important to stay vigilant for any Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS. If the agency requires additional information, they will send you an RFE to collect the necessary details.
Once your application has been approved they will provide you with a Notice of Action 1 which will then take you to the next step in the visa process. Note that this will be delayed if there is an issue with the Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS.
Now once USCIS has approved your Form I-129F petition. Your application will be transferred to the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC). Note that after about 30 days after USCIS approval. You will then receive a notice from the NVC. This notice will contain details about your required visa interview, including the date and location.
In this notice, there will also be a list of additional documents you need to gather, along with instructions on how to submit them to your local U.S. embassy. It’s crucial to ensure that the contact information you provided on your Form I-129F is accurate; otherwise, you might miss this important notice.
The NVC notice once this arrives, your next step is to complete the DS-160 form, which is the official K-1 visa application. After filling out the form online, make sure to print the confirmation page. The Embassy will need this confirmation page at the interview. Note that each Embassy has its process for managing additional documents which may be requested. This form takes 2-3 months to process
After receiving the notice from the National Visa Center, your visa interview will be scheduled at the U.S. embassy or consulate specified in the notice. Typically, this location will be in your foreign fiancé’s home country, and the interview will happen about 4–6 weeks after you get the notice.
Only your Thai fiancé needs to attend this interview. Usually, the interview process is not a complicated affair. The officer, who conducts the interview, will decide on the same day. If they require more information or evidence. Likewise, they will ask you to submit it to the U.S. consulate or embassy after the interview.
Once your K-1 visa is approved, you need to enter the United States within four months. Within 90 days of entering, you must marry your U.S. citizen fiancé. Failing to do so will result in losing your K-1 status, and if you choose not to marry, you must return home promptly.
It’s important to note that you cannot change your status from a K-1 visa to any other status except a marriage green card. Additionally, your K-1 visa is specifically for marrying the U.S. citizen with whom you filed Form I-129F. After marriage, your foreign spouse can apply for a marriage green card by submitting Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, along with the necessary supporting forms and documents.
