K1 Visa Application
Making a K1 Visa Application for your Thai fiancee starts in stages:
Step 1: (K1 Visa Application)
The U.S. Petitioner starts to gathers various documents for the K1 Visa Application. These documents would include such documents as birth certificates etc. These documents are sent with the I-129F document.
Step 2: (K1 Visa Application)
The I-129F package is then sent away to the Service Center (CSC or VSC) in your area. Double Check everything as this is where most of the problems occur with US Visa Applications! Make a copy of the entire package before sending it off. It is also advisable to send postage with a return receipt requiring signature when it arrives at Service Center in your area. Things do go wrong many time at this step too. (See the story of a couple who waited a year for their application here - K1 Visa Problems)
Step 3: (K1 Visa Application)
You will get your first 1st Notice of Action (NOA). This is a formality to state that the K1 Visa Application has been received. Time lines would vary with this step. Some petitioners received their notice in 2 weeks and othersafter 3 or more weeks.
Step 4: (K1 Visa Application)
This step of the K1 Visa Application involves getting a Second Notice of Action (NOA). This is to acknowledge that the K1 Visa Application has been approved. If the K1 Visa Application is denied it is best to speak to an immigration lawyer.
Step 5: (K1 Visa Application)
The 5th Step is where things most times go horribly wrong. You now have to get your Thai fiancee to obtain all the documents needed from her end. If it is in Thai then you will need to have everything translated into English. That is easier said than done and there is the normal bureaucracy of government departments to deal with. Your Thai fiancee would then need to prepare the forms for the embassy. Flying out of the US to help, costing you money to assist when you don’t speak or read the language is a waste of time and money. Get a K1 visa lawyer to do everything for you! Once the documents are translated and gathered - hold onto them.
Step 6: (K1 Visa Application)
Your K1 Visa Application is now sent to your Service Center to the National Visa Center (NVC). You can call them after 2-3 weeks to ask them if it has been received.
Step 7: (K1 Visa Application)
After about 3 weeks your K1 Visa Application is sent to the US Embassy in Bangkok. They use DHL so add another week to the wait period.
Step 8: (K1 Visa Application)
It takes about a week before the US Embassy in Bangkok processes the application and sends a letter to your Thai fiancee. You can then call the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand to inquire about your application.
Step 9: (K1 Visa Application)
There is a long checklist of documents need for the application. See which documents need to be obtained and which you have. Police Clearance is one of the most difficult hurdles to cross in Bangkok.
Step 10: (K1 Visa Application)
Your Thai fiancee completes all the forms and supplies all the documents needed and forwards it to the US Embassy again.
Step 11: (K1 Visa Application)
Your Thai fiancee now needs a medical interview the embassy interview. She then needs to attend her medical appointment and gather the needed documents from the medical practitioner. These would normally needed in English and not in Thai. These might change. Sometimes they want the medical done on the day of the interview and sometimes they want it done way before the interview so that the tests can be sent directly to the embassy.
Step 12: (K1 Visa Application)
The US Embassy in Thailand now provides an interview date to your Thai fiancee. Numerous questions are asked and should she be able to satisfy the embassy they will grant her the K1 Fiancee Visa either on the same day or within a week after the interview. They do ask many questions and it is best the\at she is prepared with all the answers.
The K1 Visa Application to get your Thai fiancee to the United States can be difficult depending on your skills and those of your fiancee. In all it is always best to obtain legal advice well in advance and have your Thai fiancee cared for by a dedicated law firm in Bangkok!
See also:
K1 Visa Lawyer (Thailand) Bangkok, Pattaya, Hau Hin, Chang Mai and Phuket
