K1 Visa Process in Thailand

On the other hand, your fiancée may probably not be eligible for a K1 visa due to several reasons. In some instances, there may be a waiver available but this will lengthen the process.

Common reasons why your Thai fiancée may be ineligible for a visa:

• Illegal presence in the US including overstaying a previous US visa

• Submitting fraudulent documents on a US visa application

• Drug trafficking or other drug related crimes

• Having a criminal history including prostitution

• Having a serious communicable disease (not including HIV)

Moreover, you will be required to demonstrate that your annual household income is at least 100% of the poverty line to ensure that your spouse to-be will not require government assistance to live in the US. If you make less than required, you can make up the income difference by demonstrating assets (such as real estate, stocks, bonds, and savings accounts) that are at least five times the difference between the income required and your annual income.

If you have no annual income, you can satisfy the K1 visa financial requirement by showing you have assets worth five times the required annual income.

K1 Visa Application Process

Filing the Form I-129

The American fiancé starts the K1 application process by petitioning their Thai fiancée filing a form I-129 to the United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS). Once a visa petition has been filed, the USCIS forwards it to the National Visa Center of the State Department and pass it through the Embassy or Consulate in Bangkok. The Embassy or Consulate will inform the Thai fiancée that the petition has been received, and they will indicate the details concerning the schedule of a medical exam with the panel physician, as well as, how to schedule an appointment for a K1 visa interview at the Embassy.

Collect All Required K1 Visa Documentation

Once the US Embassy in Bangkok received the K1 visa application in about four months, they will notify your fiancée a list of required documents and application forms. The process will take about two months at this point.

K1 Visa Medical Examination

Your Thai fiancée will be required to submit a medical examination for the K1 visa application which is conducted at the approved locations in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. She may also be required to undergo additional vaccinations.

K1 Visa Interview

On the interview, a Consular officer reviews the documents which both you as a petitioner and your Thai fiancée have submitted. The Consular officer will request additional evidences of your solid relationship and ask your Thai fiancée questions to establish if a bona fide relationship exists.

Before the Consular officer makes a decision, he or she will be asked to submit further evidences. If the Consular officer is convinced of a bona fide relationship that meets all requirements, the consular officer can then issue the visa.

After the K1 visa in Thailand is issued

The US visa application is filed in the US and usually takes five to eight months to complete. Once the K1 visa has been granted, your Thai fiancée will be given six months to enter the US. You also have 90 days time to get married with your Thai fiancee.