K3 Visa in Thailand

US citizens can bring their foreign or Thai spouse to the US through a K3 visa in Thailand. The non-immigrant K3 Spouse Visa grants the holder the benefit of traveling to the US while waiting until their I-130 immigrant visa petition is approved. The purpose of the K3 visa, basically, is to reunite the US citizen and the foreign spouse who are subject to a long separation while their immigrant visa applications are being processed. This is great news to many since the immigrant petition can take several months or even years until issuance, depending on the circumstances.

K3 spouse visa is a multiple-entry, non-immigrant visa with a validity period of two years. The adjustment of status can also be applied upon arrival in the country. Furthermore, a K3 visa allows the visa holders to take their child or children with them in the US by applying for a K4 visa.

K3 Visa Thailand Application Guidelines

The petitioner for a K3 visa must be a citizen of the US who is legally wedded to a Thai spouse. The petition to take their Thai spouse to the US must be filed by the US citizen at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Center (USCIS), with jurisdiction over the US citizen’s residence area. To support the authenticity of their marriage, a legal marriage certificate must be presented.

• The USCIS then sends the application to the National Benefits Center (NBC) which finally forwards the application to the US embassy in Bangkok.

• The Thai spouse will be notified when the application has been received and an interview appointment schedule follows.

When the petition has been approved, the Thai spouse with her children (if any) can then fly to the US and reunite with their US citizen partner to live there as a family. A K3 visa also allows the holder to work in the US, though a work permit must be applied first to be able to do so.