Requirements for Thai People to get an American Visa
Posted by Stuart at 10:36 AM on August 23, 2004Another reason I have been thinking about my life B.T. (before Thailand) was because I am planning on visiting America over my fall break in October.
When I originally moved from San Francisco two years ago, I wasn't really sure how long I would stay in Thailand. In fact, I figured I would just travel in Asia for a few months and then come back to a rebounding American economy and start working in the Bay Area again. Well, two years later the economy is still a mess. Luckily, I am really enjoying my new life on the other side of the planet.
So since I wasn't sure when I was returning, I left all of my belongings in boxes in a friend's basement. But now, I don't see myself going back to SF any time soon, so I am thinking that maybe it would be better for my stuff to be at my parent's house instead. Problem is, (according to Mapquest) they live 2640.7 miles away, which Mapquest kindly suggests will take me 40 hours and 49 minutes to make the drive.
Whew, that's a long way! I have driven across America two times before, and it was actually kind of fun, especially with a good travel partner. (Paul joined me the first two times). So this time, I am trying to convince Piyawat to join me.
The problem is, though, that Piyawat is a Thai citizen, and ever since 9/11, it is very difficult for Thai people to get visas to visit America. He has started the lengthy visa process, which looks something like this:
- Turn in the following to the U.S. Embassy:
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Five-page Visa Application
- Round-trip airline ticket reservation that shows you will be coming back
- Letter from your employer stating that you have a job and you will be coming back
- Letter from your bank showing that your account balance is high enough to want to come back. We�re not sure how much is enough, but from what we can tell, it�s at least 100,000 baht (US$2,500)
- Non-refundable 4000 baht (US$100) for visa
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Wait for 4-6 weeks.
- Have a personal interview
- Get the answer. Of the three friends I know who have tried to get visas to visit America, all three have gotten an answer of NO.
Let's compare that with what I have to do to get a Thai Visa:
- Get on a plane and fly to Thailand where I automatically get a free visa stamp in my passport.
Just another one to chalk up in the "Life is not fair" category, I suppose.
Joe, no one is really sure what the actual visa requirements are. But I think you have to 1) have a good job, 2) have enough money in your bank account, 3) have travelled outside of Thailand before.
As you suggested, I had already thought about mailing all of my stuff, but it's really too much to mail. I guess it would be possible, but it would be really expensive. Plus I have a few random things like a pair of snow skis that probably won't mail very well.
I don't think I will mind the drive so much, as long as I have company. Besides, it will be cool to show Piyawat around the country. Maybe we'll stop in places like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon -- places you wouldn't just fly to if you were coming all the way from Thailand.
This really sucks man! I seem to recall Piyawat was a student at Tulane at one time right? Doesn't that count for something?
Well hopefully with a regime change here this fall things might improve.
Good memory Charles :) From what we can tell, if the visa applicant has been to America before (and more importantly, returned to Thailand) it is a good sign that he/she won't try to illegally stay there this time. Our fingers are still crossed
By the way, I had a "Thanks George W!" comment in the post when I first wrote it, but decided to stay apolitical on this one :)
Hopefully, it'll all work out. I'm sure Piyawat would thoroughly enjoy the cross country adventure, to see the vast differences between America's east and west, and the beauty of the states.
How long are you planning on being in the states in Oct? Would love to me able to have you down here on your track over or back, or can meet you in AR. And if you come during your Oct. break, will you be able to come home for Christmas?
Love you!!
Wow, I didn't know the process in getting a US visa was that lengthy and difficult! Unfair indeed. I really hope it works out for Piyawat and that he gets that visa and gets to go road-tripping with you across the US! I bet you guys are gonna have a grand old time. I grew up mostly on the west coast (CA), but would absolutely love to visit New England and the Antebellum south one day... especially Savannah and New Orleans.
And about you picking up, moving to Thailand and starting a whole new life in another country (that's a non-English speaking one to boot) - I say kudos to you b/c that takes major guts. But from the look and sound of things, you've been doing เยี่ยมมากๆ! ;)
For me, I had been sitting at the embassy for six hours to have the interview which took only four questions! (why do you want to stydy in US?, Who's going to support you while you study? Do you have any relatives there? and The last question went like "how many foreign teacher you have at Bangkok University?????". This is American way? By the way, here I am- America!
Thanks everyone. They just change the visa process. When I applied for my student visa in 2002, I got the visa on a very next day, no interview needed. Now, interviwe is required for all applicants, unless that person was granted the US visa before and the visa is expried not more then a year. And you need to apply for the same class of visa.
In my case, my visa was expired for more than a year and I'm applying for a different class of visa, so I need to be intervied. The interview is scheduled on September 2. I hope I will be granted a visa again this time. I will let you guys know when I know the result ;)
As promised. Now I've got the result. It's unbelievable that they just gave me a 10-YEARS-VISA! I didn't expect that at all. Anyway, USA, I'm coming!
that's crazy harsh! i wish you both luck with the process. was there anything common among those 3 friends that might show a reason for them being denied? (like maybe their handwriting was bad - kidding... but you know what i mean)
also, what about having the friend whose basement is safely protecting your posessions mail your stuff to your parents? eh... i guess i'm looking beyond the actual "scenic" drive through the states, to just get your stuff there and chill out the rest of your visit.
-J.