Visa for Thai Girlfriend
The most common non-immigrant visa request in Thailand is the B1 or B2 Tourist Visa. This visa is the fastest way for a Thai applicant to gain entry into the United States for a short, temporary visit.
Under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 214(b): an applicant for a non-immigrant US visa (such as a tourist visa) must overcome the legal presumption that they are an intending immigrant. The burden is on the visa applicant that they have no intention of abandoning their residence in Thailand, therefore they must have "strong ties" that will compel them to return home after the visit.
In the case of a Thai girlfriend, if the primary reason to come to America is linked to a relationship with a US citizen, then it is imperative for the applicant to show the US citizen's strong ties to Thailand as well. For instance, if the US citizen is living and legally working in Thailand, and he is going abroad for a brief business trip or visit, and he has steady, continuous employment and income from his job in Thailand, then the likelihood of the Thai girlfriend staying in the US is diminished significantly. Proving vicariously through the US citizen's strong ties to Thailand enables the girlfriend to possibly overcome the presupposition of immigrant intent. In other words, significant factors compelling the US citizen to return to Thailand may be used jointly for the Thai girlfriend accompanying him on the trip. Saying that though, it is not always the case that this type of scenario would prove positive for all tourist visa applicants. The US consular officers interviewing the Thai applicant will evaluate the Thai girlfriend's background for any lawful inadmissibility issues, and examine her employment status and documents to determine her eligibility.
In the event that the tourist visa is refused pursuant to Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the underlying language of the statute is that if the consular officer's determination that an applicant is ineligible for this visa, then based on this factual finding the case is not appealable. The reality of the situation is that tourist visas are rarely worth appealing because it is time consuming, costly, and rarely successful. The practical option is to reapply with more meaningful and relevant evidence to overcome the legal presumption of immigrant intent.
Essentially, for an average US citizen who lives abroad and wants to bring a Thai girlfriend or boyfriend to the US for a temporary visit, the tourist visa is the first option, however, it is sometimes a futile effort due to the legal standard required from the visa applicant. Applicants with strong ties to the US, such as a boyfriend, and weak ties to Thailand, such as unemployment, are unlikely to be issued a tourist visa.
Additionally, the tourist visa application fee, whether the visa is issued or not, is non-refundable. Whether one believes the case was wrongfully and unjustifiably denied, there is no provision in the law or policy to allow for a refund. Therefore, Thai applicants have to be overly prepared at the interview and be realistic about the odds of getting a tourist visa. On the bright side, the tourist visa is just one category of non-immigrant visas, as K1 fiance visa is available for eligible candidates.
