Integrity Legal

With the recently announced fee increases associated with K visa applications filed overseas, there are many who feel that serious thought should be given to the type of visa a couple should petition to obtain. In the past, many couples who were thinking of marriage opted to apply for a US fiance visa, also referred to as a K1 visa. That being said, it was recently announced that the application fee for all K visas sought overseas would be increased from $131 to $350. Apparently, the resources accrued are to be used in furtherance of fraud prevention measures as well as implementation of measures meant to streamline the overall visa process. As the fee increase was only recently announced, it remains to be seen how newly acquired fees will be used on the Consular level. With that in mind, it has also been recently announced that USCIS may be raising fees for Immigrant visa petitions. For those who are unfamiliar with this blog, it should be noted that for purposes of traveling to the USA, the K1 visa and the K3 Visa are considered to be immigrant visas even though they do not automatically confer lawful permanent residence to the bearer upon entry in the USA.

Those seeking a US visa would be prudent to seriously consider their options because the costs associated with the process of applying for and obtaining a CR1 visa or an IR1 visa may be lower in some cases when compared to the costs associated with the K1 visa process. When viewed from a long term perspective the CR1 visa, although more time consuming to obtain, confers lawful permanent residence to the bearer upon entry and thereby negates the necessity of adjustment of status which is necessary for those who travel to the US on a K1 visa with the intent to marry the Petitioner and remain in the USA permanently.

In most cases, those wishing to bring a spouse to the USA are wise to bear in mind the fact that K3 visa applications, once a popular travel document for bi-national married couples, are now being administratively closed by the National Visa Center if the underlying I-130 is approved prior to, or at the same time as, the I-129f application. This has lead to many instances of spouses being required by circumstance to process a CR1 or IR1 visa rather than a K3 visa because the NVC simply will not process the K3 application.

For those interested in further information about US Immigration please see: American Visa Thailand.

Tags: American Visa Thailand, CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, IR1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Costs, K1 Visa Fees, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Thailand, US Visa Costs, US Visa Fees, USCIS Costs, USCIS Fee hike, USCIS Fee Increase
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, National Visa Center, News, US Consulate Chiang Mai, US Consulate HCMC, US Consulate Singapore, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Burma, US Embassy Cambodia, US Embassy Hanoi, US Embassy India, US Embassy Indonesia, US Embassy Jakarta, US Embassy Kathmandu, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, US Embassy Malaysia, US Embassy Myanmar, US Embassy Nepal, US Embassy New Dehli, US Embassy Phnom Phen, US Embassy Rangoon, US Embassy Singapore, US Embassy Thailand, US Embassy Vietnam, US Embassy Yangon, US Tourist Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, Weird Law | No Comments »

In previous postings on this blog, we have discussed the naturalization process and the various ways in which individuals can become Citizens of the United States of America. Many believe, erroneously, that once a person is naturalized to US Citizenship, they cannot lose their citizenship. Unfortunately for some, this is not necessarily the case. US law provides for denaturalization under certain circumstances. Generally, denaturalization only occurs in siutuations where the applicant for naturalization was dishonest in their application for US Citizenship. The following is a quote from a recent presss release promulgated by the American Justice Department:

A former member of the Bosnian Serb Army has left the United States to return to Serbia after a federal judge ordered his denaturalization based on concealment during his application for U.S. citizenship that he served in the military during the Bosnian war, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Brian Albritton of the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Secretary John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Jadranko Gostic, 47 , a former resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., departed the United States on June 1 , 2010. U.S. District Court Judge James Moody in Tampa, Fla., ordered his denaturalization on May 26, 2010. Gostic was indicted in December 2006 on one count of unlawful procurement of citizenship and one count of making false statements. In January 2010, a civil complaint was filed against Gostic alleging illegal procurement of U.S. citizenship and requesting his denaturalization. Court documents allege that Gostic served in the Zvornik Infantry Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army from April 1992 until December 1995. According to court documents, international tribunals have found that some units of the Zvornik Brigade engaged in war crimes and crimes against humanity , and that they participated in the July 1995 action against the Srebrenica enclave during which some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were executed.

Gostic entered the United States in 1999, received lawful permanent residence status in 2002 and was naturalized in 2004. According to court documents, at each stage of the immigration and naturalization process Gostic concealed his service in the Zvornik Brigade, even when specifically asked about his prior military service.

Gostic agreed to admit to the allegations against him, to be denaturalized, to surrender his lawful permanent resident status and to depart the United States. Gostic fulfilled the requirements of this agreement and departed the United States. As a result of his cooperation, the criminal charges against Gostic will be dismissed.

This case was investigated by the ICE Tampa Special-Agent-in-Charge Office and was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney William Kenety in the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Hansen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

The Criminal Division announced the formation of HRSP on March 30, 2010, as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to bring human rights violators to justice and deny those violators safe haven in the United States. The new section represents a merger of the Criminal Division’s Domestic Security Section (DSS) and the Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

As can be gathered from the above press release, Denaturalization proceedings are not taken lightly by the American government nor is it a matter that is taken lightly by the US Courts. That said, in certain situations, denaturalization is warranted if the naturalized American’s actions require the implementation of such a measure. This is one more prime example of why honesty is the best policy when it comes to US Immigration as dishonesty can “unravel” one’s lawful status in the United States, even if that status is US Citizenship.

For related information please see:  US Visa Thailand or Child Citizenship Act.

Tags: Child Citizenship Act, denaturalization, Justice Department, Naturalization, US Citizenship, US Citizenship by Naturalization, US Visa Thailand
Posted in US Citizenship, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

To see this information in English please see: K1 visa

สำหรับคนที่พาคู่หมั้นต่างด้าวเข้ามาในอเมริกา คำถามที่มีให้พบอยู่บ่อยๆคือ “ทำอย่างไรหากว่าคู่หมั้นของฉันอยากจะทำงานในอเมริกาก่อนที่จะปรับเปลี่ยนสถานภาพเสร็จ” คำตอบสำหรับคำถามนี้ค่อนข้างจะสลับซับซ้อน เมื่อคู่หมั้นต่างด้าวเข่าสหรัฐอเมริกาด้วยวีซ่าชั่วคราว เควัน หรือ เค ทรี การเข้าเมืองไม่อนุญาติให้ทำงานในสหรัฐอเมริกา จนกว่าคนต่างด้างนั้นจะปรับเปลี่ยนสถานภาพเป็นผู้อยู่อาศัยถาวรได้แล้วเสร็จ (ได้กรีนการ์ด ) หรือได้ขออนุญาตทำงานในสหรัฐ ไม่นานมานี้ USCIS ประกาศว่าเพื่อพยายามลดการเข้าเมืองโดยฉ้อฉล เอกสารอนุญาติทำงานแบบใหม่จะมีการออกให้ ข้อความด้านล่างสรุปมาจากประกาศของ USCIS

USCIS ได้ประกาศในวันนี้ว่าได้ปรับเปลี่ยนดูเอกสารอนุญาตทำงาน หรือแบบ I 766 โดยได้เพิ่มแถบแม่เหล็กเข้าไปด้านหลังบัตรอนุญาตทำงาน ความคืบหน้าในครั้งนี้เป็นอีกหนึ่งความพยายามของ

USCIS ในการที่จะตรวจสอบการเข้าเมืองโดยฉ้อฉล เริ่มมีผลบังคับใช้วันที่ 11 พฤษภาคม USCIS จะเริ่มออกใบอนุญาตทำงานแบบใหม่นี้ แถบแม่เหล็กแบบนี้เป็นไปตามมาตรฐานองค์กรการบิน USCIS ได้เอาแถบบาร์โค๊ดสองแถบด้านหลังบัตรออกไป และย้ายส่วนข้อความไปอยู่ใต้แถบแม่เหล็กบนการ์ด การ์ดแบบใหม่นี้ยังคงลักษณะเพื่อความปลอดภัยที่มีอยู่ไว้ทั้งหมด

ในกรณีส่วนใหญ่ คู่หมั้นหรือคู่สมรสต่างด้าวของคนสัญชาติอเมริกันจะต้องรอกรีนการ์ดก่อนจึงจะสามารถทำงานได้ อย่างไรก็ตาม บางตัวอย่างที่ไม่เข้ากับกรณีนี้เนื่องจากมีคู่หมั้นหรือคู่สมรสชาวอเมริกันมากมายที่ทำงานให้กับบริษัทข้ามชาติ บริษัทข้ามชาติเหล่านี้บางครั้งก็อยากได้ลูกจ้างที่ไม่ใช่ชาวอเมริกันของพวกเขามาทำงานในสาขาที่สหรัฐให้เร็วที่สุดที่จะทำได้ ดังนั้น ก็มีหลายกรณีที่ใบอนุญาตทำงานแบบเร่งด่วนเป็นเรื่องจำเป็น

ในอดีต ผู้ถือวีซ่า เค ทรี จะต้องขอใบอนุญาตทำงานที่ด่านตรวจคนเข้าเมืองที่เข้าสหรัฐ และเนื่งจากวีซ่า เค ทรี เริ่มจะหายไป ดังนั้นวิธีขออนุญาตทำงานแบบนี้จึงพบเห็นได้ไม่บ่อยเท่าแต่ก่อน อีกปัญหาหนึ่งที่เกี่ยวกับการขอใบอนุญาตทำงานก็คือการขอออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนด ผู้ถือวีซ่าคู่หมั้นไม่สามารถออกจากสหรัฐอเมริกาได้ก่อนที่จะปรับเปลี่ยนสถาภาพและคงสถานะวีซ่า เค วัน ไว้นอกเสียจากจะขอและได้รับการอนุญาตให้ออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนดได้ ในบางกรณี คู่สมรสที่ยื่นขอออกนอกประเทศก่อนกำหนดก็จะยื่นขอใบอนุญาตทำงานเพื่อทำงานในสหรัฐไปด้วยในคราวเดียว

For further information in Thai please see:  K1 วีซ่า

Tags: American Visa Information in Thai, I-1766, I-766, I766, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Visa from Thailand in Thai Language, US Visa Information in Thai, US Visa Thailand, US Visa Thailand in Thai Language, US Visas Thai Language, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย
Posted in US Visa Thailand, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย | No Comments »

For the original posting in English please see: US Visa Thailand

สำหรับคนอ่านกระทู้ของผู้เขียนบ่อยๆ  อาจจะเข้าใจหลักพื้นฐานของสิทธิทางด้านคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลที่นิยมเพศเดียวกัน ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender ) กฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองของสหรัฐอเมริกา ภายใต้กฎเกณฑ์ปัจจุบัน รวมถึงพระราชบัญญัติปกป้องสิทธิทางการสมรส กำหนดว่าคู่สมรสเพศเดียวกันที่มีสองสัญชาติถูกห้ามไม่ให้รับสิทธิตามกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองอิงถึงการสมรสเพศเดียวกันที่ถูกต้องตามกฎหมาย คู่รักตามกฎหมาย หรือ คู่สมรสโดยไม่จดทะเบียน นั่นหมายความว่า ในปีที่ผ่านมา สมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎรเช่น เจอรี่ แนดเลอร์ ได้เสนอกฎหมายที่รู้จักกันในชื่อ พระราชบัญญัติการรวมครอบครัวอเมริกัน หรือ UAFA ซึ่งกำหนดวิธีการขอรับประโยชน์ทางกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองสำหรับคู่รักถาวรที่มีเพศเดียวกัน ในกระทู้ก่อนๆ ผู้เขียนได้พูดเรื่องการปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองให้ครอบคลุม และ การเปลี่ยนแปลงกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองของอเมริกา ที่อาจจะมีหรือไม่มี ในเรื่องที่อนุญาติให้คู่รักเพศเดียวกันที่มีสัญชาติต่างกัน ขอรับผลประโยชน์ตามกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองตามหลักของครอบครัวได้ ในกระทู้ก่อนเราพูดถึงร่างกฎหมายปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองที่เสนอโดยสมาชิกสภารัฐอิลลินอยส์ ลูอิส กุทเทอเรส และ ร่างที่ว่าไม่ได้รวมถึงผลประโยชน์ด้านกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลเพศเดียวกัน หมายเหตุ บทความข้างล่างตัดมาจาก WashingtonBlade.com:

สมาชิกสภาผู้ทรงอิทธิพลหัวก้าวหน้าด้านกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองได้แนบรวมข้อบัญญัติเกี่ยวกับการปกป้องคู่รักที่มีสัญชาติต่างกันประเภท เลสเบี้ยน เกย์ ไบเซ็กชวล และบุคคลแปลงเพศ เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของร่างปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองให้ครอบคลุม จากปฐากฐาเมื่อวันพฤหัส สมาชิกสภา ลูอิส กุทเทอเรส (รัฐอิลลินอยส์) ได้กล่าวสรุปได้ว่าร่างพรบ.ปฏิรูปนี้เป็นเรื่องสำคัญที่จะต้องอนุญาติให้คนอเมริกันสามารถสนับสนุนการมีถิ่นฐานในสหรัฐให้แก่คู่รักร่วมเพศของตนได้  “ความพยายามในการที่จะแก้ไขระบบกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองที่แตกร้าวและปกป้องสิทธิพื้นฐานจะไม่เป็นการครอบคลุมกาดว่าเราไม่รวมเอาคู่รักเพศเดียวกันเข้าไปด้วย”  เขากล่าวว่าการผ่านร่างกฎหมายฉบับนี้จะทำให้คู่รักร่วมเพศราวๆ 36,000 คู่ได้อยู่ด้วยกันในสหรัฐอเมริกา หรือที่เรียกว่าร่างพระราชบัญญัติรวมครอบครัวอเมริกัน  ผู้สนับสนุนร่างกฎหมายฉบับนี้ได้มองหาการรวมรวมพระราชบัญญัติเข้าไว้เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองในสภาคองเกรส กุทเทอเรสมีนัดประกาศการสนับสนุนอย่างเป็นทางการของเขาในวันจันทร์ในงานแถลงข่าวที่ชิคาโก อิลลินอยส์ ร่วมกับสมาชิกฯ ไมค์ คลิกลีย์ และ สมาชิกสภาเกย์ จาเร็ด โปลิส ( โคโลราโด)  ซึ่งสนับสนุนการรวบรวมคู่รักร่วมเพศเข้าไปในการปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมือง   ปลายปีที่แล้ว กุทเทอเรสเสนอร่างฉบับของเขาซึ่งเป็นทางเลืกของร่างพรบ.ที่กำลังปฏิบัติกันในเวลาต่อมา อย่างไรก็ตามแม้ว่ากุทเทอเรสจะเป็นผู้สนับสนุนร่วมในหการยกร่างกฎหมาย ร่างกฎหมายก็ไม่ได้รวมเรื่องของคู่รักร่วมเพศไว้ดังที่กล่าว จากคำบอกเล่าของคนในสำนักงานของกุทเทอเรส กล่าวว่า การประกาศครั้งล่าสุดของนักนิติบัญญัติผู้นี้เป็นการยืนยันการรวมเอาสิทธิคู่รักร่วมเพศไว้ในการปฏิรูปที่ครอบคลุม

ในกระทู้ก่อนๆซึ่งพูดถึงการเสนอร่างปฏิรูปกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองให้ครอบคลุม  ผู้เขียนพบว่า โชคไม่ดีที่ประเด็นการเข้าเมืองของคู่รักร่วมเพศไม่ได้มีการพูดถึงในตัวร่าง นั่นหมายความว่าอย่างไรก็ดีผู้เขียนก็ยังดีในที่ประเด็นนี้ได้ถูกนำมาพูดถึงในเรื่องของการปฏิรูป และหากว่าประเด็นป่านก็จะเป็นการเปลี่ยนแปลงกฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองกลางครั้งใหญ่ในอย่างน้อยที่สุด 25 ปีที่ผ่านมา ด้วยเหตุนี้การที่มันถูกหยิบยกมาพูกถึงก็เหมือนเป็นสัญญาณว่ามีความเป็นไปได้ว่ากฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองอเมริกันจะมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงเพื่อให้สิทธิแก่คู่รักที่ในขณะเวลาที่กำลังเขียนไม่สามารถใช้ชีวิตอยู่ร่วมกันได้ในสหรัฐอเมริกาเช่นคู่รักต่างเพศ

Tags: K1 Visa, K1 วีซ่า, K3 วีซ่า, US Visa Thailand, US วีซ่า, วีซ่า K1, วีซ่า K3, วีซ่า US, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย
Posted in US Visa Thailand, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย | No Comments »

For those who read this blog on a regular basis a common theme is that of LGBT immigration rights. US Immigration law, under current regulations including the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), dictates that Same-Sex Bi-National Couples are legally precluded from receiving US Immigration benefits based upon a legally solemnized same sex marriage, civil partnership, or civil union. That said, in recent years, Congressional Representatives such as Jerry Nadler have introduced legislation, often referred to as the Uniting American Families Act or simply UAFA, that would provide a means of applying for Immigration benefits for same-sex “permanent partners.” In previous blog posts, this author has discussed Comprehensive Immigration Reform and how changes in American Immigration law may, or may not, change the current rules in order to allow bi-national same sex partners to apply for family immigration benefits. In a previous blog post, we discussed recently proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation introduced by Illinois Representative Luis Gutierrez and how said draft legislation did not include provisions for same sex immigration benefits. On that note, the following was posted on the WashingtonBlade.com:

An influential pro-immigrant U.S. House member has endorsed including protections for LGBT bi-national couples as part of comprehensive immigration reform legislation. In a statement Thursday, Rep. Luiz Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said inclusion of language allowing LGBT Americans to sponsor foreign partners for residency in the United States is an important part of a broader reform bill. “Our efforts to fix our broken immigration system and protect basic civil rights are not truly comprehensive if we exclude same-sex couples,” he said. Standalone legislation that would enable an estimated 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples to stay together in the United States is known as the Uniting American Families Act. Proponents of the legislation have been seeking inclusion of UAFA as part of upcoming comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Congress. Gutierrez is schueduled to announce officially his support for inclusion of UAFA on Monday at a press conference in Chicago, Ill. Joining him at the conference will be Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and gay Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who also support inclusion of LGBT couples in immigration reform. Late last year, Gutierrez introduced his own version of comprehensive immigration reform legislation that was seen an alternative to the working bill expected later. However, even though Gutierrez is a co-sponsor of UAFA, the legislation didn’t include UAFA-like language. According to the statement from Gutierrez’ office, the lawmaker’s recent announcement means he’s “recommitting himself” to inclusion of specific UAFA-like language as part of comprehensive reform…

In the previous post in which this proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) legislation was discussed this author found it unfortunate that LGBT Immigration issues were not mentioned in the provisions of the draft legislation. That said, this author is happy to see that the issue of Same-Sex and LGBT Immigration rights is being discussed within the context of CIR. Should it come to pass, Comprehensive Immigration Reform will likely represent one of the most important changes to Federal Immigration law in, at least, the past 25 years. With this in mind, the fact that LGBT Immigration is currently being discussed within the context of CIR at least hints at the possibility that US Immigration law will be modified in order to grant benefits to those couples who, at the time of this writing, cannot be re-united in the United States in the same manner as so-called “different-sex” couples.

For further related information please see: US Visa Thailand, K1 visa, same sex visa or same sex marriage.

Tags: CIR, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Defense of Marriage Act, different-sex Immigration, different-sex marriage, DOMA, Jerry Nadler, K1 Visa, lgbt immigration, lgbt visa, Same Sex Marriage, same sex visa, uafa, Uniting American Families Act, US Immigration Law, US Visa Thailand
Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, K1 Visa, lgbt immigration, News, same sex visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

For those who bring a foreign fiance or fiancee to the United States of America, an often asked question is: “What if my fiancee wants to work in the USA prior to her adjustment of status?” The answer to this question is somewhat complicated. When a foreign fiancee or spouse enters the United States on a non-immigrant K1 visa or K3 Visa, the entrant is generally not authorized to take up employment in the USA until that alien either adjusts status to permanent residence (Green Card) or obtains employment authorization. Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that, in an effort to decrease immigration fraud, new Employment Authorization Documents are to be issued. The following is a direct quote from USCIS’s official statement:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has revised the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or Form I-766, to incorporate the addition of a machine-readable zone on the back of the card.. This update to the EAD is part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. Starting May 11, USCIS began issuing the revised EAD cards. The machine-readable zone is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. USCIS also removed the two-dimensional bar code on the backside of the card and moved the informational box of text to just beneath the magnetic stripe on the card. The revised card retains all of its existing security features.

In most cases, foreign fiancees or spouses of US Citizens opt to wait for permanent residence before taking up employment. However, in some instances this is not the case as there are increasing numbers of foreign fiancees and spouses who work for multi-national companies. These international businesses sometimes wish to have their non-US Citizen employee start work in the USA as soon as they can. Therefore, there are situations in which speedy employment authorization is a necessity.

In the past, K3 Visa holders could seek employment authorization at the port of entry when they entered the USA. As the K-3 Visa is being increasingly phased out, this method of receiving employment authorization is being employed less frequently. Another issue that often arises in the context of Employment Authorization is that of advance parole. Holders of a US fiance visa cannot leave the United States prior to adjustment of status and simultaneously maintain their lawful K1 status unless they apply for, and receive, an advance parole travel document.  In some cases, couples making an application for advance parole will also make an application for an EAD in order to work in the USA.

Tags: advance parole, AP, EAD, Employment Authorization Document, Fiance Visa Thailand, I-766, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Thailand, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, US Fiance Visa Thailand, USCIS
Posted in Adjustment of Status, Fiance Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | 3 Comments »

In recent postings on this blog, this author has discussed proposed fee increases for Consular services at US Embassies and Consulates outside of the United States of America.  Recently the American State Department made the following announcement:

The Department is increasing fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the rising cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. This increase applies both to nonimmigrant visas placed in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico. The new, tiered fee structure was created to cover the higher unit costs for processing certain categories of nonimmigrant visas that are more complicated and require more in-depth consideration than most other categories of nonimmigrant visas. The Department is required to recover, as far as possible, the cost of processing nonimmigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. For a number of reasons, including new security enhancements, the $131 fee set on January 1, 2008 no longer covers the current, actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. Under the new schedule of fees, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange visitor (F, M and J) visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150. These categories include:

· H visa for temporary workers and trainees
· L visa for intracompany transferees
· O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability
· P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers
· Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors
· R visa for religious occupations

The application fee for K visas for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty investors will be $390.

The last portion of this announcement is of the most pressing concern to those wishing to bring a Thai loved one to the USA. Many Americans opt to use a K1 visa to bring a Thai fiancee to the United States. In the past, many also utilized the K3 Visa to bring Thai spouses to the USA. At the time of this writing the National Visa Center (under the authority of the Department of State) is administratively closing all I-129f petitions for K3 Visas if the underlying I-130 petition has been submitted to the NVC concurrently with, or prior to, the submission of the I-129f petition. Therefore, the increase in fees is unlikely to have a major impact upon those seeking a US marriage visa as the vast majority of US Marriage visas being processed out of any US Consulate or US Embassy are immigrant visas (CR1 or IR1) rather than non-immigrant K3 visas.

For further general information about US Immigration from Thailand please see: Fiance Visa Thailand.

Tags: American States Department, Consular Fees, Costs for K visa, CR1, Fee Increase, IR1, K visa fees, K1 Visa, K3 Visa, National Visa Center, NVC
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, National Visa Center, US Consulate Chiang Mai, US Consulate HCMC, US Consulate Singapore, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Burma, US Embassy Cambodia, US Embassy Hanoi, US Embassy India, US Embassy Indonesia, US Embassy Jakarta, US Embassy Kathmandu, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, US Embassy Malaysia, US Embassy Myanmar, US Embassy Nepal, US Embassy New Dehli, US Embassy Phnom Phen, US Embassy Rangoon, US Embassy Singapore, US Embassy Thailand, US Embassy Vietnam, US Embassy Yangon, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | 7 Comments »

As the world becomes ever more integrated due to economic globalization international organized crime has increased. One issue that has become increasingly concerning for law enforcement agencies around the globe is human trafficking. Many of the people in less developed nations wish to travel to wealthier industrialized countries in order to enjoy the benefits of relatively higher wages. This leads to the growth of “human smugglers” who specialize in assisting illegal immigrants by transporting them from their home country to their desired destination. Unfortunately, a great deal of evidence has been brought to light which suggests that many of these immigrants are placed in conditions which could easily be described as inhumane and many of them are further forced to work under difficult conditions in order to pay back their smugglers for transporting them to their new country.

Recently, the website ThaiVisa.com posted the following:

“Two Japanese men have been arrested in Thailand on suspicion of people smuggling, a police spokesman said Tuesday. The first man, identified by police only by his surname, Bekku, was arrested Monday when he tried to renew his visa. The second man, Tanaka, was arrested later at his apartment in Bangkok. The pair, both in their 60s, are accused of involvement in smuggling people from Thailand and its neighbouring countries. ‘They were arrested on warrants issued by the Japanese police on charges of human smuggling,’ said the spokesman, Major General Manoo Mekmok.”

Under Section 212(a)(2)(H)(i) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act:

Any alien who commits or conspires to commit human trafficking offenses in the United States or outside the United States, or who the consular officer, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe is or has been a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with such a trafficker in severe forms of trafficking in persons, as defined in the section 7102 of title 22, is inadmissible.

Clearly, United States Immigration law takes the issue of human trafficking very seriously as it should since human trafficking is a major issue that causes many deaths each year while concurrently undermining the foundations of international law. Furthermore, those who are found guilty of offenses involving human trafficking are likely to be found inadmissible to the United States of America indefinitely as this ground of inadmissibility cannot be remedied through use of an I-601 waiver.
To learn more about US Immigration please see: US Visa Thailand.

Tags: 212(a)(2)(H)(i), American Immigration Thailand, American Visa Thailand, Attorney General, Excludability, Grounds of Excludability, Grounds of Inadmissibility, Human Smuggling, Human Trafficking, I-601 Waiver, Inadmissibility, Secretary of State, US Immigration, US Immigration Thailand, US Visa Thailand
Posted in Department of Homeland Security, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, Visa Waiver | No Comments »

Please be advised that the following was posted on the official website of the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:

Updated Warden Message: Curfew Extended, Embassy to Reopen on May 25

(May 23, 2010) This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that the Royal Thai Government through the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has announced that it will impose a shortened curfew for at least one more day and will evaluate the need to extend the curfew on a day-to-day basis.  To find out if the Royal Thai Government has extended the curfew, please refer to local media and our website.  We will not send out another email warden message solely regarding the curfew, but will update this message on our website.

The curfew is in place tonight, Sunday, May 23 from 11:00pm to 5:00am.  This curfew applies to the Bangkok metropolitan area and to the Thai provinces listed below.  Royal Thai Government officials may change this list after this Warden Message is sent out, so please refer to media or local officials for the latest information.  Reports indicate that troops have authority to shoot on sight in response to acts of inciting unrest.  American citizens should maintain a low profile and refrain from nighttime outside activity until the situation improves.

If you will be flying out of Bangkok in the next several days, we recommend that you leave for the airport well in advance of the curfew hours.  If you are arriving at a Bangkok airport during curfew hours, we recommend that you stay at the airport until after curfew hours.  Reports indicate that Airports of Thailand (AOT) may coordinate transportation for passengers from Suvarnabhumi Airport to a few central locations in Bangkok during curfew hours.  However, they are evaluating providing this service on a day-to-day basis.  Passengers may not be able to find any transportation from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok during curfew hours and may need to wait until after curfew hours to go to Bangkok.

The U.S. Embassy, including visa operations, will be closed Monday, May 24.  We will reopen all operations, including all consular services, on Tuesday, May 25.  On Monday, May 24, American Citizen Services (ACS) will be at our temporary location at the Westin Grand Sukhumvit.  Please see details in our recent announcement. ACS is also available by phone at 02-205-4049.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 02-205-4000.

A curfew from 11:00pm to 5:00am has been declared in the following provinces:

·       Ayuthaya

·       Bangkok metropolitan area

·       Chaiyaphum

·       Chiang Mai

·       Chiang Rai

·       Chonburi

·       Kalasin

·       Khon Kaen

·       Lampang

·       Mahasarakham

·       Mukdaharn

·       Nakhon Pathom

·       Nakhon Ratchasima

·       Nakhon Sawan

·       Nan

·       Nong Bua Lamphu

·       Nonthaburi

·       Pathum Thani

·       Roi Et

·       Sakon Nakhon

·       Samut Prakarn

·       Sisaket

·       Ubon Ratchathani

·       Udon Thani

U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little or no warning.  U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements around Bangkok.

Since May 15, 2010, the Department of State has advised U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Bangkok and all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand.  You should review the Department’s most recent Travel Warning for Thailand.

The Department strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Thailand to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or through the State Department’s travel registration website. For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens may also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Thailand and the Worldwide Caution, located at the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  U.S. citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

The American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.  The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at [email protected].  The emergency after-hours telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

Please note that the Embassy is scheduled to resume normal operations on Tuesday May 25th. That being said, routine follow-up matters for the Immigrant Visa Unit can only be dealt with on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Therefore, document remittances in response to 221g refusals for travel documents such as the K1 visa or the CR1 Visa will likely only be accepted on Wednesday May 26, 2010.

For more information about recent Post closures in Bangkok please see: US Embassy. For information about attorney assistance with American Immigration matters please see: US Visa Thailand.

Tags: American Visa Thailand, CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, Fiance Visa Thailand, Fiancee Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, US Embassy, us embassy bangkok, us embassy thailand, US Visa Thailand
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa Thailand | 5 Comments »

Please be advised that the following was posted upon the official website of the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. Embassy Visa Services Closed May 24, 2010

Due to continuing security concerns in the area and access issues on Wireless Road, the U.S. Embassy is currently operating under emergency personnel staffing only.  The Non-immigrant and Immigrant Visa sections will be closed May 24, 2010.  If you have a non-immigrant visa interview appointment scheduled for May 24, 2010, your appointment will be rescheduled.  As soon as the U.S. Embassy has determined the situation to be safe for Embassy Consular staff to return to work and for visa applicants to travel to the Embassy for visa appointments, we will advise those impacted through e-mail or phone with details on new appointment dates.  Please Note:  As a large number of people have been affected by these events, and the volume of appointments that have been scheduled for the upcoming weeks, it will not be possible to consider expedited appointments.  We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this has caused.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I reschedule my appointment?

At present, we must ask applicants with visa appointments scheduled for the period of May 14 through May 24 to wait until the Embassy has determined when that it is safe to conduct visa appointments.  All those impacted by this unexpected closure will be notified through the e-mail address or phone number provided during the visa interview appointment process.

I had a visa appointment scheduled during the period of May 14 – May 24.  I have urgent travel to the United States, what can I do?

Unfortunately, due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy Visa Services is currently closed.  We are unable to reschedule any visa appointments for applicants who had appointments made for the period of May 14 – May 24 and will be unable to accommodate expedited appointments.  We suggest that you make alternate travel plans.

I had a visa appointment scheduled during the period of May 14 – May 24.  Can I reschedule my appointment at another U.S. Embassy in a neighboring country?

Each U.S. Embassy has its own scheduling system and requirements for visa applicants.  Fees paid in Thailand for the visa interview cannot be used abroad.

I had a visa appointment scheduled during the period of May 14 – May 24.  Can I reschedule my appointment for the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai?

The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai has its own appointment system and you must live within their consular district to schedule an appointment there.  Please see http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/ for more information.

I had a visa appointment scheduled during the period of May 14 – May 24.  Can I make a special request?

Due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy Visa Services will be closed for the period of May 14 – May 24.  As such, we will be unable to reply to visa inquiries and/or special requests during that period.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience our disruption of service has caused.

I am an immigrant visa applicant – can I come in for my scheduled appointment, to drop off documents, or to pick up my visa?

If you had/have an immigrant visa appointment for the period of May 14 – May 24, it will be rescheduled.  You will be contacted with a new date and time once the Embassy reopens.  If you have been told to bring in documents on Mondays or Wednesdays, or to come in to pick up your visa, please do not come in until the Embassy reopens.  Please look for announcements on the Embassy website.

The documentation mentioned above is likely referencing 221g refusals or requests for other types of documentation related to the issuance of travel documents such as, but not limited to, the K1 visa, the K3 Visa, or Immigrant visas such as the CR1 Visa and the IR1 Visa.

For further information about American attorney assistance in Immigration matters as well as Consular Processing in Bangkok, Thailand please see: US Embassy Bangkok and/or US Embassy Thailand.

Tags: 221(g) refusal, 221g, 221g denial, CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Thailand, Thailand, us embassy bangkok, us embassy thailand, US Immigration Thailand, US Marriage Visa Thailand, US Visa Thailand
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | 1 Comment »