Integrity Legal

The administration of this web log routinely posts the estimated case processing times of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in order to provide pertinent information to interested parties. The following estimated processing times are quoted directly from the official website of USCIS:

It should be noted that these processing time estimates may not accurately reflect the overall time it takes to process an entire case as further time may be expended processing a case through the National Visa Center (NVC). Furthermore, those awaiting a US visa (such as a K-1 visa or a CR-1 visa) outside of the United States will likely be required to undergo Consular Processing at a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad  before prospective issuance.

For related information please see: K1 visa Thailand.

Tags: CR-1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, IR-1 Visa, IR1 Visa Thailand, K-1 Visa, K-3 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa Thailand, US Fiance Visa, US Marriage Visa, US Visa, US Visa Thailand, USCIS Processing Times
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, L1 Visa, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | No Comments »

For those who read this blog with any frequency it has no doubt been noted that the administration often attempts to post the holiday closing schedules of the various US Embassies and Missions outside of the United States of America as a convenience to travelers who may be in need of services abroad. Below is the is the holiday closing schedule for the United States Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand as quoted from the official website of the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:

Those interested in receiving Consular services such as notary services and/or issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, US Passport, or additional visa pages are well advised to contact an American Citizen Services Section of the nearest US Mission with Consular jurisdiction over the area in which one is located.

Those wishing to find the US Embassy in Bangkok’s official website homepage please click Here.

Each year, many Thai-American couples opt to seek US immigration benefits in the form of travel documents such as the K-1 visa or the CR-1 Visa. Meanwhile, many multi-national companies or individual immigrant investors seek investment or business based visas such as the L-1 visa for intra-company transferees, the E-2 visa for Treaty Investors traveling to the USA, or the EB-5 visa for Immigrant Investors making a minimum $500,000 investment in an eligible program in the United States. In most cases, Thai applicants for the visas noted above will be required to process their visa application with the Immigrant Visa Unit or Business Travel Unit of the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Those Thai nationals seeking Non-immigrant visas such as the J-1 visa (Exchange Visitor Visa), F-1 visa (Student Visa), B-2 visa (Tourist Visa), or the B-1 Visa (Business Visa) must process their application through the Non-immigrant Visa Unit in Bangkok if the Thai applicant resides within the Consular jurisdiction of the US Embassy in Bangkok as opposed to the Consular jurisdiction of the US Consulate-General in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Those interested in learning further information about the process of obtaining a United States visa from the Kingdom of Thailand please see: US Immigration.

Tags: American Embassy Bangkok, American Embassy Thailand, American Visa Thailand, B-2 Visa Thailand, CR-1 Visa Thailand, CR1 Visa Thailand, E-2 Visa Thailand, EB-5 Visa Thailand, F-1 Visa Thailand, J-1 visa Thailand, K-1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, L-1 Visa Thailand, us embassy bangkok, us embassy thailand, US Embassy Thailand Closed, US Embassy Thailand Holidays, US Visa Thailand, USA Visa Thailand
Posted in US Consulate Chiang Mai, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa and Immigration | No Comments »

In an interesting recent decision by the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit the Court found that they indeed have the prerogative to review and rescind an I-130 denial. The following is a direct quotation from the Court’s opinion which was distributed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA):

In addition, interpreting the statutory language as the government advocates would force this court to classify every decision involving fact-finding by the Attorney General as discretionary and would remove all such decisions from judicial review. That is not a reasonable interpretation in light of the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act itself setting forth our standard of review for factual determinations in removal proceedings.

As one could likely gather from the above cited quote, the United States government’s position regarding denial of I-130 petitions basically could have created a situation in which Courts would not be able to review the decisions made by adjudicators at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). It was interesting that the Court was not persuaded by this argument and reviewed the decision notwithstanding government objection.

For those who are unaccustomed to the US visa process, the I-130 petition is generally the first step in bringing an alien immediate relative to the USA. This petition is often utilized by those wishing to bring a foreign spouse to the United States. In cases where the I-130 petition is approved, the case file is usually forwarded on to the United States National Visa Center (NVC) which is an agency under the jurisdiction of the American State Department. The NVC acts as a sort of clearinghouse for visa applications. Therefore a Vietnamese spouse will likely process his or her visa application at the United States Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City via the NVC. Meanwhile, a Thai spouse will likely process his or her visa application through the US Embassy in Bangkok by way of the National Visa Center. Chinese spouses may process through one of the many US Consulates in China or the US Embassy in Beijing. The same can be said for India as the US Missions in both countries have dramatically changes Consular Processing procedures to provide more convenient options to American visa seekers after NVC processing.

The issue of judicial review in matters pertaining to United States immigration is a complicated one. Therefore, differing aspects of the US visa process may be subject to varying levels of judicial review depending upon the circumstances of a given case. For this reason some bi-national couples opt to retain attorney assistance in processing visa petitions and applications as a licensed professional can provide significant insight into overall processing procedures and provide strategies for streamlining the visa process.

Fore related information please see: K1 Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa Thailand, or CR1 Visa Thailand.

Tags: American Immigration Denial, American Visa Denial, CR-1 Visa Thailand, CR1 Visa Thailand, I-130, I-130 USCIS, I130, Immigrant Visa, IR-1 Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa Thailand, K-1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, US Immigration Denial, us visa denial, US Visa Process, US Visa Processing, USCIS Appeal, USCIS Denial, visa denial
Posted in American Institute Taiwan, 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 ChengDu, US Consulate Chennai, US Consulate Guangzhou, US Consulate HCMC, US Consulate Hong Kong, US Consulate Hyderabad, US Consulate Kolkata, US Consulate Macau, US Consulate Mumbai, US Consulate Shanghai, US Consulate Shenyang, US Consulate Singapore, US Consulate Wuhan, US Embassy Australia, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Bangladesh, US Embassy Beijing, US Embassy Burma, US Embassy Cambodia, US Embassy China, US Embassy Dhaka, US Embassy Fiji, US Embassy Hanoi, US Embassy India, US Embassy Indonesia, US Embassy Iraq, US Embassy Islamabad, US Embassy Jakarta, US Embassy Japan, US Embassy Kathmandu, US Embassy Kiribati, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, US Embassy Laos, US Embassy Malaysia, US Embassy Maldives, US Embassy Manila, US Embassy Mauritius, US Embassy Mongolia, US Embassy Myanmar, US Embassy Nauru, US Embassy Nepal, US Embassy New Dehli, US Embassy New Zealand, US Embassy Pakistan, US Embassy Papua New Guinea, US Embassy Philippines, US Embassy Phnom Phen, US Embassy Port Moresby, US Embassy Rangoon, US Embassy Singapore, US Embassy South Korea, US Embassy Sri Lanka, US Embassy Suva, US Embassy Tokyo, US Embassy Tonga, US Embassy Tuvalu, US Embassy Vietnam, US Embassy Yangon, US State Department, US Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | No Comments »

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 »

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 »

For information in English please see: National Visa Center.

NVC คืออะไร?

กระบวนการขอรับผลประโยชน์จากการเข้าเมืองของสหรัฐอเมริกาอาจจะยุ่งยากเป็นบางครั้ง แต่โดยภาพรวมแล้วหากว่าเข้าใจขั้นตอนหรือมีการจ้างทนายความผู้มีประสบการณ์ก็อาจจะทำให้ง่ายขึ้น

คำถามที่พบบ่อยๆเกี่ยวกับกระบวนการขอวีซ่าก็คือ NVC คืออะไรและมีหน้าที่อะไร NVC ย่อมาจากศูนย์วีซ่าแห่งชาติ ซึ่งเป็นหน่วยงานรัฐภายใต้อำนาจของกระทรวงต่างประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกา NVC มีสำนักงานอยู่ที่ Portsmouth มลรัฐ New Hampshire อำนาจของ NVC คือการดำเนินการคำขอวีซ่าและทำให้แน่ใจว่าคำขอวีซ่าจะถูกส่งต่อไปยังหน่วยงานที่อยู่ในพื้นที่ผู้รับผลประโยชน์มีภูมิลำเนาอยู่

NVC ยังรับผิดชอบในการรวบรวมค่าธรรมเนียมวีซ่าถาวร และเอกสารสำคัญที่จำเป็นต้อเจ้าหน้าที่กงสุลในการพิจารณาคำขอ

กระบวรการดำเนินการของ NVC วีซ่าไม่ถาวรและวีซ่าถาวร

การดำเนินการของ NVC นั้นยุ่งยากและใช้เวลาค่อนข้างมากกว่าสำหรับวีซ่าถาวร ซึ่งตรงข้ามกับวีซ่าไม่ถาวร กิจกรรมหนึ่งที่ NVC ทำบ่อยๆก็คือการตรวจสอบด้านความมั่นคงและตรวจสอบภูมิหลังของผู้ที่มีความประสงค์จะเข้าประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกา หลังจากเหตุการณ์ 11 กันยายน 2544 NVC ได้มีบทบาทสำคัญเพื่อทำให้มั่นใจว่าบุคคลเหล่านั้นจะไม่เป็นภัยต่อความมั่นคงของประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกา

NVC นั้นบางครั้งถูกเข้าใจสับสนกับ NBC หรือ ศูนย์ผลประโยชน์แห่งชาติซึ่งได้รับมอบหมายจาก USCIS ให้จัดการเกี่ยวกับเอกสารก่อนสัมภาษณ์สำหรับการสัมภาษณ์คนเข้าเมืองในประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกา

สำหรับคนที่ต้องการนำคู่หมั้นชาวไทยไปอเมริกาโดยวีซ่า K1 ขั้นตอน NVC มักจะเร็วกว่าผู้ขอวีซ่าอพยพ ซึ่งก็เป็นจริงสำหรับกรณีวีซ่า K3 จากประเทศไทยที่ยื่นคำขอเพิ่มเติม I129F ในกรณีใดๆก็ตาม เมื่อวีซ่าได้รับการอนุมัติจาก USCIS มันจะถูกส่งต่อไปยัง NVC และ เมื่อได้รับอนุมัติคำขอจะถูกส่งไปยังสถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาหรือสถานกงสุลใหญ่

ขึ้นอยู่กับจำนวนเรื่องที่ NVC กระบวนการอาจจะใช้เวลาจาก 2 ถึง 8 สัปดาห์ ในการดำเนินการและส่งต่อเรื่องไปยังสถานทูตในต่างประเทศ อย่างไรก็ตามนี่ก็เป็นแค่ระยะเวลาโดยเฉลี่ยเท่านั้น ระยะเวลาในการดำเนินการสำหรับหน่วยงานของสหรัฐก็มักจะต่างกันไป

เมื่อยื่นคำขอที่ USCIS ในกรุงเทพมหานคร NVC จะไม่เข้ามามีส่วนในขั้นตอนใดๆเนื่องจากคำขอจะถูกส่งตรงไปยังสถานทูตอเมริกาประจำกรุงเทพมหานครซึ่งอยู่ฝั่งตรงข้ามทันที

Tags: CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, IR1 Visa Thailand, K-1, K-3, K1, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3, K3 Visa, K3 Visa Thailand, National Visa Center, NVC, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, กฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองสหรัฐ, กฎหมายคนเข้าเมืองอเมริกา, ทนายความอเมริกา, ทนายอเมริกันในไทย, ยูเอสซีไอเอส, วีซ่าคู่หมั้น, วีซ่าอเมริกา, ศูนย์วีซ่าแห่งชาติ
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 Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย | No Comments »

In previous posts this author has discussed the I-130 petition for an immediate relative for a visa to the United States of America. For those present in countries that do not have an office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) it may be possible to file such a petition directly with the Consulate by utilizing a method known as Direct Consular Filing. However, in a country where an overseas office of USCIS is located it is incumbent upon to petitioner to file at the local USCIS office, provided he or she meets the residence requirements for the office to take jurisdiction. That being said, many are under the mistaken impression that only the petitioner and beneficiary, together, can submit an application. This is not necessarily the case.

8 CFR 292.1 states:

(a) A person entitled to representation [before USCIS] may be represented by any of the following:

(1) Attorneys in the United States. Any attorney as defined in §1.1(f) of this chapter.

Section 1.1(f), referenced above states:

“The term attorney means any person who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any State, possession, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and is not under any order of any court suspending, enjoining, restraining, disbarring, or otherwise restricting him in the practice of law.”

In practical terms, this means that a licensed attorney in the United States is entitled to represent clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. There is no geographical restriction placed upon this right. Therefore, those wishing to file an I-130 to travel to the United States are entitled, as a matter of law, to attorney representation.

This can provide a real boon to those who do not wish to deal with the petition submission process. Since an attorney in entitled to act on behalf of clients in matters involving petitions for the IR1 visa and the CR1 visa in Thailand, the Petitioner and Beneficiary need simply provide required documents to their attorney and the attorney can file the petition on their behalf. In some limited cases, USCIS officers require that a Petitioner or Beneficiary appear in person regarding a pending case. Should this situation arise, the Petitioner or Beneficiary is entitled to have their attorney present for such a meeting with USCIS officers.

Unfortunately, in Thailand there are many agencies and “fly by night” operations claiming to have the right and expertise to assist in visa matters. However, many of these so-called “lawyers” are not licensed to practice law in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. Therefore, they cannot present an I-130 submission on behalf of another. In a way, an I-130 local filing is a “litmus test” of whether or not an individual is really an American attorney. If a so-called “attorney” requires the Petitioner and/or Beneficiary to file the I-130 personally and the so-called “attorney” is unwilling to appear personally, then this may be a sign that they are an unlicensed operator and should be avoided.

For further information please see US Visa Thailand. For further information regarding USCIS local jurisdiction please see: USCIS Bangkok.

Tags: American Attorney Thailand, American Lawyer Thailand, CR1 application Thailand, CR1 Visa Thailand, I-130, I-130 Bangkok, I-130 Thailand, IR1 application Thailand, IR1 Visa Thailand, Local filing, US Attorney Thailand, US Lawyer Thailand, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, USCIS application, USCIS application Bangkok, USCIS application Thailand, USCIS Bangkok, USCIS Local Filing, USCIS Local Filing Bangkok, USCIS Local Filing Thailand, USCIS petition Thailand, USCIS Thailand
Posted in CR1 Visa, Department of Homeland Security, IR1 Visa, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | No Comments »

สำหรับผู้ที่กำลังหาข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับเอกสารวีซ่าอเมริกาที่เรียกว่า Notice of Action 2 ซึ่งถูกกล่าวถึงบ่อยในกรณีที่เกี่ยวกับคำขอวีซ่าคู่สมรสและวีซ่าคู่หมั้น กะทู้นี้จะอธิบายว่า Notice of Action 2 คืออะไร และมีความหมายอย่างไรกับคำขอวีซ่าที่อยู่ระหว่างพิจารณา

เมื่อยื่นคำขอวีซ่า เอกสารตอบรับฉบับแรกที่ได้รับจาก USCIS คือใบรับเรียกว่า Notice of Action 1 ( NOA 1 ) เพื่อเป็นการแจ้งแก่ผู้ยื่นขอวีซ่าว่า USCIS ได้รับคำขอวีซ่าแล้ว มีบางกรณีที่เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้พิจารณาเรื่องเห็นว่าต้องมีการยื่นหลักฐานเพิ่มเติมก่อนที่เรื่องจะได้รับการพิจารณา ในกรณีเช่นว่านี้ คำขอหลักฐาน ( รู้จักกันในชื่อ RFE ) จะถูกส่งไปยังผู้ยื่นขอวีซ่า อย่างไรก็ตาม ในกรณีส่วนใหญ่ หลักฐานเพิ่มเติมก็ไม่มีความจำเป็นและหากว่าคำขอวีซ่าได้รับการอนุมัติแล้ว Notice of Action 2 ก็จะถูกส่งไปยังผู้ยื่นขอวีซ่า ถ้าคำขอวีซ่าถูกปฏิเสธ ก็จะมีการส่งหนังสือแจ้งไปยังผู้ยื่นเช่นกัน

แม้ว่าจะไม่ค่อยเกิดขึ้นซักเท่าไหร่สำหรับคำขอวีซ่าครอบครัว การปฏิเสธของ USCIS ก็สามารถเกิดขึ้นได้ การปฏิเสธมักเป็นผลมาจากการที่คำร้องนั้นไม่แสดงให้เห็นความสัมพันธ์อันแท้จริงระหว่างผู้ยื่นและผู้รับผลประโยชน์ในขณะที่ยื่น หรือในอีกกรณีคือการที่ยิ่นขอวีซ่าผิดประเภท การสมรสตามประเพณีไทยก็เป็นอีกสาเหตุหนึ่งที่ทำให้เข้าใจทางเลือกในการขอวีซ่าอพยพเมริกาได้อย่างผิดๆ ในประเทศไทย หากว่าการสมรสนั้นมิได้เป็นการจดทะเบียน ณ สำนักทะเบียนอำเภอ ก็ถือว่ามิได้เป็นการสมรสโดยถูกต้องตามกฎหมายในสายตาของ หน่วยงานคนเข้าเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกาและไม่ถือว่าเป็นเหตุที่ทำให้สามารถขอวีซ่าอพยพเข้าเมืองสหรัฐอเมริกาได้

ดังนั้น หากว่าคู่รักที่ได้สมรสกันอย่างไม่เป็นทางการยื่นขอวีซ่า IR 1, CR 1 หรือ K3 คำขอก็จะถูกปฏิเสธเพราะว่ามีคุณสมบัติไม่เพียงพอในการออกวีซ่าให้ อย่างไรก็ตามสำหรับคู่รักในกรณีเหล่านี้ คุณสามารถขอวีซ่า K1 ได้

หลังจากที่ USCIS ออก Notice of Action 2 ให้ คำขอจะถูกส่งต่อไปยัง National Visa Center ในกรณีที่เกี่ยวกับวีซ่าอพยพถาวร NVC จะดึงเรื่องไว้นานพอสมควร อย่างไรก็ตาม หากเป็นกรณี ของวีซ่า K1 NVC จะไม่ดึงเรื่องเอาไว้นานสักเท่าไหร่ แต่จะดำเนินการตรวจสอบทางความมั่นคงและส่งต่อเรื่องไปยังสถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกา ในกรณีคู่หมั้นชาวไทย จะมีการส่งเรื่องไปยังสถานทูตสหรับอเมริกาประจำกรุงเทพมหานคร กงสุลใหญ่ ประจำเชียงใหม่ จะไม่ดำเนินการวีซ่าอพยพถาวร

Tags: CR1, CR1 Visa Thailand, IR1, IR1 Visa Thailand, K1, K1 Visa Thailand, K3, K3 Visa Thailand, National Visa Center, Notice of Action 2, US Visa Thailand, USCIS
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 Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS, สถานทูตสหรัฐอเมริกาประจำประเทศไทย, ้วีซ่าอเมริกาจากประเทศไทย | No Comments »

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is responsible for overseeing the United States naturalization process. Each year, many Immigrants in the United States take advantage of the ability to naturalize to US Citizenship. For some, the Naturalization test is a daunting prospect. In order to help inform the public, USCIS has provided a video on their website that can be of assistance to those looking into the naturalization process. To quote the USCIS website directly:

“The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test was developed as an informational resource for individuals interested in learning more about the naturalization process. The 16-minute video provides an overview of the naturalization process including the eligibility requirements, the application process, preliminary steps, the naturalization interview, the English tests and the U.S. history and government test (civics). The video includes two simulated interviews between applicants and USCIS Officers. Individuals applying for naturalization may use this video as a reference tool to prepare for the naturalization interview. Teachers and volunteers can use this video to complement classroom instruction.”

Although naturalization is the most common method employed by foreign nationals seeking US citizenship. Few are aware that there is another method of obtaining Citizenship for the children of United States Citizens who did not receive Citizenship at birth. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 provides a legal means for the minor children of United States Citizens to obtain American Citizenship.

Another interesting program for those interested in becoming United States Citizens is the expedited naturalization program for those foreign nationals enlisted in the United States military. The expedited naturalization process is a major benefit to foreign nationals and their families who choose to serve in A the United States trmed Forces.

Some are unaware that those who gained United States Lawful Permanent Residence based upon marriage are entitled to faster naturalization. For those who enter the United States and take up Permanent Residence based upon employment, the naturalization process generally takes about 5 years. However, for those married to a US Citizen the process takes 3 years from the time Permanent Residence is approved. This means that the naturalization “clock” starts running for K1 visa holders after the adjustment of status is approved. A CR1 visa holder who enters the country with conditional lawful permanent residence at entry begins accruing  presence that can be used toward naturalization at entry. This being said, a CR1 visa holder must still get a lift of conditions before they will be entitled to a 10 year “Green Card.”

For information about US Immigration from Thailand Please See: American Visa Thailand.

Tags: American Immigration, American Visa, American Visa Thailand, Child Citizenship Act, CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, Expedited Naturalization, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, Naturalization, USCIS
Posted in Adjustment of Status, CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, IR1 Visa, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K2 Visa, K2 Visa Thailand, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand, USCIS | No Comments »

An integral component of the US visa process is the submission of an affidavit of support which attests to the US Citizen Petitioner’s ability to support a foreign fiance for a K1 visa or spouse for a CR1 Visa, IR1 Visa, or K3 Visa once they are in the United States. Usually, the Federal Poverty Guidelines are used as a basis for ascertaining the guidelines used by Consular Officers and USCIS officers to adjudicate the ability to provide support. In most cases, the Federal poverty guidelines are updated on a yearly basis, as of the time of this writing, the 2010 guidelines have not been published, per se. Instead, the US Congress has extended the guidelines from 2009. The following is quoted from the website of Housing and Human Services:

“Congress has taken action to keep the 2009 poverty guidelines in effect until at least March 31, 2010.

Congressional actions on this matter have been in response to a decrease in the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for 2009, projected during 2009 and announced on January 15, 2010 (see http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_01152010.pdf, Table 1A). In the absence of legislative change, this decrease–the first since the poverty guidelines began to be issued in 1965–would have required HHS to issue 2010 poverty guidelines that were lower than the 2009 poverty guidelines; that would have led to the “reduction in eligibility” referred to in the Congressional explanatory language quoted below. Congress took several actions on this matter:

1. On December 19, 2009, Congress enacted and the President signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-118), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines. Section 1012 of this law (as originally enacted, before subsequent amendment) stated that:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not publish updated poverty guidelines for 2010 under section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) before March 1, 2010, and the poverty guidelines published under such section on January 23, 2009, shall remain in effect until updated poverty guidelines are published.

The Congressional Record (House) (December 16, 2009, p. H15370) provided the following explanation of this Congressional action in Pub. L. 111-118:

Section 1012 includes a provision to freeze the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines at 2009 levels in order to prevent a reduction in eligibility for certain means-tested programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and child nutrition, through March 1, 2010.

A Federal Register notice about this initial extension of the 2009 poverty guidelines was published on January 22, 2010. (See Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 14, January 22, 2010, pp. 3734-3735.)

2. On March 2, 2010, Congress enacted and the President signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-144), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines. Section 7 of this law amended Section 1012 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, by replacing “March 1, 2010” with “March 31, 2010”. The effect of this was to extend the 2009 poverty guidelines until at least March 31, 2010.”

The issue of one’s ability to provide support to a foreign national is extremely important. Currently, the Federal poverty guidelines appear to still be those of the year 2009 as there is no word that new guidelines will be promulgated. Therefore, those who have an interest in the current guidelines would be wise to keep checking up on this issue as we are due for either a new extension of the 2009 guidelines or a new set of guidelines for 2010.

For further information please see: K1 Visa Requirements.

Tags: Affidavit of Support, CR-1 Visa, CR-1 Visa Thailand, CR1 Visa, CR1 Visa Thailand, Federal Poverty Guidelines 2009, Federal Poverty Guidelines 2010, I-134, I-864, I134, I864, Income Requirements, K-1 Visa, K1 Visa, K1 visa requirements, K1 Visa Thailand
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, Upcoming Legislation, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »