Ask a Consul
Q: What documents do I need for my visa to be approved?
Consular officers evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis. Bring documents that show that you have compelling reasons to return to Thailand (or wherever your residence is outside the United States) after visiting the U.S. Please note that family, social and professional circumstances vary greatly between applicants and what may demonstrate strong ties in one case may not do so in another. Since each applicant’s situation is different, there is no one “set” of documents that you can present that will guarantee visa issuance. In fact, documents are not always needed. Applicants are welcome to present whatever information they feel demonstrates that they have strong economic, family or professional commitments in their country of residence. We cannot, and will not tell you what evidence to submit.
Q: Why do I have to pay $131 to apply for a visa, even if I’m refused?
Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of $131 or the equivalent in Thai baht. The Department of State’s Consular function - computers, salaries, and materials - are funded by this fee. Because we devote the same amount of time and resources to applicants whether we refuse them or not, we have to charge everyone the non-refundable fee. The only people who are exempt from paying the fee are central government officials traveling on official business and diplomatic passport holders.
Q: Between university terms I want to go to the U.S. to improve my English. Maybe I’ll go to school, but if I can get a job I’ll work. What type of visa do I need?
People traveling to the U.S. for study apply for a F1 Student visa. If you would like to study in the U.S., you will need to contact your school to get a Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language. You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. Students in programs shorter than one year are not allowed to get jobs off-campus. If you enroll full-time in an English program (at least 20 hours/week), you may work on-campus during your first year. During the second and subsequent years, some institutions will authorize off-campus employment of no more than 20 hours/week. Good luck with your English!
Q: My friend got a student visa but when he got to the immigration officer at the LA airport he was told he came too early and had to go back. Why?
We know this has happened to some students from Chiang Mai and we do our best to warn them about the regulations. Unfortunately, students can enter the US no earlier than one month before the start date listed on their I-20. Holders of F1 visas that arrive more than 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20 will be denied entry and forced to return to Thailand at their own expense. We’re sorry your friend had to learn this lesson in such an expensive way.
Q: Why do I need a visa to go to the U.S.? Americans don’t need one to come here.
Believe me, we want Thais to come visit, study, and do business in the U.S., but we need to be certain travelers won’t do anything wrong and that they will return when their visit is over. Unfortunately, because of so-called “Robin Hoods” who go to the U.S. and stay illegally, we need to interview every applicant in person and to check documents and fingerprints carefully.
Q: I have a valid United States visa in an expired (old) passport. Can it still be used?
Yes. You should carry the old passport that contains the valid visa and your current (new) passport. You will need both for entry to the United States.
Q: How much money do I need in my bank account to get a visa?
There is no magic number; each person’s situation is unique. When you come in for your interview, we check to make sure that your financial history matches your other statements, including your purpose of travel.
Q: Why can’t my rich aunt/boyfriend/sister guarantee my return?
No one can guarantee your return. The consular officer will look at your individual situation and decide whether you have met the requirements to receive a nonimmigrant visa on your own.
Q: My boyfriend wants to sponsor me to go to the United States; what does he need to do?
There is no such thing as a “sponsor” for non-immigrant visa applicants; you must qualify on your own. The best thing you can do is sit down with your friend and discuss your ties to Thailand. Think about what would bring you back to Thailand and then talk about how to document those ties. Your friend can read information we have prepared for people who want to help visa applicants at: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/services/visa/nivhelp.htm.
Q: I want to study in the U.S. but I hear that it’s impossible to get a visa.
Not if you do your homework, by which I mean researching U.S. schools, deciding which ones offer the programs you want, taking the TOEFL and any other required tests, applying to your chosen schools, and getting an acceptance letter. Both AUA and Chiang Mai University’s International Center have books to help you; you can also find most of the information you will need on the internet.
Q: But what if I do all that work and still don’t get a visa?
If you have applied and been accepted to a recognized U.S. educational institution and show that you can pay the tuition and fees, you will likely qualify for a student visa. Last year we approved 88% of all applications for student visas. Nearly 9000 Thai students are studying in the U.S.; you can too.
Q: Can I study High School in the U.S.?
Although public high school is free for American citizens, several years ago Congress decided that foreign students who come for high school to the U.S. should pay the full cost. So if you plan to attend a public school, you will need to show that you have paid the costs for the entire year up-front during your visa interview. This can range from $3400 to $10,000. The law also limits foreign students to only one year at a public high school. Students who plan to attend a private high school in the U.S. may study any length of time and do not need to pay in advance.
Q: How much money do I need for a student visa?
You must prove that you have enough money available immediately to pay all the expenses of your first year. For courses of study longer than one year, you only need to have money immediately available for the first year. However, you must be able to prove that your family will have enough income in the subsequent years to support you.
Q: Can my boyfriend/uncle/father’s friend pay for my school?
If someone other than your parents plans to help finance your study in the U.S., we will want a detailed explanation. The reason is that we need to believe that this other individual really will follow through. We expect that money for school will come from your parents and will be more skeptical to hear that someone else is paying your bills.
Q: Can I work while I’m studying?
Assuming you are taking a full course load (at least 12 semester-hours), you may work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. After the first academic year, you may ask your school for permission to work off campus. But you are still limited to 20 hours per week. You may work full time during summer vacation, if you are enrolled for the next term.
Q: Do I have to be able to speak English to study in the U.S.?
Most U.S. colleges and universities require you to take the TOEFL test. If you are going to the U.S. in order to study English, however, we won’t expect you to be able to interview in English. But if your I-20 form says that language proficiency is required for the program you plan to enter, then you will need to demonstrate that you have the necessary English skills.
Q: During my visa interview the officer told me to come back with more documents. What else do I have to bring? Do I have to pay the fee again?
Sometimes during an interview we realize that we need more information. For example, an applicant's passport may need to be renewed, students may have forgotten their transcripts or need more evidence of ability to pay tuition, or applicants traveling for medical treatment may still need to demonstrate acceptance at a medical institution or their ability to pay. The officer will give you a list of the additional documents to bring. Don’t worry; you do not need to pay the $131 fee again. When you return to the Consulate bring the receipt and documents from your first interview and the additional information that the officer listed on the refusal letter.
Q: I am going on a business trip with one of my colleagues to the U.S. When we applied for a visa, she got a ten-year visa but I only got three months! Why?
Even though you are going on a similar trip, you and your colleague are different people; U.S. law requires us to look at each case individually. Perhaps you haven’t worked at the company very long or in some other way led the consular officer to wonder whether you might be planning to stay in the U.S. rather than return to Thailand. However, once you travel to the U.S. and return home according to plan using your three-month visa, you will be able to show a good track record the next time you apply for a visa.
Q: My girlfriend and I are thinking of getting married, but I want to take her to the U.S. to meet my family before we decide. What kind of visa should she get?
You have two very different choices. She can apply for a tourist visa here in Chiang Mai or she can apply for a fianc? visa in Bangkok (we don’t process fianc? visas at the Consulate). If she applies for a tourist visa, she must qualify on her own; your status will be given very little consideration. In fact, if you live in the U.S., your relationship may even count against her because it will be harder to prove that she intends to return to Thailand, as is required for a tourist visa. Applying for a fianc? visa takes longer and is more expensive, but is the right way to go if you are serious about getting married. Because some people abuse the tourist visa to avoid taking the time to apply for the fianc? visa, we are very careful when deliberating cases such as hers.
Q: I work for Thai airlines. I want to apply for a crewman visa on Monday to leave on a flight Monday night. Can I get the visa the same day?
We cannot promise the visa on the same day you apply. However, all the major airlines have agreed to provide crewmembers with at least two working days to apply for and pick up U.S. visas. Your supervisor should be aware of this agreement and help you reschedule your flight.
Q: I am going on a study trip for the municipality, but I don’t have my official passport yet. Can I still apply for a visa?
Yes you can, using your tourist passport. Bring in your tourist passport, your personal documents, and information about your trip to the Consulate and apply as you normally would. While we cannot put an official visa in your tourist passport, your trip likely qualifies you for at least a limited validity business visa.
Q: The Consulate gave me a three-month visa. When I entered the U.S., why did the immigration officer say I could stay in the country for only one month?
A three-month visa does not mean that you can stay in the U.S. for three months; it means that you may travel to and apply for entry into the U.S. at the border during that three-month time period. Immigration officials generally give travelers with a B1/B2 tourist/business visa a six-month period of stay; they may limit the stay if they are concerned that the visitor might be looking for a job or other activities not allowed under a tourist visa.
Q: I applied for a tourist visa to go on a one-month cultural study program in the U.S., but the consular officer said I had to ask the school to send a DS-2019 form. The school hasn’t even heard of the DS-2019. What should I do?
The DS-2019 is a form that people use to apply for an exchange visitor visa, what we call a J visa. It sounds as though the study program you selected doesn’t usually enroll international students and has never applied with the U.S. Department of State to be registered as an exchange program. In order to avoid this problem, we always recommend that students research programs and select the right one carefully. A great resource in Chiang Mai for learning about study and exchange programs in the U.S. is the IC-ACE International Center at Chiang Mai University. You can send an email to info@ace-i.org or call 053-942-896.
Q: My colleague was a visiting professor in the U.S. last year. The school wants him to come back to give a lecture but we heard he can’t get another visa for two years. What’s the problem?
Most likely there is no problem; the confusion probably arose because some exchange programs come with a requirement that the recipient return home for two years. The whole idea is that the home country should get the benefits of the exchange experience. If your colleague’s program was sponsored by the Thai government or U.S. government, such as a Fulbright Fellowship, or if he was working in a field considered to be in demand in Thailand, he is subject to what is called the “Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement.” This means that your colleague is prohibited from applying for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of a legal permanent resident or from changing status or receiving a visa as a temporary worker (H1-B visa), nonimmigrant fiance (K visa) or intra-company transferee (L visa) until he or she has been physically present in Thailand for at least two years following departure from the United States. Because professors are on the list of occupations in demand in Thailand, your colleague is subject to the Two-year Requirement, but it does not stop him from getting a business visa (B1) to go give a guest lecture.
Q: I am a doctor and I want to work in the U.S. Should I apply for a work visa or an exchange visa?
If you have already been certified by the American Medical Board, you may have a hospital petition for a work (H1-B) visa on your behalf. If you have not yet been certified, you will probably need to go under exchange visitor (J) status with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The ECFMG is the only program sponsor authorized to use the exchange visitor category for physicians. Foreign medical graduates under this category must successfully complete examinations administered by ECFMG that measure their command of English and the medical sciences. Remember that if you are certified while under J status, you will have to reside in Thailand for two years before you return to the U.S. to work with an H1-B visa.
Q: Our University is sending two professors to the U.S. for faculty development for two months. Do they need a student visa or an exchange visa?
What kind of documentation should they bring to the Consulate?
It sounds as though the professors will be considered as “Short-Term Scholars”, which means they should travel on an exchange (J) visa. The university where they will be conducting their training should provide a form called the DS-2019 for your professors to bring to the Consulate. The professors will also need to show the consular officer evidence that they will be returning to Thailand when the program is finished, that they have sufficient knowledge of English to participate in the program, and that they have the financial means to travel to and live in the U.S. for two months.
Q: I am a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Thailand. I heard that I don’t need a visa to travel to the U.S. if I use my British passport. Is this true?
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you may travel as a tourist or for business to the U.S. for a maximum of 90 days without a visa using your British passport. This is possible under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables travelers from certain countries with very low overstay rates to visit the U.S. without a visa. Note that your British passport must be machine-readable (you can tell by the strip of numbers at the bottom of the photo page) for you to be eligible for the visa waiver. Please note that if you are traveling for any reason other than tourism or business the waiver does not apply; you still need to come in and apply for a visa. For a list of nationalities that qualify for the visa waiver program, please see the State Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
Q: My visa will expire in two months. Can I renew it?
You will have to come in and interview again with a new application. However, if you have traveled to the U.S. before, you may qualify for a longer validity visa.
Q: My mother has a visa that has an “Indefinite” expiration date. Does she need to go to the Consulate before she travels to the U.S.?
Your mother will have to apply for a new visa before she travels. Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) were tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity visas became void.
Q: I am 28 years old and would like to travel to visit a friend in the U.S. for about a month. I have a job and a bank account, but not much income or savings. When I apply for a visa at the Consulate, can I bring my father and mother's financial documents?
Every adult applicant must qualify for a visa on his or her own but we do take into account all aspects of an applicant’s financial situation. When you come in for your interview, please bring in your bank-books, pay slips, and a job letter from your employer stating your position and income. Don’t forget that your financial situation is only one part of the picture. We also want to see evidence of your family and social ties to Thailand, so bring those documents as well.
Q: I lost my Thai passport, which had a US visa that was valid for another five years. Do I have to pay to get a new visa?
You need to come in and apply for a new visa, paying the full $131 or 3,800 baht application fee. A Consular Officer will interview you again and take your fingerprints. We appreciate your telling us about your lost passport; it is important that we know when a U.S. visa is missing so that we can cancel it before it falls into the wrong hands.
Q: I am a teacher at a University here. I want to take my students to the U.S. to perform Lanna music at a cultural festival in Chicago. What kind of visa do they need?
If your students will not be paid for performing, they qualify for tourist visas. They should bring in evidence of their ties to Thailand as well as the details of the trip. Professional entertainers or amateurs who are going to be paid for their performances in the U.S. need to have a petition approved by the Department of Homeland Security before they apply for an Entertainer Visa (P) to go to the U.S. to perform.
Q: I was convicted for theft in a juvenile court when I was 17. Will it be a problem for me to get a student visa?
Your conviction is not an obstacle, thanks to the fact that you were under 18 and the crime was not violent. As with all student visa applicants, you will need to prove that you have compelling ties to Thailand, that you have enough money for school tuition and expenses, and that you intend to pursue a legitimate course of study. If you had been over 18 at the time of your conviction, or if you had committed a violent crime, you would be ineligible for a U.S. visa.
Q: If someone is taken to the U.S. as a victim of human trafficking, will they be punished because they don’t have a U.S. visa?
No, the victim will not be punished for entering without a visa. In order to protect victims of human trafficking, the U.S. government has created a special visa class, the T visa. If an investigation verifies the victim’s claims, the U.S. Attorney General will grant T visa status to the victim. Recognizing that sending victims back to their home country could endanger them, this visa category makes it possible for victims of trafficking to apply for permanent status in the U.S. The creation of the T visa is an important part of the U.S. effort to combattrafficking, both inside the U.S. and throughout the world.
Q: I’m a painter and my friend is a photographer. We want to go see the Grand Canyon to take pictures and paint. Can we do this on a tourist visa?
Yes you can, as long as you do not sell any photographs or paintings in the U.S. You may not enter into any contract with a U.S. employer while you are in the U.S., although you are free to bring your photographs and paintings back to Thailand and sell them here.
Q: Can I pay the visa fee at any post office?
You can pay the 3,800 Baht processing fee at any post office in Thailand that has a full-service “Pay at Post” facility. There are currently 25 post offices in Northern Thailand with full “Pay at Post” services. Eleven of them are in Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai (50000), Nong Hoi (50007), Chang Klan (50101), Phra Singha (50200), Suan Prung Intersection (50201), Chiang Mai University (50202), Sriphum (50203), Chiang Mai Airport (50204), Mae Ping (50301), Chang Puek (50302), and Salaklang Chiang Mai (50303). The other 14 locations are in the Ampur Muang post offices of the following provinces: Lamphun (51000), Lampang (52000), Uttaradit (53000), Phrae (54000), Nan (55000), Phayao (56000), Chiang Rai (57000), Mae Hong Son (58000), Petchaboon (67000), Pichit (66000), Pitsanulok (65000), Sukothai (64000), Tak (63000), and Kamphaengphet (62000). You may also pay at any of the full-service “Pay at Post” facilities in other parts of Thailand. You cannot pay the fee at a “Pay at Post” kiosk.
Q: If I buy a courier envelope before my interview and then get refused, can I use it for something else? Can I get a refund?
The courier envelope can only be used for mailing your passport and visa back to you. The post office puts a special bar code on the envelope at the time of purchase that helps them make sure your passport and visa are secure. Because of this barcode, the envelope cannot be used for any other purpose. The post office will not refund the price of an unused envelope. Please remember that this envelope can only be purchased at the Mae Ping post office.
Q: Do I need to get a medical checkup before I apply for a tourist visa?
Medical examinations are not required for nonimmigrant visa applications unless the Consular Officer believes that you may be ineligible for a visa based on medical grounds, such as communicable diseases, mental illness, and drug addiction. If that is the case, you will be informed at the time of your interview. Such requests are extremely rare, usually only one or two applicants for nonimmigrant visas are asked to submit a medical report each year. Note, however, that all applicants for immigrant visas – which are processed in Bangkok and not in Chiang Mai – need to submit the results of a physical check-up before their interview.
Q: What is the SEVIS fee? Do I pay it at the Post Office?f
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) maintains information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. If you are applying for a tourist or business visa you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee. The fee is $131 for Students and exchange visitors and $35 for Au Pairs, Work and Travel, and Camp Counselor programs. (Participants in U.S. Government-sponsored programs, such as the Fulbright program, do not need to pay the fee.) The SEVIS fee can be paid online by debit or credit card at: https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the post office. Please make sure to bring your receipt to your visa interview. For more information and frequently asked questions, please visit the SEVIS website at: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/faq.htm.
Q: If I “Pay at Post,” and then don’t have time to go to the Consulate, does my fee expire? What about the courier envelope?
Neither the 3,800 Baht processing fee nor the courier envelope will expire. However please remember that the courier envelope that you purchased at the Mae Ping post office can only be used for returning a passport to you from the Consulate.
Q: My professor told me that I have to fill out an online form to apply for a visa. What is the form and where can I find it?
Your professor is correct. Also starting in January, all applicants will need to fill out the online Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) which can be found on our website http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consulcm or accessed directly at http://evisaforms.state.gov. Please make sure to fill in every part of the form. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. Please also remember to print the last page of the form (with the bar code) using a Laser Printer. You will also need to fill out the supplemental DS-157 form, while student and exchange visitors will need to fill out the DS-158 form. The DS-157 and 158 can both be found on our website.
Q: What is the difference between a web PIN and a Live Service PIN?
Web PIN (456 Baht or 12 USD) - Applicants may obtain visa information online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and schedule an interview for a specific date and time for up to five immediate family members.
Live Service PIN (760 Baht or 20 USD) - Applicants may speak to an agent to obtain visa information and schedule an interview for up to five immediate family members. The Live Service is available from 8:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, except on Thai holidays.
Q: Do I have to purchase my PIN at Thai Post?
No, you can also access the Visa Information Service website by purchasing a PIN online using either a Visa or MasterCard. You can also purchase a PIN using a Visa or MasterCard to access the Live Service agents.
Q: If I want to use the phone service to schedule an appointment, can I use the same PIN for more than one call?
Yes. Your PIN will allow you to access the Live Service three times. If you need to use the service the fourth time, you will be asked to purchase a new PIN.
Q: Can I access the new appointment website more than once using the same PIN?
Yes. Your PIN will allow you to access the website multiple times. You can continue to access the website until ten days after your scheduled appointment. You can cancel or reschedule your appointment twice with the same PIN. If you haven't made an appointment in 90 days, your PIN will also expire. Your PIN is not refundable
Q: I need to schedule appointments for my whole family. Do I need a PIN for each person?
No, you may schedule an appointment for yourself and up to 4 immediate family members using the same PIN. “Immediate family members” means: husband, wife, mother, father, child, brother or sister. Cousins are not considered immediate family members.
Q: I’m having trouble logging in to the website with my PIN. Am I doing something wrong?
Please make sure that once you have purchased your PIN you click on the “Log In” link of the webpage and do not choose the “Create New Login” page. Also, don’t forget that PINs purchased at Thailand Post do not become active until after 13:00 the next business day after purchase. If you are still having problems, please contact the helpdesk by email at thailand@us-visaservices.com. Please do not call the Consulate with technical website problems, as we are unable to assist you.
Q: I made an appointment for next week, but I need to change it because I have to go on business. Why won’t the website let me change my appointment?
You may cancel an appointment and reschedule up to five business days before your original appointment. If your appointment is less than five business days away and you want to change it, you will have to purchase a new PIN. Please try to make your appointment plans as far in advance as possible so that you can make changes if necessary.
Q: Can I call the Consulate to change my appointment?
Consulate staff cannot make schedule changes. To change your appointment you must first cancel your current appointment by accessing the Visa Service through the website or Live Service. Please make sure to “Confirm” the cancellation. You may reschedule your appointment once if you are using the Live Service or twice if you are using the website.
Q: I am holding H1B visa under my maiden name. It is valid until February 2008. I just got married and had my new last name endorsed on my passport. Can I still enter the USA with my current visa?
Yes, you can enter the U.S. with your visa. The endorsement serves as proof that you had your name changed. Even if you get a new passport, you will still be able to use your old visa. Just bring the old passport along with your new passport. As long as you are planning to live in the U.S. as the spouse of an American citizen, maybe you should consider changing your status to Legal Permanent Resident. For more information about changing status, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website: http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/legpermres.htm
Q: I work for the Chiang Mai municipality. When I scheduled my appointment to apply for a visa, it said on the website that I had to pay the 4,454 Baht processing fee. I’m using my official passport, isn’t the application free?
Applicants for a U.S. visa must pay the processing fee, regardless of passport type. There are only a few exceptions to this rule. A traveler whose trip is sponsored by the U.S. government does not have to pay the processing fee. Government officials who are traveling on official Royal Thai Government business may qualify for a fee waiver. Note that a letter from the Foreign Ministry does constitute evidence that the travel is official. Study-trips, cultural demonstrations, academic travel, and commercial activities performed by government officials do not qualify for a fee waiver.
Q: I will be guest lecturing at Georgetown University for two months this summer. May I receive an honorarium?
A visitor to the U.S. under B-1 (Business) status engaged in academic activities may not receive an honorarium payment from one institution for longer than 9 days. Guest lecturers or teachers also may not receive honorariums from more than five institutions in a six-month period. Participants in exchange (J-1) programs may receive compensation for their work from the program sponsor. If you want remuneration, work with Georgetown to set up your activities as part of one of their exchange programs.
Q: I have a medical conference the last week of February, but the earliest interview appointment I could get was in March. Do I have to miss my conference?
We will make special arrangements to expedite interviews for people with urgent business travel, APEC Business Travel Card holders, medical emergencies, and students and travelers on exchange programs that must arrive in the U.S. before their program starts. We do not expedite interviews for tourist travel . F, J, and M visa applicants requesting expedited appointments must show that you would otherwise miss the beginning of your course/program if not allowed to expedite the visa process by showing a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form.
If you already scheduled an appointment for a visa interview but want to expedite it, please send an email in English to conschiangmai@state.gov. The email subject line must read: Request to Expedite a Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment. Please include appointment confirmation number, full name, contact telephone number, and the reason an earlier appointment is required.
For medical emergencies involving a sick parent, spouse, sibling, or child, please obtain a letter from the patient’s physician describing the patient’s medical condition. The visa unit will contact you if an early appointment can be given.
Please try to plan ahead in scheduling your travel to allow yourself time to make an interview appointment.
Q: My mother got a ten year visa last week. She was planning to travel next month, but has to postpone her trip until August because my grandmother is sick. Someone told me you have to travel within three months or you lose the visa. Can she travel on her visa in August?
Your mother will be able to travel in August without any problem. The validity of a visa is independent of your travel plans. Someone with a three-month visa would have to travel within three months, but your mother has the right to travel to the U.S. and apply for entry at the border any time during the next ten years. Note that the validity of the visa is separate from your permitted length of stay, which will be decided by immigration officials at the border.
Q: I work for Carnival Cruise Line, and have a Crewman/Transit Visa. Can I go visit my friend in New Orleans for three days before by vessel departs?
You cannot visit your friend with your Crewman/Transit (C1-D) visa. This visa type is good for immediate and continuous travel only. If you would like to spend any time inside the U.S., you may apply for a tourist visa. It is perfectly acceptable to have more than one valid visa at the same time.
Q: I have a 10-year visa issued in 1999. I changed my name in 2001, and got a new passport, but I still have the old one. I want to travel to the U.S. next month. Can I use the visa in my old passport, even though it doesn’t have my current name?
Yes, you may travel, bringing both passports. Changing your name does not invalidate your visa, but you must bring proof of your former and present identity. Passports are the best evidence of legal name changes, so you should have no problem at the border. People who do not have an old passport reflecting their former name should travel with an original and translated copy of the document showing they legally changed their name.
Q: My wife had a green card when we were living in the U.S. Is it still valid? Does she need a visa to travel to the U.S.?
If you intend to continue living in Thailand, then she needs to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. If you are returning to the U.S. to live there, the answer to your question depends on whether or not her card is still valid and how long she has been outside of the U.S. Please see below for the answer to some common circumstances.
Permanent Resident Card not expired, out of the U.S. for less than one year: You may return to the U.S. without a visa as a returning resident.
Permanent Resident Card not expired, out of the U.S. for more than one year: You may return to the U.S. without a visa if you can prove that you have a residence in the U.S. that you did not intend to abandon. Evidence of this may include having children living in the U.S., owning property there, U.S.-based employment, filing income tax returns every year, etc. At the port of entry, you will need to present this evidence, and apply for a new Permanent Resident Card.
Expired 10-year Permanent Resident Card: You may travel to the U.S. without a visa, but you will need to prove at the port of entry that you did not relinquish your domicile there.
Expired 2-year Conditional Permanent Resident Card: You may travel to the U.S. without a visa if and only if you are in possession of a filing receipt issued within the previous six months for a Form I-751, Petition to Removethe Conditions on Residence.
Any alien possessing a valid Form I-191, Application forAdvance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile, does not require a visa to reenter the United States. Note that these forms can only be acquired within the U.S. and expire after two years.
Q: I am traveling to the United State only two days after my visa interview. Will I get the visa in time for my trip?
Since last December, we have been mailing passports and visas back to applicants who are approved for travel to the United States. After an applicant purchases one of the yellow envelopes from the Mae Ping post office near the consulate, we mail the passport out the following day. Most applicants receive their passports within the next four days. However, if you must travel sooner than that or live in an area that does not receive reliable postal service, you should alert the consular officer of your urgent need to receive your visa. You can than arrange to pick up the envelope from the Mae Ping post office the following day by addressing the envelope with that information.
Q: I’ve been studying in the U.S. for two years and I’m home now visiting my family. I changed schools last year, and I have an I-20 from my new school. My old visa isn’t expired; can I use it to go back to the U.S.?
You may return to the U.S. using your old visa and an I-20 from your new school. Please bring your original I-20 and transcripts from your schools when you travel. If the immigration officer suspects that you never intended to attend the school annotated on your visa, you may be refused admission to the U.S. To make your experience at the border easier, be prepared to show that you were studying the entire time school was in session.
Q: After getting your degree in the U.S., can you work there?
There are two ways you can stay in the U.S. and work after finishing your studies. One is to find an employer that is willing to petition for a work visa (H visa) on your behalf. Or you may work in a job related to your field of study for up to 14 months after you graduate. This is called Optional Practical Training (OPT). To be eligible, you must request your school to endorse OPT on your I-20 form. You must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the Department of Homeland Security. Please remember to bring your EAD and I-20 if you travel outside the U.S. while working in OPT status or you will be denied re-entry.
Q: I will be getting my doctorate in the U.S., and my wife and I are taking our 10 year-old son with us. Do I need to get a student visa for him to go to school while he is there?
No, your son does not need his own F1 student visa. His status as an F2 (Child or Spouse of Student) allows him to attend any public or private primary school. If your spouse and/or child are applying for the visa with you, they do not need any special forms. However, if they are applying after you, they will need to bring an I-20 from the institution you are attending that shows you are either already studying, or will be studying within 30 days.
Advice about studying in the U.S:
During the last two years, we have noticed a number of prospective students coming to apply for a student visa that we have had to deny because they were not well prepared. We want to facilitate study travel to the U.S., and would like to offer the following guidance for study travel to the U.S. Last year, nearly 550,000 foreign students studied at U.S. colleges and universities. Over 8,500 were Thais, placing Thailand in 10th place globally.
At the same time these students get a good education in the U.S., our schools and universities also benefit. Foreign students help our universities become more internationally involved and help American students learn about the world.
Thai and other international students return home understanding more about the U.S. They bring that knowledge to their future jobs in the government, in academics, in business, as well as to their families and communities.
Unfortunately the number of Thai students in the U.S. has been declining for several years. We hear that many students are discouraged from going to the U.S. because they are worried about getting a visa.
The fact is that legitimate students who have been accepted by an accredited U.S. university for a BA or MA program are not likely to be denied a visa. However, it is important to do your homework.
Get help
There is a wealth of resources available to help you in designing your study plan. Anyone interested in studying in the U.S. should start by visiting the State Department’s EducationUSA website – http://educationusa.state.gov. Also, there is an EducationUSA advising center right here in Chiang Mai! It is called IC-ACE; their phone number is 053-942-896. In addition, the Department of State has produced a series of four booklets that provide practical advice to prospective students. All four booklets can be downloaded from the EducationUsa website, and print copies are available at the Consulate or at IC-ACE.
Choose the Best Institution for You
Choosing universities from thousands of miles away presents some challenges, especially when there are so many great colleges to choose from in the United States. But if you plan ahead and do your research carefully, you will come up with a manageable shortlist of colleges that match your needs. Every student is different, and when making your choices you should consider carefully the factors that are important to you in both your education and your lifestyle. You should begin this process of reflection and research 12 to 18 months before you want to start studying in the United States. Having a clear idea of where you want to study and why will greatly aid you in getting your student visa.
The Internet is a great place to research U.S. schools; look at the EducationUSA website, individual schools’ websites, independent university search engines such as “Peterson’s,” “The College Board,” “U.S. News,” or “The Princeton Review.” You can also get great information from IC-ACE, university advising centers, college fairs, and by visiting campuses if you have the opportunity to travel to the U.S. Find out about each institution’s a ccreditation and recognition of degrees, information on "majors", academic emphasis, selectivity, degree program structure, academic standing, teacher-to-student ratios, cost, housing, location, size, college social life, fraternities and sororities, international students, affiliations, and extracurricular activities. Try to assemble a list of 10-20 colleges that meet your needs.
How Much Does School Cost?
Studying at at U.S. institution is an expensive investment, but one we are sure you will find worthwhile. For the 2005-2006 academic year, The College Board reported the following average annual tuition costs by type of institution:
Two-year, Public Community Colleges: $2,191
Four-year, Public Institutions: $5,491
Four-year, Private Institutions: $21,235
These costs represent the cost of studies alone; when you include lodging, personal expenses, transportation, and other expenses, your total annual budget will be much higher:
Two-year, Public Community Colleges: $11,000
Four-year, Public Institutions: $20,000
Four-year, Private Institutions: $30,000
It is important to start your financial planning at least 12 months before you intend to study in the United States. Please visit or contact IC-ACE (053-942-896) to speak with experienced professionals who can guide you through the process.
Assessing Personal Funds
Consult your parents and other family sponsors to find out how much money they can commit each year to your education. Try to raise as much as you can from family sources, because most scholarship awards, if available, cover only part of the total educational and living costs and may not be available to first-year international students. Please note that it’s not just an amount of money in the bank that consular officers are looking for; they are also looking for a viable story of how and why family members will contribute their support. If your rich uncle has three children of his own, none of whom studied abroad, you need to be able to explain why he is willing to cover this expense for you. Identifying Sources of Financial Assistance
All types of scholarships and financial aid for international students are highly competitive and require excellent academic records. A scholarship is a financial award based on merit, including outstanding academic performance, special talent in sports or performing arts, or perhaps community service or leadership. Financial aid is a "need-based" grant based on the student's financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors. Other sources of financing include funds from the Thai government, your university in Thailand, the university at which you will study in the U.S., loans, and international awards, and employment.
Thailand-based Funds: Conduct research to find possible funding from local government, corporate, or foundation sources. Almost every university or research institution in Thailand has a budget for sending students overseas, including CMU, Payap, Rajabhat, and many others. In addition, the Thai government has a number of scholarships available. For a list of these scholarships and more, see the Office of the Civil Service Commission’s website at: http://203.170.253.2/Educations/Scholarship/index.html.
Funding From Colleges: Less than half of the institutions offering bachelor's degrees can provide financial assistance to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Be sure to tell the admissions office you are from Thailand and request information on financial aid available to non-U.S. citizens. If offered, financial aid is usually made up of a number of different types of assistance, including grants and scholarships and occasionally loans or part-time work programs.
Only Thailand’s best students will qualify for a “full-ride” scholarship; with "A"s in almost every subject, high SAT and TOEFL scores, and distinguished performance in other areas such as leadership and community service. There are 20 top students from all over the world competing for each scholarship, so you must distinguish yourself among a pool of outstanding students.
Sports Scholarships: Some U.S. colleges offer opportunities for gifted student athletes to play for the college team as a means of paying for their education.
International Awards: International students also ask about financial assistance from foundations, organizations, and the U.S. government. Very little aid exists through such sources, and it is usually earmarked for advanced graduate students.
For more information about Sports Scholarships and International Awards, please visit: http://www.educationusa.state.gov/finaidlinks.htm
Loans: In limited instances, you may be able to negotiate a U.S. loan to fund part of your educational costs. You must usually have a U.S. citizen co-signer to act as a guarantor for any loans from U.S. loan programs, and in most cases you must already be enrolled in a U.S. university before you apply. Before taking a loan, make certain you know how you are going to repay it, and how a loan will affect your plans for graduate or other further study and for returning home.
Employment: Current immigration regulations permit international students to work only part-time — up to 20 hours per week — and only on campus during their first year of study. By working 10 to 15 hours a week, you could earn enough to pay for incidentals such as books, clothing, and personal expenses, but your campus job cannot pay your major expenses, such as tuition or room and board.
Reducing Educational Costs
When planning your finances, consider these ways to reduce your costs:
Consider a Distance Learning Program: Distance learning programs can be an affordable way for international students to obtain U.S. course credit or degrees without moving to the United States or applying for student visas. There are thousands of distance learning programs in the United States, so you'll need to do your homework in choosing the program that's right for you. As with any program of study, it is important to make sure that the distance learning programs you consider are accredited. The recognized accrediting body for distance learning programs in the United States is the Distance Education and Training Council (http://www.detc.org).
Less-Expensive Institutions: Look for the colleges that offer a quality education at lower tuition rates.
Accelerated Programs: Completing a four-year bachelor's degree in three years saves thousands of dollars. Students can accelerate their programs by: earning transfer credit for college-level studies completed in the home country (A-levels, International Baccalaureate, advanced placement exams); taking courses at a nearby community college if tuition is lower and credits are transferable; attending classes during the summer if they are available; or taking one additional course each semester.
Tuition Waivers: Based on your first-year grades, some colleges award partial tuition waivers. A superior academic record could save you thousands of dollars.
Living Expenses: Becoming a resident assistant in a dormitory could save thousands of dollars in living costs. Working in the dining hall offers a modest salary plus "all you can eat" meals. Living off campus with a relative or friend saves money if suitable accommodation is available and public transport is efficient.
Two-year and Community Colleges: Many students save thousands of dollars in tuition by attending community colleges for their first two years and then transferring to four-year institutions to complete their degree. For more information on community colleges, please visit Community Colleges USA at http://www.cc-usa.org.
Applying for a Student or Exchange Visitor Visa
In order to apply for a visa at the consulate, you must first have a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)-generated document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) issued by a U.S. college or university or Department of State-designated sponsor organization. You will be required to submit this form when you apply for a visa. The U.S. academic institution or program sponsor will provide you with the appropriate SEVIS-generated form only when you have been academically admitted to the institution or accepted as a participant in an exchange program. The institution or program sponsor will also send you additional information about applying for the appropriate visa, as well as other guidance about beginning your academic program in the United States.
Students need to pay a SEVIS fee (information about paying the fee and confirming payment receipt is available at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm). In addition, as with other visa applicants, you must pay the visa processing fee at a full-service Pay-at-Post desk, purchase an appointment system PIN number, and make an appointment for the visa interview. Make sure you have all the documentation you will need when you go for the interview, including the visa-qualifying document (I-20 or DS-2019), financial support documents, proof of payment of the SEVIS and visa fees, and a completed electronic visa application form (EVAF). For more information about the application procedure, please visit the Consulate website: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consulcm.
