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bringing thai wife back to the US, what visa do i need?


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Hi, im currently in America and my wife is close to getting her visa so im researching how im going to get over there to escort my wife and daughter back to the states. I'll have 6 months from the issue of the visa to bring them back.

 

I read that my options are the Non-O visa where i can stay up to 90 days and the visa exempt which i can stay 45 days but dont need to apply for a visa. Which route would you recommend i take?

 

The trouble is that I only want to book a one-way flight so that i can purchase a new flight for the return of all 3 of us. I think going the visa exempt route i would need proof of an ongoing return flight from Thailand, in which case i would need to book it and cancel it as i don't imagine the airlines allows for a return flight with two new passengers aboard. I also don't think the thai embassy in LA will be too understanding when i start emailing them about this, so i figured asking this forum would be a better start.

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The visa exempt entry's 45-days includes the 15 days of ASQ so realistically, you will have about 30 days to sort out the logistics (or at best, only 20 working days).

 

With these new variants popping up left, right and center, flight scheduling and even availability is getting perilously dynamic these days. I recall a few months back that several European carriers were only issuing one-way tickets due to Thai government restrictions on 'approved' carriers. For example, last year KLM were passing through Bangkok with up to two flights/day but they were repatriation flights that headed onwards to Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia with only a non-boarding stopover in Bangkok on the return leg.

 

Checking frequently with the airlines directly would be good advice.

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25 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The visa exempt entry's 45-days includes the 15 days of ASQ so realistically, you will have about 30 days to sort out the logistics (or at best, only 20 working days).

He can get a 30 day extension of the 45 day entry. 

Moved to the Thai visas forum.

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You only need a onward ticket to meet the ticket out within 45 days requirement. You could look for a low cost one way ticket or get a temporary onward ticket from on the sites listed here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=onward+flight&rlz=1C1SQJL_enTH791TH791&oq=onwar&aqs=chrome.2.69i60j69i57j69i59j69i60l2.10502j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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OP, my guess is that there would be some people in similar situation to yours.

Did you consider dealing with an agent in Thailand that could assist/facilitate your family obtaining visa to states without you needing to come to Thailand. 

As for coming to Thailand I would suggest you just enter visa exempt. Post the 45 days you can organize other options eg non o (marriage) etc. As ubonjoe suggested you could buy a throw away onward ticket.

Edited by DrJack54
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I was able to get my wife a 10 year, multiple entry visa, once we were married. Tried for student or tourist visa prior to that, with no luck. When my wife had her appointment scheduled, she brought a thick file with all kinds of supporting documents. Fortunately we were advised in advance, for her to bring my original passport with her. That is all they were interested in seeing, and they studied it carefully, for a full 5 minutes or so. I think they wanted to see the visas, and to be assured that I have a history of coming back and forth. Once they saw that, it was approved, and she had her visa two weeks later. 

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25 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Did you consider dealing with an agent in Thailand that could assist/facilitate your family obtaining visa to states without you needing to come to Thailand. 

It seems the visa is handled already.

1 hour ago, kornkanok224 said:

Hi, im currently in America and my wife is close to getting her visa so im researching how im going to get over there to escort my wife and daughter back to the states.

He just wants to be here to travel with them to the states to insure there is not a problem.

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1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Only from certain countries and Thailand is not one of them. But everybody needs a negative covid 19 test done 3 days before departure.

and quarantine in america now too plus contact tracing.  Not sure what that entails

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1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Only from certain countries and Thailand is not one of them. But everybody needs a negative covid 19 test done 3 days before departure.

You sure about that? Don't assume.

Edited by ubonjoe
changed all caps to normal text (forum rule)
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7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't assume anything. I listened to the news today. It is only the UK and some countries in Europe that were going to be allowed before.

Also this map from the IATA that provides info by clicking the USA. It is till dated January 14th.

 https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

 

In response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in the United States and other countries, and to protect New York State’s (NYS) successful containment of COVID-19, NYS has issued a travel advisory for anyone entering NYS from a non-bordering state or traveled internationally from a country designated under a CDC level 2 or higher COVID-19 travel health notice.

All travelers coming to NYS from areas beyond the border states (NJ, CT, PA, MA, VT) must fill out this form. Travelers that are asymptomatic must quarantine for 10 days from the last day in a non-border state or another country, unless the traveler meets certain criteria.     JOE; perhaps with your CONNECTIONS,you can verify with CDC what level Thailand is currently, 26Jan 2021.

 

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12 hours ago, kornkanok224 said:

Hi, im currently in America and my wife is close to getting her visa so im researching how im going to get over there to escort my wife and daughter back to the states. I'll have 6 months from the issue of the visa to bring them back.

 

I read that my options are the Non-O visa where i can stay up to 90 days and the visa exempt which i can stay 45 days but dont need to apply for a visa. Which route would you recommend i take?

 

The trouble is that I only want to book a one-way flight so that i can purchase a new flight for the return of all 3 of us. I think going the visa exempt route i would need proof of an ongoing return flight from Thailand, in which case i would need to book it and cancel it as i don't imagine the airlines allows for a return flight with two new passengers aboard. I also don't think the thai embassy in LA will be too understanding when i start emailing them about this, so i figured asking this forum would be a better start.

Why come to Thailand?  Entails risks of constantly changing rules and possible new Covid outbreaks.

 

My fiancee and her daughter flew to USA alone and I met them at the airport. No problems.  Less risk.

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The IATA website is about the best source of info on restrictions to enter any country. That is what a airline can check before they allow you to board a flight.

The latest update was yesterday for the US.

image.png.20845065a2b57163320f50774752d8df.png

Also look at the "This not apply to" info since the OP will traveling with his wife.

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For those that had thai wives or K1 visa holders fly without your escort did you book non stop?  If not what transit airport?  I like PGN in South Korea the best.  But Japan also ok.  What airline.  What city in USA?    I haven't heard of quarantine but that list JOE linked to showed more restricted countries than that had read about.       

Taking the risk of any situation getting worse or what may happen if you get covid on the way or test positive in quarantine I say just be a good coach.   Try to book a flight where they don't need to pick up and recheck bags.  however in 11 trips last 5 years I never figured this out.  Some if us have flown through most connecting airports between West coast and BKK and could provide the  details of how it goes.  3.5-4 hour layover works best.  How is her english?  

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36 minutes ago, Elkski said:

I haven't heard of quarantine but that list JOE linked to showed more restricted countries than that had read about.

It has been stated in the news Brazil, China, UK and 27 european countries and now I think it may include South Africa.

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Yes new strain in S Africa similar to Brazil strain.  On the news they just said UK,  china,  europe, brazil and S. Africa.  But I see the list is long.  I hope Thailand doesn't get on the list in 2021.  Many of us trying bring our women out of there. 

Edited by Elkski
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On 1/26/2021 at 3:43 AM, ubonjoe said:

You only need a onward ticket to meet the ticket out within 45 days requirement. You could look for a low cost one way ticket or get a temporary onward ticket from on the sites listed here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=onward+flight&rlz=1C1SQJL_enTH791TH791&oq=onwar&aqs=chrome.2.69i60j69i57j69i59j69i60l2.10502j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

Via that link I found some websites that create a 'fake ticket' to show the airline staff, and presumably the embassy staff in the case of obtaining the visa, in order to prove that you have an onward flight.

 

1. Is it seriously permissible to do that?

 

2. Assuming it's not, and I buy a real throwaway flight ticket (albeit a cheap one) then won't the embassy/airline check to see if it's a plausible flight during corona times?

 

If I buy a one-way from Thailand to Vietnam then it's fairly obvious that in all likelihood I can't legitimately take that flight. Won't they look at it and say "you are trying to trick us"?

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