| The United States visa and immigration process can | | | | visa (classified as a category K-1 by the United States |
| be nearly insurmountable for the boyfriend or girlfriend | | | | Citizenship and Immigration Service). Before we go |
| of an American Citizen. | | | | further, it should be noted that no one should enter into |
| The following article will look at the obstacles and | | | | a romantic relationship strictly to obtain American |
| methods of successfully obtaining a US visa for a Thai | | | | Immigration benefits. The reason for seeking United |
| national in a relationship with a United States Citizen. | | | | States immigration benefits should spring from an |
| Many couples initially try to apply for a United States | | | | underlying personal relationship that is bona fide. That |
| tourist visa. In some cases, these efforts will prove | | | | being said, a fiancee visa is a popular visa category |
| futile due to relevant United States Immigration law. | | | | for those who wish to go to the United States in order |
| Under the provisions of section 214(b) of the United | | | | to marry an American. |
| States Immigration and Nationality Act an applicant for | | | | Some bi-national couples make the decision to get |
| a non-immigrant US visa (such as a tourist visa) must | | | | married and apply for United States Immigration |
| overcome the legal presumption that they are an | | | | benefits based upon their marriage. In these cases, the |
| intending immigrant. This legal presumption is only | | | | process may take longer than in fiance visa cases, but, |
| overcome by showing evidence of "strong ties" to | | | | depending upon the visa category, the spouse enters |
| Thailand and "weak ties" to the United States of | | | | the United States with lawful permanent residence. |
| America. If the applicant's principal relationship is with a | | | | Again, it should be reiterated that no one should marry |
| United States Citizen, then the probability of | | | | strictly for the purpose of obtaining an Immigration |
| surmounting this presumption is low compared to an | | | | benefit. A marriage should occur only if the couple truly |
| applicant who does not have a relationship with a US | | | | wishes to be married for personal reasons. |
| Citizen. This author should point out that a visa denial | | | | To sum up, US tourist visas for Thai girlfriends or |
| under the provisions of section 214(b) of the | | | | boyfriends can be difficult to obtain. However, if the |
| Immigration and Nationality Act is not subject to appeal | | | | couple genuinely wishes to take their relationship to the |
| pursuant the doctrine of Consular Non-Reviewability as | | | | next level, then there may be a way of bringing the |
| the finding is based upon the facts of the case. | | | | couple together in the United States using a |
| In some cases, a couple may opt to pursue a fiance | | | | non-immigrant or immigrant visa. |