Nov 6

How To Bring Thai Children To The Usa: K2 & K4 Visas

WHICH TYPE OF VISA SHOULD THE CHILD OF MY THAI FIANCEE OR SPOUSE USE TO ENTER THE USA?

The child or children of a Thai fiance or spouse enters the United States on a derivative visa. This means that a Thai fiance who enters the US on a K-1 Fiance visa will be able to bring her child on a K-2 visa, a derivative visa of the K-1. For a Thai spouse who enters the United States on a K-3 visa a K-4 visa will be used to bring in the Thai child. For an Immigrant Relative or Conditional Resident Visa, the Thai will come to the US on visas derivative of their Thai mother’s.

DO I NEED TO HAVE SEPARATE IMMIGRATION PETITIONS FILED ON BEHALF THE CHILDREN OF MY THAI FIANCE OR SPOUSE?

Children of a Thai fiance or spouse do not need to have a separate K-1/K-3 petition filed on their behalf. However, the US Citizen Spouse should make sure to name all of the Thai fiance or spouse’s children on the K-1/K-3 petition. A failure to name all of the Thai fiance/spouse’s children on the petition could result in difficult immigration experience for the Thai children. A separate I-130 immigrant visa petition must be filed for each of the Thai fiance/spouse’s children before they will be eligible to obtain permanent residence. To adjust their status in the United States, the Thai children must do so at their local USCIS office or they should file the I-485 form to register their permanent residence. The Thai children must be under 21 years of age and unmarried in order to obtain permanent residence as a derivative of their Thai parent. Basically, for the K visas no separate petition is necessary for the Thai fiance/spouse’s children. For the IR-1/CR-1 Visas the Thai children will need separate petitions filed on their behalf.

WHAT IF I DON’T NAME THE CHILDREN OF MY THAI LOVED ONE ON THE K-1/K-3 VISA PETITION?

A child of a Thai fiance or wife who was not named on the K1/K3 petition is still entitled to a K2/K3 travel Visa provided the Thai child can show that they are in fact the unmarried child of the Thai K1/K3 visa holder. The US Embassy in Bangkok asks for a letter from the US Citizen fianc/spouse acknowledging that the Thai fiance/spouse has children.

ARE ALL OF MY THAI FIANCEE/SPOUSE’S CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR A CHILD VISA

All children under the age of 21 and unmarried are eligible for derivative visas of your Thai fiance or spouse. If the Thai children are over the age of 21 or married they will not be eligible for a child visa. Thai children over the age of 21 may still be considered children for immigration purposes so long as the petition in question was filed prior to the Thai child’s 21st birthday.

HOW DOES THE K-2/K-4 THAI CHILD ADJUST THEIR STATUS IN THE US?

The US Citizen must file an I-130 petition on behalf of the Thai child in order for the Thai child to be able to adjust his/her status to permanent residence. If the U.S. Citizen doesn’t file the I-130 petition then the Thai spouse may do so as soon as she is a lawful permanent resident of the USA, but the Thai child would have to wait for a visa number, which could take a great deal of time. Please note, the Thai parent will no longer be in K-1/K-3 status, after adjusting to legal permanent residence, hence, the Thai child will not be in lawful K-2/K-4 status, since this is a derivative classification and only exists so long as the Thai fiance/spouse holds her K-1/K-3 Visa. If the Thai child stays in the United States, without adjusting status to permanent residence, after the Thai fiance/spouse has adjusted status to permanent residence, then the Thai child will be deemed out of status and thus in the country unlawfully which can cause many problems, not least of which is the fact that it could cause the Thai child to get deported or barred from entering the USA for a certain period of time. For the above reasons it is best if the US Citizens files an I-130 to adjust the Thai child’s status as soon as possible.

Thanks for Reading,

This information is made available to provide general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide legal advice about specific situations or problems. The information conveyed in this article should not be construed as a substitute for legal advice from a competent licensed professional in your jurisdiction.

By: Benjamin Hart

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Benjamin W. Hart is federally licensed to practice law in the United States. He presently lives in Bangkok, Thailand where he is Managing Director of Integrity Legal. Visit Integrity Legal’s website at: www.integrity-legal.com

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Nov 6

The K-1 Visa Process From Thailand

You have been living or travelling in Thailand and you have met the person you wish to spend the rest of your life with. Great! What do you do now? Getting together is easy, but bringing a Thai to the USA is a bit trickier.

K-1 Fianc/Fiance Visa and how to obtain it for a Thai Fiance:

The K-1 Fiance visa is exactly what its name implies, a visa for a Thai fiance to come to the USA in order to live with a prospective US Citizen Spouse. This is one visa that only a US Citizen may apply for so a Thai Permanent Resident in the US cannot bring a Thai fiance to the US before they are married, but must instead get married and petition for a marriage visa.

The main portion of the K-1 Fiance Visa petition is the I-129f, which is essentially the application for the Visa itself. Along with this form other documentation is required including (but not limited to) proof that both parties are free to marry (they are both single) and evidence documenting the ongoing relationship.

Currently, it takes about 6 months from the time the US Citizen submits the K-1 Visa petition with USCIS to the time the Thai fiance obtains the actual K-1 Visa at the US Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai. This timeframe is always subject to change depending upon both the workload of USCIS in the US and the US Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.

In order to get the process started the US Citizen fianc must submit the K-1 Visa Petition to the USCIS Service Center with jurisdiction over the US Citizen’s place of residence. Depending upon which state the US Citizen lives the petition will be submitted to either the USCIS Service Center in either Vermont or California.

USCIS will send a letter after submission called Notice of Action 1. This letter will basically tell the petitioner, “we have received your request for a fiance visa for your fiance and we will process it as soon as we can.” It will generally take about 2-3 months for USCIS to process the petition. Oftentimes USCIS will reject a petition because the petition was filed with incorrect documentation or insufficient documentation. For this reason it may be wise to have an attorney prepare the USCIS petition.

Once a US Citizen submits the I-129(f) petition at USCIS the wait begins. It usually takes USCIS about 2-3 months to process the I-129f petition. However, the time it takes to process the petition depends upon where the petition was filed. At the time of this writing the Vermont Service Center has a faster processing time than the California Service Center while filing in Bangkok can expedite the process greatly if the US Citizen is entitled to file there.

After USCIS finishes processing the I-129f petition they will send the petitioner, or his attorney, what is called Notice of Action 2. This document essentially states, “We have finished processing the petition and we have approved/denied it.” If the petition is approved it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center.

At the National Visa Center (NVC) the Thai fiance’s I-129f petition will be further processed. Basically, NVC does a background check to see that the Thai fiance beneficiary of the K1 Visa is who she says she is and is not someone who should be excluded from the USA. It usually takes NVC approximately 4 weeks to process the petition at which point they will contact the US Citizen, or his attorney, and tell him that the petition is being forwarded on to the US Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai. In this letter they will also give the couple a BNK number. This number is the Thai fiance’s ID number for the US Embassy or Consulate, she will need this number in order to obtain an interview appointment and it will make all correspondence with the US Embassy more convenient as it can be used as a point of reference for the Embassy officials.

When the US Embassy or Consulate in Thailand receives the Thai fiance’s K-1 petition from NVC they will send her a letter known as packet 3. Within this letter is a list of documents that the Thai fiance will need to collect for the interview at the Embassy. The letter will state that the Thai fiance must collect these documents BEFORE sending back a response requesting an interview date. Many people seeking a K-1 Visa just send the letter back requesting the interview immediately as the interview appointment is usually scheduled far enough out that it is possible to collect the documents long before the interview. By doing this the interview is scheduled as quickly as possible and expedites the process.

I am of two minds on this subject. I truly believe that the Embassy says things for a reason and asking for an interview before all of the documents are in order could slow the process down if the Thai fiance arrives at the interview with crucial documentation missing. At the same time, the interview is usually scheduled so that there is enough time to gather necessary documents and waiting until the documents are gathered before notifying the Embassy/Consulate could slow the process down as well. It is important to keep all of this in mind when deciding upon a strategy for scheduling the Thai fiancee’s interview.

Now its time for the interview… Many people, especially a Thai fiance or spouse, are very anxious about the Embassy interview. However, in my experience I have found this to be a rather routine procedure particularly when you take into consideration the fact that the consular officials do hundreds, maybe even thousands, of these interviews every year. They are really not looking to trip up the Thai they are interviewing, but simply make sure everything is on the up and up.

Once the interview is completed the Consular official will likely tell the Thai fiance either that the petition is approved or request more information using a 221(g). A 221(g) is a document the Embassy will give to the Thai fiance with a list of the further documentation that she must provide before the Visa will be granted. A 221(g) is often requested in Thailand because of a name change. Thais change their name quite often in comparison to Americans and might have done so at many points in their life. It is quite common that their name may have been officially changed when they were an infant without their knowledge. The Embassy wants to see all of the official name change certificates in order to make sure that the person seeking to immigrate to the US is in fact who they say they are. There are many other reasons that the Embassy may request a 221(g), but name change seems to be the most common.

After the US Embassy/Consulate officials in Thailand have received the documentation they deem sufficient they will issue the visa. For a K-1 Visa a conservative estimate of the turnaround time is approximately 5 business days. Often the K Visas will be returned within the same week, but I like to give conservative estimates as the situation can be fluid. If there is a day off the week the fiancee interviews or for any other reason the Embassy is closed the visa could take longer to obtain. The time of year and workload at the Embassy have a lot to do with how quickly the Embassy will get the visa into the passport.

After the Embassy has processed the Visa and put it in the Thai Passport, the Embassy officials will call the Thai fiance and tell her to come pick it up any day after 3pm. If you have a US attorney working in Bangkok, then he or she can pick it up on the fiance’s behalf. The Thai fiance will have until the expiration of the K-1 Visa to travel to the USA. The visa usually lasts for 6 months. Once in the USA you must get married within 90 days or your Thai fiance must leave the country. That is the K-1 Visa from Thailand process in a nutshell.

Thanks for Reading,

Benjamin W. Hart, Esq.

This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be substituted for expert legal advice from a competent attorney.

By: Benjamin Hart

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Benjamin W. Hart is a licensed US Attorney and member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He currently resides in Bangkok Thailand and is President & Managing Director for Integrity Legal an Immigration Law Firm located in the USA and Thailand. Visit Integrity Legal at www.integrity-legal.com

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Nov 6

The Visa Interview For A Thai Fiancee: Tips On Making The Consular Process Easier

Many articles dealing with US Immigration from Thailand cover the process of submitting forms to the USCIS, but do not go further. This article is designed to inform about the K1 Fiance Visa and what steps must be taken by a Thai Fiance in order to successfully get through the interview at the US Embassy in Thailand.

Consular Processing Attorneys: what can they do for my Thai fiancee?

A Consular Processing Attorney is a licensed Attorney in the US who maintains an office near a US Embassy abroad. While an Immigration Lawyer in the US has the ability to file a petition with USCIS it is unlikely that they will have an office in Thailand to help expedite the process. Also, an Attorney with an office in Thailand can better deal the Thai Fiance herself because an Attorney in Thailand will likely have Thai staff to help explain the process and what documentation needs to be obtained. At the same time, an on-sight lawyer can communicate with the Embassy. Among the things an Immigration Attorney in Thailand can assist with: preparing your Thai Fiance for the visa interview (by reviewing possible questions and translating them into Thai), organizing all documentation filed with the Embassy (with translation if necessary), getting a police report for the Thai Fiancee, obtaining medical exams for your Thai Fiance, and responding to 221(g) requests for more information (often the Embassy, in their discretion will require some other documentation).

As well as these advantages, merely having an Attorney on the scene to consult with can add a great deal to one’s peace of mind regarding the Immigration process particularly where the US Citizen is back in the US waiting for the Thai Fiance to come to the US. In cases such as this it can be a godsend to have someone on the scene dealing with the Embassy to take the burden off of the Thai loved one. Where a language barrier exists, even a small one, the Immigration process can be exacerbated. However, by having an Attorney on hand the frustration and confusion can be reduced because the burden does not fall upon the Thai to deal with the Embassy. As an alternative, a trained legal professional can communicate with the Embassy and convey their interpretation to the Thai fiancee exactly what needs to be done in order to expedite the process.

Packet 3 and your Thai Fiancee: how a Consular Processing Attorney Can Help

Packet 3 is the Packet the US Embassy will send to your Thai Fiancee explaining what documentation needs to be obtained before the Visa Interview. A Consular Processing Attorney will not only assist in obtaining the documentation, but can also provide guidance on what is required and tips to expedite the process. Many couples get frustrated and confused when dealing with Packet 3. However, with proper guidance the Packet 3 endeavor can proceed smoothly.

Thanks for Reading,

Benjamin W. Hart, Esq.

The above article should not be taken as a replacement for competent legal advice from a duly licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. No Attorney/Client Relationship (either express or implied) shall be inferred from this publication.

By: Benjamin Hart

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Benjamin W. Hart is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He currently resides in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the Managing Director of Integrity Legal a full service law office specializing in Immigration Law and located in the USA and Thailand. For more information please see US Immigration from Thailand and/or Consular Services at the US Embassy in Bangkok.

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Nov 6

The Basics Of Choosing The Right Visa Student Credit Card

Thanks to the technological advances of the 21st century, people nowadays are capable of purchasing goods online. Student life can be very challenging and one of the most important life skills that you have to pick up when starting college is financial management. It’s no surprise that people are turning to credit cards and the visa student credit card in particular.

Unfortunately in today’s climate you may not be able to buy everything you need in a shop or educational institute and to get these essentials you may have to look online. To do this you would usually need a credit card in fact to most students they are essential.

These days students are using credit cards more than ever before to help purchase the right books, stationary and other goods but with this comes a high demand. There are a huge variety of credit cards available these days so it can often be pretty tricky choosing the right one for you and one at a decent rate!

A visa student credit card is accepted in all major shopping outlets and nearly all websites online. There are loads of different cards with different rates so if you are undecided be sure to visit a financial councilor who will be more than happy to help you choose the right one. In the credit card sector visa have an excellent reputation for providing a great service and are well known for their convenience for payments.

When choosing a visa student credit card make sure that you check and double check the annual % rate as a good APR will be one of the main things your be after. Also read about when payments will have to be made as you don’t want to miss them and end up with a bad credit rating!

If you don’t wish to visit a financial councilor you can find all the information you will need online. Nearly all financial organizations and banks will offer you information which can be easily browsed and understood.

Once you have made a decision on what visa student credit card is right for you then, apply either by post or online and you will usually get a reply within a couple of weeks. If successful your card should be instantly ready to use. If any problems do arise there will be a customer care phone number with your details who you can call.

In the long term a visa student credit card can be useful if used correctly. However unfortunately people do misuse them and they end up getting into a lot of debt before they’ve even started a full time job. Be sure to enjoy your time at college but make sure you don’t waste too much cash!

By: Vlad Reznik-22479

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

This article was written on behalf of Visa Student Credit Card and Visa Student Credit Card Debt

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Nov 6

The Best Way To Obtain A K1 Visa From Philippines

Getting a fiance visa approved without any glitches in Philippines

When a woman born in Philippines wishes to marry a resident of USA, she may face problems in obtaining an approval for the fiance visa. The rules of immigration and the eligibility for it changes with time and it may be tough for a resident to know all nuances of the immigration laws.

A resident of USA who seeks to marry a lady residing in Philippines may require the help of a professional agency. Many people have to go through a tedious process of documentation and providing evidence for obtaining a fiance visa. A person facing such situation will benefit from the assistance of a company called myfilipinavisa.

This company has an amazing success rate in getting Filipina fiance visas approved. Even though the company specializes in resolving immigration cases from Philippines, it has the record of working with clients from various parts of the world. It has several years of experience in preparing k3 and k1 visa.

A person who wants to obtain the professional service of the company can either call a specialist, or request assistance by email. After having an initial consulation with a client, the company decides the ideal and fastest way to apply for his visa petition. Thereafter, the person will receive an exclusive visa information packet which will inform him about the documents that are required for preparing the visa application. After the client has gone through the instructions of the packet, the company representatives call him again to discuss the procedure and resolve any queries.

Preparing a K1 visa petition for the Philippines is quite complicated. If a person makes a mistake in application process his application can be delayed or in worse cases, rejected. By resorting to the professional service of this company one can largely eliminate that risk. When this company is approached by a client to get his fiance visa approved, it assists him from the beginning to the end of the procedure.

The company always updates its veteran team about the ever changing and complicated immigration laws of the country. The fiance of a U.S. resident needs to clear the interview at U.S. Embassy in Manila for getting her visa application approved. This questioning session can be tough at times. This company can prepare the lady to clear the interview session easily.

After the company receives the information packet returned by the client, it starts the procedure of preparing his k1 visa Philippines petition. It also gets in touch with his Filipina fiance for obtaining every possible bit of information that might be required. A neat and carefully drafted petition is then sent by the company to the USCIS. When the petition gets approved by USCIS, the company begins preparing the fiance for the interview. The company believes in being transparent to the customers in pricing and it does not have any hidden costs either. For more about the company, please visit myfilipinavisa.com.

By: Mark69 Phillips69

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jim Phair is author of this article on Fiancee Visa Philippines.
Find more information about K1 Visa Philippines here.

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Nov 6

Getting A Fiance Visa Approved Without Any Glitches In Philippines

The ideal method to aaply for a K1 visa from Philippines

A person may not face any difficulty in getting married to a lady who lives in a different country. But when it comes to bringing his spouse or fiance to his native country certain immigration issues may arise. When it comes to bringing a Philippines born lady to USA, getting approval for visa might be difficult.

A resident of USA who has met a lady from the Philippines and wants to bring her to the USA for marriage may require the help of a professional agency. Many people have to go through a tedious process of documentation and providing evidence for obtaining fiance visa. A person facing such situation will benefit from the assistance of a company named myfilipinavisa.

This company has an amazing success rate in getting Filipina fiance visas approved without much problem. Even though the company specializes in resolving immigration cases from Philippines, it has the record of working with clients from various parts of the world. It has several years of experience in preparing k3 and k1 visa.

The company always updates its veteran team about the ever changing and complicated immigration laws. The fiance of a U.S. Citizen needs to clear the interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila for obtaining her visa. This questioning session can be tough at times. This company can prepare the lady to clear the interview session easily..

Making petition for the fiance visa in the Philippines is quite complicated. If a person makes a mistake in the application process, his application can be delayed or in worse cases, rejected. By resorting to the professional service of this company one can largely eliminate that risk. When this company is approached by a client to secure a K1 visa, it assists him from the beginning to the end of the procedure.

A person who wants to obtain the services of the company can either call its helpline or contact them by email. After having an initial discussion with a client the company decides the ideal and fastest way to apply for his k1 visa petition. Thereafter, the person will receive an exclusive visa information packet which will inform him about the documents that are required for making the visa application. After the client has gone through the instructions of the packet, the company representatives call him again to discuss the procedure and resolve any queries.

After the company receives the information packet returned by the client, it starts the procedure of preparing his k1 visa Philippines petition. It also gets in touch with his Filipina fiance for obtaining every possible bit of information that might be required. A neat and carefully drafted petition is then submitted to the USCIS. When the petition gets approved by USCIS, the company begins preparing the fiance for the interview. The company believes in being transparent to the customers in pricing and it does not have any hidden costs either. For knowing more on the company one can see its site myfilipinavisa.com.

By: Mark69 Phillips69

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jim Phair is author of this article on Fiancee Visa Philippines.
Find more information about K1 Visa Philippines here.

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Nov 6

H-1b Visa (temporary Work Visa) In The Us

Introduction of H1-B Visa
H1-B Visa is a commonly known by temporary work visa. It is a nonimmigrant type of visa. H1-B visa is also known as an employer sponsored visa. H1-B visa allows U.S. employers to employ foreign temporary workers in specialty occupations. With the help of H1-B visa companies brings foreign born professional temporarily to the United States with lawful method.
Features of H1-B Visa
Time Limit of H1-B visa
oInitially H1-B visa is issue for up to three years and it may be extend up to more three years. So maximum 6 year is a time limit for H1-B visa
For Getting Green Card
oH1-B visa give convince for its holder to be eligible for getting permanent residency in USA
Changing Company
oH1-B visa can be transferable for a new employee. Visa holder can start working after getting receipt of H1 transfer case
Family Status
oVisa holder’s wife and unmarried children (under the age of 21) are allowed to stay in USA under the H4 category for the same duration as the H1-B status
Eligible for buying property
oH1-B holder can buy or sell real estate property or any other property in USA.
oVisa holder can buy lottery or win a lottery
Eligibility of H1-B Visa
To be eligible for H1-B visa below are the possibility. You must be full fill bellow’s any of ONE criteria.
Any Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in the specific area
At least 12 years progressive work experience in their specific area
A license to practice in the chosen occupation
A mix of further education and work experience to total 12 years
Benefits of H1-B Visa
Visa Holder Dependent can stay with you as long as you maintain your H1-B status. Visa holder children also eligible for attending a school
Visa holder freely travel through the USA also out of the USA
Documents required for the Applying H1-B Visa
The Expiration date on the passport must be more than 6 months away.

Reference Letters from previous employers

Appointment letter by your Employer

Tax Return Papers of the company

A copy of the official evaluation of your degrees
Degree certificate
Appoint and Relieving letters for all the companies where you claim employment and certificates of the company giving dates and duration of your service.
Any additional degree certificates
Latest Three passport size Color photographs

By: Andy Semotiuk

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Andy J. Semotiuk is an US and Canadian Immigration Lawyer has practiced law for over 30 years and served over 15,000 clients. He specializes in Spousal sponsorships visa, Investor work visas and Skilled Worker Application. He is also an author of “The Young Professional - A Practical Guide to Success in Your Career”. He can be reached by email at andy@myworkvisa.com or through his website at www.myworkvisa.com.

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Nov 6

Obtaining A Us K-1 Travel Visa For A Thai Fiancee

Many Americans traveling o the Kingdom of Thailand land find themselves falling in love not only with their surroundings, but also a special someone from Thailand. When this happens many Americans wish to bring their Thai loved one back to the United States. Many times the best way of going about this is by obtaining a K-1 Fiancee Visa. This article explains how that can be accomplished.

THE K1 VISA FOR A THAI FIANCEE

The K1 Visa was designed to allow an American Citizen to bring a fiancee to the US for the purpose of marriage. Once granted, the Thai fiance will have six months to travel to the US. After entering the USA the Thai fiance should marry within ninety days and file for adjustment of status or depart the US. In order to obtain a K1 Visa the US Citizen must file an I-129(f) petition with the USCIS Service Center in either Vermont or California. Following USCIS authorization the packet will be sent to the NVC or National Visa Center and then eventually to the US Embassy in Thailand. The US Embassy in Bangkok will issue instructions to the Thai fiance about what documentation will be needed and what to do to prepare for the visa interview. The Embassy will also give the Thai fiance an interview date and time. The Thai fiance should be prepared to spend most of the morning or afternoon at the Embassy depending upon when the appointment is scheduled.

THE DECISION TO HIRE AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY TO EXPEDITE THE K1 PROCESS

Many couples decide to hire an immigration law firm to help with the K1 process. Others would argue that this is not necessary. An Immigration lawyer can assist with the USCIS application and could significantly improve the likelihood of approval. An immigration attorney with an office in Thailand, particularly near the US Embassy, can be a major advantage for the couple seeking a K1 Visa. If the Immigration Law Firm has a licensed US Immigration Attorney along with Thai attorneys and staff, then the US Attorney can expedite the USCIS petition and deal with the US Embassy while the Thai staff can help prepare the Thai fiance and explain the immigration process in Thai. The Thai staff can also prepare the fiance by conducting simulated interview questioning in both Thai and English which will be advantageous when it is time for the genuine interview.

Although the US Immigration process may seem daunting at first blush, most obstacles can be overcome with time, patience, and perseverance.

Thanks for Reading,

Benjamin W. Hart, Esq.

The information imparted herein is intended for informational use only and should not be used as a replacement for competent legal advice from a professional. Nothing written in this article should be used in lieu of professional legal advice for specific situations

By: Benjamin Hart

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Benjamin W. Hart, Esq. is an American Immigration Lawyer living in Bangkok, Thailand. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He is the founder of Integrity Legal, an Immigration Law Firm with offices in Thailand and the USA. For more information please see US Immigration from Thailand or K1 Visas from Thailand.

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Nov 6

How To Get A Uk Visitor’s Visa.

Obtaining a visitor’s visa to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a daunting and usually difficult task. I also think it is more difficult from some countries and therefore for some nationalities than others, although this is not admitted official government policy. Poorer people from poorer countries definitely have a harder time convincing embassy staff to grant a visa. This is not their personal vendetta, but a reflection of government policy, which, in turn, is supposed to be a reflection of the opinion of the majority of the British public. It is a good idea to bear this in mind when dealing with the embassy staff regarding a visa application for yourself or a friend.

It is worth pointing out here that a British (UK) visitor’s visa is valid for six months and multiple entries into the UK, although in practice, the first visa to be granted will usually be limited by a note pinned into the visitor’s passport. For example, if you have applied for a visa to visit friends for the month of, say, March, you would be granted a multiple entry, 180 day visa with a letter, signed by yourself, pinned into your passport, which states that you wish to visit the UK from March 1st to March 31st and that you will not attempt to extend that stay. The visa also precludes you from access to ‘public funds’ - social security, unemployment benefit, et etcetera.

Most people are refused a visa the first time because they do not have a strong enough, valid reason for going to Britain. If the reason is to visit a lover, then you have a far better chance if you can prove that you have had a ‘continuing relationship’ for at least six months. At this stage of the proceedings, all your efforts should be directed at validating the reason for your visit or proving your relationship.

I will concentrate on providing evidence of a continuing relationship. Most applicants from poorer countries will need a sponsor. This is usually an employer or a lover. Obviously, immigration stamps in a passport can prove how long it is possible that a couple could have known each other, but you will need more evidence than that. A letter from a friend, employer or relative stating when you met can help. However, you should keep all correspondence, telephone bills, bank statements (recording ATM transactions), restaurant receipts, theatre tickets, train and bus tickets, even menus and photos. In fact, anything that can help establish that you are having the relationship that you claim you are having and that you have had it for at least six months.

You could then obtain the application form (VAF 1,4) either by writing to or visiting the nearest British Embassy or Consulate or downloading it from the Internet. Most embassy sites provide excellent advice on what is required or recommended to put in the envelope with your visa application form, but it will include: two colour, passport-size photos; the application fee (about 48) in local currency; the applicant’s passport; proof of the applicant’s address; proof of a continuing relationship of at least six months; the sponsor’s letter; proof of the sponsor’s means of support; proof of the sponsor’s accommodation and possibly, the sponsor’s passport to prove entry stamps.

The sponsor is, therefore, the key to making a successful (first) attempt at obtaining a UK visitor’s visa. The sponsor has to be prepared to act as guarantor for the applicant and the embassy staff will want to be able to check the sponsor’s ability to take care of the applicant. This means that the sponsor has to provide a letter from his/her employer proving continued, stable employment and/or a bank book, proving that he/she has enough money to provide what he/she has pledged on the visa application form; and proof of accommodation in the form of paid council tax bills, property deeds or a letter from the mortgage provider. Proof of marital status does not seem to be an issue for the sponsor or the applicant, although the question is asked of the latter.

Some applicants are refused for apparently strange reasons such as: ‘the applicant has never left the country before’ - this is easier for some to remedy than others. ‘the applicant has not displayed a strong enough economic or social bond to the country’ - meaning that they do not trust him/her to return to his/her native country. A letter from a relative, proof of children and a letter from the applicant’s employer can help, although proof of children is not considered a compelling social reason to return! Proof of property ownership is useful.

It is better to take your time instead of rushing the application. Make sure you have a valid reason for wanting to visit the UK and then make sure you can validate everything you say. Treat the application as if you were a barrister - back up everything you say with evidence or a letter. Run through your ’story’ until the applicant has it word perfect (they will not want to see the sponsor and sometimes, he/she is not even allowed to wait on the embassy compound). The applicant will be required to attend an interview the first time and this can be held in English or the applicant’s native tongue. The visa will normally be available for collection the next day.

Hint: apply for more time than you need as the visa runs from the day it is granted, but you may not be able to get a flight straight away. You will probably also be required to return to the issuing embassy when you arrive back to have the visa cancelled; after all, it is a multiple entry, 180-day visa that could be used to return to the UK without the sponsor’s knowledge, so try not to arrive back on a Saturday unless you want a holiday in the capital.

And lastly a warning: don’t be tempted to lie - it’s not worth it!

Written by Owen Jones of How To Get A UK Visa. You may reproduce this article where you wish but only in its entirety and with this resource box.

By: wpo1408

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

The author has lived abroad for many years and helped many people get visas. He currently lives in Thailand with his Thai girlfriend, whom he has taken to Britain twice.
how-to-get-a-uk-visa.the-real-way.com

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Nov 6

Account Now Prepaid Visa - Review

The Account Now Visa is a prepaid debit card. You deposit money and then use your card to make purchases, pay bills or withdraw cash.

This visa guarantees approval to everyone. It does not matter how bad your credit score is or if you have been placed in chex systems, you are still approved.

This card is a great alternative to a checking account. Not only are you given a credit card to make purchases, but you can also use your account to pay bills and write physical checks.

You can write checks through a free service for every account now visa card holder called bill pay. You simply go online and fill in the details of a company or person you want to write a check to. Details are address, name and how much. Then a real physical check is then mailed to that business or person.

This is a great method to pay your bills. The first seven checks of every month are free and then it is $1.00 per check after that. You card can also be used to make purchases or pay bills over the phone and online.

Bill Pay works together with another free service called credit builder. This is a service to help you prove credit worthiness to future lenders. The way it works is when you pay a bill using bill pay, credit builder will keep a record of that payment with a credit reporting service this is a chance to build positive payment history.

You can put money on your card by enrolling in direct deposit. To enroll you only need to fill out a form and turn that into your employer. Then your paychecks will automatically be deposited on your card. With direct deposit you will receive free activation for your card.

You can also deposit money on your account by using western union, money gram. If you use money gram you will pay less than $4.00 for a deposit. With western union if you deposit over $300 there are no fees.

You can deposit money using a green dot money pack too. To do this you must visit a green dot retailer including walgreens, cvs and wal-mart and purchase a money pack for $4.95. Then you call 800-GreenDot and enter your account now card number and presto your card has been loaded with money.

Another way is to visit a ready link store, locations include safeways and 7-Elevens. You tell the cashier you want to add money to your account now visa and give the cashier money. The cashier swipes your account now visa accepts your money and you have deposited funds on to your credit card.

This credit card offers zero liability. This means that if you lose your card, have it stolen, or used to make unauthorized purchase you will not have to pay for these and will receive a refund for those transactions. You also will get monthly online account statements and if you choose you can also receive paper statements.

In sum, the account now visa is a far superior choice than any other prepaid credit card. It will give you the freedom and safety of carrying plastic. It also will work just like a checking account.

By: Daniel Moskel

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To learn more about the account now visa or to read a review of the baby phat rush card or to learn more about prepaid credit cards visit us

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