Green Card
A
"Green Card" is the commonly used name for United
States of America permanent residency status. A holder of
a green card may live and work in the US as a legal resident
with official immigrant status. Citizens of Thailand often
apply for and receive green card status for the USA. However,
green cards are normally reserved for family members of American
citizens and certain specifically demanded professionals.
In general it is a more practical matter to apply for a US
green card while residing in the United States with a K1 fiance ( fiancee ) visa, K3 marriage visa, or K4 child visa.
What
if I want an immigrant visa?
Immigrant visas are normally reserved for close relatives
of US citizens or current legal permanent residents. Immigrant
visas may also be granted to persons qualified to perform
jobs that cannot be filled due to a shortage of suitably skilled
American workers. Applications for such visas are normally
submitted to the USCIS by a relative or employer within the
United States but may also be submitted through the USCIS
office in Thailand if the US citizen applying on your behalf
is a resident of Thailand.
How
quickly are these visas issued?
Certain immigrant visas are numerically limited and may require
a waiting period before further applications can be reviewed.
However, applications for spouses, immediate family, and fiance
( fiancee )'s of US citizens will be processed as soon as
the request is approved. Generally, applications for spouses
should be submitted six months prior to departure to the United
States.
Where
are the USCIS offices located?
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services is in the US Department
of Homeland Security office located next to the US Embassy
in the Sindhorn Building, Tower 2, 15th Floor, 130-132 Wireless
Road in Bangkok. Their Mailing Address in Thailand is c/o
The District Director, US Department of Homeland Security,
Box 12, 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10330.
When
is the office open?
The office is open to serve walk-in persons on a first come,
first serve basis Monday through Friday from 8:30 - 11:30
am and from 12:30 -3:00 pm. It is closed on Thai and American
public holidays. The phone number for information or to schedule
an appointment is 02-205-5352/5382
If
the USCIS approves my petition will I be granted a visa?
The USCIS does not have the authority to issue visas. Approval
by the USCIS must then be followed by approval from the consular
section of the US Embassy who may require additional paperwork
and interviews depending on the classification of the immigrant
visa.
K-3 visa holders may apply for adjustment of status when an immigrant visa number becomes available.
Where
is the Consular Section of the US Embassy located?
An applicant may apply for a US visa, in person or through
a representative, at any visa issuing post. However, there
are fewer complications for applications submitted in the
applicant's country of origin or permanent residence. The
Consular Section at the US Embassy in Bangkok accepts applications
Monday through Friday, between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., except
on US and Thai holidays. The Consular Section is at 95 Wireless
road, across the street from the main Embassy.
How
quickly are Immigrant visas issued?
Certain immigrant visas are numerically limited and may require
a waiting period before further applications can be reviewed.
However, applications for spouses, immediate family, and fiance
(fiancee )'s of US citizens will be processed as soon as the
request is approved. Generally, applications for spouses,
immediate family, and finance ( fiancee )'s should be submitted
six months prior to departure to the United States.
How
can I file a petition for an immediate relative living in
Thailand?
A US citizen residing in Thailand can file a petition for
an immediate relative at the USCIS office in Bangkok. Form
I-130 must be completed and submitted by mail or in person
during their normal business hours.
What
paperwork is required if I wish to adopt a Thai child?
For
a petitioner living in Thailand, a form may be submitted to
the USCIS to classify an orphan as an immediate relative (Form
I-600 or I-600a). Petitions should be submitted by mail or
in person to the Bangkok office during working hours.
If
I am not a resident of Thailand, can I still submit a petition
for an immigrant visa at the Bangkok office?
American citizens residing in Australia, Burma, Cambodia,
Laos, or New Zealand may be allowed to submit a petition to
the USCIS office in Bangkok in order to classify an orphan
as an immediate relative as the Bangkok USCIS office has jurisdictional
control over benefits and enforcement in these countries.
Is
there any other way to get an immigrant visa?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program provides, by way of a
lottery, immigrant visas to 50,000 qualified foreign applicants
each year. Contact the US Embassy to determine if applications
for the DIV program are currently being accepted.
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Read more: K-1 Fiancee Visa FAQ; K-3 Marriage Visa FAQ; Immediate Relative FAQ
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