Over the course of our twenty years of experience in US visa and immigration from Thailand, we have witnessed a number of changes in policy procedures. In previous administrations, inquiries concerning “bar girl” or “escort” status among Thailand US visa applications was quite low. However, beginning approximately at the time of the new federal government in 2008, we have noticed an increase in reports from other lawyers and visa consultants concerning cases where the US Embassy has taken a hard line against Thai women suspected of being involved in the “escort industry”.
Grounds of Prostitution
According to the US Immigration and Nationality Act, there are a number of grounds upon which a US visa can be denied. Engaging in acts of prostitution over the past ten years is just one such ground of denial, one that is: “coming to the United States solely, principally, or incidentally to engage in prostitution, or has engaged in prostitution within 10 years of the date of application for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status”.
According to the worldwide statistics in 2009, 44 persons were denied visas as a result of suspected involvement in prostitution and nine of those that were denied on this ground subsequently received a waiver. Out of almost two and a half million visa denials worldwide, denial on the grounds of prostitution was a rather small proportion. What the statistics do not take into account is that many couples will abandon the application rather than face a full visa denial.
Preparing for the US Embassy Interview
The US Embassy in Bangkok conducts interviews with those that have been sponsored by a US citizen and applied to enter the US on either a K1 Fiancée Visa Thailand or a K3 Marriage visa Thailand. Although we are able to assist lawyers who have failed to prepare for increased scrutiny as to the past history of visa applicants, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” would seem to apply. A US immigration attorney, Thailand based, would be able to inform and advise in advance before the problem arises.
Related Articles:
Waivers of US Visa Denials and Waivers in Thailand
A Thai Lawyer’s Perspective on K1 and K3 Visa Interviews at the US Embassy in Bangkok
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these women are sth from poorest areas of Thailand i.e isan northeast part. they are not al all from Siam. Historically, these isan northeast have been weak like that , and were ruled by Khmer, Loas and finally Siam. their dialects are different from people of siam in central plain of thailand. i wonder why many whitemen from europe have agreed to marry these isan women who are not at all the real women of siam.
-Hi, Im Tadd Anthony, and I’ve been in a relationship with a Phillipino girl living in Bangkok. Her Visa wasn’t due, but she called me crying, claiming that she was arrested, they took her passport, and she can’t get it back unless she comes up with 5,600 Baht, but the only reason she could come up with when I asked what laws has she broken, was that she was out late. The cops asked her where she lives, works, goes to school, and since she isn’t working or going to school, they are trying to deport her?…This is $200 USD, so I just wanted to know how true this was, because I cant seem to find any answers online…hope to hear from you soon, tahanks alot…Tadd
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