US Immigration Attorney Thailand

The US Immigration Attorneys at Chaninat & Leeds US family-based immigration visas with a focus on the K1 fiancée visa and K3 marriage visa for Thai nationals. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, with partners including an experienced US immigration lawyer and licensed Thai family lawyers, we provide our clients with quality and comprehensive legal services. (Read what our clients say)

K-1 and K-3 Visa FAQs:

What type of visa is available for my Thai fiancée/ fiancé, wife or husband?
Does it make better sense, in terms of applying for K-1 or K-3 visas, to marry my fiancée in Thailand or in America?
Is it faster to obtain a K-1 or a K-3 visa?
How can a US immigration lawyer in Thailand assist me with my K-1 or K-3 visa application?
When applying for K1 or K3 visas, is it important to hire a law firm that also employs US immigration lawyers as well as Thai family lawyers?
Do you provide a guarantee that the K-1 or K-3 visa application will be successful?
What are your fees for K-1 or K-3 visa applications?

What type of visa is available for my Thai fiancée/ fiancé, wife or husband?

The K1 visa Thailand is a 90 day single-entry visa admitting the fiancée of an American citizen into the country for the purpose of marriage. The K3 visa Thailand is a 2 year multiple-entry visa intended for the foreign spouse of an American citizen. Once in the US, the K3 visa holder must apply for adjustment of status which leads to permanent resident status. A CR-1 visa is a marital visa that is processed concurrently with a K3 marriage visa.

Does it make better sense, in terms of applying for K-1 or K-3 visas, to marry my fiancée in Thailand or in America?

Whether you marry in Thailand or America depends on your individual situation and preference. The K1 fiancée visa allows both you and your fiancée the opportunity to see if you are suitable for married life in the US by allowing your fiancée 90 days in the US to make the decision to marry.  If during the 90 days, the marriage does not occur, your fiancée must return to Thailand.

For persons desiring a prenuptial agreement, a marriage in Thailand may be a better choice because prenuptial agreements are looked upon more favorably by Thai law than American law. Also, divorce procedures in Thailand may be more favorable and by registering the marriage in Thailand, divorce jurisdiction may be more likely. A K3 marriage visa will cut down on the paperwork required for your spouse to apply for a green card; although, on the other hand, a K3 visa takes slightly longer to obtain than a K1 visa.

Finally, if there is an excludability issue (such as a law violation, HIV status or other issues) a K3 visa is a stronger visa than a K1 visa. Really, an analysis of one’s entire situation before making a decision is the best approach as individual circumstances and priorities differ. In case of the need to obtain a US visa waiver, a US immigration lawyer Thailand may be in the best position to assist with your case. 

Is it faster to obtain a K-1 or a K-3 visa?

K1 visas are slightly faster to obtain because K3 visas require two additional steps: marriage and the application for an immigrant visa number.

How can a US immigration lawyer Thailand assist me with my K1 or K3 visa application?

A law firm with licensed US immigration lawyers based in Thailand can assist you with your US visa Thailand application by helping you complete and file all necessary forms and gather and translate the appropriate documentation to ensure your petition is complete and accurate. US immigration lawyers in Thailand can also help your fiancée or spouse prepare for the US Embassy Thailand interview and will be present at the Embassy on the day of the interview.

A team of US -Thailand immigration lawyers and Thai family lawyers are in the most strategic position to assist you because most of the application process is carried out through the US Embassy in Bangkok. Although K1 and K3 visa acquisition is a US law process, many issues arrive that involve Thai law, and in particular Thai family law.

Certain cases also involve complex immigration considerations that require US visa waivers from Thailand for which only a licensed US immigration attorney is qualified to represent you.

When applying for K1 or K3 visas, is it important to hire a law firm that also employs US immigration lawyers as well as Thailand family lawyers?

The US immigration authorities often require proof of family relationships, for example, they may require documents of your K1 fiancé(e) or K3 spouse to demonstrate they are legally divorced or that the Thai visa applicant has sole custody of a child or that the Thailand marriage registration was lawful.  In most cases, it is necessary to obtain legal documents within Thailand establishing the family relationships.  Our Thai family lawyers will ensure that all such documents are compiled to be submitted to US immigration officials.

Do you provide a guarantee that the K-1 or K-3 visa application will be successful?

There are different meanings to the term “guarantee”. We guarantee our work and our professional qualifications 100 percent. Guaranteeing a visa, however, is a different question than guaranteeing one’s work. Since K1 and K3 visa are approved by the US government, a private business is unable to guarantee government approval.

Please be cautious of individuals using exaggerated advertising claims such as “100% Results Guaranteed” or “More visa applications than all other firms combined.” These are usually distraction techniques used by unlicensed practitioners to avoid answering more relevant questions such as:  Are you a licensed US immigration lawyer?  Are you a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association?  We believe that a client deserves qualified and experienced representation and not gimmicky claims and quack practitioners.

What are your fees for K1 or K3 visa applications?

If you contact us by email or phone, we can provide you with a range of our legal fees. We consider details of cases on an individual basis before quoting prices.