A K1 visa allows the Thai fiancée of a US citizen to enter the United States for 90 days to marry their American fiancé. After the wedding the newlywed Thai spouse can continue to live in the US while they apply for a green card.

It takes several months to apply for a K1 visa. The interview at the US Embassy is the final step in the K1 visa application process. All K1 visa applicants must be interviewed before they receive their US visa. After a K1 visa applicant submits all required documents to the embassy and schedules their medical examination, a visa interview will be scheduled. The medical examination must be completed before the visa interview.

The primary purpose of the K1 visa interview is to make sure the relationship between the Thai applicant and their American fiancé is sincere and that you intend to marry. The Thai applicant will also be informed of any and previous I-129F visa petitions you have made and any protection orders or criminal background you have. So make sure there are no surprises for your fiancé. The Thai applicant will be required to swear or certify that he or she has read and understood the visa application and that all the statements in the application and made during the interview are true.

The interviewer will make the decision about whether the Thai applicant is eligible for the visa. If the K1 visa application is approved, the visa will be available at the embassy about two business days after the interview. After the visa is issued the Thai fiancée has 6 months to enter the United States.

The Interview Process

K1 visa interview takes place at the US Embassy in Bangkok. Interviews are conducted in English. Before you go to the interview the Thai applicant will need to make sure he or she has all of the required documents ready to bring. K1 visas will not be granted unless the embassy has all of the required documents. Applicants should bring the original copies of documents already submitted.

The main purpose of the K1 visa interview is to make sure that the couple's marriage plans are heartfelt and not improperly motivated. Applicants should bring plenty of home videos, photos, emails, letters, instant message chats, and phone records to show the embassy what your relationship is like. If the applicant has an interview invitation letter, be sure to bring it to the interview.

There is no reason to be nervous about the K1 visa interview. Many of the questions are open ended and have no right answers. The questions are asked for a variety of reasons. Some questions are asked to judge the sincerity of the couple's marriage plans while others are asked to verify that the information submitted in writing is correct. If you met your fiancée through a marriage broker, the visa officer will ask additional questions. Do not get nervous, these questions are asked to verify the marriage broker followed US and international regulations.

Us Embassy Interview Tips

Most interview appointments take place in the morning, usually starting at 7 or 8 AM. Be sure to arrive on time. Being late may result in your appointment being cancelled and could annoy the visa officer. It is important to eat a good breakfast before arriving because some interviews can last several hours.

Practice answering questions in English. Interviews are conducted in English, and if the visa officer cannot understand the applicant they may cancel the interview or doubt your relationship is real. If you are nervous, it will be harder to answer the questions accurately. As you prepare for a visa interview, practice in front of a mirror or with friends.

US Embassy Question Types

Double-Checking The Documents

Visa officers may go over the documents you bring and ask questions to verify that their records are correct.

1. What is your name?
2. What is your birthday?
3. Where were you born?

Questions Examining Your Relationship

Some questions test the visa applicant's knowledge of their fiancée. The interviewer may use these questions to make sure the Thai fiancée knows their American spouse-to-be well enough to make an informed decision to marry them. The Thai visa applicant does not need to know the answers to every question, it is enough to demonstrate that your fiancé knows you well enough to want to marry you.

1. What is your fiancé's birthday?
2. Where was your fiancé born?
3. What does your fiancé do for a living? What is their job title?
4. Where does your fiancé live?
5. Does your fiancé have any brothers and sisters?
6. Where do your fiancé's parents live? Do they approve of your marriage plans?

The visa officer may ask questions about your wedding plans

1. How did you meet your fiancé?
2. How much time have you spent together?
3. When was the last time you saw your fiancé?
4. How does being separated make you feel?
5. What do you love about your fiancé?
6. When did the two of you decide to get married?
7. Who proposed? When and where?
8. Did you have an engagement party?
9. Have you started planning the wedding?
10. When and where do you plan on having the wedding?
11. Have you told your friends and families about the wedding? What do they think about your fiancé?
12. Have you sent out a formal marriage announcement?

Children and Previous Marriages

It is important that both parties know of any previous marriages the other was involved in. If these marriages were not disclosed on the application forms you submitted it will raise red flags.

1. Have you been divorced? Why did you choose to end your previous marriage(s)?
2. Has your fiancé been divorced or widowed? Why did your fiancé get divorced?
3. When did your fiancé tell you that they were previously married?
4. How do you feel about your fiancé's previous marriage(s)?

Raising children can change a relationship. Visa officers may ask questions about the Thai applicant's children and their American fiancé's children. If one party is unaware of the other party's children it will raise red flags and may result in visa denial, so make sure there are no secrets between the two of you.

1. Do you have any children?
2. What are their names? How old are they?
3. Are your children coming to the United States with you?
4. How does your fiancé feel about your children from a previous relationship?
5. Does your fiancé have any children? Do they live with your fiancé?
6. Are you comfortable with helping raise your fiancé's children from a previous marriage?

Thai Fiancée's Past Travel

The visa officer may ask the K1 applicant about past travel to the United States or other countries. Applicants who have overstayed previous US visas may be denied a K1 visa. Visa officers can check records to verify answers, so it is important to be truthful.

1. Have you ever traveled outside of Thailand?
2. Where did you go? What did you do during your travels?
3. Have you ever traveled to the United States?
4. What kind of visa did you use to enter the United States?
5. What was the purpose of your visit?
6. When did you visit the US? When did you arrive? When did you leave?
7. Did you enjoy your stay in the US?

If the Thai fiancée is Pregnant

If the K1 applicant is pregnant the visa officer may ask additional questions.

1. How has the pregnancy affected your marriage plans?
2. Did you make the decision to get married before or after you became pregnant?
3. Do you think your fiancé feels pressured to marry you because of the pregnancy?
4. Would you have chosen to get married if you weren't pregnant?

If a Marriage Broker Was Used

US law requires visa officers to ask the K1 applicant if an international marriage broker helped the couple meet each other. A marriage broker is a matchmaking organisation that charges a fee to help foreigners meet US citizens. Using a marriage broker does not prohibit Thai applicants from receiving a K1 visa. These questions are asked to make sure the marriage broker you used is complying with US regulations.

1. Did you meet your fiancé through a marriage broker?
2. Which marriage broker was used and what is their address.
3. Did the marriage broker give you a pamphlet explaining the rights of immigrant victims of domestic violence?
4. Did the marriage broker get your signed consent to give your personal information to their American clients?
5. Did the marriage broker provide you with background information on your fiancé in your native language?
6. What background information on your fiancé did the marriage broker provide you?

If the US Fiancé Has a Criminal Record

Visa officers are required by law to inform the Thai fiancée of any restraining orders or criminal convictions of their American fiancé. After this information has been given the K1 applicant will be asked if they wish to proceed with the marriage despite their fiancé's past.

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