Everything You Need To Know About Bringing Your Thai Girlfriend’s Children To The USA
Intermarriages are nothing new as they have been going on for centuries. Finding a middle ground between two different cultures, however, can be a bit daunting. This is especially true in terms of relocating or crossing the borders what with the visa requirements that have to be completed.
A union between Thai and America, however, does not pose much of a problem because of the longstanding friendship of the two nations. But even with the Treaty of Amity and Commerce of 1833 in place, a certain amount of effort is still needed to complete the required paperwork and travel documents.
If you happen to be a US citizen who wishes to bring your Thai fiancée’s child or children to America, you have several options to choose from. But first, they must meet a certain criteria.
For one, they should be under 21 years old and unmarried. In the event that they are over 21 years of age, they may still be approved of a visa so long as the petition is filed before they celebrated their 21st birthday. For another, their parent, your Thai girlfriend that is, must first get a visa so her children become eligible for a derivative visa.
Visa Entry Requirements for Children
K-1 Visa – Once your fiancée receives her K1 visa and enters the US, her kids can obtaina derivative K2 visa, which will allow them to follow their mother 6 months after its issuance.
K-3 Visa – Similar to the K-1, this visa is awarded to the mother and from it a derivative K4 non-immigrant visa status is given to the Thai kids. The only difference is that you are already married to her rather than just engaged. Nonetheless, this is considered as the fastest way to bring your Thai spouse to the US as it allows entry even while you are still waiting for the permanent residency status to come through.
IR-1/CR-1 Visa – This is also granted to your wife and where derivative visa is obtained for her children, allowing them entry into US soil. The IR-1 visa grant provides a conditional permanent residency status, wherein you have to be married for two years, while CR-1 works the opposite way.
Apart these, you can also file for adoption but you have to prepare for a lengthy and difficult process. Moreover, this arrangement is only possible if the child/children have lived with you for at least two years.
Once your Thai girlfriend’s kids are granted a derivative visa and gain entry, your next concern is most likely their education. The possibility of them studying in the US though, is higher with a K4 visa as it is valid for two years with multiple entries until they reach the age of 21. Not so much with a K2 visa as it is only good for a maximum of 90 days. If any of the children are applying for a student visa, it is imperative that they apply as early as 120 days prior to the start of the school year or course date.
It is also during these times that your Thai fiancée’s kids should spend time researching on various institutions and programs available in the US. It would also help if they study the application requirements and deadlines of the university where they plan to apply, especially concerning the standardized admission tests required by most colleges and universities.
Now, which school should the children choose? Their choice would depend on the state they will belong in. As you may know, the USA is a huge country that consists of fifty states, most of which have an excellent education system. All that is really needed now is to apply for the appropriate visa and then meet a school’s admission requirements.
Schooling for Children
Education should start at a young age. So when we think about our children we automatically think of their future. This means ensuring they get a decent and valuable education most especially if they are migrating from Thailand to America. You and your Thai fiancée should see to it that although they are still young, they should have the right education and where possible, it should be of high quality.
You have to select a good school that will bring out the best in your child and one that will enable her to reach her fullest potential. Various high quality schools are available in the US and although there is no single school that will be ideal for Thai children, it would be better if you enroll them to one that has already a Thai populace of students.
It is every parent’s dream to provide the best for his or her child. However, this is easier said than done. There are many schools claiming they can do wonders for your child even if the truth is otherwise. Thus, you have to do some research and background checks regarding the school you want to send your child in the state that you are living.
Finding the appropriate school can also be a problem if you have a child used to a foreign ways, culture and language. As you recently succeeded in bringing your child in the US, he or she is still probably young and barely knows anything about the new country. There are many schools available in the different states so you have a variety of choices. You may consider the following tips when choosing a school for Thai children:
• Find a school where there is an existing community of Thai children Sending your child to a US school where other Thai children also go can help your child in adjusting to his or her new environment. This way your children will still have a connection with their past and will not feel totally cut off from what has been their way of life. It would also mean that the school is more or less experienced in having Thais as students so they know how to deal with this kind of situation.
• Learn about the school’s curriculum Schools which offer solid English classes for foreign students can be a good choice. If you enroll your child in this kind of school, he or she child will learn the English language faster and can cope better socially and academically. Also, schools which offer Thai-related subjects be it language, dance or literature can also be good for your child.
It is completely hard for a child to be in a foreign country without anything familiar to hold on to. Although you are there as parents for your children, they will still need other support systems so they can cope with their new surroundings. Note that the second most influential environment for your child next to the family or home is the school so it can greatly help your child if the school cares about him or her.
• Ask advice from parents who have been in a similar position. You do not have to do this alone. You may ask help from friends and relatives have experienced the same problem and ask them how they dealt with it and what worked for them. Asking help can offer you a lot of possible choices and alternatives in terms of your child’s schooling and how best to help him or her. These schools can only do so much for your child. As a parent, you have to provide guidance and address his emotional and physical needs. Remember that your child’s education starts at home.
Going to Thailand with Your Children
Love, they say, can move mountains. Well, if you are engaged or married to a Thai woman, then it must be true what with the distance you crossed and the long haul flight you endured just to be with the one person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Becoming an expat in Thailand is not that difficult, especially if you are married to a local. You can even apply for a permanent residency provided that you meet the requirements set by the government.
The same thing is also true if you wish to bring your American children to Thailand. Apart from the fact that the two nations share great ties, the US is also one of the countries with a visa exempt privilege where you can stay continuously in Thailand for 30 days. If you apply for a tourist or non-immigrant visa for your kids, the duration of their stay can stretch for as long as 12 months provided that they follow certain conditions.
Type O visa, for example, has two options: single and multiple entries. The first allows an American to stay for 90 days with a possible extension of 30 days, which must be obtained from the immigration office. The latter lets a visitor stay for over 12 months granted that they leave and then re-enter every 90 days.
While the process may seem cumbersome, you should not fail to follow it to avoid dire consequences. A fine of 500 to 20,000 Baht fine, jail time, deportation, and possible re-entry ban are just some of the things that await violators. So, to make the 90 day turn less annoying, think of it as a time to go on vacation with your children for a day or two to another place just across or close to Thailand.Before leaving American soil, you may want to give your children ample knowledge about Thailand. Start with the weather so they will know what to pack and what not to bring along.
If possible, get them acclimatized to the heat and humidity. You may want to introduce them to the culture, food, and the people of the South East Asian country as well. It would also help if you stay updated about travel safety and security concerns.
Also, be aware that Thai customs authorities are very particular about bringing in items that are considered a threat to the public or a hazard to national security. Allowable quantity of medications, for example, should not exceed a 30-day supply and preferably comes with a medical permit. If you happen to have a child with a pre-existing condition, you may want to get advice regarding travel requirements.
In the event that your children can stay longer or maybe permanently, it is time to think about their education. Like the US, there are outstanding schools in Thailand, which are suitable for American children. Some of the good ones though are quite expensive, while others may not be all that trustworthy. To ensure that you do not end up wasting money on education, make it a point to check a school’s reputation online or by visiting it before enrolling your kids.
Better yet, enroll them in International Schools, which are said to rival or exceed the level of education in any public high school in the US. In Academic institutions with American and British curriculum, classes are usually taught in English and other languages such as German or French. Be aware though that religion is a vital part of an educational program in most international schools, as they are sponsored by Christian Church organizations. So think long and hard whether or not it will affect how your American children learn and study in Thailand.
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