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I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

183 points proberts | 2 comments | 17 Oct 24 16:01 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source

I'll be here for the few hours and then again at around 1 pm PST for another few hours. As usual, there are countless possible topics and I'll be guided by whatever you're concerned with. Please remember that I can't provide legal advice on specific cases for obvious liability reasons because I won't have access to all the facts. Please stick to a factual discussion in your questions and comments and I'll try to do the same in my answers. Thanks!

Previous threads we've done: https://news.ycombinator.com/submitted?id=proberts.

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doubleorseven ◴[17 Oct 24 20:26 UTC] No.41873417[source]▶
Hello Peter, I married an american woman and me and my wife are not leaving in the states. We are in the process ofp registering the kids since we are preparing a plan B. We didn't got married in my country, but in Thailand. I was told that in order to get a spouse Visa, I need to start the process in Thailand. Is this true? Do i need to apply for everything in Thailand just because this is where we got married? Thank you
replies(1): >>41874243 #
1. junar ◴[17 Oct 24 21:58 UTC] No.41874243[source]▶
I think you will get a better answer if you clarify your situation.

* Are your kids US citizens?

* In what country you do currently live?

> I was told that in order to get a spouse Visa, I need to start the process in Thailand. Is this true? Do i need to apply for everything in Thailand just because this is where we got married? Thank you

This is generally incorrect. For a spouse of a US citizen living abroad, you "start" by filing I-130 and then by completing the NVC paperwork, which can be done either online or through mail. The final stages are generally handled by the overseas consulate where the intending immigrant resides.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrat...

However, you may need documents from Thailand, such as your marriage certificate with English translation and police records for the immigrant.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Rec...

replies(1): >>41874730 #
2. proberts ◴[17 Oct 24 23:09 UTC] No.41874730[source]▶
Correct. The location of the Consulate interview, the final step, is either country of residence or country of citizenship; it doesn't matter where the marriage occurred.