Immigrant Visa 

General Information 

All persons who plan to travel to the United States to establish permanent residency must obtain an immigrant visa prior to entering the U.S. In general, in order to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative(s) or by a prospective employer. Please consult the links on the left-hand side of this page for more information about immigrant visas. Comprehensive information about immigrant visas can be accessed at the State Department's travel website.

Days and Hours of Operation

The Immigrant Visa Unit is open between 7am-4pm Mondays–Fridays by appointment only.  The Immigrant Visa Unit interviews immigrant visa applicants in Bangkok once their approved petitions have arrived from the National Visa Center and the Packet 3 has been returned to the Embassy.  Immigrant Visa interviews in Bangkok are by appointment only.  Please see the “Immigrant Visa Process” link on the left hand side for information about the interview. 

How to Apply

You cannot begin an application for an immigrant visa at US Embassy Bangkok.  The process for all immigrant visas, other than the Diversity Visa Lottery process, begins with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S., or in limited cases when the petitioner resides in Thailand, with the DHS office in Bangkok. The family member or employer in the US must begin the process by filing an I-130 petition or I-129F fiancée petition with the DHS office with jurisdiction over their place of residence.  More visa information for immigrants is available at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1339.html

The Diversity Visa Program provides a certain number of permanent resident visas annually. These visas are drawn from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.