In the Kingdom of Thailand, and around the world, there are so-called “visa agents,” “lawyers,” and “Immigration Advisors,” making ridiculous claims regarding how they can facilitate visa issuance for the Thai fiances, husbands, and wives of Lawful Permanent Residents and Citizens of the United States of America. One of the most outlandish claims is the notion that one of these operators can guarantee that a visa will be issued. All over the internet there are “fly by night operations” making such claims and they trick otherwise unwitting consumers into thinking that a US visa’s issuance can be guaranteed. One issue should be fully understood: No one can guarantee that a US visa will be granted. No ethical attorney can make the claim that a visa will be issued with 100% certainty. USCIS officers make determinations based upon the unique facts of each United States visa application. The Consular officers at the United States Embassies and Consulates abroad make further factual findings to determine if US visa issuance is warranted based upon the facts before them. An attorney acts as an advocate for visa issuance. Also, an American Immigration attorney can provide advice and assistance to clients regarding the type of visa that they should apply for. A qualified American Immigration attorney will likely exhaust all ethical methods to make certain that a visa is issued.
Look at the “fine print” of some of these “guarantees.” Generally, these “guarantors” simply guarantee “USCIS approval” which is just one component of the United States visa process and should not be confused with visa issuance.
In situations where an attorney enters his or her appearance in a case, he or she must represent their clients until the conclusion of the case, or until another mutually agreed upon point in the case. Another unfortunate occurrence in Thailand and elsewhere abroad is to see “visa agents” and “lawyers” abandon their clients and their clients’ Thai fiancees and wives when the case becomes more complicated than originally anticipated.
There are many unlicensed “visa companies” operating outside of the United States of America. According to USCIS regulations no one is allowed to take money in exchange for providing advice regarding United States Immigration law unless they are a licensed attorney in one of the 50 US States or a territory of the United States. Thus, unless a client is dealing with a qualified US lawyer they should not be remitting fees for the services of a “visa agent,” or “lawyer” who cannot provide proof of proper licensure. If dealing with someone claiming to be an attorney or lawyer ask to see their credentials, if they cannot produce a state or Federal license to practice US law, then they are not allowed to represent clients before the United States Department of Homeland Security which includes the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
To learn more, please see my Thai fiance.
Tags: Bangkok Lawyer, CR1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, US Immigration Thailand, US tourist visa thailand, US Visa, US Visa Thailand
