Q: I have a valid United States visa in an expired (old) passport. Can it still be used?

A: Yes, if you will be entering the United States for a reason consistent with the type of valid visa you have. You should carry the old passport that contains the valid visa and your current (new) passport. You will use both for entry into the United States.

Q: Do I need a visa to go to the United States?

A: Thai citizens require a visa to enter the United States. Some nationalities do not require a visa.

Q: How do I pay the visa fee?

A: Most applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee. The only exceptions are government officials traveling on official business and diplomatic passport holders. The fee can be paid at any Thailand Post office in the Bangkok Metropolitan area and at any of the 260 "Pay at Post" counters found in Thailand Post offices nationwide.

Q: My visa was denied. Can the decision be overturned?

A: You must reapply and have a second interview for the case to be reconsidered. A refused applicant may reapply at any time should circumstances change or should he/she become able to present additional evidence of compelling ties to his/her home country.

Q: What documents do I need for my visa to be approved?

A: Consular officers evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis. There is no one document that guarantees issuance (or refusal) of a visa as each case is different and what may demonstrate strong ties in one case may not do so in another.

Q: I have a student visa that was approved, when can I enter the United States?

A: You can enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the start date listed on your I-20 Form.

Q: What should I do if I lose my Appointment Confirmation Letter before my interview?

A: You should attend your interview as scheduled with all the required application documents.

Q: What happens if I lose my passport and obtain another one after I scheduled my appointment but before my appointment date?

A: You can attend the scheduled appointment and present the new passport.  If you are not able to obtain a new passport before your appointment date you must contact the Visa Information Service again and cancel or reschedule your appointment.  You will not be able to apply for a visa without a valid passport.

Q: Can I give the appointment to someone else?

A: Another person cannot attend your appointment.  If it is impossible for you to attend the interview on the date you scheduled you can contact the Visa Information Service again and cancel and/or reschedule your appointment.  The appointment is personal and non-transferable.  Only the person(s) scheduled will be allowed to enter the Consulate.

Q: Am I going to be fingerprinted?

A: As of March of 2004 fingerprints have been collected during the interview process.  The fingerprinting of both index fingers is done using an inkless, electronic process.  This requirement will not increase significantly the length of your interview.

Q: Are the web PIN and the live operator service PIN interchangeable?

A: No.  A Web PIN purchased for 12 dollars is NOT INTERCHANGEABLE with the 20 dollar Live Service PIN.  You must choose which service you wish to use when you buy your PIN. 

Q: Can I upgrade from the 12 dollar PIN to the 20 dollar PIN?

A: No.  A Web PIN purchased for 12 dollars is NOT INTERCHANGEABLE with the 20 dollar Live Service PIN.  You must choose which service you wish to use when you buy your PIN. You cannot “upgrade” by additional payment after the original purchase.

Q: My PIN doesn’t work—what should I do? 

A: If you purchased your PIN at Thailand Post, the PIN can be activated only after 1:00 pm the next business day after purchase.  For example, if you purchased it on Monday, it will be active at 1:00 pm on Tuesday.  However, if you purchased it on Friday, you cannot use it until Monday at 1:00 pm, the next business day after purchase.

If this scenario does not apply to your situation, please send an email to:  Thailand@us-visaservices.com. Please allow sufficient time for the Helpdesk staff to investigate the problem and reply to you by e-mail.

Q: Why is there a message saying if I cancel I need to buy a new PIN? 

A: For Web Service:  When you purchased and activated your web based PIN, your profile was set up and you were notified of the number of scheduling and rescheduling opportunities.  Every time you “schedule” or “reschedule” or “cancel” your appointment, your profile is updated to reflect the remaining number of opportunities for scheduling and rescheduling.  If you have used up your 3 available opportunities you will receive this message.  To proceed further, you must buy a new PIN.

For Live Service:  With the PIN you originally purchased for Live Service, you can call the Live Service three times to obtain information and/or schedule/reschedule/cancel a non-immigrant visa interview.    After calling three times, you must purchase a new PIN if you wish to call for a fourth time and speak to a live operator.

Q: How many times or how many days can I log on to the website?

A: You may access the website at http://thailand.us-visaservices.com multiple times and you can continue to access the web site for the Visa Information Service for information only, up to 10 days after your scheduled appointment.  If you have never scheduled an appointment, or you canceled your appointment before the appointment date, you will only have access for 90 days from the date of purchase. 

NOTE: Your PIN may be used to obtain information about Immigrant Visas (IV) and Non-Immigrant Visas (NIV) but to book appointments only for Non-Immigrant visas. 

Q: How many times can I change my appointment date?

A: If you must reschedule for any reason, go to My Info Page to determine how many rescheduling opportunities you have left.   For scheduling, rescheduling and cancellations, you have three total opportunities.

If you have a Live Service PIN, call again (if you have not used up your three calling opportunities) and inform the operator you wish to reschedule.  You have a total of three calls.

Q: I could not find an available appointment in time for my trip.  What can I do?

A: If you have a Web account, log on again and if you have not yet scheduled an appointment please look again at the calendar.   Availability can change often, due to other applicants having canceled their appointments.  However, if you have booked an appointment already, and now wish to have an earlier appointment, you must cancel your current appointment in order to view the calendar to see if there is an earlier date for which you would like to schedule.

Q: When does my PIN expire?

A: The Web PIN allows unlimited access for up to 90 days after purchase if no appointment is made.  If you schedule an appointment, your PIN will remain active for information only for up to 10 days after your scheduled appointment.

The Live Operator PIN allows 3 calls within 90 days after purchase if no appointment is made.  If you schedule an appointment, your PIN will remain active for information only for up to 10 days after your scheduled appointment.  If you need to call a fourth time to the Live Operator, you must purchase a new PIN.

Q: The login screen says the PIN is invalid—what should I do?

A: Make sure you are not attempting to activate a PIN bought at Thailand Post before the proper activation date and hour.  Please note, a PIN bought through Thailand post will not be active until after 1:00 pm on the next “business day.”

Business days are defined as Monday to Friday, except Thai, Thailand Post, and US holidays.

Q: I bought a PIN but decided not to apply for a visa.  Can I get a refund? 

A: No.  Your PIN is not refundable in any situation. 

Q: What if I miss my appointment on the scheduled interview day—can I still reschedule using my old PIN?

A: No.  Your PIN will only allow access for information purposes after the interview date, for up to ten additional days.  If you need to make another appointment, you must purchase a new PIN. Appointments can be rescheduled up to two business days before the appointment date.