Thais, travel to America
In January, President Barack Obama announced initiatives to promote travel to the United States with the goal of making the US the world’s top travel and tourism destination. Thailand and the US have enjoyed nearly 180 years of friendship, and with Thailand’s sophisticated and diverse population, as well as its economic dynamism, we are excited about the prospect of introducing more Thai citizens to what the US has to offer.
The US embassy is committed to facilitating a smooth path for travelers to the US. The current wait time for visitor visa applicants is less than two weeks, with appointments for business and student visa applications usually available in just a few days.
In 2011, the US embassy issued over 52,000 visas, a number we are hoping will continue to grow as Thai travellers seek new opportunities to visit the US. The vast majority of Thais who apply for visas receive them and most US visas issued to Thai citizens for tourism and business remain valid for 10 years. Of the visas issued, over 4,000 went to students and almost 10,000 went to exchange programme visitors, who ranged from research scholars to summer work and travel participants. Fifty-eight percent of Thai visa recipients were women.
The US embassy is excited about President Obama’s initiative and the benefits it provides for travellers from Thailand who want to visit the US and explore the many business, educational, and leisure opportunities that the US has to offer.
ELIZABETH PRATT
Consul General
The Embassy of the United States of America
