
The K-1 Fiance Visa
K-1 visa
A K-1 visa is a visa issued to the fiancé or fiancée of a United States citizen to enter the United States. A K-1 visa requires a foreigner to marry his or her U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Although a K-1 visa is legally classified as a non-immi…
Consul
A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the two countries.
Full Answer
Can I extend my fiance visa after 90 days?
Fiancé (e) status automatically expires after 90 days and cannot be extended. Your fiancé (e) must leave the United States at the end of the 90 days if you do not marry. If your fiancé (e) does not depart, they will violate U.S. immigration law.
Can I Marry my fiance on a K-1 visa?
In order to obtain a K-1 fiancé (e) visa, you and your fiancé (e) must intend to marry each other within 90 days of your fiancé (e) entering the U.S as a K-1 nonimmigrant.
How do I apply for a visa for my fiancee?
The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé (e) lives. The NVC will mail you a letter when it sends your fiancé (e) case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Are fiancé visas still being processed?
K1 Fiancé Visa – Processing Time In 2022 Due to several factors, the K1 visa is taking much longer to process. The Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with huge backlogs in processing times at USCIS, the length of processing time has extended from 6 months to over 10 months now to process Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé.
How long are fiancé visas taking right now?
After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, it may take approximately 8 to 11 months to obtain a K-1 visa. It may be shorter for some and longer for others.
How long does a fiancé visa take 2022?
approximately 9 to 12 monthsAs of March 2022, K-1 visa processing took approximately 9 to 12 months (USCIS time to process Form I-129F). Click here to see exact ranges based on your service center. In addition to that, it takes between three to four weeks to receive notice from the National Visa Center with further instructions.
How long does it take to get a fiancé visa 2021?
The processing time for a K-1 visa application currently averages 7 months. This does not include the time from when the government approves your application to your interview date, which differs based on the country you're applying from.
Are K1 visas still being processed 2022?
K1 Fiancé Visa – Processing Time In 2022 Due to several factors, the K1 visa is taking much longer to process. The Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with huge backlogs in processing times at USCIS, the length of processing time has extended from 6 months to over 10 months now to process Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé.
Will USCIS speed up 2022?
USCIS Extends Premium-Processing to Certain Pending Immigrant Petitions. On May 24, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an expansion of premium processing service to two additional categories of Form I-140 immigrant petitions.
How can I speed up my fiancé visa?
You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.
What percentage of fiancé visas are approved?
In 2015, during the Obama Administration, the USCIS approved about 99 percent of all fiancé(e) visa petitions. By late 2018 this figure had fallen to around 67 percent. The lower the fiancé(e) visa approval rate descends, the more attractive a marriage-based green card application is going to look.
Can you travel to the US while waiting for a fiancé visa?
Can my fiancé visit me in the US while waiting for a K-1 fiancé visa? Yes – your fiancé may visit the US, so long as they have a valid B-1/B-2 visa or ESTA. However, your fiancé should expect more scrutiny at the border.
How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2022?
Average time -- Five to 14.5 months (as of early 2022) for approval of the Form I-130, and additional time depending on individual circumstances. Summary of the Process -- The U.S. citizen starts the process by filing a Form I-130 with USCIS, either online or by mail.
Which is faster fiancé visa or spouse?
If the goal is for the couple to be together in the U.S. as soon as possible, the K-1 visa is most likely the fast path. From the date of filing to the date of admission to the U.S., it will take approximately 5-10 months on a K-1 fiancé visa. On the other hand, the marriage visa may take 10-16 months.
How long does it take for NVC to schedule interview 2022?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2022?
The reasons for these delays are twofold: (1) the COVID19 pandemic impacted the efficiency and productivity of USCIS and all government functions, including mail delivery, and (2) the Trump Administration delayed processing of visa petitions as a way to reduce the number of legal immigrants entering the United States.
How long does it take for NVC to schedule interview 2022?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2022?
Average time -- Five to 14.5 months (as of early 2022) for approval of the Form I-130, and additional time depending on individual circumstances. Summary of the Process -- The U.S. citizen starts the process by filing a Form I-130 with USCIS, either online or by mail.
How long does it take USCIS to schedule an interview 2022?
INTERVIEW. The citizenship interview usually takes place about 14.5 months, on average, after USCIS receives your naturalization application (sooner or later for some applicants).
What Steps Should I Follow to Bring My Fiancé to the US?
The process of bringing your fiancé to the U.S. is not easy as multiple governmental entities, including USCIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are involved.
Are My Fiancé's Children Eligible to Come to the US?
If your fiancé's K-1 visa is approved, his or her children can accompany your fiancé to the U.S., provided that they are under 21 and single. They will be issued K-2 nonimmigrant visas. They can also apply for an adjustment of status ( green card) after you and your fiancé get married.
Can I get same sex visa as opposite sex spouse?
Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. ...
Can a spouse get a K-3 visa?
Nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) - It is important to note that application for the nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) who married a U.S. citizen must be filed and the visa must be issued in the country where the marriage took place. After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. Two petitions are required: Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, and Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F. Learn more.
What Is a “Fiancé (e)”?
Under U.S. immigration law, a foreign-citizen fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen is the recipient of an approved Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F, who has been issued a nonimmigrant K-1 visa for travel to the United States in order to marry his or her U.S. citizen fiancé (e). Both the U.S. citizen and the K-1 visa applicant must have been legally free to marry at the time the petition was filed and must have remained so thereafter. The marriage must be legally possible according to laws of the U.S. state in which the marriage will take place.
What are some examples of ineligibilities for a visa?
Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents.
How Long Will It Take to Get My K Visa?
For Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), you can visit the USCIS website for the status of your petition.
What do you need to present to a consular officer for a visa interview?
During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they are not likely to become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé (e) is able to provide support.
What should I know before applying for a K-1 visa?
You should read the Rights and Protections pamphlet before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you . The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview. Additionally, K-1 visa applicants will be provided with any existing criminal background information on their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s that USCIS received from other government agencies during processing of their Form I-129F petitions.
How long do you have to meet a foreign citizen?
In general, the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) and U.S. citizen sponsor must have met in person within the past two years. USCIS may grant an exception to this requirement, based on extreme hardship for the U.S. citizen sponsor to personally meet the foreign-citizen fiancé (e), or, for example, if it is contrary in the U.S. citizen sponsor’s or foreign-citizen fiancé (e)’s culture for a man and woman to meet before marriage.
How long is a passport valid for?
A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
How long does a fiancé stay in the US?
Fiancé (e) status automatically expires after 90 days and cannot be extended. Your fiancé (e) must leave the United States at the end of the 90 days if you do not marry. If your fiancé (e) does not depart, they will violate U.S. immigration law.
How long does it take to get married to your fiancé?
Filing for Your Fiancé (e) Generally, you may file this petition if you and your fiancé (e): Are legally free to marry and intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé (e)’s admission to the United States; and. Have met each other in person within the two years immediately before you filed this petition, unless you establish that either: ...
Can I file an I-130 for my spouse?
You may also file this petition if you have filed or are filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of your spouse and want them to enter as a nonimmigrant to await the immediate availability of an immigrant visa and to file for adjustment of status.
What is the K-1 fiancé visa?
The K-1 visa allows the foreign-born fiancé of a U.S. citizen to travel to the United States to marry their partner within 90 days of arrival. The foreign spouse can then apply for a marriage green card.
What happens if a foreign partner doesn't have a passport?
Passport - If the foreign partner doesn't already have a passport, he or she will need to acquire one.
How much does a K1 visa cost?
The United States citizen sponsor files the K1 visa petition with USCIS by mailing the completed I-129F petition package along with a check to the Department of Homeland Security for $510.
How long does it take to receive a notice of action from USCIS?
Two to three weeks after mailing your petition, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1) in the mail indicating USCIS has received your petition. You do nothing at this step.
Who will review my visa?
If you work with an immigration attorney, or a fiancé visa agency , they will carefully review your situation to verify that you meet all of the requirements.
Can a fiancé's children get a K2 visa?
The fiancé's children who are under 21 and unmarried may be eligible for a K2 nonimmigrant visa. All that is necessary to include them during the K1 visa petition process is to include their names on the I-129F.
Do all K-1 visas meet the requirements?
Not everyone will meet the K-1 visa requirements. Check your eligibility with our K-1 visa eligibility calculator. Note that USCIS and consular officers are different and some countries may have additional requirements.
When does the executive order end for K-1 visas?
This executive order specifically targetted “Immigrants.”. The June 22, 2020 Executive Order “Continues” the April 22, 2020 Executive Order, but ADDS some Non-immigrant Visas. But, we will have to go a little bit before the beginning of the Immigration Ban to see why/how K-1 Visas are not being issued right now.
When did the US consulate suspend entry?
On March 11, 2020, Executive Order titled: Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus, this Executive Order created a new evaluation on what the US Consulates will process: Mission Critical. Non-Mission Critical.
What is the immigration ban for 2020?
Summary of the June 22, 2020 Immigration Ban: The Ban applies to people who: are outside the United States; does not already have a nonimmigrant visa; and. does not have an official travel document other than a visa. Visas Specifically Banned: H-1B visa. H-2B visa.
When will the 60 day immigration ban end?
The 60–Day Immigration Ban goes into effect tonight April 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. This ban ends 60 days later on June 23, 2020. The title of the ban is: Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak. Purposes of the Ban: … Continue reading
Is a K-1 visa an immigrant visa?
Technically, the K-1 uses the DS-160 Nonim migrant Visa Application, but the resulting visa and intention is to “Immigrate.” Even the US Government titles the K-1 as an Immigrant Visa and a Non-immigrant Visa .
Does the L visa apply to a spouse?
L visa. The Executive Order does not apply to: any lawful permanent resident of the United States; any alien who is the spouse or child of a United States citizen; any alien seeking to enter the United States to provide temporary labor or services essential to the United States food supply chain; and.
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