Not only will you have found last love and a lasting relationship, U.S. immigration officials can be suspicious of people who apply for more than one K1 visa. However, it is possible to apply for multiple K1 visas.
How many times can you apply for a K1 visa?
If you are the U.S. citizen petitioner for a K1 visa you can apply for a second K1 visa petition over 2 years after approval of your first K1 visa petition. If you want to file a K1 petition in less than two years, you will have to apply for a waiver of this rule.
What is a K-1 visa?
A K1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a U.S. citizen's fiancé to enter the United States for up to 90 days.
Can I extend my K-1 visa if I am married?
K-1 and K-2 nonimmigrant status automatically expires after 90 days and cannot be extended. Generally, your fiancé (e) and his or her children must leave the United States at the end of the 90 days if you do not marry. If they do not depart, they will be in violation of U.S. immigration law.
How many times can you apply for K-1 visa?
Can I apply for another K-1 Visa? You can only apply for a K-1 fiancé visa one time in a 2-year period, and only two times total. So if it has been more than 2 years you are okay. If it has been less than 2 years you will need a waiver.
Can I reapply for K-1 visa after denial?
There are three primary options you can take if your K1 visa petition is denied that can still provide a pathway to living together permanently in the United States. These three options are to either appeal the decision, reapply for the K1 visa, or marry in a foreign country and apply for a CR1 visa.
Is there a limit for fiancé visa?
Unlike other visas with annual caps issued by the government, the K-1 fiancé visa does not have a limit. This also means you can avoid long wait times that are part of the process with other nonimmigrant visas with annual caps.
How often are K1 visas denied?
According to those statistics, approximately 20,000 K-1 fiancées/fiancés every year are denied visas when they go to their interviews at the embassy. This is nearly 40% of the total number of K-1 visa applicants. And while eventually many of them are able to overcome the initial denial, some do not.
Why would a fiancé visa get denied?
Reasons for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deny or reject K-1 visa applications include a suspicious relationship, ineligibility to marry, insufficient income, or no plans to marry within 90 days. Of course, fraudulent applications also result in a fiancé(e) visa rejections or denials.
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.
How much income is needed for a K-1 visa?
If the sponsor's household size is only them and their future spouse, then the income requirements to receive a K1 visa must be a minimum of $17,240 annually after deductions in 2021. This number goes up if the household is larger, such as if the sponsor has one or more children.
How long does it take for a K-1 visa to be approved?
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.
What is the income requirement for K-1 visa 2022?
Overall, your stable earnings need to be at least $16,910 per year in order to support a household with two people. On the other hand, when the fiancé becomes a permanent resident, you would have to earn at least $21,137 every year. These are the minimum requirements.
Is a K-1 visa hard to get?
So Is it Difficult to Apply for a K1 visa? The approval of the K1 visa may vary from case to case according to circumstances, and in most cases can be denied or delayed simply because of the applicant's fault for not being able to provide the correct information or follow instructions.
Which is easier fiancé or spouse visa?
Citizens, the K1 Fiance Visa is still quicker and simpler for unmarried international couples seeking to get married. Marriage Visas generally take between 5-7 months from the time the I-130 Petition is filed at a USCIS Service Center to the day a Marriage Visa is issued. First, the Petition is filed with the USCIS.
Which is faster fiancé or spouse visa USA?
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 a fiancé visa to be approved 2022?
approximately 9 to 12 monthsHow long does a fiance visa take? As of March 2022, K-1 visa processing took approximately 9 to 12 months (USCIS time to process Form I-129F).
Which is easier fiancé or spouse visa?
Citizens, the K1 Fiance Visa is still quicker and simpler for unmarried international couples seeking to get married. Marriage Visas generally take between 5-7 months from the time the I-130 Petition is filed at a USCIS Service Center to the day a Marriage Visa is issued. First, the Petition is filed with the USCIS.
Which is better fiancé visa or marriage visa?
If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.
How many K1 visas are approved each year?
In 2015 and 2016, an average of 49,000 I-129F petitions were approved. In 2017 and 2018 an average of 34,000 petitions were approved.
How to Apply for the K1 Visa?
The fiancé visa application has a few steps that both fiances must follow. It must be first initiated by the US citizen. The US citizen must obtain permission from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to bring and sponsor their foreign citizen fiancé to the US.
How to get a K1 visa?
Initially, you must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765 to USCIS. If approved, you are allowed to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and even work for the period of time that your K1 visa is valid.
What Are the Documents Required for a K1 Visa Application?
Here are the documents that you should submit when applying for a K1 visa:
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a K1 Visa?
It costs $265 to apply for a K1 visa. The amounts vary by year as well as by country due to different relationships that the US has with other countries, but the main categories for which you will be asked to pay fees are as follows:
What is the Visa K1 Processing Time?
The K1 visa processing time may vary from weeks to months. It does not have a definite length of processing time. It is most likely that it will take a few months, so plan ahead for any delays if you are planning the wedding in the US.
How Long is the K1 Visa Valid?
The K1 visa is valid for 4 months but you can extend for up to 6 months. Despite the fact that the K1 visa might be valid for this length, the couple is expected to be married within 90 days of the foreign citizen’s entrance in the US.
How long does it take to get married on a K1 visa?
If the foreign citizen obtains a K1 visa and the couple gets married in the US within 90 days, then the process to adjust status to a permanent one begins. This means that the foreign citizen will become a Legal Permanent Resident of the US by getting a spouse visa. This process begins by filing Form I-485.
What Is a K1 Visa?
A K1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a U.S. citizen's fiancé to enter the United States for up to 90 days. After marriage to a U.S. citizen, a K1 visa holder can apply for a green card to become a permanent legal resident of the United States.
How long does it take to get a K1 visa?
A K1 visa allows you to enter the United States once during a six-month period. You and your fiancé must make wedding plans quickly to meet the 90-day deadline this visa grants. You and your children want to move to the U.S. For many K1 visa applicants, permanent residence in the United States is the ultimate goal.
How long does it take to get a visa for a wedding?
Delaying your marriage. This must take place within 90 days of entering the United States. If your marriage is delayed for any reason, you might need to file for an extension.
How long is a K1 visa valid?
There is no firm deadline for applying for a K1 visa, but you should plan to apply several months in advance. Once you file the petition, it is valid for four months. If circumstances prevent its approval during this time, you can apply for an extension.
How long do you have to sign a letter to marry on a K1 visa?
Both the petitioner, or the U.S. citizen, and the beneficiary, or the foreign national, should sign this statement. It should confirm that you intend to marry within 90 days of receiving a K1 visa.
How long does it take to appeal a denied I-290B?
If this happens, you will receive a letter explaining why it was denied and how to appeal. You will generally have up to 33 days to appeal using Form I-290B.
Where to schedule an interview for a K1 visa?
Schedule an interview at the U.S. Consulate. The K1 visa applicant must schedule an interview at his or her local consulate. Bring the following items, also known as packet 3, to the interview:
What are some K1 visa questions I may be asked?
Here are some sample questions the foreign fiancé may be asked during the K-1 visa interview with the consular officer:
Who is eligible for the K-1 visa?
A U.S. citizen can sponsor a foreign- born individual they want to marry by bringing them to the United States on the K-1 fiancé visa. The basic K-1 visa requirements to be eligible for the visa are:
Can I get the K-1 visa if I’m thinking about getting married but not sure?
You really should be serious and have a strong intention to get married to your partner with the K-1 visa. If you’re on the fence, it may be better to hold off until your more sure about the relationship .
What is the minimum K-1 visa income requirement?
The minimum K-1 visa income requirement is based on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 2021 poverty guidelines. The guideline is used to qualify the affidavit of support and demonstrate that the visa sponsor is capable of petitioning for their foreign fiancé and supporting any children the sponsor has, past immigrant (s) sponsored, and the K-1 spouse’s dependents.
Can my kids come with me if I have a K-1 visa?
The good news is that under a K-1 visa, the foreign-born partner’s children can obtain K-2 visas to come to the United States. The children need to be unmarried and under 21 years old to qualify. They’ll also be able to apply for green cards after the couple gets married.
How can I prepare for the K-1 visa interview?
What USCIS is looking for are illegitimate relationships or those that are just interested in getting a green card for the United States. All foreign-born K-1 applicants will need to undergo the interview so a consular officer can evaluate their intentions. You’ll be asked questions about how you met your fiancé, what sort of wedding plans are established, your fiancé’s interests and hobbies, and more. Don’t try to answer the questions with what you think is the correct answer, but instead, always be honest and truthful. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t lie. Say, “I don’t know” instead. In total, the interview should last about 20 minutes. The U.S. citizen partner is not required to be at the interview. You should arrive at your interview dressed appropriately and at least 15 minutes early.
Should my kids come to the K-1 visa interview?
If the foreign-born partner has children that will also come to the United States on the K-2 visa, then they should also be present at the interview.
When will the officer decide on a K1 visa?
The officer presiding over the case will either decide on the same day of the interview or the day after whether your application is successful. So make sure you have all the required proof and supporting documents at your interview and prepare well for the interview by studying some of the possible K1 visa interview questions.
What is a K1 visa?
A K1 visa is sometimes also referred to as a fiancé (e) visa. This visa specifically grants a fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen the privilege of living in the U.S. for 90 days after their entry through a U.S. border crossing. If you enter the U.S. on this visa, you and your future spouse are required to get married within the 90-day validity period of the visa. If the marriage does not take place within the 90-day validity period, the foreign fiancé will need to leave the U.S. The visa will also lose its validity if the engagement is broken before the marriage.
How Much Does a K1 Visa Cost?
The Form 129F has a filing fee of $535. At your visa interview, you’ll also need to pay the visa fee of $265. So the official filing fees require a total of $800. This does not, however, take into account the medical examination costs or any other expenses you need to cover in pursuit of your K1 visa.
How many meetings do you need to get a visa?
The couple must prove at least one personal meeting in the two years leading up to the visa application. This requirement may be waived if the foreign spouse could not do so due to extreme hardship as a result of religious, cultural, or social norms.
Is a K1 visa different from a K1 visa?
The U.S. government determines these regulations and the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) ensures it is enforced. A K1 visa is no different and it also only allows a specific group of people entry into the U.S.
Is a K1 visa good?
Have you heard of a K1 visa? It is probably the best option you have . Below you can find more information on how to apply for and use this visa to plan and execute the wedding of your dreams in the U.S.!
Who files the K1 visa?
It is also important to remember that the U.S. citizen partner (the petitioner) files the K1 visa application on behalf of the foreign fiancé (the visa beneficiary).
How to apply for a K-1 Fiancé Visa
If you and your fiancé are eligible for a K-1 fiancé visa, you can apply by following this four-step K-1 visa process.
K-1 Fiancé Visa FAQs
No. But it will be much harder to prove that your relationship is legitimate if you are not engaged before you apply.
Conclusion
Filing for a K-1 fiancé visa can be complicated, but working with a good immigration attorney can make it easier. If you can't afford the attorney fees for your K-1 visa application, we may be able to help. If you are eligible, our free web app will walk you through the process and help you prepare and file your application with the U.S.
Form I-129F
The Form I-129F is the initial form that is filed by the U.S. citizen petitioner. This form is filed with USCIS is called the “Petition for Alien Fiancé (e).” Along with this form, it is important to include several documents proving that you satisfy the K1 visa requirements (that the petitioner is a U.S.
Form I-765
The Form I-765 is the Application for Employment Authorization. As a K1 visa beneficiary, you are eligible to apply for work authorization upon your arrival to the United States. You are also eligible to apply for work authorization after marrying your U.S. citizen fiancé and applying for your adjustment of status.
Form DS-160
The Form DS-160 is the Online Nonimmigrant visa application. After the Form I-129f is approved by USCIS, you must file the Form DS-160 to apply for your K1 visa. This Form is completed and filed by the K1 visa beneficiary (foreign fiancé). You can learn more about the DS-160 here.
Form I-485
The Form I-485 is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is the form that the K1 visa beneficiary must file after they arrive in the U.S. and marry their U.S. citizen fiancé. The purpose of the I-485 is to adjust from non-immigrant status to permanent resident status. You can learn more about the Form I-485 here.
Form G-28
The Form G-28 is the Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative. This form is required if you will be working with an attorney. The G-28 is signed by you and your attorney. This form allows your attorney to submit applications and petitions on your behalf. The G-28 also allows your attorney to represent you before USCIS.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many forms that are filed throughout the K1 visa process. Although the process can get tricky, I’d be happy to help you. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].
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Who determines if a fiancé qualifies for a K-1 visa?
The DOS consular officer determines whether your fiancé (e) qualifies for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa.
Who notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled?
The U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled.
How long is a fiancé's work authorization valid?
In this case, your fiancé (e)’s work authorization is valid for only 90 days after his or her entry into the U.S. Your fiancé (e) may also apply for work authorization at the same time he or she applies for a Green Card. In this case, your fiancé (e) can file Form I-765 together with the Form I-485.
How long does it take to get a green card if you are married?
If your fiancé (e) marries you within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant, he or she may apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States (a Green Card). If you have already married, plan to marry outside the United States, or your fiancé (e) is already residing legally in the United States, ...
Can I mail my spouse an I-485?
We review Form I-485 and the documents your spouse submitted. We may mail a request for evidence to your spouse if we need additional documentation or information.
Can I file a K-1 visa after it has expired?
Generally, if DOS returns a Form I-129F to us after it has expired, we will allow it to remain expired. However, you may choose to file a new Form I‑129F.
