Full Answer
How much does a K1 visa attorney cost?
When renewing, extending, or changing a B-1 or B-2 Visa, attorney fees are about $400, USCIS fees are $370, and processing time takes 60 to 90 days. Attorney fees for filing a K-1 Visa Petition for the fiance of a U.S. Citizen is around $725 with the USCIS fees costing $535.
What are the steps of obtaining a K1 visa?
Ultimate guide: K1 visa process step by step
- Filing I-129F petition to USCIS. The process of bringing your foreign fiance to the US starts with filing I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) with the United States ...
- Receiving NOA1. After sending I-129F Form, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1). ...
- Receiving NOA2. ...
- NVC Processing. ...
- Embassy stage. ...
- Gather Embassy Documents. ...
- Prepare for the interview. ...
How long does it take to get a K-1 visa?
K-1 Fiancé (e) Visa Application: Steps and Processing Times
- I-129 Petition Processing Time: Approximately 5-7 Months. ...
- DOS Takes Over Processing: 4 to 6 Weeks After USCIS Approval. ...
- Letter From Embassy or Consulate: Approximately 2 Weeks After Receiving the Case. ...
- K-1 Visa Interview: 2 to 8 Weeks After Scheduling Appointments. ...
- Inspection at a Port of Entry: Within 6 Months After Visa Approval. ...
How many times can you apply for a K1 visa?
In general, it is best to only apply for one K1 visa. 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.
Do you need a lawyer to file a K-1 visa?
While USCIS does not require you to have an attorney in order to process your fiancé visa, having an experienced immigration attorney can help immensely.
How much does a K-1 visa attorney cost?
The following average attorney fees apply to fiancé or spouse visas: K1 visa (filed for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen) – $750 to $2000. CR-1 petition (filed for the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) – $795.
Can you apply for K-1 visa by yourself?
The law does not require that you use an immigration attorney to complete K-1 petition documents such as the Form I-129F. Here is what the USCIS says about this at www.USCIS.gov: You can file USCIS forms yourself, but many people choose to have help.
Can a lawyer speed up K-1 visa?
The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.
How long does K-1 visa take?
approximately 8 to 11 monthsAfter 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. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.
What documents are needed for a fiancé visa?
The documents you'll need for your fiancé(e) visa applicationProof of citizenship for the U.S. citizen fiancé(e)Copy of sponsored fiancé(e)'s passport.Evidence of terminated marriages, where needed.Proof of meeting within 2 years of applying.Evidence of legal name change, where applicable.More items...
How long does a K-1 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.
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.
How long does it take to get approved for fiancé visa?
6 to 9 monthsThe exact K-1 fiancé processing times can vary, but many applicants are able to enter the United States within 6 to 9 months. There are multiple steps and the process is handled by multiple agencies from (USCIS) to the National Visa Center to the U.S. Department of State.
Can my fiancé visit while waiting for K-1 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.
Why is K-1 visa taking so long?
Significant delays could occur if you or your fiancé(e) has a criminal history, questionable background checks, or a previous immigration violation. Another requirement is the need for a medical check. If your foreign fiancé has issues during his/her medical exam it will further delay your K1 visa issuance.
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.
What does a good lawyer do?
In fact, good lawyers advise you on what works and what doesn’t. And if you’re really in a pickle, they can help with some tricky stuff — like criminal history, immigration violations, hardship waivers, and much more.
What to do if your lawyer doesn't return phone calls?
On the other hand, if your lawyer uses a typewriter to fill out your paperwork, or won’t return your phone calls, then grab your documents and walk out of their office. Or else you risk getting your K-1 visa denied by an inexperienced attorney.
Is a lawyer good for a K-1 visa?
I have to admit: lawyers are good. They’re professionals who know a thing or two about immigration. They oversee your case and help if you have questions. And they’re allowed to do almost everything on your behalf in your fiance K-1 visa process, such as…
Do lawyers have connections with politicians?
There are also some rare lawyers who have connections with politicians and can get “things done”. You’ll know how to spot them because they have a very high price tag.
Can a lawyer prepare for a K-1 visa interview?
So, it’s unlikely that a lawyer will take time to prepare you for the K-1 visa interview questions.
Can filing services be different from lawyers?
You can try your luck with a filing service. But from what I’ve gathered, they’re no different than lawyers. They charge huge fees but you still do 90% of the work and hand them your evidence, photos, statements, etc. In addition, they use computers to fill out your paperwork (not real people). There’s a lack of personal attention for each couple — which means mistakes and delays.
Do you have to give everything to a lawyer?
You don’t have to give your lawyer everything. If you’re capable of figuring stuff out yourself, only give your lawyer the difficult questions to answer. That way, you get your money’s worth. For example, for criminal history, I’d have the lawyer guide me on it without asking him/her to fill out my I-129F, make the packet, or staple stuff together, etc.
Why Do I Need a K-1 Visa Lawyer?
VisaNation Law Group K-1 visa lawyers have assisted several clients with complex situations and have successfully obtained K-1 visas for foreign citizen fiancé (e)s.
How to prepare for a K-1 visa interview?
A great way to make sure that you are as prepared as possible for the K-1 visa interview is to go over the specifics of your situation and relationship with an experienced fiance visa lawyer.
How to get a K-3 visa for a foreign citizen?
Once the U.S. embassy or consulate where the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) will apply, receives the petition from NVC, it will provide the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) with specific instructions, including where to go for the required medical examination. The foreign-citizen fiancé (e) will then be called in for an interview at the consulate for the issuance of a K-3 visa.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 fiancé (e) visa is a nonimmigrant classification of marriage-based visa that is designed for the foreign-born fiancé (e)s of U.S. citizens. It gives those foreign fiancé (e)s the opportunity to come to the U.S. with the intention of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s who are sponsoring their visas.
Why is my visa denied?
Another reason why your visa might be denied is if the immigration officer at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy is not convinced of the legitimacy of your engagement. Unfortunately, this can easily happen if there has been a high number of fraudulent applicants coming from your particular country.
How much does it cost to get a K-1 visa?
There are several costs to take into account when applying for a K-1 fiance visa. The first is the filing fee for the I-129F, which comes out to be $535. This is paid by the fiance who is sponsoring the beneficiary when he or she files the petition. Fortunately, there is no cost for filing K-3 petitions provided that an I-130 Petition of Alien Relative has been submitted to the USCIS by that same U.S. citizen sponsor.
What to ask for in a K-1 interview?
During your interview, you will be asked questions that will help the officer verify your relationship. Consult with a K-1 Visa lawyer to determine which other documents may be appropriate.
Do I need an attorney for a K-1?
The law does not require that you use an immigration attorney to complete K-1 petition documents such as the Form I-129F. Here is what the USCIS says about this at www.USCIS.gov:
Can you accompany someone to the consulate?
Attorneys will NOT be permitted to accompany anyone into the waiting room or to the interview.
Do I Need an Attorney for my K-1 Fiancée Visa?
Nearly all K-1 Fiancee Visa applications are approved if you qualify and most people don't use a lawyer. Just get the forms right and if you qualify, you will almost certainly be approved.
How many steps are there in the K-1 visa process?
The K-1 visa application procedure is essentially a two-step process:
How to navigate the K-1 process?
To navigate your way through the K-1 process, you have to fill out many forms. As a non-attorney, you will likely be unsure which forms to fill out, and exactly how to fill them out. You may read and reread the instruction, and think you understand . . . and yet some doubt may remain because you’ve never done this before.
What happens if you delay getting a visa for your fiancée?
During any delay, you will most likely be separated from your fiancée, creating a sense of intense anxiety and even despair. If you hire an attorney, you are benefiting from his/her experience—attorneys handle cases like this day-in and day-out, and know exactly what to do to help you get the visa for your fiancée.
How long does it take to get a visa in the US?
The entire process takes from 4 to 6 months. That is a general estimate—the exact time would depend on where you live, and the service center and US embassy involved in your case.
Is K-1 a fraud?
The USCIS and US State Department suspect that a large number of K-1 cases are fraudulent, and for that reason deny many petitions. You do not want to have your case caught up in this dragnet, and face a denial.
Is it wise to opt for the K-1 route?
In my view, it is not wise to approach something as important as marriage with a strategy which could backfire badly. It is much simpler and safer to opt for the K-1 route.
Is a K-1 visa quicker to obtain than a K-1 visa?
All in all, K-1 visas are quicker to obtain. The CR-1 visa is a bit more time-consuming to obtain than a K-1 visa. There are two reasons for this:
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 you use joint sponsor in lieu of income?
In certain cases, you may be able to use a joint sponsor or assets in lieu of income. Please call us for specifics on your situation.
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.
How to get a K1 visa?
To get a K1 visa, your U.S. citizen fiancé must file a Form I-129f on your behalf in addition to other steps discussed below. Your U.S. citizen fiancé is the petitioner (person filing the petition) and you (the person getting the K1 visa) are the beneficiary (person benefiting from the petition).
Where to interview for K1 visa?
The next step is for the K1 visa beneficiary to attend a K1 visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.
What is the first step in the K1 visa process?
The first step in the K1 visa process is to make sure you satisfy the K1 visa requirements. Two requirements that you should pay particular attention to are the listed below:
How long does a K1 visa last?
on a K1 visa by filing a Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). If you apply for work authorization before getting married to your U.S. citizen fiancé, then the work authorization will expire 90 days after your admission to the U.S.
How long does it take to marry a K1 beneficiary?
A signed statement from the K1 visa beneficiary and the U.S. citizen petitioner expressing each person’s intent to marry the other within 90 days of the K1 visa beneficiary’s entry to the U.S.
What happens after you get your K1 visa?
At the Port of Entry (POE) you will likely be questioned by Customs and Border Protection regarding the purpose of your entry to the United States.
How to get a marriage based green card?
Usually, to get a marriage based green card, your spouse is required to file a Form I-130 “Petition for Alien Relative” on your behalf. With a K1 fiancé visa, you can avoid the I-130 process and apply directly for the adjustment of status (Form I-485) upon entry to the U.S. and marriage to your U.S. citizen fiancé.
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 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.
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.
What are some examples of ineligibilities for a visa?
Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents.
Can I apply for a K visa for my child?
No. Your eligible children may apply for K-2 visas based on the approval of Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), that your U.S. citizen fiancé (e) filed on your behalf, but your U.S. citizen fiancé (e) must list the children on the petition. Separate visa applications must be submitted for each K-2 visa applicant, and each applicant must pay the K visa application fee.
Do you open a sealed K-1 visa packet?
Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet.
