how to apply for k1 visa step by step

How to apply for a K-1 Fiancé Visa

• Step 1: File Form I-129F. The first step in the application process is for the U.S. citizen fiancé to prepare and file...
• Step 2: File Form DS-160. Once USCIS approves your Form I-129F petition, USCIS will transfer your case to the U.S.
• Step 3: Attend your visa interview and pay the visa fee. Your visa interview will take place at the U.

Full Answer

What are the steps of obtaining a K1 visa?

Ultimate guide: K1 visa process step by step

1. 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 ...
2. Receiving NOA1. After sending I-129F Form, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1). ...
3. Receiving NOA2. ...
4. NVC Processing. ...
5. Embassy stage. ...
6. Gather Embassy Documents. ...
7. Prepare for the interview. ...

More items...

Can someone work on a K1 visa?

In practice, taking advantage of this right is more difficult than it sounds—close to impossible, in fact. As a K-1 visa holder, you can work in the U.S. only if, after entering, you apply for and receive a work permit. This is known by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

What do you need to know about the K1 visa?

The Port of Entry phase for an K-1 (Fiance (e)) Visa consists of the following steps:

• Travel to and enter the United States
• Stand in line for immigration interview
• CBP immigration officer interview
• Get your luggage (baggage claim)
• Customs Check
• Exit

What happens after K1 visa approved?

After You Receive a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa. If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States.

What documents are needed for a fiance 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...

Can I file a K-1 visa online?

All K visa applicants are required to complete the online paperless DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application). K visa petitioners will continue to use the I-129F (PDF 484KB) petition form.

How long does it take for a K-1 visa to be approved 2020?

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.

How much does a K-1 visa cost?

The government filing fees for getting a K-1 visa is $800 or $2,025 for the K-1 visa and the “Adjustment of Status” form required to transfer from a K-1 visa to a green card after arriving in the United States. This does not include the typical cost of the required medical examination, which varies by provider.

How long does 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 K-1 visa interview takes?

between 15 and 20 minutesIn essence, the interview should last something between 15 and 20 minutes. It will involve you, your fiancé, your relationship, and your plans.

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 much money do you have to make to sponsor a K-1 visa?

In dollars and cents, this means that you must have stable earnings of at least $16,910 per year for a two-person household (in 2019) to qualify as financial sponsor for a fiancé(e) visa petition, and you must have stable earnings of at least $21,137 per year for a two-person household to qualify as financial sponsor ...

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.

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.

How do I qualify for a K-1 visa?

To apply for a K-1 visa, the foreign partner must live outside of the United States, be legally free and able to marry, have met the U.S. citizen partner in person within the last two years, and not have been convicted of serious crimes.

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 does a 90 day fiance visa cost?

All About the K-1 Visa | Fiance Visa | 90 Day Visa It costs $535. The medical examination, which costs around $200, but the price may change depending on the medical service center. The actual K-1 visa application. It costs $265.

Which is faster spouse or fiance visa?

Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal 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.

Can a fiance visa be denied?

There are various reasons why a consular may deny a K1 visa petition, including but not limited to: The petitioner does not meet the necessary requirements. The foreign national does not meet the necessary requirements. The relationship seems suspicious or fraudulent.

How much does a k2 visa cost?

The K-2 has several costs attached to it including: The I-129F filing fee of $535. A possible biometrics fee of $85. A possible fee from the embassy of $265.

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.

Where to file I-129F?

Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé (e) lives.

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.

What is an I-134 form?

Evidence of financial support ( Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be requested)

What is the first step in the K1 visa process?

The first step in the K1 visa process is to make sure that you are eligible for a K1 visa. There are 4 main K1 visa requirements: Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. Both the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé must be free to marry.

How long does it take to get married on a K1 visa?

You and your fiancé must get married within 90 days of the foreign fiancé’s arrival to the United States.

What is the next step after I-129F?

After the Form I-129f is approved by USCIS, the next step is for the foreign fiancé to file a Form DS-160. The DS-160 is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The form is submitted electronically with the Department of State.

What is the next step after getting married?

The adjustment of status is the process of going from non-immigrant status to permanent resident status (green card). To apply for an adjustment of status you are required to file a Form I-485 with USCIS . The Form I-485 Is the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.”

How long does it take for a foreigner to get a green card?

Following a successful adjustment of status interview, the foreign fiancé should receive their green card within a few weeks.

When do you have to attend an adjustment of status interview?

Several months after the adjustment of status application is filed , you will likely have to attend an adjustment of status interview. The adjustment of status interview will be held at a USCIS office before a USCIS officer. At the interview, the USCIS officer will ask various questions to determine whether the marriage is a bona-fide marriage rather than a marriage just for immigration benefits.

Can you be inadmissible for immigration?

You cannot be inadmissible for immigration. Certain criminal issues, health issues, etc. can make you inadmissible.

What is a K-1 visa?

NOTE: For an overview of the entire K-1 Fiance Visa process, please see the K-1 Fiance Visa Flowchart.#N#What is a K-1 Fiance Visa?#N#A K-1 Visa (also known as a Fiance Visa) is a nonimmigrant visa Visa issued to the fiancé (e) of a United States citizen. The K-1 Visa allows the visa holder to enter the United States for up to 90 days during which time they may get married and file for Adjustment of Status (to obtain a "green card" and become a Legal Permanent Resident of the US). After filing for Adjustment of Status they may reside in the US beyond the 90 day K-1 Visa validity while their Adjustment of Status application is processed. While the K-1 Visa is legally classified as a non-immigrant visa, it usually leads to important immigration benefits and is therefore often processed by the Immigrant Visa section of United States Embassies and Consulates worldwide. If the non US Citizen fiancé (e) has a child (under 21 and unmarried), a K-2 non-immigrant visa may be available to him or her. Be sure to include the names of the children on the I-129F petition.#N#Who is Eligible to File?#N#U.S. citizens who will be getting married to a foreign national in the United States may petition for a fiancé (e) classification (K-1) for their fiancé (e). You and your fiancé (e) must be free to marry. This means that both of you are unmarried, or that any previous marriages have ended through divorce, annulment or death. You must also have met with your fiancé (e) in person within the last two years prior beginning the K-1 Visa petition process (filing the I-129F). This requirement can be waived only if meeting the non US Citizen's fiancé (e) in person would violate long-established customs, or if it would create extreme hardship on the US Citizen.#N#Forms Needed to File for a K-1 Fiance Visa:#N#1. I-129F#N#2. G-1145 (optional)#N#The above forms can be filled out on your computer and printed. Make sure you sign and date them as required. Anything you cannot fit by typing, you can handwrite (very neatly) in black ink in the blank instead. You should always verify the current forms at www.uscis.gov.#N#Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist#N#Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here .):

What to send to my fiance after I-129F?

What to send to your fiance once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2): 1. A copy of the entire I-129f package ( that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE ( if you received one ).

How to create proof of meeting in past 2 years?

To organize this information you can create a single typed page with the following elements: (1) Title the page 'Evidence of In-Person Meeting in the last 2 years'; (2) A description of how you met (same as you stated in Part 2 Question 53-54 of your I-129F); (3) A list of the evidence you are providing; (4) Your printed name, signature and date . Following this declaration page, provide the evidence you listed (click here for examples).

How to write a passport photo for a foreign fiance?

One passport-type photo (see specification ) of the foreign fiance. Write the full name of the foreign fiance on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding I-129F.

How long does it take to get an I-129F?

The I-129f processing time generally takes between 3-5 months, which is the toughest part because the excited couple has to sit and wait patiently to hear back from the government.

What does it mean to submit an I-129F petition?

Submitting a great I-129F Petition shows the government you’re serious about your relationship and receiving approval. If you want to cut through all of the misinformation and uncertainty, check out Prem’s step by step guide to getting your I-129F approved and without delay.

What is the duty of a fiance visa?

For fiance visa applicants, the primary duty of the NVC is to perform background checks and assign a Case Number to you. This becomes an important identifying number from now on.

Why are fiance visas delayed?

These are crucial for a successful interview because according to the US Department of State figures, most fiance visa applicants are delayed because they aren’t prepared with proper documents at the time of the interview.

What happens when USCIS receives your case packet?

When the USCIS receives this packet, they will process your case and review your details for eligibility.

What is an I-485?

The I-485, Adjustment of Status, is a packet you prepare and send to the USCIS after marriage showing that you two are married and want your partner to live in the US.

Do foreign fiances have to inform the embassy?

With documents ready, your foreign fiance must inform the embassy before being granted access to schedule an interview.