How to Apply for a K3 Visa?
- Step-1: File Form I-130 Petition. The spouse who is a U.S. ...
- Step-2: File Form I-129F Petition. After obtaining the Receipt Notice (Form I-797) for Form I-130, the next step is to file the Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F.
- Step-3: Submit Form DS-160. First, create a user account on the official website of the U.S. Department of State. Then, download form DS-160, fill it out and submit it electronically.
- Step-4: Make the Payment and Schedule the Interview. You can pay the visa processing fee online or decide to pay later during the interview. ...
How long does it take to get a K3 visa?
K3 Visa Processing Time. K-3 visa processing, on average, takes about 6–9 months. This is just about as long as it takes USCIS to approve the marriage green card application.Because of this lengthy processing time, most people find that it’s not worth it to apply for a K-3 visa.
How to apply for a K3 visa?
What is the K-3 visa application process?
- File Form I-129F Your first step in the K-3 visa application process is filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé. ...
- File Form DS-160 and attend your visa interview Generally, 30 days after USCIS approves your Form I-129F, you should receive a message, usually via email, from the U.S. ...
- Apply for a green card once in the United States
Which visa is much faster K3 or CR1?
Which visa is much faster K3 or CR1? One of the best reasons to pursue a K-1 visa is that the process tends to move more quickly than a K-3 or CR-1 visa. Typically, the fiance visa process takes approximately six months, and obtaining permanent resident status after the fact takes around 10 to 11 months.
How long is K3 visa valid for?
K3 Visa Validity. The K3 visa is valid for only 2 years. It can be renewed in 2 year increments, but will be revoked in case the US Department of State rejects Form I-130, the application for Lawful Permanent Residence, or if the couple gets divorced. ... How Long is the K3 Visa Processing Time?
How long does it take to get a K3 visa application?
about 19 monthsWarning! K-3 visa processing, on average, takes about 19 months. This is just about as long as it takes USCIS to approve the marriage green card application. Because of this lengthy processing time, most people find that it's not worth it to apply for a K-3 visa.
How can I get K3 visa?
The application process for the K3 visa has these two steps: The US citizen spouse must file Form I-130 and then Form I-129F and have them approved by USCIS. The spouse from a foreign country must apply for a K3 visa at a US Embassy in the country of residence.
How much is a K3 visa application?
Currently, the processing fee for the K3 visa is $265. The embassy or consulate where the foreign spouse resides will then schedule an interview with the applicant. It is usually scheduled 4-6 weeks after notification is given to the applicant.
Can I enter US while waiting for K3 visa?
K3 Spouse Visa is a non-immigrant visa intended for foreign-citizen spouses of US citizens. It allows them to enter the US and remain there while waiting for the approval of their application for an immigrant visa.
Is K3 visa faster?
Finally, because K3 Marriage visa applicants are married before they enter the United States and they file their immigration petition prior to or at the same time as the K3 visa petition, they typically obtain permanent residence status (green card status) a few months faster than K-1 fiancé applicants.
What documents are needed for K3 visa?
Required DocumentationCompleted Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. ... 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 United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).More items...
Which is better K3 or CR1?
The K3 visa holder can only apply for a work permit after entering the US. On the other hand, a CR1 visa is an immigrant visa. CR1 visa applicants need to wait in their home countries for the application for US legal permanent residence to be processed.
How long can you stay on a K3 visa?
You may also obtain employment authorization if you file a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. The K-3 visa is valid for two years. The visa holder may travel and reenter the U.S. multiple times.
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.
Is K1 or K3 visa faster?
K1 Fiance Visas are generally preferred (over the Marriage Visa and K3 Marriage Visa) as the visa of choice for engaged international couples as they are considered the easiest, quickest, and least expensive route.
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.
Can I stay in the US while waiting for I-130?
If your family member or employer has merely started the process off for you, by filing what's known as a petition (typically on USCIS Form I-130 or I-140), that's not enough. A pending or approved petition from a U.S. sponsor gives you no rights to come to or remain in the United States.
Which is better K3 or CR1?
The K3 visa holder can only apply for a work permit after entering the US. On the other hand, a CR1 visa is an immigrant visa. CR1 visa applicants need to wait in their home countries for the application for US legal permanent residence to be processed.
How to get a K-3 visa for spouse?
To obtain a K-3 visa for your spouse, you (the U.S. citizen) must first file two petitions with USCIS: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: Submit Form I-130 to the correct USCIS address. To find the correct address, go to the “Where to File” section on the Form I-130 page. You will then receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action, ...
How long can a K-3 visa be extended?
USCIS grants extensions of stay for K-3 and K-4 visa holders in 2-year increments.
How old do you have to be to get a stepparent visa?
In order for you to create an eligible step-parent/step-child relationship, the child must have been under 18 years of age when you and your spouse married. If USCIS approves your Form I-130 before or at the same time as your Form I-129F, your spouse and his or her children will no longer need a K-3 or K-4 visa.
How long do I have to file an extension of stay for a K-3 visa?
If you have either a K-3 or K-4 visa, you may submit a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS in the 120 days before your authorized stay expires. To be eligible for an extension of stay, you must show either:
How long can you stay in the US on a K-3 visa?
If you are granted a K-3 visa, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will admit you for a 2-year period. You generally cannot change your status in the U.S. to another nonimmigrant visa category.
Can I get a green card if I have a K-3 visa?
If you have a K-3 visa, you may only apply for a Green Card based on your marriage to the U.S. citizen spouse who petitioned for your K-3 status.
Can I travel with a K-3 visa?
K-3 and K-4 visa holders may travel temporarily outside of the U.S. When you return from your temporary foreign travel, you may use your K-3 or K-4 visa to apply for admission to the United States. You do not need an advance parole document unless your K-3 or K-4 visa will be expired when you return to the United States and you have a pending Form I-485. In this case, the advance parole must be approved before you leave the United States.
How to get a K3 visa?
To fulfill the requirements for the K3 visa, the US citizen must first have filed the Form I-130 to USCIS for their spouse. If after getting the K3 visa, the spouse from a foreign country wants to change status to a CR-1 or IR-1 visa, they can use the same petition for them and there will be no need for a new one. When the form is filed, the US citizen spouse will get Form I-797, Notice of Action from USCIS, which they can use as proof that the Form I-130 is in processing.
Where do I file a K3 visa?
The spouse from a foreign country must apply for a K3 visa at a US Embassy in the country of residence.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the K3 Visa?
There are a few criteria for the spouse from a foreign country to qualify for the K3 visa. The K3 visa applicant must fulfill them, as follows:
What are the K3 visa fees?
The K3 visa fees that your US citizen spouse and you will incur are as follows:
How Long is the K3 Visa Processing Time?
On average USCIS takes 3-5 months to process and the US Embassy in your home country may take 2-3 months. Additionally, the US Embassies in different countries have different working times, which then might speed up or delay the processing of your K3 visa.
How to become a Lawful Permanent Resident after getting a K3 visa?
The next step after you have gotten your K3 visa is to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the US by getting a Marriage Green Card. To change your status from your immigrant visa to an LPR, you must first have an approved petition from USCIS and the visa, as well as live in the US.
How long is a K3 visa valid?
The K3 visa is valid for only 2 years. It can be renewed in 2 year increments, but will be revoked in case the US Department of State rejects Form I-130, the application for Lawful Permanent Residence, or if the couple gets divorced.
What is a K-3 Visa?
The K-3 visa is a temporary (non-immigrant) visa for the foreign-citizen spouse of a U.S. citizen. A U.S. citizen may request the use of the K-3 visa process to shorten the physical separation with his or her foreign-citizen spouse.
How long is a K-3 visa valid?
You may also obtain employment authorization if you file a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. The K-3 visa is valid for two years.
What form do I need to file for an alien fiance?
As explained above, the U.S. citizen must first file Form I-130 and receive the receipt letter before he or she can file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), on behalf of the foreign spouse. After USCIS approves the petition, they will send it to the National Visa Center (NVC) for additional processing.
What is the form DS-160?
Completed Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The applicant (and any eligible children applying for K-4 visas) must: (1) complete Form DS-160 and (2) print the DS-160 confirmation page to bring to the K-3 interview.
Can a K-3 visa be used for a K-4 visa?
Both K-3 and the K-4 visa recipients may stay in the United States while immigrant visa petitions are pending approval by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In fact, the K-3 visa for spouses is similar to the K-1 visa for fiancés. That’s why the two use the same petition.
Can couples get a K-3 visa?
The K-3 visa process may sound like a great solution for your situation. Unfortunately, most couples are unlikely to obtain a K-3 visa. Consider the statistics. In fiscal year 2018, the U.S. Department of State issued only 6 K-3 visas as compared to 108,958 immigrant (IR1/CR1) visas for the spouses of U.S. citizens.
Can I get a K-3 visa if I am approved?
If the I-130 is approved, there’s no reason to issue a K-3 visa, and the application can be administratively closed. You may apply for the K-3 visa, but you should also understand the likelihood of receiving one. It’s extraordinarily low.
Where to apply for K3 visa?
As an applicant, this spouse should apply at a US Embassy or Consulate in their country following all the instructions sent by NVC as part of the package.
Why do we need a K3 visa?
This is why the US government generated the K3 visa instead to lessen the time that the couple will be away from each other. The K3 visa will be more convenient for both of them since the spouse from another country will be allowed to join his or her partner in the US while they are waiting for an approved petition.
What Are the Requirements for the K-3 Visa?
An applicant must be able to pass or acquire the below requirements to be qualified for a K3 visa:
What is the K-3 Visa Fees?
The U.S citizen and his or her spouse from another country will be incurred with K3 visa fees as follows:
How Long Is the K-3 Visa Processing Time?
The K-3 processing time varies case by case. The U.S Embassies in different countries typically have different working times, which then meant to might speed up or delay the processing of an applicant’s K-3 visa. In addition to that, the workloads of USCIS and other US institutions responsible for processing the documents might affect the completion time of the visa.
How to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident After Getting a K-3 Visa?
To change their status from their immigrant visa to an LPR, that person must first have an approved petition from USCIS and the visa, as well as living in the U.S.
What is the visa for an immediate family member?
One of the common visas for an immediate member of the family is the spouse visa.
What is the K-3 visa?
The K-3 nonimmigrant visa is for foreign spouses of U.S. citizens. This visa category helps spouses unite with their partners in the United States sooner because it allows foreign citizens to enter while waiting for their immigrant visa petition's approval. K-3 visa recipients can adjust their status to become permanent residents or green cardholders.
Do children of a K-3 visa holder also get status?
Yes, your unmarried children under 21 can receive K-4 visas based on your Form I-129F. However, you must include your children as dependents on your petition. You will also have to submit separate visa applications and K-4 visa fees for each child.
How to Apply for a K3 Visa?
Want to file a K3 visa application for your foreign spouse, but not sure what the procedure is? Don’t worry, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on the K3 visa application process. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined below.
What is a K3 visa?
The K3 visa is intended for the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is legally married in a foreign country. It is available to those individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria. The applicant must be legally married to a U.S. citizen. The applicant must reside in a foreign country and hold a valid foreign passport.
How to file an I-130?
Form I-130 refers to the Petition for Alien Relative. It has to be duly filled in and submitted to the USCIS Service Center along with the following set of documentation: 1 Evidence of U.S. citizenship (copy of U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship). 2 Biographic Data Sheet, Form G-325A, one each for the U.S. citizen and the foreign spouse. 3 Passport copy of the foreign spouse. 4 Foreign spouse birth certificate. 5 Marriage certificate and relevant documents confirming the relationship. 6 Colored passport size photograph of both the spouses. 7 Copy of any divorce decree, death certificate, or marriage annulment if either the U.S. citizen or the foreign spouse have been previously married.
How long does it take for a USCIS form to be approved?
It usually takes around 30 days for the USCIS to issue the receipt notice for Form I-129F, indicating that the petition has been received and is being processed. The processing time varies depending on the availability of staff and workload, but on average, it takes around 6-9 months to get approved.
What is the form for a spouse to file for USCIS?
The spouse who is a U.S. citizen must file two petitions on behalf of his/her foreign spouse with the USCIS—first, Form I-130 and then Form I-129F. Form I-130 refers to the Petition for Alien Relative. It has to be duly filled in and submitted to the USCIS Service Center along with the following set of documentation:
How much does it cost to get a K3 visa?
You can pay the visa processing fee online or decide to pay later during the interview. Currently, the processing fee for the K3 visa is $265. The embassy or consulate where the foreign spouse resides will then schedule an interview with the applicant.
Where is the I-130 pending?
Form I-130 must be currently pending with the USCIS and the applicant must have the receipt notice. Petition for Alien Fiancé, Form I-129F in approved status, has been forwarded to the U.S. consulate abroad where the spouse of the U.S. citizen wishes to apply for the K3 visa.
What is a K3 Visa Application?
The K nonimmigrant visa classification enables fiancé (e)s or spouses of U.S citizens coming from abroad to enter the United States and marry their sponsor in 90 days after entry so they can adjust status to permanent resident (green card holder).
How to apply for a k3 visa?
The Visa K-Visa application is generally submitted to US Embassy in person on your own by filing I-129F petition package with necessary documentation.
How long does it take to apply for a K Visa (K3-Visa)?
The processing time varies depending on your case, but generally takes around three months from filing until an interview at the U.S Embassy/Consulate is scheduled and approved by both governments involved in this process.
