how to get a k1 visa

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.

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 it take to get a K-1 visa?

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. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.

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 much income do I need to sponsor 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.

Can a fiancé 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.

Which is faster fiancé visa or spouse?

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.

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 long does K-1 visa take in 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 often do k1 visas get 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.

Can I sponsor my girlfriend to USA?

The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. You can learn more about fiancé(e) visas on usvisas.state.gov.

How do I pass my K-1 visa interview?

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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.

What percentage of fiance 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 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.

Be A United States Citizen

The U.S. petitioner must be able to prove he or she is a United States citizen. Green card holders are not eligible for the fiance visa. They are,...

Intend to Marry within 90 Days

The petitioner must convince USCIS agents and consular officers that the relationship is “bona fide”, and that he or she truly intends to marry wit...

Have Physically Met The Fiance within 2 Years

The couple must prove that they have physically met in person at least once within the last 2 years. This doesn’t mean they need to know each other...

Meet The Income Requirement

Some visas count on the alien’s financial ability. The K1 visa counts on the U.S. petitioner’s financial ability. They must meet the minimum income...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

To qualify for a k1 visa, both parties must have the intent to get married to each other within 90 days of the foreign fiancé’s admission to the United States. What this means is that both the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé must plan on getting married within 90 days of the foreign fiancé’s arrival to the U.S.

How to qualify for established custom exception?

To qualify for the established custom exception, you must show that meeting each other in person would violate long-standing and strict customs of the foreign fiancé’s social practice or culture.

What is a K-1 visa?

The K-1 visa is one of the most requested types of American non-immigrant visas.

How to verify a K-1 visa?

The processing time of the fiancé K-1 visa can be verified in the letter that the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) sends to the applicant. That is after the agency receives the request and reports having received the documents sent by the embassy.

What is the K-1 fiancé visa?

The K-1 visa is used by the fiancé (e) to enter the USA to marry a U.S. citizen. The period of time established by law to carry out the marriage is 90 days maximum.

How to obtain the fiancé visa?

The process and subsequent obtaining of the K-1 visa for the United States includes the following requirements:

How to notify USCIS of a K-1 visa?

If the applicant is moving it is important that they notify USCIS by phone 1-800-375-5283 or by email.

What questions are asked in a K1 visa interview?

Some of the most frequently asked questions in the K1 visa interview are whether you have been married before and where you live. Also if the applicant has been convicted or prosecuted for a crime.

How much is the K1 visa fee?

Complete and file Form I-129F and pay the filing fee of $ 535. The K1 visa application form can be paid by check or money order made out to: Department of Homeland Security. If you do it by credit card, you must fill out form G-1450.

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.

What form do I need to get married?

If you are a U.S. citizen who wants to bring your foreign fiancé (e) to the United States in order to get married, you will need to file a Form I-129F, Petition For Alien Fiancé (e). This is the first step to obtaining a K-1 nonimmigrant visa for your fiancé (e). The K-1 nonimmigrant visa is also known as a fiancé (e) visa.

Where to send I-129F?

The NVC forwards the approved Form I-129F to the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé (e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. This is generally the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé (e) lives. The U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled.

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 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.

1. Gather Sufficient Evidence

While you may know you’re in a good faith relationship, the person looking at your application has no idea. For this reason, you should diligently gather evidence that substantiates the validity of your relationship. Specifically, you’ll need to show that you and your partner have met, in person, at least once within the past two years.

2. Disclose Any Information Required by IMBRA

In 2005, following the tragic deaths of two women who entered the United States on marriage-based visas, the U.S. government instituted the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA, or “the Act”), providing protection to those who intend to marry using a broker.

3. Prepare for the Interview

After submitting the initial paperwork (Form I-129F), USCIS could take as long as 10 months to give its approval. Within 30 days following the initial approval, the sponsored fiancé (e) will receive a notice informing them of the date and location of the upcoming interview, in addition to a list of all the necessary documents.

4. Stay Flexible

Given the uncertainty surrounding the application timeline, it’s a good idea to remain flexible with respect to your wedding plans. Once the sponsored fiancé (e) arrives on U.S. soil, you have 90 days to get married. Needless to say, that’s not a lot of time, and you want to be ready for any unforeseen hurdles during the process.

5. Triple Check Your Finances

As mentioned above, the sponsoring partner will need to show that they make at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. So you want to be absolutely certain that you meet these financial criteria and that you can substantiate your income before applying.

6. Monitor Your Social Media Output

In the age of digital surveillance, it may go without saying that anything you put out on the web is fair game. That is, your social media presence could be used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to determine whether your relationship is an authentic one.

7. Fill Out All Necessary Forms

Form I-129F initiates the K-1 visa application process, but it is only one form among others that you will need to fill out. For instance, once the I-129F is approved, the sponsored fiancé (e) will need to complete the online DS-160 form, otherwise known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.

How long does it take to get married on a K-1 visa?

Has the K-1 visa been issued? At this point, the foreign fiancé (e) is able to enter the U.S. and has 90 days from the point of arrival to get married to the U.S. sponsor. From there the foreign-born spouse can prepare for an adjustment of status to permanently work and live in the country.

What is a fiancé visa?

Fiancé (e) visas are issued to the fiancé (e) of a citizen in order for them to enter into the country and subsequently get married. In order to establish this classification, the U.S. citizen in the relationship must file an I-129 Petition for Relative or Fiancé (e) with USCIS.

How long does it take for USCIS to process a petition?

Within two to three weeks of submitting the form, the USCIS will send the petitioner (U.S. citizen) notice of receipt to confirm that it has received the petition. The USCIS will review the form and may also notify the petitioner if they need additional information and documentation to process the petition.

Where to forward I-129F?

The NVC will continue the process by forwarding the approved I-129F to the U.S. consulate or embassy in the country where the foreign fiancé (e) resides so he or she can apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa there. The foreign fiancé (e) will need to submit the DS-160 form and pay the consular processing fees.

What is the I-129F form?

The form must be submitted along with all required supporting documents. I-129F form is used to establish the relationship between the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé ( e).

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

Both the receipt of notice and adjudication of the I-129F form takes around 5-7 months. However, it could be longer, especially if the petition is not filed correctly or there are certain missing items. It is best to pay attention to details when filing the form so you can avoid unnecessary delays.

Can I get a fiancé visa if I'm already married?

This process can take several months for an i-130 approval and an additional year for an approved immigrant visa. Notice that these processes are in fact very different so you cannot apply for a fiancé (e) visa if you are already married. An immigration attorney can better explain your options if you’re in this situation.