How to apply for a K-1 Fiancé Visa
- Step 1: File Form I-129F ...
- Step 2: File Form DS-160 ...
- Step 3: Attend your visa interview and pay the visa fee ...
- Step 4: Come to the United States and get married! ...
- Step 1: File Form I-129F. ...
- Step 2: File Form DS-160. ...
- Step 3: Attend your visa interview and pay the visa fee. ...
- Step 4: Come to the United States and get married!
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. ...
Is it mandatory to get engaged for K1 visa?
K1 Visa Eligibility Criteria. To get the K1 visa you must fulfill the following criteria: Be engaged to a US citizen. Have the intention to marry within 90 days of them entering the US. Have proof of your relationship before the engagement. Get married according to the US lawswhile you are in the United States on a K1 visa.
Which one is faster K1 visa or K3 visa?
This usually means photo identification and an official copy of your marriage license, but it varies depending on where you live. How quickly do you need to get to the States? Generally speaking, a K1 visa is faster for immigrating couples than a K3 visa because it requires only one application – rather than two with the K3.
How much does it cost to start a K-1 visa?
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.
Can I do my own K-1 visa?
If you plan to prepare and submit your own K1 Fiance Visa application without the help of an experienced professional, you will need to start by identifying which forms to use. You can find a copy of the forms that you will need along with their instructions at www.uscis.gov.
How long does it take for a K-1 visa to be approved?
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.
How much money do you have to make to sponsor 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 ...
How hard is it to get a K1 fiancé visa?
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.
What is the easiest way to bring a fiancé to USA?
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).
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 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 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.
Why would a K-1 visa be denied?
The petitioner does not meet the necessary requirements. The foreign national does not meet the necessary requirements. The relationship seems suspicious or fraudulent. The U.S. citizen does not meet the necessary income requirements.
What percentage of fiancé visas are approved?
Gain an advantage when applying for your fiancé visa It's true: most people who apply for a K-1 visa are successful. In fact, according to statistical reports published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), about 74% of fiancé(e) visas were approved in 2020.
How much does a lawyer cost for a fiancé visa?
Cost for Spouse and Fiancé Visas 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.
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 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 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.
Can my Children Accompany me to the US With a K1 Visa?
If the foreign citizen has unmarried children under 21 years old, they can accompany the foreign citizen to go to the US for the marriage. The children of the K1 visa holder can travel to the US with a valid K-2 visa.
What Are the Next Steps After Marriage?
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.
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.
How to get a waiver for a K1 visa?
If you have filed two or more K1 visa petitions in the past, you must apply for a waiver. You will also need a waiver if you have had one K1 approved within the past two years. To request a waiver, you simply write a letter stating all available facts about your previous filings . You will state that you are requesting a waiver, and attach the letter to your new fiancé visa petition.
How much does a K1 visa cost?
The United States citizen sponsor files the K1 visa petition with USCIS by mailing the completed I-129F petition package along with a check to the Department of Homeland Security for $535.
How long does it take to receive a notice of action from USCIS?
Two to three weeks after mailing your petition, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1) in the mail indicating USCIS has received your petition. You do nothing at this step.
Can an alien fiancé pick up a visa?
The alien fiancé may be able to pick up the actual visa the same day. However, there will usually be a wait of up to one week. The visa will be delivered via courier. The actual K1 fiancé visa is a self-adhesive decal that is placed in the beneficiary's passport. At this point, airline tickets can be purchased for travel to the United States.
Can a fiancé's children get a K2 visa?
The fiancé's children who are under 21 and unmarried may be eligible for a K2 nonimmigrant visa. All that is necessary to include them during the K1 visa petition process is to include their names on the I-129F.
Is HIV a ground of inadmissibility?
HIV is no longer a ground of inadmissibility. This rule was changed on January 4, 2010. Applicants are no longer required to file Form I-690 if HIV infected.
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.
How much is the I-129F?
This application is a full set of forms, supporting documents, evidence of relationship, and payment fee ($510 US D as of October 2nd, 2020) that you send to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ).
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.
Can a foreigner get a K1 visa if they are not a US citizen?
If the petitioner or sponsor is not a US citizen, you won’t qualify for the K1 Visa. Also, the foreign beneficiary should not have any inadmissibilities (such as criminal records or adverse health problems) or immigration violations (such as past overstays on a US tourist visa).
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 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.
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.
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.
How long do you have to meet your fiancé?
Physical meeting within 2 years: Make sure that you and your fiancé have met in person within the last 2 years. If you have not met in person, make sure that you qualify for an exception to this rule. There are 2 exceptions: the extreme hardship exception and the established custom exception. To determine if you qualify for either of these exceptions, feel free to message me directly at [email protected].
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What is the form for a K1 visa?
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. citizen, that the parties intend to get married within 90 days of the K1 visa beneficiary’s entry to the U.S., that the parties have met in person within the last 2 years, and that both parties are free to marry). You can learn more about the Form I-129f here.
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What is a 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. You can learn more about the G-28 here.
What is the purpose of the 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.
What is 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.
What is the 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. To apply for work authorization, you file the form I-765 with USCIS. You can learn more about the Form I-765 here.
How long does it take to get a K1 visa?
A K1 visa allows a U.S. citizen to sponsor their foreign fiancé (e) so they can travel to the United States. You must then marry within 90 days of their arrival. Once married, your new spouse can apply for a Green Card through the Adjustment of Status process. It can take about 10-15 months from the point of filing form I-129F until your fiancé (e) receives their visa.
How long does it take to get an alien fiance?
You will need to include supporting evidence related to the requirements outlined above. Once filed, you can expect that it will take USCIS 6-8 months to approve it.
How long do I have to marry my fiancé?
You have 90 days to marry once your fiancé (e) arrives in the U.S. This timeline cannot be extended. Your new spouse applies for Adjustment of Status. Your spouse can apply for a Green Card by filing form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.