
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 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.
How many K1 visas can I apply for?
There is no defined rule with USCIS about how many times you can apply for a K-1 Visa, however you may need to explain why you are applying multiple times fo...
How long is the K1 visa process?
K-1 Visa Timeline. It takes 5 – 7.5 months on average (as of October 2021) for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process Form I-129F (technically called the “ Petition for Alien Fiancé ”), and an additional 3-4 weeks to receive instructions from the National Visa Center (NVC) to continue the process. K-1 Visa Cost.

What visa class is K-1 visa?
The K-1 nonimmigrant visa is also known as a fiancé(e) visa. In order to obtain a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, you and your fiancé(e) must intend to marry each other within 90 days of your fiancé(e) entering the U.S as a K-1 nonimmigrant.
What is k1 immigration status?
A K-1 visa — also called a fiancé visa — allows the engaged partner of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States, as long as the couple gets married no more than 90 days later. The newly married spouse can then apply for permanent residence (a “green card”) based on marriage.
What are the immigrant visas?
An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States. In most cases, a relative or employer sponsors the individual by filing an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Which visa comes under immigrant visa?
Immigrant Visa CategoriesImmediate Relative & Family SponsoredVisa CategorySpouse of a U.S. CitizenIR1, CR1Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petitionK-3 *Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.K-1 *Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. CitizensIR3, IH3, IR4, IH411 more rows
What's next after K-1 visa?
If the K-1 Fiancé did not bring their children with them, they can send for their children to enter the United States under an approved K-2 visa. The K-2 children will enter the United States and their status is conditioned on the K-1 parent maintaining their legal status.
What happens after K-1 visa is approved?
If USCIS approves the Form I-129F, the approval means that USCIS recognizes there is an intended marriage. USCIS will notify the petitioner and send the approved petition to the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC).
What are the 4 types of immigrants?
To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented.
What are 3 types of non immigrant visas?
What are the nonimmigrant visa types? There are three primary nonimmigrant visa categories. You can visit the United States for temporary tourism or business, study, and work.
Who are called immigrants?
Simply put, an immigrant is a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth. No matter if that person has taken the citizenship of the destination country, served in its military, married a native, or has another status—he or she will forever be an international migrant.
What's a non immigrant visa?
Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States on a temporary basis – as tourists, for medical treatment, on business, for temporary work, to study, or other similar reasons.
What are the 3 types of immigration?
When immigrating to the US, there are four different immigration status categories that immigrants may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
Who are non immigrants in US?
Nonimmigrant status This status is for people who enter the U.S. on a temporary basis – whether for tourism, business, temporary work, or study. Once a person has entered the U.S. in nonimmigrant status, they are restricted to the activity or reason for which they were allowed entry.
How long can I stay in U.S. with K-1 visa?
How long is my K-1 Visa good for? The K1 visa is good for 6 months and allows you to enter the United States only one time. The K1 approval from the USCIS is good for 4 months, which means the visa must be issued within 4 months of your USCIS approval.
How long does it take to get green card after K1?
In total, getting a Green Card via a K1 Visa usually takes 13-18 months, but the immigrant fiance will be able to enter the U.S. as soon as they have their visa. It usually takes 9-12 months to get a K1 Visa and an additional 4-6 months to adjust status to a Green Card after the immigrant enters the US.
How long does it take to get citizenship after K-1 visa?
Thus, although it is not possible to determine exactly when a K-1 status holder will be eligible for naturalization, a K-1 status holder should expect to be eligible to apply for naturalization three years and about 3 months after marrying the K-1 petitioner and submitting the adjustment of status application.
How do I change my K-1 visa to a green card?
If you are currently in the United States and meet certain other requirements, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to apply for a Green Card. You must have married your U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 Fiance Visa is the perfect Visa to bring a couple together in the United States. However, every country is different in terms of process, supporting document requirements, and processing time since everything depends on the US Consulate in that specific country. Here, we will specifically focus on Brazil and the Brazilian Fiance. [Read … Continue reading
How does the K1 Visa differ from the B1/B2 Tourist Visa?
A visual can show many more steps in the K-1 Fiance Immigrant Visa versus the Tourist non-immigrant Visa.
What type of visa is available for a Portuguese spouse?
This post will discuss two types of Immigrant Visas available for a Portuguese Spouse or Fiance: CR-1/IR-1 Spousal (Immigrant) Visa K-1 Fiance (Immigrant) Visa This Post will not cover the K-3 Immigrant Visa because the K3 Visa has a very low (and very unknown) approval rating (less than a dozen worldwide). A Historical Analysis of … Continue reading
How long is the I-129F valid?
Second, USCIS provides a 4-month Validity Period of the I-129F. This period is automatically reviewed and extended AT the US Embassy or Consulate. Processing time and delays outside-of-your-control are not something to be held against you.
What happens if you schedule an interview before the embassy?
If you attempt to schedule an interview PRIOR to the Embassy Permitting, Complications may result or your consulate account could be frozen, possibly making further delays when the Embassy or Consulate is actually ready to interview you.
Is a fiance visa hard to understand?
A Fiance Visa filing can be a long process, that causes a lot of stress for both fiances. The Visa requirements can be confusing and the process overall can be hard to understand. This post will tie together a lot of our related Manila Philippines Fiance Visa articles, as well as giving that overview to … Continue reading
Is a K-1 visa a non-immigrant visa?
Although the K-1 Visa uses the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa application and some Embassies/Consulates may refer to the K-1 Visa as a non-immigrant visa, it 100% is different from other non-immigrant visas.
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.
What is DS 160?
Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is used for US nonimmigrant visas and in this case for the K1 visa too. The form will inquire on your personal information as well as reasons why you are planning to go to the US. When you submit it, you will get a confirmation page and code.
What are the K1 Visa Requirements?
Before having the K-1 visa and have the way to the U.S to marry the U.S citizen, there are some fiance visa requirements that you must be fulfilled first. The following required for the process are in security to avoid relationships and marriages that are unofficial just to obtain Green Cards.
How to Apply for the K1 Visa?
The U.S citizen should be the one to initiate the visa application. The U.S citizen must obtain permission from the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to bring and sponsor their foreign citizen fiance to the U.S. The foreign citizen fiance should apply for the actual K-1 visa if the USCIS approves the permission.
What Are the K1 Visa Fees?
In obtaining the K-1 visa, there are K-1 visa fees or fiance visa costs certainly. Amounts are not the same annually and by the country as well because of the various relationships that the US has with the other countries. The main categories of fees are as follows:
How Long is the Visa K1 Processing Time?
The Visa K-1 Processing Time can vary from weeks to months. Mostly, it will take a few months, so you have to plan ahead of time for any delays if you are planning to have the wedding in the U.S. You and your fiance in the U.S will be notified if it is already processed.
What is a fiance visa?
US Fiance Visa, also known as the fiance visa, would let the ceremony happen. With this travel permission, the couples would have their way to the US. This article would be talking about the U.S fiance visa, what it is, its requirements, the fiance visa process, and other relevant K1 visa process details.
How long is a K1 visa valid?
How Long is the K1 Visa Valid? Initially, the K-1 Visa is given for 4 months but can be extended for up to 6 months. Even if a K-1 visa might be valid for this certain length of time, the couple is expected to be married within 90 days of the entry of the foreign citizen in the U.S.
How to get a Social Security number for K-1?
You have to apply first for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765 to USCIS. You are then allowed to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if granted and even work for the period of your K-1 Visa validity.
Family-Based Immigration
If you are a U.S. citizen and you marry your fiancé (e) and apply for a U.S.immigration visa to the US, it’s going to take a while to process the visa. In fact, the average processing time is about a year.
The K1 Fiancé (e) Visa Option
Fortunately, there is a better alternative, at least if you are a US citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since immigration law is federal law, not state law, it is the same throughout the United States. Consequently, it doesn’t matter which state you live in — we serve clients in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and even overseas.
Our Contact Details
A representative from Herman Legal Group is available any time 24/7. Telephone us from anywhere in the world at (+1) (800) 808-4013 or (+1) (614) 300-1131, or complete our online contact form for a free initial consultation. We have consultations, and we definitely look forward to hearing from you or by stopping in at one of our offices.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 visa is one of the most requested types of American non-immigrant visas.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
