Visa-Faq.com

is k1 visa immigrant or nonimmigrant

by Dr. Pierce Shields Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

Overview: What Is a K-1 Visa? The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a United States (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.

What category is fiancé visa?

K-1 nonimmigrant visaThe 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.

Is K-1 visa non resident?

A K-1 visa requires a foreigner to marry his or her U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder).

Who comes under non immigrant visa?

A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States but wishes to be in the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study, as examples. There are more than 20 different categories of nonimmigrant visa classifications.

What is k1 immigration status?

A K-1 visa adjustment of status is the process of obtaining a green card in the United States. When the adjustment of status process is complete, you will be an LPR in the United States. After meeting the requirements for the naturalization process, you are one step closer to your path to citizenship.

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).

What happens after K-1 visa marriage?

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 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.

What is an example of a non immigrant visa?

Nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist and student visas, permit you to enter the U.S. for a short time. By Ilona Bray, J.D. If you're planning a short trip to the United States, you must, with certain exceptions, obtain a "nonimmigrant" (temporary) visa.

What are the 4 types of immigration status?

To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented. The characteristics of each status are explained below. These are people who were either born in the U.S. or who have become "naturalized" after three or five years as permanent residents.

How long can you stay on a K-1 visa after marriage?

90-dayThe K-1 visa cannot be extended beyond the 90-day period. If there is no marriage, the foreign citizen is required to depart the United States by the 90th day. Of course, most marriages go on as planned. Typically, the foreign citizen spouse plans to stay permanently in the United States.

How long can I stay in U.S. with K-1 visa?

90 daysA K-1 visa does not allow the foreign national to stay in the United States for more than 90 days – it can't be extended. Once married, the foreign national has the option of staying in the United States if he or she files an application for adjustment of status through a K-1 visa entry.

Can a K-1 visa holder apply for SSN?

K1 visa holders can get a social security number upon producing a valid, unexpired I-94. Apply two weeks after arrival in the U.S. so that the Social Security Administration (SSA) can verify your information in the SAVE-ASVI database.

Who is a non immigrant?

The U.S. government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign nationals who are admitted to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. By contrast, the term immigrant refers to foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States permanently.

Is h1b a non immigrant visa?

What is the H-1B Visa Category? The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.

What are the 4 types of visas?

Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

What is difference between immigrant and 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 wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons.

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.

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.

Do foreign fiances need to understand the IMBRA?

In every K1 fiancée visa process, the foreign fiancé, while completing their recent application, must acknowledge that they have reviewed and understand the IMBRA pamphlet. A link to the pamphlet can be found here: English IMBRA Pamphlet The pamphlet is also available in other languages: Arabic (PDF – 137 KB) Chinese (PDF – 212 KB) Español (PDF – … Continue reading

How to apply for a K-1 visa for a foreigner?

An American ("petitioner") begins the K-1 visa application process on behalf a foreign fiancé (e) ("beneficiary") by filing form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé (e)) with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with form I-134 (Affidavit of Support). Official instructions are available from the USCIS web site, or the US Department of State web site. No attorney or other intermediary is necessary to petition someone for a K-1 visa, however some choose to hire an attorney or document preparation agency to help with the paperwork and/or facilitate the process.

How long is a K-1 visa valid?

The label is placed into the fiancé (e)'s passport. It is valid for one entry into the United States within six months of the date of issuance.

How does a visa interview work?

At the visa interview a Consular officer reviews the documents that both the American petitioner and the foreign fiancé (e) have submitted. The Consular officer looks for evidence of a relationship, and asks the foreign fiancé (e) questions to determine that a bona fide relationship exists. Typically, Embassies request that fiancé (e)s bring evidence of their relationship to the interview, such as photographs together, correspondence between the two, evidence of remittances to the fiancé (e), phone bills showing calls to each other, etc. Additionally income evidence is reviewed to insure that the petitioner meets the minimum income requirements. The current requirement is that the income of the petitioner meet or exceed 100% of the US poverty guidelines. In some cases a co-sponsor can be used to meet this requirement.

What is a NOA1?

This notice is typically called a NOA1, so called because it is usually the first Notice Of Action (NOA) that the petitioner receives.

How long does it take to get a visa?

The total time from filing of the initial petition to the actual issuance of a visa can vary, but recently has averaged around eight months. The length of time depends partly on the processing speed of the USCIS center that receives the visa petition, as well as availability of appointments at the Embassy or Consulate nearest to the foreign fiancé (e). Visa petitioners and their fiancé (e) can avoid unnecessary delays by making sure their applications are completely and accurately filled out, and by scheduling necessary appointments with the panel physician and the US Embassy as soon as they are eligible to do so.

What documents are required for a visa?

Both fiancées may be required to submit certain documents, such as birth certificates and ID cards , to prove their identity, as well as divorce decrees or annulment records to prove they are eligible to marry. The precise documents required are set by the Embassy in each country to reflect the documents commonly used in that country.

How many K-1 visas were issued in 2014?

In 2014, the Department of State issued a total of 35,925 K-1 visas to fiancées of U.S. citizens. Including derivative categories—mostly for children of fiancées—a total of 41,488 visas in the K category were issued.

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.

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

Since the K-1 visa is non-immigrant, the main lesson to take away is you must be honest and follow through your intention to marry in 90 days. If you sincerely decide not to marry (and that’s okay), then your fiance (e) must depart within 30 days after the 90-day deadline. Share on Twitter.

What is an immigrant visa?

An immigrant visa is for foreigners who immigrate to the U.S. with the intention to stay, live and work there. A non-immigrant visa is for those foreigners who will stay in the country temporarily. Read the full difference between immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

How long does it take for a fiance to get a visa?

has a one-time temporary entry until he/she fulfills the condition of marrying the sponsoring U.S. citizen within the 90 days. Even though it’s a non-immigrant visa, your fiance (e) will also be required to meet the requirements of an immigrant visa.

Is a K-1 visa a permanent visa?

The fiance (e) K-1 visa is a non-immigrant but processed like an immigrant visa. This is because the K-1 process eventually leads to a permanent stay. The government wants to make sure that your fiance (e) will only stay if he/she marries you, otherwise, they must leave.

Is a K-1 visa considered a non-immigrant visa?

The Fiance ( e) K-1 and K-2 visas are considered non-immigrant. Meaning when your foreign fiance (e) is issued a K-1 Visa, he/she is allowed conditional temporary entry into the U.S. The condition is, of course, to marry the you within 90 days. When married, your new spouse earns the right to stay ...

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 is the form for alien fiancé?

You file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) according to the form instructions. This form asks USCIS to recognize the relationship between you and your fiancé (e).

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 mail my spouse an I-485?

We review Form I-485 and the documents your spouse submitted. We may mail a request for evidence to your spouse if we need additional documentation or information.

Is marriage a valid immigration benefit?

Your marriage must be valid, meaning both you and your fiancé (e) have a bona fide intent to establish a life together and the marriage is not for the sole purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit.

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.

image

Overview

A K-1 visa is a visa issued to the fiancé or fiancée of a United States citizen to enter the United States. A K-1 visa requires a foreigner to marry his or her U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder). Although a K-1 visa is legally classified as a non-immigrant visa, it usually leads to important immigration benefits and is ther…

Background

The K visa category was established in 1970, during U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The U.S. military required that Vietnamese citizens who wished to marry a U.S. soldier obtain both an exit visa from the Vietnamese authorities and an immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy. Obtaining these documents was a time-consuming process and involved acquiring medical and police clearances for the Vietnamese citizen, and notarized Embassy certificates from the American. …

Process of applying for a K-1 visa

Before filing for a K-1 Visa a couple must have seen each other in person within 2 years prior to the filing. It is important to collect evidence of having met in person prior to filing and include this evidence with the petition. Failure to provide evidence of having met in person can result in a RFE (Request for Evidence) later in the process.
An American ("petitioner") begins the K-1 visa application process on behalf a foreign fiancé(e) ("…

Requirements for a K-1 visa

Both fiancées must be eligible to be lawfully married in the state of residence of the petitioner. For example, at the time the visa petition is filed, as well as at issuance, they must both be of legal marriageable age, and not already married to each other or to anyone else. Some individuals, such as those with certain untreated communicable diseases, those who have committed crimes of moral turpitude, those who are addicted to illegal drugs, persons who were previously deported f…

Related visa categories

The unmarried children, under 21 years old, of a K-1 visa beneficiary can also immigrate with their parent. Because such children derive their immigration status through a parent, they are known as derivative applicants, and are issued a K-2 visa. (The precise definition of a "child" for immigration purposes is complex, taking into account the various permutations of adoptive, stepparent, and half-sibling relationships that are possible.) Derivative children may either immigrate at the sam…

Fraud considerations

Because the K-1 visa leads to immediate immigration, and eligibility for employment, in the United States, it is considered to be a high fraud visa category. To partially address these concerns, Congress passed the Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986, which placed a two-year conditional period on a foreign spouse's permanent residency. Dissolution of the marriage within those two years can lead to removal of the foreigner's permanent residency status.

International Marriage Broker Regulation Act

In response to concerns about domestic violence, Congress passed the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act in 2005. The act requires that persons granted a K visa be given a brochure detailing the rights and protections for foreign spouses in the United States, and requires that American petitioners who have been convicted of certain crimes of violence, abuse or multiple crimes involving drugs declare this on the petition, among other things. If two or more K-1 visa p…

See also

• 90 Day Fiancé, a show where K-1 visa applicants are documented

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9