Major Steps in Adjusting Status After K-1 Fiance Visa Entry
- prepare various U.S. ...
- gather various documents, such as your marriage certificate
- undergo a medical exam or get a vaccination report (if you didn't already have these done within the last year)
- mail your forms, documents, exam report, and a fee to an office of U.S. ...
- attend a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment, and
What comes after K-1 visa?
K-1 status in the U.S. cannot be renewed, so if you don't get married within that time, you are expected to leave. But once you're married, you can apply for a U.S. green card (lawful residence), through a process called "adjustment of status." This article gives an overview of how that process works.
How long does it take to get your green card after K-1 visa?
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 for K-1 visa to get citizenship?
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.
What happens after the K-1 visa interview?
There are a few possible outcomes following the interview: The officer approves your application immediately. If your application is approved, you will receive your passport containing the K-1 visa. Additionally, you will receive a sealed packet which should not be opened.
How long does it take for a fiancé visa to be approved 2022?
approximately 9 to 12 monthsHow long does a fiance visa take? As of March 2022, K-1 visa processing took approximately 9 to 12 months (USCIS time to process Form I-129F).
Which is faster K-1 visa or spouse 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.
How do I change my K-1 visa to a green card?
Applying for the Marriage Green Card. The beneficiary, in order to successfully change their status from K-1 visa holder to lawful permanent resident (LPR), will need to file Form I-485 (officially called “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status”) and include various supporting documents.
How many k1 visas are approved each year?
In 2015 and 2016, an average of 49,000 I-129F petitions were approved. In 2017 and 2018 an average of 34,000 petitions were approved.
How long does it take USCIS to schedule an interview 2022?
The appointment notice will come in the mail within 6 months or sooner after filing. USCIS will give the applicants a few weeks notice to get everything together before the big day.
How long after K-1 visa interview will I get my visa?
The processing time for a K-1 visa application currently averages 7 months. This does not include the time from when the government approves your application to your interview date, which differs based on the country you're applying from.
How do I know my visa is approved after interview?
At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
What happens after K-1 visa marriage?
After being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant and marrying the U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days, the alien spouse can then apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States (get a Green Card).
How long do you have to marry a foreigner on a K-1 visa?
So, let’s wrap up the discussion. Remember, after entry with a K-1 or K-2 visa, you must marry within 90 days. If you two decide not to marry, the foreign fiance can’t stay in the US and must depart before the entry expires.
What is the first step to get a visa to enter the US?
The first step is to enter the US with a K-1 or K-2 visa. This is a subtle, yet important, point because you may not be able to adjust status unless you enter with the correct visa.
What is the interview process for a green card?
This green card interview is held in a formal manner: you and your spouse sit across the table from a USCIS officer who interviews you both, verifies the information on your application, and assesses your bona fide marriage. Typical questions include:
How long does it take to get an I-485?
The average timeline for this is normally 12 months after you submit your application.
How long does it take for an I-551 to show up in the mail?
This I-551 card shows up in the mail 2-4 weeks later. With it, you continue to live in the US and carry on with your married life — starting a family, working, traveling abroad, and even applying for US citizenship in the future.
When to apply for I-485?
If you marry, your priority is to quickly apply for the I-485 Adjustment of Status for permanent Residency as soon as you have all documents ( e.g. marriage certificate).
Can I get an I-485 if I'm married?
As a rule of thumb, as soon as you marry, waste no time preparing the I-485 application (although there’s no official deadline for fiance visa applicants to be “out of status”).
How long does it take to get an EAD card?
While your Permanent Residency application is processing in the background, you get the EAD/AP card normally within 6-8 months.
Why do we ask for cards?
We ask for a variety of reasons: most of us don’t want to be bored at home waiting for our cards to show up. Can we work? Volunteer? Or how about go to school?
What is the purpose of an EAD/AP card?
The whole point behind the EAD/AP card is to give you temporary permission to work in the US and travel outside the US while your I-485 AOS is pending. That’s it.
Can I stay in the US with a K-1 visa?
Remember, the K-1 visa expiration date becomes irrelevant after you enter. As long as you get married and send in your I-485, you’ve got full legal status to stay in the US while your green card is pending. Your I-797c letter is legal proof that you’re a “K-1 visa applicant pending Adjustment of Status”.
Can I apply for Advance Parole with I-485?
To get this card, you can simultaneously apply for the Employment Authorization and Advance Parole with your I-485 (or even after you file it). Meaning, send out forms I-485, I-131 and I-765 all in one packet.
Is a huge ceremony required for residency?
But this time, it’s not that strict. In my experience, having a huge ceremony isn’t necessary for approval at your Permanent residency interview. My wife and I didn’t have one, and we did alright.
Is it legal to file an I-485 after K-1?
That’s a very interesting question because it’s a “gray area” and there’s no actual law governing when exactly you should submit the I-485 after entry with a K-1 or K-2 visa.
What should I know before applying for a K-1 visa?
You should read the Rights and Protections pamphlet before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you . The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview. Additionally, K-1 visa applicants will be provided with any existing criminal background information on their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s that USCIS received from other government agencies during processing of their Form I-129F petitions.
How Long Will It Take to Get My K Visa?
For Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), you can visit the USCIS website for the status of your petition.
What do you need to present to a consular officer for a visa interview?
During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they are not likely to become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé (e) is able to provide support.
Where to file I-129F?
Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé (e) lives.
How long do you have to meet a foreign citizen?
In general, the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) and U.S. citizen sponsor must have met in person within the past two years. USCIS may grant an exception to this requirement, based on extreme hardship for the U.S. citizen sponsor to personally meet the foreign-citizen fiancé (e), or, for example, if it is contrary in the U.S. citizen sponsor’s or foreign-citizen fiancé (e)’s culture for a man and woman to meet before marriage.
What are some examples of ineligibilities for a visa?
Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents.
What is an I-134 form?
Evidence of financial support ( Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be requested)
