1# File the petition with USCIS
- File with USCIS Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e);
- USCIS will review your request and mail you a request for evidence if additional information or documentation is required;
- If you are eligible, USCIS will approve your I-129F petition. ...
- Once your petition is approved, USCIS will send it to the DOS National Visa Center (NVC).
- Step 1: Petition for Fiancé(e) – USCIS.
- Step 2: Visa Application – DOS.
- Step 3: Inspection at a Port of Entry – CBP.
- Step 4: Marriage.
- Step 5: Adjustment of Status – USCIS.
How long before filing fiance visa?
Before filing for a fiancé visa, a couple must typically have seen each other in person within the previous two years. The foreign partner applying for the fiancé visa must marry their U.S. citizen partner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States.
What are the steps of the Fiance 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. ...
What are the requirements to get a fiance visa?
The fiance visa UK requirements in 2022 are as follows:
- The application must be submitted from outside the UK
- There must be an intention for the applicant and sponsor to marry in the UK
- There must be an intention to settle in the UK
- The fiance visa UK financial requirement must be satisfied
- The fiance visa UK relationship requirements must be satisfied
How long does it take for the Fiance Visa?
Usually this is available between 2 and 5 days after the interview, but in some cases could take up to a month. For tips on expediting your fiance visa, go here. Disclaimer: The contents of this post were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing.
How long does it take to receive a fiancé visa?
7 monthsThe processing time for a K-1 fiancé visa application currently averages 7 months. Note this does not include the time from when your application is approved to your interview date, which differs based on the country you're applying from.
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.
Do you have to be engaged to apply for a fiancé visa?
Do you have to be engaged to apply for a K-1 fiancé visa? Yes! To qualify for a K-1 visa, the US citizen and their partner must be engaged. As part of the application, each partner must submit evidence confirming their intent to marry after the K-1 fiance's arrival in the US.
How hard is it to get a fiancé visa approved?
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.
Why would 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.
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.
Which is faster fiancé visa or spouse?
If the goal is for the couple to be together in the U.S. as soon as possible, the K-1 visa is most likely the fast path. From the date of filing to the date of admission to the U.S., it will take approximately 5-10 months on a K-1 fiancé visa. On the other hand, the marriage visa may take 10-16 months.
What documents are needed for a fiancé visa?
The documents you'll need for your fiancé(e) visa applicationProof of citizenship for the U.S. citizen fiancé(e)Copy of sponsored fiancé(e)'s passport.Evidence of terminated marriages, where needed.Proof of meeting within 2 years of applying.Evidence of legal name change, where applicable.More items...
How long can you stay on a fiancé visa?
6 monthsAs the K-1 visa holder, you must enter the United States either before or at the same time as any qualifying children holding K-2 visas. With your visa, you can apply for a single admission at a U.S. port-of-entry within the validity of the visa, which will be a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance.
How much money do you need for 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.
How often are k1 visas 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.
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 common is the K-1 visa?
Annual K-1 visas made up only 0.04% of all nonimmigrant visas in 2019.
Which is faster k1 or cr1 2022?
2:109:43K1 vs CR1 - Which is Faster? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipExplain this alphabet soup of k1 and cr1 for those of you who are new to these terms. So the k1 isMoreExplain this alphabet soup of k1 and cr1 for those of you who are new to these terms. So the k1 is the fiance visa route. And then the cr1. And also called ir1. And also called a spouse visa is the
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 long does it take to get a fiance visa?
How does the fiance visa work? Undergoing the fiance visa process will allow you to come to the United States within 6 months of the visa approval. Once you enter the US, you will have 90 days to marry your fiance. Once you are married, you can apply for lawful permanent residence and thus obtain the right to live and work in the United States. Your fiance visa application on its own does not entitle you to a green card. However, foreign nationals married to US citizens can, through their marriage, eventually become full US citizens.
How long to get a fiance visa to the USA?
With COVID-19 restrictions, this processing time has been extended, and it may take upwards of 20 months for an approval of your fiance visa.
How to get a fiance visa subsidiary K-2 visa?
Their names must be included in Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance. They must remain unmarried and under 21 in order to receive a nonimmigrant K-2 visa. K-2 visa holders cannot enter the United States before the K-1 fiance visa holder.
Can you work on a fiance visa?
Theoretically, as the fiance of a US citizen, you have the right to work during the 90 days before you and your partner get married. However, in order for you to work, you have to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. It will routinely take USCIS upwards of two months to process the application, meaning that by the time you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you may no longer be eligible to work because your nonimmigrant K-1 status will have expired.
What is the next step in the K-1 visa process?
The medical exam, the next step in the K-1 fiance visa process, will determine whether the foreign national is inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds , such as drug addiction or communicable diseases that are a threat to public safety. The exam will be conducted by an approved medical practitioner.
Can a green card holder file for a fiance visa?
If your partner is a lawful permanent resident, you can get married and then apply for a marriage-based immigrant visa, but you cannot apply for a fiance visa.
Steps Of The US Fiance Visa Process
A Fiance Visa (category K1, K2) allows an unmarried American petitioner to bring over a foreign partner to the US for marriage.
What Are The Steps To Apply?
The first step is to ensure the US Citizen and the foreign beneficiary qualify for the K visa. Of the several requirements, the two most-important are: to have personally met face-to-face within the last 2 years, and be free to marry (single, divorced, widowed, annulled, etc.).
The Fiance K Visa Interview
To prepare, the applicant must gather proper documents before scheduling and appearing for the interview. Among the important ones are: The DS-160 online form, the Medical exam report, the Police Clearance, a valid passport, birth certificate, and the I-134 Affidavit of Support.
The Green Card Process
An approved visa allows the beneficiary to travel, with a single-entry visa, to the US and marry their engaged petitioner. The marriage must happen within the US and the allotted 90 days. If both of these rules aren’t followed, it could mean deportation or voidance of the K visa.
How to obtain the fiancé visa?
The process and subsequent obtaining of the K-1 visa for the United States includes the following requirements:
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 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.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 visa is one of the most requested types of American non-immigrant visas.
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.
Can I get same sex visa as opposite sex spouse?
Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. ...
Can a spouse get a K-3 visa?
Nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) - It is important to note that application for the nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) who married a U.S. citizen must be filed and the visa must be issued in the country where the marriage took place. After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. Two petitions are required: Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, and Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F. Learn more.
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 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.
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 a foreign fiancé get a K-1 visa?
If after the visa interview, the consular officer is convinced that the foreign fiancé (e) qualifies for the visa, then the K-1 nonimmigrant visa will be granted. Once the visa has been approved, the foreign fiancé (e) can then start preparing to travel to the U.S.
