Full Answer
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. ...
What do you need to know about the K1 visa?
The Port of Entry phase for an K-1 (Fiance (e)) Visa consists of the following steps:
- Travel to and enter the United States
- Stand in line for immigration interview
- CBP immigration officer interview
- Get your luggage (baggage claim)
- Customs Check
- Exit
What happens after K1 visa approved?
After You Receive a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa. If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States.
What happens if my K1 visa expires?
■ Nothing, really. As long as you postmark the I-129F before it expires, you will be fine. Expiration of the form doesn’t affect processing as long as you mail it in time. If for any reason you can’t get a K-1 visa interview date within the 4 months, you should let the Embassy know you’re still intending to apply.
See 7 key topics from this page & related content
See 7 key topics from this page & related content
Where do I mail K-1 visa?
Form I-129F petitions filed by a U.S. citizen on behalf of a fiancé(e) or spouse must be submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. File Form I-129F at the USCIS Dallas lockbox.
What should I send with my K-1 visa application?
What Documents Do We Need For a K-1 Visa?Proof 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...
Where do I file USCIS Form I-129F?
You can file Form I-129F to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.
How do I send my fiancé visa?
How to apply for a K-1 Fiancé VisaStep 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!
How long does a K-1 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.
How long does it take for a K-1 visa to be approved?
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.
Can my fiancé visit while waiting for K-1 visa?
Can my fiancé visit me in the US while waiting for a K-1 fiancé visa? Yes – your fiancé may visit the US, so long as they have a valid B-1/B-2 visa or ESTA. However, your fiancé should expect more scrutiny at the border.
Why is I-129F taking so long?
Due to several factors, the K1 visa is taking much longer to process. The Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with huge backlogs in processing times at USCIS, the length of processing time has extended from 6 months to over 10 months now to process Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé.
What happens after I-129F 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).
How many photos do I need for K-1 visa?
If you are applying for an immigrant visa, using Form DS-260, you must provide two (2) identical photos at your immigrant visa interview. Your photos must be: Printed on photo quality paper. 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size.
How much is a K-1 visa total?
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 long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2022?
Average time -- Five to 14.5 months (as of early 2022) for approval of the Form I-130, and additional time depending on individual circumstances. Summary of the Process -- The U.S. citizen starts the process by filing a Form I-130 with USCIS, either online or by mail.
What is the easiest way to bring my fiancé to USA?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may bring your fiancé(e) to the United States to marry and live here, with a nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé(e) (K-1). An I-129F fiancé(e) petition is required.
How long does it take to get 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.
Can you file K-1 visa online?
All K visa applicants are required to complete the online paperless DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application). K visa petitioners will continue to use the I-129F (PDF 484KB) petition form.
Can you file I-129F online?
There's no such thing as “online filing” of the I-129F petition. The I-129F petition for a fiance visa must be submitted on paper to the USCIS.
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.
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.
Who files the K1 visa?
It is also important to remember that the U.S. citizen partner (the petitioner) files the K1 visa application on behalf of the foreign fiancé (the visa beneficiary).
What is a K1 visa?
A K1 visa is sometimes also referred to as a fiancé (e) visa. This visa specifically grants a fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen the privilege of living in the U.S. for 90 days after their entry through a U.S. border crossing. If you enter the U.S. on this visa, you and your future spouse are required to get married within the 90-day validity period of the visa. If the marriage does not take place within the 90-day validity period, the foreign fiancé will need to leave the U.S. The visa will also lose its validity if the engagement is broken before the marriage.
How Much Does a K1 Visa Cost?
The Form 129F has a filing fee of $535. At your visa interview, you’ll also need to pay the visa fee of $265. So the official filing fees require a total of $800. This does not, however, take into account the medical examination costs or any other expenses you need to cover in pursuit of your K1 visa.
How long does it take for USCIS to notify you of a case?
After about 30 days the USCIS will notify you that they have received the case. Keep those notifications for future reference. They may also send you a Request for Evidence (RFE) if they require more information. Please provide any additional requested information as fast as possible to minimize the processing time on your case.
How many meetings do you need to get a visa?
The couple must prove at least one personal meeting in the two years leading up to the visa application. This requirement may be waived if the foreign spouse could not do so due to extreme hardship as a result of religious, cultural, or social norms.
Is a K1 visa different from a K1 visa?
The U.S. government determines these regulations and the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) ensures it is enforced. A K1 visa is no different and it also only allows a specific group of people entry into the U.S.
When will the officer decide on a K1 visa?
The officer presiding over the case will either decide on the same day of the interview or the day after whether your application is successful. So make sure you have all the required proof and supporting documents at your interview and prepare well for the interview by studying some of the possible K1 visa interview questions.
What form do I use to apply for a CR-1 visa?
Well, the proper procedure depends on WHEN you want to apply for a spousal CR-1/IR-1 visa (using form I-130).
How long does an I-129F visa last?
Meaning, you don’t have to go out of your way to write a withdrawal letter. If you decide not to do anything on your own, the I-129F validity runs out in 4 months on its own. After which your case will be deemed unresponsive and expired.
How long does it take to get a confirmation letter from USCIS?
The USCIS is obliged to terminate your petition and send you a notice. You should get a confirmation letter in about 2-8 weeks depending on the USCIS backlog. According to the USCIS policy manual, any petition that is withdrawn cannot be denied.
How to mail a letter to USCIS?
Look at your I-797c receipt letter. Identify which service center it is, and what their address is. Use this address to mail a letter.
What happens if you don't use your visa?
It’s up to you to either use the visa or let it expire. And if you don’t use the visa, then you won’t get your fee refunded.
Do you have to justify why you cancel a petition?
There’s no requirement to justify why you’re canceling your petition. The USCIS doesn’t need to know all of that. Nonetheless, I do recommend you write one or two sentences to briefly describe why you made this decision. You’re also not required to notarize this letter.
Can I get a refund for a 129F?
Your process will terminate. And you will not get a refund for the I-129F fee. Your paperwork may be returned to you, however, I doubt that normally happens.
