
But typically, the K1s are always a little bit faster than the spouse visas. They’re not processed faster in the sense of the entire process but they’re faster to get the person into the United States.
Which one is faster K1 visa or K3 visa?
This usually means photo identification and an official copy of your marriage license, but it varies depending on where you live. How quickly do you need to get to the States? Generally speaking, a K1 visa is faster for immigrating couples than a K3 visa because it requires only one application – rather than two with the K3.
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 much is a K1 visa?
- First of all, the U.S citizen partner needs to fill up the I-129F Form for a K-1 visa and mails it to USCIS along with the $535 filing fee.
- Once the petition is approved, The NVC assigns a case number and forwards your paper works to the embassy where your fiancé lives.
- Your partner then needs to fill up the DS-160 Form and submit it online. ...
How long does K1 visa take to get approval?
The K-1 processing time can take more than a year from beginning to end. That’s because the approval time for the I-129F by itself takes roughly five to 9 to 12 months. Premium processing is not available for the K-1 visa petition. Did you receive the K-1 visa?

Which is better fiancé or spouse visa?
Citizens, the K1 Fiance Visa is still quicker and simpler for unmarried international couples seeking to get married. Marriage Visas generally take between 5-7 months from the time the I-130 Petition is filed at a USCIS Service Center to the day a Marriage Visa is issued.
What is easier fiancé visa or spouse visa?
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 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.
Which is faster K1 or cr1?
Processing time for K-1 was between three and 22 months in mid-2020 while the processing time for CR-1 was at least 12 months and could be up to 18 months. Certain criminal convictions or other factors can make you inadmissible and prevent you from entering the United States on either visa.
Why do K1 visas get 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.
Is a K-1 visa hard to get?
So Is it Difficult to Apply for a K1 visa? The approval of the K1 visa may vary from case to case according to circumstances, and in most cases can be denied or delayed simply because of the applicant's fault for not being able to provide the correct information or follow instructions.
How long does fiancé visa take 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).
How often do fiancé visas get 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 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.
How long does CR1 visa take 2022?
10 monthsHow long does it take to get a CR1 visa? Currently, as of 2022, the average CR-1 timeline from the initial application to the time the visa is granted is 10 months or more. The time can be shorter or longer depending on your situation.
How many k1 visas are approved each year?
USCIS quarterly data on the I-129F petition¹⁴ shows that approvals were down in 2017 and 2018 (compared to the previous two years). 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 much money do you have to make to sponsor a K-1 visa?
In dollars and cents, this means that you must have stable earnings of at least $16,910 per year for a two-person household (in 2019) to qualify as financial sponsor for a fiancé(e) visa petition, and you must have stable earnings of at least $21,137 per year for a two-person household to qualify as financial sponsor ...
How long does it take to get a spousal visa?
Spouse Visa Processing Time Visa processing usually takes around 3-5 months. If you are a permanent resident, you must wait for a visa to become available for your spouse, based on their priority date. This can vary depending on the spouse's home country, but the typical time is around 24 months.
How long does a fiancé visa take to get?
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.
How long does fiancé visa take 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).
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 a K-1 visa?
In brief, the fiancé (e) or "K-1" visa is a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa, which will allow you to come to the U.S. for only a limited time. If you wish to stay in the U.S. permanently, you'll have to get married ...
Which is faster, a marriage visa or a green card?
If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the 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 long does it take to get a fiancé visa?
citizen within 90 days of your arrival in the United States, you must be legally eligible to marry, you must intend to establish a bona fide marriage, and you must have met your intended spouse within the past two years .
How long does it take to get a work permit after getting married?
Once you arrive in the United States and have married (which you must do within 90 days), you'll need to begin the adjustment of status process. ( See Applying to Adjust Status After Entry on K-1 Visa: Forms and Procedures .) This can take up to 18 months or even longer. What's more, although you're supposed to be issued a work permit while you wait, those have been taking between three and nine months in mid-2020.
Is a marriage visa an immigrant visa?
By contrast, the marriage visa is an immigrant visa, and grants you permanent residency at the time you enter the United States.
Can you get a visa if you are a terrorist?
Additionally, certain criminal convictions or other factors, such as membership in a terrorist organization or certain diseases may make you inadmissible and prevent you from entering the U.S. on either visa.
Is priority date immediate?
If you are married to an LPR, then your priority date is not immediate, and you are subject to the quota system. (For more information on priority date processing times, see How Long Is the Wait for Your Priority Date to Become Current? ).
Where do foreign fiancees go for visa interviews?
Foreign fiance schedules and attends a visa interview at their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
What is the form for a spouse to get a green card?
Foreign spouse submits a Green Card application package. This includes Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, filing fees, and the required supporting forms and documents.
How much does it cost to get a marriage green card?
As of November 2020, it costs $800 to get a K-1 Fiance Visa and an additional $1,225 to apply for a Marriage Green Card once you enter the U.S. By comparison, it costs a total of $1,210 to get a Marriage Green Card through consular processing. These fees come from a few different parts of the application processes:
How long does it take to get a consular marriage card?
The consular Marriage Green Card application process takes 11-32 months and costs $1,210. The foreign spouse cannot move to the U.S. until the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) approves their Green Card application.
What form do I need to file for a foreign fiance?
Foreign fiance must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization if they would like to work while waiting for their Green Card.
How long does it take for a foreign couple to marry?
The couple marries within 90 days of foreign fiance’s arrival in the U.S.
Does a foreign spouse get a visa stamp?
If the case is approved, the foreign spouse receives a visa stamp in their passport.
What is the biggest unknown for K-2 visa?
The biggest unknowns are children , however. If there are K-2 visa or CR2/IR2 children involved, the costs can skyrocket and add an extra cost for every step of the way.
What is the difference between a K visa and a CR/IR?
The CR/IR requires an I-864 Affidavit of Support to meet 125% when the NVC is reviewing. Meanwhile, the K visa requires 100% (preferred 125%). The benefit of the fiance visa is that you get more flexibility with the percentage.
What is the best thing about a fiance visa?
One of the best features of the fiance visa is that you get married in the US. Meaning, you can choose the venue, caterer, videographer, etc, whatever you prefer and invite all of your family and friends to the wedding.
How long does it take to get married on a fiance visa?
The biggest advantage that the fiance visa offers is processing speed and that there’s no formal ceremony or additional paperwork required (other than having met in the last 2 years and getting married in 90 days after entry).
What is the biggest leverage for a CR/IR visa?
However, the biggest leverage the CR/IR visa offers is to “combine income” with household members. This means if you’re having trouble meeting minimum income, the spousal procedures makes it easier to comply.
Can I get a fiance visa after marriage?
Meanwhile, fiance visa applicants only submit Permanent Residency paperwork after entry and marriage but not with the I-129F. So, that’s why the initial fiance visa I-129F paperwork isn’t as burdensome. There’s also no dealing directly with the NVC.
Is a spouse more secure?
In general, the spousal is more “secure” because it’s got higher approval rates for both the USCIS adjudication and at the CR1/IR1 visa interview. Statistically, 90% of the I-130 petitions are approved (which include more than just spouses). Source: USCIS reports
Fiancé Visa (K-1 Visa)
The fiancé visa, formally known as a K-1 visa, is a method used for foreign citizens engaged to a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the specific purpose of marrying that U.S. citizen. Once married, the foreign spouse must go through a process called “adjustment of status” if he or she wants to obtain a green card.
Marriage Visa (CR-1 or IR-1)
A marriage visa can mean different things to different people. We’ll explain it as a method for a foreign citizen married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to enter the United States with an immigrant visa to live permanently in the U.S. as a permanent resident (green card holder).
Fiancé Visa or Immigrant Visa: The Best Choice
To determine which path is best for you — fiancé visa or immigrant visa — depends on many factors and is a personal decision. Here are several issues to consider:
Fiancé Visa or Marriage Visa
These are just a few of the issues that a couple must evaluate when deciding on the fiancé visa or marriage visa. For many immigrant couples, speed is an important consideration, especially given the long wait times that are often involved with the immigration process. Before you begin, check the USCIS processing times for each petition.
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Which is faster, spouse or fiancé visa?
We often get posed which visa is faster, spouse visa or fiancé (e) visa? While the process is very similar, the benefit of a fiancé (e) visa is that they can join you in the country much faster than with a spouse visa. With that being said, however, the cost is significantly higher for a K-1 fiancé (e) visa.
How to get a spouse visa?
Getting a spouse visa is often a step along the road to a marriage-based green card. The only requirement for this green card is to have a legitimate marriage to a U.S. citizen and to be eligible for adjustment of status (meaning that you have not violated your status). Marrying a U.S. citizen is one of the best ways to get a green card due to the fact that you will be considered an “immediate relative” of the citizen, which holds benefits in that there is no annual limit for green cards for immediate relatives and you will not have to wait for a priority date to be current.
What does it mean when a spouse's visa is denied?
Denial, on the other hand, means that the immigration officer reviewing your case decided that a fiancé (e) visa or spouse visa was not merited. This is likely the result of the interview. If your petition is denied, be sure to take the notice to your immigration attorney who will guide you on what steps to take next.
How long does it take to get a green card if you are married?
However, if your marriage was less than two years old when approved, you will be issued a conditional 2-year green card. In order to remove the conditions and enjoy all of the benefits of the typical ten-year green card, you must file an I-751 form within 90 days before the end of that initial 2-year period.
Can a spouse of a permanent resident be on a waitlist?
In some cases, the spouse of a permanent resident will be on a waitlist until the visa or green card becomes available but this waiting period is shorter than other family immigration categories.
Why does it take so long for CR1/IR1 Spouse Visas?
Quite honestly, the CR1/IR1 application is the I-130 Application for Immediate Relative. There are actually a hundred times more I-130 Applications being filed from all over the world compared to I-129F for K1 Fiancee Visas.
Does the K1 unit disqualify petitioners?
They impose some stricter rules to sponsors such as the IMBRA ruling which can disqualify many petitioners, but because of the K1 unit that focuses on I-129F Petitions for Alien Fiancees, the process moves faster.

Comparing Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa Eligibility Requirements
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. For a rundown of the steps involved in each, see Steps to Applying for a K-1 Fiancé Visa and Applying for a Marriag...
Costs and Financial Considerations When Choosing Visa
- If costs are an important consideration, then you might be better off pursuing a marriage-based visa than a fiancé(e) visa. As of early 2022, filing fees for the entire fiancé(e) visa process were $535 for Form I-129F (filed with USCIS), $265 to apply for the K visa (paid to the consulate), and $1,225 for Form I-485 and the adjustment of status packet(filed with USCIS), including the biom…
Choosing A Visa When You Have Children
- Deciding what your best visa option is will depend on the age of your children and how old they are when you get married. With the fiancé(e) visa route, an unmarried child under the age of 21 can apply as a derivative on your I-129F application. The government would issue your child a K-2 visa. Your child could apply at the U.S. consulate at the same time as you, or later, so long as it i…
Wedding Considerations When Choosing A Visa
- One of the biggest factors that engaged couples must figure out is how they will plan their wedding day. If you get a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, then you can get married only in the United States, within 90 days of your arrival. If you intend to get married outside of the U.S., it's more appropriate to pursue a marriage-based visa. Given the uncertainty of when you'll actually receive a K-1 visa, …