If you are an American citizen contemplating marriage with a foreign national, you will need to fully understand the process for obtaining a K-1 Fiance Visa, including all the stages that make up the timeline. Working through this process on your own can be a time-consuming, frustrating experience.

Olvis Visa is here to represent your case in the K-1 Visa process, shorten preparation time, and eliminate delays, especially when dealing the government agencies. We recommend retaining our reputable firm at the very start of your journey. Olvis Visa specializes in obtaining K-1 Fiancee Visas and will deliver you through all the required steps, enabling you and your fiancé to enjoy this time in your lives with peace of mind.

Here at Olvis Visa, we will work with you from the preliminary planning stages all the way through to the issuance of the K1 Visa. We will start the process with the preparation of application forms and the gathering of support evidence.

This article will guide you through the timeline and process of obtaining a K-1 Visa, helping you understand the steps involved and what to expect along the way.

Here is the timeline for K-1 Visa processing

Step 1: Understanding the K-1 Visa

The K-1 Visa allows a foreign national fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. It’s important to note that the couple must intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé(e) arriving in the U.S. Once married, the foreign spouse can then apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Step 2: Petitioning for a K-1 Visa

The U.S. citizen must start the process by filing a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their foreign fiancé(e). This involves submitting Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) Form, along with the necessary supporting documents such as proof of the relationship, intent to marry, and any previous marriages.

Step 3: USCIS Processing

Your case will be on its way to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services approximately one week after you initiate the process with our office. After acceptance of the case, it takes on average up to five months, depending upon the season the petition is filed and the amount of backlog at the particular USCIS service center. Each use has a different level of complexity and is assigned different examiners. The Approvals arrive not in the order the cases were filed.

Step 4: National Visa Center (NVC) Processing

The Approved petition is then mailed from the USCIS to the NVC. Once approved you will notified by mail and the NVC will then forward your case to the appropriate United States Embassy in your fiance’s country of residence (typically, there is only one U.S. Embassy in each country that works with K1 Visas; in some countries there are two or even three). This step in the process takes approximately two weeks.

Step 5. Consular/Embassy Interview:

This can be the most complex stage of the K1 Visa process as each embassy has different requirements, depending upon the country. U.S. embassies in most countries require a wait time of six to eight weeks until the interview date; however, there are some countries such as Mexico, the Philippines, and Ukraine that allow scheduling an interview as soon all documents are obtained. Specifics vary by country; for example:

• Applicants from Mexico are welcome to walk in for an appointment once documentation has been received by the embassy. Applicants from the Philippines and Ukraine may schedule an interview date at their convenience. It may be possible with this type of embassy for the interview stage to be as little as a few weeks.
• The Majority of embassies assign an interview date for you only upon receipt of the biographical forms (for example: UK, China). All supporting documentation must be taken directly to the interview. The wait time can be anywhere from four to eight weeks when dealing with this type of embassies handling.
• The U.S. embassies in some countries allow to select an interview date through their online interface (Russia, Brazil). This is a new method of handling the K1 Visa process by the embassies, which proves to be very convenient for the applicants.

Step 6. Visa Approval and Entry to the U.S.

After the interview takes place, upon approval, the embassy will issue the visa. The Passport with the visa and prepared documents in a sealed envelope will be delivered to your fiancé via courier service within three to five days. The visa will be valid for the period of six months from the date of issuance and good for one entry to the United States. Upon entry under a K1 Visa you fiancée is required to marry the American Petitioner within 90 days of arrival date.

Step 7. Arrival and Marriage

Upon arriving in the U.S., the couple has 90 days to marry. Once married, the foreign spouse can proceed with the process of adjusting their status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). This involves filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and attending a biometrics appointment.

Step 8. Conditional Green Card

If the marriage takes place within the required 90 days, the foreign spouse will receive a conditional green card. This card is valid for two years and allows the couple to live and work in the U.S. as they continue to build their life together.

Step 9. Removing Conditions

Before the two-year conditional green card expires, the couple must jointly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, to demonstrate that their marriage is genuine and ongoing. This involves providing evidence of shared financial responsibilities, living arrangements, and more.

Step 10. Permanent Residency

Once the conditions are successfully removed, the foreign spouse will receive a 10-year green card, granting them permanent residency in the United States. This card can be renewed as needed.

In most cases, the entire process of K-1 Fiance visa application and approval can take anywhere from five to six months. In cases with less cooperative embassies (for example: Canada, Ghana), or in countries without U.S. embassy presence (for example: Cuba, Iran), the entire process may take even up to a year.

To obtain the current processing times for USCIS and US Embassy in your fiance’s country please feel free to contact Olvis Visa.

Retaining our experienced firm to help you through every step of the K-1 visa process, rather than attempting to struggle alone (or hiring preparation-only consulting service), can save you months of frustration.

Please contact our office with any questions you may have.

DUE TO OUR NATIONWIDE EXPOSURE AND SPECIALIZATION IN THE K-1 VISA FIELD, WE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN THIS FIELD OF PRACTIVE.

Love knows no boundaries, and when you find your soulmate of a different nationality, the plan of being together becomes a dream worth pursuing. Fortunately, the U.S. government recognizes the significance of keeping families together and offers a pathway through the spousal visa.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of petitioning for a U.S. spousal visa and provide an example of the process to guide you on this heartwarming journey.

A US K-1 or Fiance visa is a dual intent visa issued to the fiance 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.

Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust her 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 therefore often processed by the Immigrant Visa section of United States embassies and consulates worldwide.

Many men like you get engaged to a lady from the Philippines or some other foreign country every day. Along with planning the wedding, U.S. citizens engaged to a foreign national may also need to consider the process of bringing their significant other to the United States for marriage. This article will give you a background and cover the basic requirements and procedures for the “K-1” fiancé/fiancée visa.

Only U.S. citizens can file a visa petition on behalf of their fiancé/fiancée; unfortunately, under current immigration law, permanent residents do not have the privilege of petitioning their fiancé/fiancée. The USCIS will only grant the fiancé/fiancée visa where: 

1. the U.S. Citizen and foreign national can demonstrate a genuine intention to marry in the U.S.
2. both persons are legally free to marry in the state of intended marriage; and 
3. the couple has personally met at least once in the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of the K-1 visa petition.  This requirement CAN be waived where there is a long-standing cultural custom that prohibits seeing the future spouse, or where exceptional circumstances exist (e.g., medical hardship).

Why Petition for a US Spousal Visa?

1. Legal Recognition of Your Relationship
   Petitioning for a spousal visa is a formal acknowledgment of your commitment to one another. It legally binds your relationship under U.S. immigration law, offering both parties a sense of security and stability.

2. Reuniting Families
   The spousal visa serves as a powerful tool for reuniting families. It enables spouses to live together in the United States and fosters the growth of loving, supportive families.

3. Work Authorization
   Once your spouse’s petition is approved, you’ll typically be eligible to work in the U.S. This provides you with financial independence and the opportunity to contribute to your household.

4. Access to Benefits
   As a spouse of a U.S. citizen, you may also become eligible for various benefits, such as health care, social security, and educational opportunities.

The US Spousal Visa Process

Now, let’s dive into a simplified example of how to petition for a U.S. spousal visa. Please note that the actual process may involve more steps and requirements, so consulting with an immigration attorney or using the official U.S. government resources is highly recommended.

1. Determine Eligibility
   Before you begin, ensure that you meet the basic eligibility criteria. You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen, and your marriage must be genuine, not a sham to obtain a visa. Additionally, you must be admissible to the U.S., meaning you haven’t committed certain crimes or immigration violations.
   
2. File The Petition Form
   Your U.S. citizen spouse will initiate the process by filing a petition form, which establishes the qualifying relationship. This form should be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with the required supporting documents and the appropriate fee.
   
3. Wait for Approval
   After submission, USCIS will review the petition and supporting documents. If everything is in order, they will approve the petition. If there are any issues, USCIS may request additional evidence or documentation.
   
4. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
   Once the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). They will inform you when the petition is ready to be processed. You will need to pay additional fees and submit required forms and documents to the NVC.
   
5. Attend the Visa Interview
   After NVC processing, your case will be forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. You will be notified about the visa interview, during which you must demonstrate the bona fide nature of your marriage.
   
6. Visa Approval and Entry
   If your visa is approved, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport, allowing you to enter the United States. Upon entry, you will become a lawful permanent resident.
   
7. Adjustment of Status (if applicable)
   If you’re already in the U.S. on a different visa, you may need to apply for an adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.
   

The U.S. Citizen can also petition their fiancé/fiancee’s unmarried children under the age of 21 years old for a “K-2” visa. A key issue to remember here is that the K-2 children must adjust their status to permanent resident before they turn 21 years old; the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) does not protect K-2 beneficiaries from “aging out” should the adjustment of status applications remain pending beyond their 21st birthday. 

The process of bringing in a fiancé/fiancée is complex, especially where there may be age and cultural differences, prior petitions or applications where the K-2 children are nearing their 21st birthday, multiple marriages, or where the K-1 beneficiary may have a ground of inadmissibility. U.S. citizens seeking to petition Their fiancée should consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration specialist. 

You have the choice to file the application by yourself or hire a professional to file it for you. Today’s ever-changing Immigration Regulations and Embassy procedures pretty much require the expertise of a full-time immigration professional.

Olvis Visa is here to assist you in filing the petition and processing the K-1 Visa of your fiancee.

Olvis Visa has been in this industry for more than 3 decades. You are assured of professional and dedicated personnel to help with your visa application.

Contact Olvis Visa now.