Preparing immigration documents might seem like an overwhelming task for most people. But it doesn’t have to be! This article aims to give you everything that you need from start to finish. Maybe you just want some basic tips and guidance or maybe your needs are a little more complex than that? No problem! For experienced advice, you can also contact immigration lawyers now!
Eligibility of K-1 fiancé visa
To apply for a K1 visa, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen /and meet the following criteria:
- Should be older than eighteen when applying
- Complete all marriage-based requirements within 3 months of arrival in the states.
- Have legally ended any previous marriage(s) (if widowed, remarried without having divorced former spouse, spouse died before filing); be able to legally marry partner in the US (same-sex partners are eligible)
- Meet recipient – both parties cannot avoid contact with one another during this two-year waiting period if doing so would either violate religious practices or result in too much hardship
- Meet financial requirements (100% of poverty guidelines)
- Submit proof that your relationship is real. The best way to send your proof might include providing copies of social media posts shared that depict an established connection such as visiting parks or museums together.
Application process of K-1 fiancé visa
If you’re engaged, have read the eligibility requirements, and are looking to bring your loved one back from abroad, go through these steps for applying for a K-1 Fiancé Visa:
Step 1: File Form I-129F
To begin the visa application process, an American citizen must fill out and submit Form I-129F through USCIS. This form is meant to demonstrate legitimacy in a relationship between two people who are engaged or intending to marry. An American citizen cannot be granted a K-1 Visa for their fiancé because they are currently residing on a green card.
Documents required
Following documents are required to be attached with form I-129F
- A copy of their US passport.
- A copy of your foreign passport.
- Pictures of the two of you together over time; flights and hotel records, letters or texts between the two of you. Any written statement made by someone else confirming your engagement over time – say a colleague or a family member – is also an adequate form of this document because they are essentially getting their seal in wax kind of confirmation so they can give credit towards what they’re going to tell us.
- Alongside these 2 primary points, there must be some corroborating evidence for them to take up this case on their behalf thereof. For example, if one has been previously married before but neither party was divorced or widowed then an annulment decree needs to be presented as well;
- Passport size photos of each partner.
Step 2: File Form DS-160
Once your form is processed, it will be sent over to the National Visa Center where they’ll assign you an interview at one of their many international offices around the world within 60 days. The correspondence will include details about when and where your appointment can take place as well as what specific documents are needed for us to process your form before coming in. If there are any changes regarding your address or contact information, please make sure they’re updated accordingly so that we can keep things on track.
Your K-1 visa process is now about to start. You need to go online, enter information about yourself and pay for an appointment at the U.S Embassy or Consulate nearest you. Once that’s done, don’t forget to print out your confirmation letter or screen so you can bring it in person when you come back for an interview.
Step 3: Pay Visa Fee and Attend Interview and pay the visa fee
You will be called for an interview for the visa at the US consulate in your fiance’s country. Your interview date can be set up within four to six weeks of receiving this notification. It is recommended that only your fiancé attends because it can be rather simple and painless – there are even instructions on how to prepare for it beforehand on the notice itself! After taking a look at some embassies’ particular requirements, we recommend that you head over there with USD 265 (or equivalent) for processing fees, and an easier-to-follow set of rules if possible; always read what each embassy sends out to see what exactly they need from you!
Step 4: Complete the marriage requirements
You shall receive a sealed envelope once you submit your paperwork. It is very important to remember to not open this envelope Customs and Border Protection will ask you to show them when crossing the border – otherwise, they might stop you from coming inside the United States.
It’s important to know that this paper was originally an application for K-1 Fiancé Visa so make sure you don’t forget about it if traveling abroad for any period outside of 4 months after approval since failing to do so would lead to being barred from entering America.
After sorting out all travel-related issues for all parties involved, the couple must accumulate all necessary documentation and file another application to record permanent residence. The documentation process is fairly straightforward, but it is suggested to conduct thorough research before submitting an application. You can also consult an immigration lawyer to learn what happens after you get married and reach your application filing stage.
Conclusion
You’re getting married abroad? We’ve got you covered. Filing for a K-1 fiancé visa can be difficult, but working with a knowledgeable lawyer can make it easy. Our lawyers will guide you through the entire process and allow you to apply online on our website – no matter where you are in the world!