Getting married to a foreign national requires paperwork and patience. You need to know the fiancee visa requirements, also known as the K-1 visa, if you want to bring your fiancee to the United States.
First, you must be a U.S citizen and not just a permanent resident. Second, both you and your fiancee must be legally free to marry, meaning you are both single, divorced, or widowed. Third, you must have met each other in person at least once in the last two years before filing your petition. Fourth, you must be engaged to be married.
After the petition gets approved, the embassy will schedule an interview with the fiancee to determine if they qualify. The interview will cover various topics related to the relationship, including how you met, your future plans, and financial support arrangements.
Requirements for supporting documents can vary depending on the country. Suppose you or your fiancee are from a country where proof of a pre-marital physical exam is compulsory. In that case, the exam results must be submitted to the embassy. Additionally, medical treatment could be required if the exam reveals any infectious diseases.
You or your fiancee might need to provide additional personal records such as your birth certificates or divorce decrees. You will also need to fill out and submit several forms which include G-325A, I-129F, and I-134.
Suppose you and your fiancee decide to move forward with the application process. You will first need to file Form I-129F at a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS office. The filing fee is currently $535, and processing times can take up to six months.
Suppose the petition gets approved. The case will get forwarded to the National Visa Center, who will inform you of the appropriate next steps. Pay the USD $265 visa application fee and schedule a medical examination with a Department of State-approved doctor.
During the medical examination, your fiancee will undergo a physical exam, receive certain vaccinations, and answer questions about their medical history. They will receive a sealed envelope to give to the United States Embassy or Consulate that will process the visa application.
Following the medical examination, your fiancee should fill out the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application online. They should bring the following documents to the embassy:
- Passport: valid for travel to the United States
- Birth certificate
- Divorce or death certificates of any previous spouses
- Police certificates if required
- Evidence of financial support
- Two 2×2 photographs.
Also, evidence of a relationship can be brought to the embassy, such as photographs or phone records.
The interview itself is one of the most critical aspects of the application process for a fiancee visa. The standard processing time can take as little as a few weeks or as long as a few months, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of applications in the system.
Once your fiancee arrives in the United States, you will need to get married within 90 days. After getting married, your spouse can apply for a green card.
Applying for a fiancee visa requires planning, patience, and knowledge of the fiancee visa requirements. Hiring an immigration attorney is an option if you’re uncertain about the process, and it is not cheap. There are also nonprofit organizations that can provide help or free legal services, such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the International Refugee Assistance Project.
Fiancee visa requirements is one of the most critical aspects of the application process for a fiancee visa. These requirements may vary from country to country, and additional documents or exams might be required, such as a pre-marital physical exam or additional personal records. However, with planning, patience, and the right knowledge, you can successfully bring your fiancee to the United States.
Take things step by step and have all your documents ready before submitting your fiancee visa application.