Information You Need for Getting a K-1 Visa
If you have fallen in love with a United States citizen, but you do not have residency or any legal right to be in the United States, apply for a K-1 Visa. This visa will grant you a temporary allowance to come to the U.S and reunite with your loved one.
If you wish to be with your partner as soon as possible, applying for a K-1 Visa will be your fastest solution.
What Is A K-1 Visa?
A foreign-born person can request a nonimmigrant, temporary visa, known as the K-1 Visa, to come to the United States for a limited time to be with their fiancé in the U.S. The K1-Visa grants a temporary allowance for the visa holder to stay in the United States, typically about six months; however, to remain permanently, the holder needs to marry their fiance and submit more applications to become an immigrant.
What Do I Need To Qualify For A K-1 Visa?
To qualify and for the government to grant you a K-1 Visa, you must do the following:
- Marry a particular U.S. citizen (you can not arrive without knowing precisely who you will marry) within 90 days of your arrival in the country,
- You must be legally eligible to marry,
- You must intend to establish a “bona fide” marriage,
- You must have met your fiancé within the past two years.
Once the USCIS approves your petition, you will need to visit a doctor for a medical exam and ensure you’re up to date on all vaccinations. Finally, you’ll partake in a consular interview to evaluate your pending nuptials.
How Long Does It Take To Receive A K-1 Visa?
Under the previous Trump administration, the processing of K-1 Visas slowed significantly. The first step of the K-1 Visa process, receiving approval from USCIS of the Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), which your fiance submits, took between three and 22 months. Since the Biden administration is still transitioning in, it’s unknown if this will speed up or not, but we expect it to.
The following steps take a few additional months, making the entire process last between 10 and 24 months during 2020.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A K-1 Visa?
The K-1 Visa process requires a $535 filing fee for Form I-129F (filed with USCIS), then an additional $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 biometrics fee. So total, you will pay about $2,025.
What Should I Do If I Need A K-1 Visa?
If you’re looking to enter the United States through a K-1 Visa to be with your partner but feel overwhelmed by the process, reach out to the legal team at Fay Grafton & Nuñez for guidance. Our immigration lawyers provide consultations to help you understand what you’ll need to qualify for the visa and increase your chances in being approved.
