A fiancé visa, or a K-1 visa, is a nonimmigrant visa that permits a foreign person to enter the United States to marry a U.S. citizen and subsequently become a permanent resident (LPR) through the marriage green card procedure. For more information and legal advice, consult an experienced attorney today. 

Step 1: Fill out Form I-129F, Initial Petition.

The U.S. citizen partner who fills out this paperwork is known as the “petitioner” or “sponsor,” while the non-U.S. citizen fiance is known as the “beneficiary.” To enter the United States before filing for a green card that is marriage-based, the foreign national fiancé must first get a K-1 visa. To do so, the sponsor must first fill out and submit Form I-129F (formally known as “Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)”) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The engaged pair establishes the authenticity of their relationship using this form.

Step 2: Apply for a Fiancé Visa

USCIS currently takes 14-19 months to process Form I-129F. However, once approved, the petitioner should get a notification within a month. The notice should include the date and place of the visa interview and a list of required papers. Before the interview, the beneficiary should complete Form DS-160 (the “Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application”) and print the confirmation page. A medical exam, performed by an approved physician, will also be required of the beneficiary.

The consular officer will decide on the same day or shortly after the beneficiary attends their interview with the relevant papers. If the application is approved, they will place the K-1 visa inside the non-US citizen’s passport and a sealed envelope, including all civil paperwork. If the consular official does not approve the application, Form I-129F will be returned to USCIS. The engaged pair may opt to file another petition and resume the procedure at this time.

Step 3: Travel to the United States and Marriage

The visa will be valid for another six months after it is acquired. Within that time limit, the beneficiary must go to the United States, bringing the sealed envelope (which must stay sealed) and the passport with the K-1 visa. The ultimate decision on whether the beneficiary may enter the United States will be made by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent.

The engaged couple must marry within 90 days of the foreign national partner’s arrival in the United States. Otherwise, the recipient will be forced to depart the United States. The multi-step K-1 procedure might be challenging to complete on your own. Boundless follows you even after you have submitted your application, assisting you in tracking your visa status and navigating each stage of your specific immigration journey.