K1 Fiance Visa Process Explained

What is the K1 Visa Process?

The K1 Visa process is a method through which an American can file a K1 Visa Application and bring his or her foreign fiancé into the U.S. so that they can get married. Once the non-American fiancé is in the U.S. and the couple has been married, the foreign fiancé can then apply for his or her Green Card.

Many people do not understand the K1 Visa process, make mistakes, feel stressed, and constantly worry about what is happening to their K1 Visa Application and whether or not it has been denied. Understanding the K1 Visa Process gives you a clear picture of the whole procedures, the different stages, and how long it can take for each stage to be completed.

K1 Visa Application Process

Getting the K1 visa is a four-step process and the fifth step is for your Green Card:

Mail the K1 visa petition on USCIS Form I-129F with filing fee to a USCIS regional service center in the United States.
After the petition is approved, your application is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). They will then forward your application to the U.S. Embassy in your fiance(e)’s country.
The U.S. Embassy will then contact your fiance(e) to complete additional forms and provide supporting documents as well as pay an additional visa fee. Your fiance(e) will bring these to the interview at the U.S. Embassy in their home country.
If approved, your foreign fiance(e) obtains their K1 visa and uses this visa to enter the United States.
You then get married in the U.S. within 90 days of arrival and begin the Adjustment of Status process for your fiance(e)’s Green card.

The K1 Fiance Visa processing time is 4-7 months in most cases . If you are part of the 30% who makes a mistake or submits an incomplete application your processing time can be longer than 10 months.

Unfortunately, you will not know if your application is incomplete until the government informs you. You can avoid these types of costly mistakes by using the Visa Streamline System.

Stage 1: Complete Your Application

Length of Time: 3 days to 3 months
This is the first and most critical step in your K1 Visa Application. You must know which U.S. Immigration (USCIS) forms to complete and what supporting documents are required for your situation. Many people do not realize that including a well-written cover letter with your Application can help speed up your K1 Visa Application process.

This stage can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 months. If you decide to do it yourself, you may need to spend a lot of time in internet research, learning what USCIS forms are required, how to complete the forms, what supporting documents are required, etc. You can easily spend 3 months learning how to complete this stage.

When you use the Visa Streamline System – K1 Fiancé Visa, your application can be completed and ready to submit to USCIS in as little as 3 days. You don’t have to spend time learning how to apply. You will use our online system to quickly complete our easy questionnaire and upload your supporting documents. You will also have a strategy session with an immigration lawyer so you can ask questions and address any red flags in your case. As soon as your K1 Visa Application is prepared, it can be sent to USCIS.

Stage 2: Application Received Notification (NOA1)

Length of Time: 2 to 3 weeks
Your USCIS Service Center will send you a Notice of Action (NOA) informing you that they have received your K1 petition and are starting to review it.

Stage 3: Application Approved Notification (NOA2)

Length of Time: 1 to 5 months
Your USCIS Service Center will send you a Notice of Action (NOA) informing you that they have approved your K1 petition. This is the part of the K1 visa application process that takes the most time. (Click here to check the USCIS Service Center Processing Times.)

Read more on Fiance Visa Processing Time

Stage 4: NVC Receives Application

Length of Time: 2 weeks
Your USCIS Service Center will forward your K1 visa application to the National Visa Center (NVC). Your case will be assigned a local Embassy number based on the U.S. Embassy in your fiancé’s country.
(Click here to see the Embassy Case Number Prefixes)

Optional: Get your new local embassy case number.
1 week after receiving your NOA2, you can call the NVC (Tel: 603-334-070). Have the NOA2 receipt number with you. Ask them if your case has arrived at NVC. If so, ask if an MTL number has been assigned and if the case has been sent to Montreal. (Here we used the Montreal U.S. Embassy example for “MTL”). Find your Embassy Case Number and use this 3-character prefix when you call in.

Stage 5: U.S. Embassy Receives Application

Length of Time: 1 to 5 weeks
The NVC will forward your K1 Visa application to the U.S. Embassy in your fiancé’s country. The Embassy will review the application and prepare an instructions letter to your foreign fiancé, to explain what is required of him or her.

Stage 6: Foreign Fiancé Receives Instructions

Length of Time: 1 week to 4 months
Each U.S. Embassy has slightly different requirements, so following the instructions letter is critical.

Stage 7: Foreign Fiancé Prepares Application

Length of Time: 1 week to 2+ months
The foreign fiancé must follow the instructions letter and provide all the supporting documents requested.

When you use the Visa Streamline System – K1 Fiancé Visa, we will complete all the USCIS forms and help to gather supporting documentation. This will help your fiancé to complete this portion of the Application very quickly.

Stage 8: Foreign Fiancé Submits Application

Each embassy has different submission options. Your fiancé should follow the instructions and mail the application.

Stage 9: U.S. Embassy Sets Interview Date

Length of Time: 1 week
The U.S. Embassy will send another package with instructions for your fiancé’s interview date, including a list of the documents he or she should bring. This will also include details for completing the medical interview. Your fiance should follow the instructions and prepare for the interview.

Stage 10: Foreign Fiancé Completes Medical Interview

Each embassy has different requirements for the medical interview. Either your fiancé will have his or her medical interview before the K1 visa interview date or on the same day. Follow the Embassy instructions and complete the medical interview.

Stage 11: Marriage Interview

Length of Time: up to 1 month from Stage 9
This is the day you have been working so hard toward. Your fiancé should follow the U.S. Embassy’s instructions and arrive at the Embassy office at the appropriate time. He or she should have all required documentation, follow instructions, and be prepared to wait in lines. By the end of this day, your fiancé will know whether or not he or she has been approved for a K1 Visa.

Stage 12: Foreign Fiancé Receives K1 Visa

Length of Time: same day to 1 month
Depending on the Embassy, your fiancé will either receive the K1 Visa on the same day as the interview, or it will be mailed.

Stage 13: Foreign Fiancé Flies to the U.S. and Gets Married

Congratulations. Now you can book your fiance’s trip to the U.S. He or she will need to show the K1 Visa to the Immigration Officer upon entry into the U.S. Your fiancé will have 90 days to obtain a civil marriage. Once the two of you have gotten married, he or she can file an Adjustment of Status to obtain a Green card.

Read Also: K1 Visa Requirements

Next Steps to K1 Fiance Visa

1. Get your Questions Answered.

If you have any questions about your situation, email us at: support@tnvisaexpert.com

2. Use the Automated Marriage Visa Streamline System

We can help you complete your application quickly, stress-free and with no lawyer fees.

You will:

No Confusion. Have all your questions answered.
Legal Support and Avoid red flags. A lawyer is assigned to you and you get a strategy session with them.
Avoid worries. All the USCIS government forms are completed for you.
Easy. We also complete the USCIS forms required at the Consulate.
Fast. We have an online system for you to log into.
Be Prepared. Learn the key marriage interview tips to have your interview go smoothly.
No Risk. We offer a money back guarantee.

FAQ about K1 Fiance Visa Process

What is the K1 visa timeline? How long is the processing time?

The K1 visa will take between 4 to 7 months plus the time it takes you to complete your application and mail it.
Here is an overview of the K1 visa timeline:
1. (3 days – 2months) Completing Your Application with all the Supporting documents.
2. (2-3 weeks) 1st Notice of Action
3. (8-20 weeks) Received by U.S. Embassy
4. (4-6 weeks) K1 Visa Marriage Interview Date
5. (1 day-2 weeks) Receive the K1 Visa stamp This does not include the additional 4-8 weeks if you make a mistake and you application is delayed.

Does my fiancée’s 18-year-old child qualify for a K2 visa?

USCIS allows unmarried children under 21 years old to qualify for the K2 visa. So your fiance’s child will qualify if they have never been married.
Normally, for the Adjustment of Status the requirement is that the child is under 18 when the marriage takes place, but this rule does not apply for K2 child applicants under the K1 fiance visa application.
Under the Child Status Protection Act of 2002 (CSPA), the children for K1/K2 visa applications may be covered if they turn 21 while their Adjustment of Status is pending.
This can be a confusing situation, if you are unsure email us at: support@tnvisaexpert.com.

How long is my K1 visa valid?

There are different deadlines, so we will explain the differences here:
1. The K1 visa is valid for upto 6 months to enter the U.S. after it is issued. Check your K1 visa’s “valid until” date to know the exact date of expiry.
2. When you enter the U.S. on a K1 visa, you will receive an I-94 valid for 90 days. Your K1 visa is no longer valid and cannot be used again.
3. You have 90 days to get married from the time of entering the U.S.
4. Once you enter the U.S. and after you get married, file your Adjustment of Status to obtain your Green card. Include the USCIS form for Travel Authorization. Do not leave the country until you receive your Travel Permit.
Email us support@tnvisaexpert.com if you have questions or want to get started with your application.

Can my fiancée bring her daughter to the U.S. on a K1 visa without the father’s approval?

For the K1 visa or K3 visa you can sponsor the little girl as long as the mother has official documents showing she has full custody of the little girl. There will be no problems. Make sure they have been translated.

How to quickly complete and mail my K1 visa application to USCIS?

Doing it yourself is not an option if you want to do it quickly and with confidence.
Most people who attempt to do it themselves will take between 1 to 2 months to complete the application. If they make a mistake this will delay their application by at least 30 days.
The fastest way to submit your application is to use the Visa Streamline Sytem – K1 Fiance Visa service. We have had customer complete their application and mailed in 3 days!
We work at your speed, the faster you complete the online questions and send us the supporting documents, the quicker the legal team can complete your application.

Will my Filipino fiancée’s 6-month overstay in South Korea affect her K1 visa application?

If the K1 visa application is done correctly and the proper supporting documentation is provided, this should not be a problem. You will also want her prepared to answer any questions regarding this during the K1 visa interview.
We have helped many people with their K1 visa application with similar visa overstay issues.
Contact us at support@tnvisaexpert.com. with your situation so we can determine the best way for you to move forward.

Does my fiancé need to sign and return the G-325A form for the K1 visa?

Yes. For your K1 fiance visa application you will complete the G-325A form for your fiance. You need to mail an form with her original signature, not a copy of the form.
This means your fiance will need to sign the completed form and mail it to you to include in your K1 visa application.

Will my K1 visa be approved if my fiancé and I are first cousins?

Your K1 visa may get approved depending on which state you reside in. If you reside in a state that allows first cousin marriages, then your K1 visa application should get approved. You may get a request for evidence (RFE) from USCIS, so be prepared for this.
Next Step: If you are planning to marry your first cousin, contact us at support@tnvisaexpert.com to identify any possible issues with your situation. You may want to consider getting help with your K1 visa application to avoid delays or denials.
States that allow 1st/first cousin marriages:
Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia
States that States that allow 1st/first cousin marriages with restrictions:
Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Utah, Wisconsin
States that DO NOT allow 1st/first cousin marriages
Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Can my fiance enter the U.S. while the K1 visa is pending?

Yes, your fiance can enter the U.S. on a visitor visa while their K1 visa application is pending, but they will need to provide sufficient proof of ties showing they will return home.
Example of this can be:
– return airline ticket
– rental agreement, property
– assets in home country
– a job
Always keep proof in case you are asked by the Immigration Officer.
If your fiance is entering on a different visa you will want to be careful especially if the visa has requirements that are in conflict with the fiance visa.
Spouses with a K3/CR1 visa pending can also visit the USA as explained above.
If you have questions, email us at support@tnvisaexpert.com.