FAQ: Where Do I Send My K1 Visa Application?

After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé(e) lives.

• Once the Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) is approved by the USCIS, it will be sent to the DOC National Visa Center, and then to the designated foreign embassy/consulate, which will allow your Fiancé (e) to apply for the K-1 visa. The USCIS will conduct a background check and an interview before granting the K-1 Visa.

If your fiancé’s security check comes back clean, your approved K1 visa petition will be routed to the Bureau of Consular Affairs. The Bureau of Consular Affairs will send your file to the U.S. Embassy in your fiancé’s country via DHL. You do nothing at this step. Step 6.

Where do I send my fiance visa application?

The First Step: Filing the Petition

1. You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live.
2. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC).

What should I send with my K1 visa application?

Sponsored Fiancé Documents

1. Two passport-style photos.
2. Birth certificate.
3. Valid, unexpired passport.
4. Police clearance obtained from all countries of residence of more than six months since the age of 16.
5. Sealed medical exam form (obtained through physician abroad who is authorized by the State Department)

Where are K1 visas processed?

The NVC forwards the approved Form I-129F to the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. This is generally the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé(e) lives. The U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé(e) is scheduled.

Where do I mail Form I 129?

Mailing addresses

	USPS Certified or Priority Mail
Regular processing	USCIS California Service Center Attn: I- 129 H-1B Cap Exempt P.O. Box 10129 Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012
Premium processing	Premium Processing Service USCIS California Service Center Attn: I- 129 H-1B Cap Exempt P.O. Box 10825 Laguna Niguel, CA 92607

Can a fiance visa be denied?

Having Your Fiancé (e) Visa Denied is Common This is because it is a visa category that is at high risk of fraud. Some experts cite a wide range of reasons for rejections. Furthermore, it is important to note that, on appeal, most denials are reversed, with only 40% of appeals being unsuccessful.

What is the minimum income requirement for a fiance visa?

In dollars and cents, this means that you must have stable earnings of at least $16,910 per year for a two-person household (in 2019) to qualify as financial sponsor for a fiancé(e) visa petition, and you must have stable earnings of at least $21,137 per year for a two-person household to qualify as financial sponsor

How long does K1 visa take 2020?

If you and your fiancé meet all K1 visa requirements, your application will likely be approved. The estimated timeframe to obtain an approval if you choose the K1 visa route depends on USCIS processing timelines. Nonetheless, as a very general estimate, it can take approximately 6-9 months for a decision.

How much does the K1 visa cost?

As of early 2021, the filing fees for the K-1 process were $535 for Form I-129F (filed with USCIS), $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. That brings the total government U.S. fee to $2,025.

How long are you responsible for someone on a K1 visa?

An affidavit of support is legally enforceable; the sponsor’s responsibility usually lasts until the family member or other individual either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 quarters of work – usually 10 years.

Are K1 visas still being processed 2020?

The K-1 Fiance Visa is not Banned, but they are not being processed at the Consulate Stage or being issued since they are not “mission critical.” So, they are technically not banned, but just not being given out by the US Consulates/Embassies.

Which is better fiance or spouse visa?

We often get posed which visa is faster, spouse visa or fiancé (e) visa? While the process is very similar, the benefit of a fiancé (e) visa is that they can join you in the country much faster than with a spouse visa. With that being said, however, the cost is significantly higher for a K-1 fiancé (e) visa.

Can my fiance visit while waiting for K1 visa?

You cannot reside in the United States on a B-2 tourist visa or on the Visa Waiver Program while waiting on a K1 fiancé visa or K3 spousal visa. However, you can make a temporary visit on those visas.

How long does it take for I-129 to be approved?

Once an employer has gone through the various preliminary steps and then filed an H-1B case petition (on Form I- 129 ), the processing is in the hands of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some applicants have been known to receive approval in as few as 30 days, others wait much longer.

What next after I-129 is approved?

The USCIS will send the case to the National Visa Center (NVC) after the petition is approved for further processing. Once the case reaches the NVC, petitioner/ beneficiary will soon receive a case number and send the approved K visa package to the U.S Consulate office.

What does I-129 approval mean?

Approval of the form makes the worker eligible to start or continue working at the job (on or after the indicated start date) if already in the United States. If the worker is not already in the United States, an approved Form I- 129 may be used to submit a visa application associated with that status.