Readers ask: How Long Does K1 Visa Take?

It takes 5 – 7.5 months on average (as of October 2021) for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process Form I-129F (technically called the “Petition for Alien Fiancé”), and an additional 3-4 weeks to receive instructions from the National Visa Center (NVC) to continue the process.

• The K1 visa timeline includes multiple stages during USCIS, NVC, and Consular processing. In total, the K1 visa process can take 9-11 months to complete. According to USCIS, backlogs have increased which means there are long delays for I-129F approvals.

So, the NVC normally receives and approves your petition (for K1 visa) quickly – usually 2 weeks. Sending the approved case files to the US Embassy in your fiance (e)’s country takes long. Expect this entire step to take 1 month… The foreign US Embassy receives the case and begins to process.

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 long does the K1 visa process take 2019?

K-1 Fiancé Visa Process & Timeline (Updated for 2019) Depending on which USCIS service center is handling the case, the average processing times can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months (as of 2019).

How much does a 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.

Why is K1 visa taking so long?

Backlogs, errors and general delays can happen at any step of the K-1 process. These things can end up costing you several weeks. These are the reasons why the K1 takes so long for many people.

Which is faster K1 visa or spouse visa?

While processing times have gotten significantly better for U.S. Citizens, the K1 Fiance Visa is still quicker and simpler for unmarried international couples seeking to get married. A Marriage Visa is typically more complex, slower and, a more expensive route compared to the K1 Fiance Visa.

How can I speed up my K1 visa?

How to Speed K1 Fiance Visa Process Post USCIS

1. Prepare ahead of time before NOA2 to gather your financial and supporting documents for the embassy interview.
2. Call NVC to get your case number instead of waiting for the letter.
3. Pay Visa Application Fee.
4. Schedule embassy interview appointment.

Can I visit the US while waiting for K1 visa?

Visiting After Receiving a K-1 Visa Once your I-129F is approved and you receive a K-1 visa, you won’t be able to come on temporary visits to the United States.

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 much income do I need to sponsor a K1 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

Do I need a lawyer for k1 visa?

The law does not require that you use an immigration attorney to complete K-1 petition documents such as the Form I-129F. You may need help writing in the answers to questions on USCIS forms or translating documents into English. You can get this type of limited help from anyone.

What happens if my fiance leaves me after marriage on a k1 visa?

After you get married, you have to apply for her Green Card (also know as Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status). If your fiancé leaves the US without the Advance Parole Re-Entry Permit, she may be denied entry and the Green Card petition may be cancelled.

What happens if you divorce on a k1 visa?

Divorce before or after filing the I -485 (Adjustment of Status) If you divorce your sponsoring fiance (e) before filing the I -485, then you will likely lose residency. You may not be able to file for a green card. You and your K2 children may lose immigration rights and leave the US.

What percentage of fiance visas are approved?

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), around 90 percent of fiancé visas were approved in 2016. In 2017, when President Donald Trump took office, the percentage of approved fiancé visas dropped to around 66 percent.

Why do K1 visas get denied?

Your K-1 visa petition may be denied if one or both of you do not meet the legal requirements to get married in the U.S. The most common scenario is when either or both of you haven’t terminated your previous marriage(s).

What is the next step after K1 visa?

Major Steps in Adjusting Status After K-1 Fiance Visa Entry You will not, however, become a permanent resident right away. Because of the recency of your marriage, you will first need to spend two years as a “conditional resident,” then apply to transition to permanent residence.