Fiancé Visa (or K-1 Visa)
The official term for a fiancé visa is K-1 visa and is a visa type that is issued to the fiancée or fiancé of a U.S. citizen in order to enter the United States. In order to get a K-1 (or fiancé visa), one has to marry one another within a time frame of 90 days. The visa has certain rules and policies, which needs to be understood before applying for one. The entire details of this visa are explained in detail below.
What is a Fiancé Visa (K-1 Visa)?
Couple is married, the person can modify his or her status and become a legal permanent resident of America. In short, he or she is granted a Green Card. Even though a K-1 visa is officially classified under the non-immigrant visa category, it still has vital immigration benefits. Therefore, the United States Consulates and Embassies processes them worldwide.
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Fiancé Visa?
Usually, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) centres take approximately 5 to 6 months to process and approve a K-1 or fiancé visa application. Once the petition is approved, the authorities transfer it to the respective consulate through the National Visa Centre, which again takes about 30 to 45 days.
The time frame is not exact. Sometimes, the process can delay and even take additional months. But the process is quick once the consulate has the file in hand. So, the fiancé visa processing time varies from one petition to the other and depends on various factors as well.
How Much Does a Fiancé Visa Cost?
Applying for a K-1 or fiancé visa and obtaining it includes a systematic and multi-step process, which can span months. In every stage, one has to file the paperwork, which has separate filing fee for every form that is attached.
K-1/fiancé visa is highly useful for citizens trying to get his/her non-citizen partner to the United States. The ultimate objective is to obtain a status of permanent resident and a green card. The expenses and costs associated with it will include:
- Legal fee
- Filing fee
- Fee for other supporting documentation
This section breaks down the different costs related to a K-1 visa. The total cost varies based on one’s situation and details but will most likely fall between the range $4,000 and $6,000.
| Fee Type | Cost |
| USCIS filing fee | $535 |
| Embassy fee | $265 |
| Medical exam fee | $60 to $300 |
| Travel expenses | Varies |
| Lawyer fee | $800 to $1,600 or more (varies depending on the agency) |
K-1 Fiancé Visa Fee and Cost
- Form I-129F – $340, petition for an alien fiancé
- U.S. State Department Fiancé visa fee – $535
- Attorney fee – $800 – $1,600 (varies)
- Document preparation, translation, and medical exam – $100 to $400
- Total cost – $1,505 – $2,605
Green Card Fee and Cost
- Form I-485, Petition for Permanent Residency (or Green Card) application
- Attorney fee – $1,500 to $2,500 (varies)
- Translation, document preparation, etc. – $100 to $400
- Total cost – $2,670 – $3,970
- Grand Total – $4,175 – $6,575
Petition For Fiancé Visa
Fiancé visa form I-129F has to be filled by the fiancé of the U.S. citizen with his/her correct details. This form has to be submitted initially to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Also, filing the petition brings it to the government’s notice that the couple is starting the process. At present, the USCIS charges $535 for the filing fee but this is subject to change.
Tthe petition is approved, a visa is issued with which the non-citizen fiancé is permitted to enter into the U.S. An additional embassy fee of $265 has to be paid before the K-1 visa is issued.
Adjustment Of The Status Application
As soon as the fiancé (non-citizen) arrives the U.S. with a K-1 visa, Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status Application) has to be submitted so that the immigration status is changed to a permanent U.S. resident. An additional fee of $1,070 has to be paid for this form.
Cost Of Supporting Paperwork
At the time of applying and processing for a fiancé visa, an applicant has to submit various documents and provide information to the government, which will have an extra cost associated with copying, translating, and securing these documents.
Proof Of Marrying Ability
At the time of submitting the fiancé’s petition, the U.S. government will ensure that the couple is legally eligible to marry in America. It shouldn’t be an issue if both the persons are not already married. But if anyone was married earlier, the government verifies his/her certificates to check if the marriage has genuinely ended. The proof can either be a death certificate, a divorce declaration, and an annulment declaration.
U.S. Citizenship Proof
The government will also want a proof to check if the applicant’s fiancé is truly a U.S. citizen. This has to be submitted at the time of filing the visa petition and the proof could be a copy of passport, birth certificate, or any other document that proves of his/her citizenship in the U.S. Again, there might be additional costs at the time of submitting these documents.
Photos
When the applicant files for a K-1 visa, he/she should include passport-sized colour photos of both the applicant and his/her fiancé. The photo cannot be more than 30 days old.
Documents Of Any Criminal Record
If the fiancé of U.S. citizen has been condemned of any violent crime earlier, he/she should submit the necessary documents like court records or police documents, which serve as a proof of outcome of the cases. Getting these records include a cost, and might require an attorney’s assistance.
Medical Exam
Once the petition is approved, the U.S. consulate schedules an interview with the fiancé (non-citizen). Prior to the interview, the fiancé has to get his/her medical exam to prove that he/she doesn’t have any illness that could make him/her unqualified for entry into America.
Though the exam fee varies, it is vital to ensure that the applicant gets it done by a doctor that the U.S. consulate has certified. Usually, the base fee is about $150 but there might be additional charges for tests and x-rays.
Other Legal Charges
While hiring a lawyer isn’t a requirement during the application process, a legal assistance can be highly useful in navigating the whole complicated procedure. In addition, any errors in the paperwork and petition can cause the visa to be either delayed or denied.
Therefore, the legal charges for a K-1 visa vary from one attorney to the other. While some attorneys offer the concept of a flat fee, others might opt for different payment arrangements. Therefore, it is vital to discuss with the lawyer before stepping ahead.
Fiancé Visa Interview Questions
List of questions given below is just a sample collection of what has been asked in the last years. But make a note that an applicant might not be asked the same questions. Intention of this section is to only help one to prepare for the interview and give a basic outline of what questions one can expect.
- How and when did you meet your fiancé?
- How long have you two been in a relationship?
- When and how did your fiancé propose to you?
- When did you meet your fiancé in person?
- When and where was the last meet with your fiancé?
- What is the one thing that you love the most about your fiancé?
- Have you been to the United States before?
- When is your fiancé’s birthday?
- In which year was your fiancé born?
- What profession is your fiancé in?
- Where does your fiancé reside and work?
- What does your fiancé do for a living?
- Does your fiancé have any sisters or brothers?
- Did your parents approve your engagement with your fiancé?
- When was your fiancé divorced?
- What are your plans for the wedding?
- Did you throw an engagement party?
FAQs
1. What is a fiancé visa or K-1 visa?
Fiancé visa, or K-1 visa, allows the fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. to marry within 90 days. After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for permanent residency.
What is the processing time for a fiancé visa?
The processing time typically takes 5-6 months but can vary due to factors like USCIS workload, application errors, or additional documentation requests.
What are the costs associated with a fiancé visa?
Total costs range between 4,000and4,000and6,000, including filing fees ($535 for Form I-129F), medical exams, embassy fees, and attorney fees.
How does one apply for a fiancé visa?
The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F with USCIS. Once approved, the foreign fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
What is the adjustment of status application for a fiancé visa?
After entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa and marrying, the foreign spouse must file Form I-485 to adjust their status to a permanent resident.
What is Form I-129F?
Form I-129F is the petition filed by the U.S. citizen to initiate the K-1 visa process for their foreign fiancé(e).
What is the USCIS filing fee for Form I-129F?
Filing fee for Form I-129F is $535, though fees are subject to change.
What is the purpose of the K-1 visa?
K-1 visa allows a foreign fiancé(e) to enter the U.S., marry their U.S. citizen partner, and apply for permanent residency.
What is Form I-485?
Form I-485 is the Adjustment of Status Application used to change the foreign spouse’s status to a permanent resident after marriage.
What happens if the couple doesn’t marry within 90 days?
If the couple fails to marry within 90 days, the foreign fiancé(e) must leave the U.S. Staying beyond this period can lead to deportation, future entry bans, and potential legal consequences for the U.S. citizen sponsor.
