What Is a "Fiancé(e)"?

A fiancé(e) is a person who is engaged or contracted to be married. The marriage must be legally possible according to laws of the state in the United States where the marriage will take place.

In general, the two people must have met in person within the past two years. The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants some exceptions to this requirement. For example, it may be contrary in some traditions for a man and woman to meet before marriage.

Sometimes the USCIS considers a person a "fiancé(e)" even though a marriage contract has been concluded. In such cases, the American citizen petitioner and his/her spouse have not met, and they have not consummated the marriage.

How Does a Fiancé(e) Visa Work?

Suppose you are an American citizen and you want your foreign fiancé(e) to travel to the United States to marry you and live in the U.S. You must file, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) in the United States.

Filing the Petition

You must file the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F with the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office that serves the area where you live. Note: You cannot file this petition at an embassy, consulate or U.S. immigration office abroad.

After the USCIS approves the petition, it sends the petition to National Visa Center for processing, prior to being sent the embassy or consulate where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé(e).

Can You Extend the Petition

The I-129F petition is valid for four months from the date of approval from USCIS. Consular officers can extend the validity of the petition (revalidate the petition) if it expires before the processing of the visa application is completed.

Is the Fiancé(e) Also an Immigrant

Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry an American citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa.

Applying for a Visa

The consular section at the embassy or consulate where you, the fiancé(e) of an American citizen, will apply for a visa tells you of any additional specific requirements, such as where you need to go for the required medical examination. The following is required:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
• Birth certificate
• Divorce or death certificate of any previous spouse for both the applicant and the petitioner
• Police certificate from all places lived since age 16
• Medical examination (vaccinations are optional, see below)
• Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support may be requested.)
• Two Nonimmigrant Visa ApplicationsOne Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application,
• Two nonimmigrant visa photos (each two inches 50 X 50 mm square, showing full face, against a light background)
• Evidence of a fiancé relationship
• Payment of fees, as explained below.

The consular officer may ask for additional information according to the circumstances of the case. Documents in foreign languages should be translated.

Take clear, legible photocopies of civil documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, to the interview. Original documents can then be returned to you.

Fees - How Much Does It Cost?

Fees are charged for the following services. These are government imposed fees and are on top of the fee paid to the attorney.

• Filing an Alien Fiancé(e) Petition, Form I-129F
• Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee
• Medical examination (costs vary from post to post)
• Fingerprinting fees, if required
• Other costs may include translation and photocopying charges, fees for getting the documents required for the visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.), and expenses for travel to the embassy or consulate for an interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.
• Filing Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status

How Long Does it Take:

The length of time varies from case to case according to its circumstances. The time it takes each USCIS office and each consular office to process the case varies. Some cases are delayed because the applicant does not follow instructions carefully or supplies incomplete information. (It is important to give correct addresses and telephone numbers.) In addition the embassy or consulate may need to get security clearances for the applicant. Security clearances take time.

Can I pay more money and make the process go faster?

NO. Any person or firm who tries to tell you they have the inside track or can "expedite" your Petition shouldn't get your business. There are no 'secrets' or 'mystery' involved in this process. It is however, time-consuming and confusing. Our firm seeks to take this burden from you and help you receive your K1 visa in as little time and with as little stress as possible.

What if I have more questions about your service?

We've built this practice to serve your needs to the best of our ability. Feel free to email us anytime with questions about how we may be able to assist you. Due to the world wide reach of our firm, it may take a little while to respond. Our goal is to respond to all our prospective and current clients within 24 hours.

How do I begin the process?

Simply send us an email with your name and phone number using the handy form found on the contact page. You will shortly receive a welcome letter that will include the include the process, payment methods and our "getting started" information sheet. We make payment easy, we can accept Visa, MasterCard, checks (drawn on a US bank), money orders and wire transfers. Don't hesitate to email us with any questions you may have on this process. We're here to be your partner.