How Long It Takes Fiance Visa To Get

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A fiance visa, also known as a K – 1 visa in the United States, is a special type of visa that allows a foreign – born individual to enter the U.S. to marry their U.S. citizen fiancé. It’s an exciting step for couples planning to build a life together, but the process can be long and filled with anticipation. Understanding how long it takes to get a fiance visa is crucial for planning your future.

A fiance visa is designed for couples where one person is a U.S. citizen and the other is from another country. The purpose of this visa is to enable the non – U.S. citizen to enter the United States and marry their U.S. citizen partner within 90 days of arrival. Once they get married, the foreign – born spouse can then apply for a green card, which will allow them to live and work in the U.S. permanently.

U.S. Citizen Fiancé: The U.S. citizen must be at least 18 years old. They need to prove their U.S. citizenship through documents like a U.S. passport or a certificate of naturalization.

Genuine Relationship: The couple must prove that their relationship is genuine and that they have met in person at least once within the last two years. This can be shown through photos together, travel records, emails, and chat logs.

Intent to Marry: Both parties must intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign – born fiancé’s arrival in the U.S.

The U.S. citizen fiancé starts the process by filing a Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I – 129F) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Before filing, they need to gather all the necessary documents. This includes evidence of their U.S. citizenship, proof of the relationship such as photos, correspondence, and any travel records showing they have met in person.

Once the petition is filed, USCIS will first check if the form is complete and all the required fees are paid. As of now, the processing time for the I – 129F petition can vary. On average, it takes several months. In some cases, it can take as little as 5 – 7 months, but it’s not uncommon for it to take 8 – 10 months or even longer. The processing time can be affected by factors like the volume of petitions USCIS is currently handling and any backlogs in their system.

If the I – 129F petition is approved by USCIS, it is then transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC is responsible for the next stage of processing. They will send a welcome letter to the petitioner with instructions on how to proceed.

The petitioner and the foreign – born fiancé need to submit a set of documents to the NVC. This includes civil documents such as the foreign – born fiancé’s birth certificate, police certificates from any countries they have lived in for a certain period (usually 6 months or more), and a medical examination report. The medical examination must be done by a panel physician approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign – born fiancé’s home country.

The processing time at the NVC can also vary. It typically takes a few months. After receiving all the required documents, the NVC will review them to ensure they are complete and meet the requirements. This review process can take 1 – 3 months, depending on how quickly the documents are submitted and if there are any issues with the paperwork.

Once the NVC has completed its processing, it will schedule an interview for the foreign – born fiancé at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The embassy or consulate will send a notice to the fiancé with the date, time, and location of the interview.

The foreign – born fiancé needs to prepare thoroughly for the interview. They should bring all the original documents that were submitted during the previous stages, as well as any additional evidence of the genuine relationship. The consular officer will ask questions about the relationship, their intentions to marry, and their plans for living in the United States.

The outcome of the interview is usually given on the spot. If the visa is approved, there may still be some additional processing time. The embassy or consulate will need to print the visa and prepare it for issuance. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, if there are administrative processing requirements, such as additional background checks, it can take much longer, sometimes several months.

As mentioned earlier, USCIS can experience backlogs due to a high volume of petitions. If there are more I – 129F petitions being filed than USCIS can handle in a timely manner, the processing time for each petition will increase. This can be especially true during certain periods when there is a surge in applications, such as after changes in immigration policies or during peak wedding seasons.

If the petitioner or the foreign – born fiancé submits incomplete or incorrect documentation at any stage of the process, it can cause significant delays. For example, if the medical examination report is missing a required signature or if the police certificate is not in the correct format, USCIS or the NVC will request the correct or additional information. This extra step can add weeks or even months to the overall processing time.

The country where the foreign – born fiancé is from can also affect the processing time. Some countries may have more complex security or background check requirements. For instance, if the country has a history of fraud in visa applications, the U.S. embassy or consulate may conduct more in – depth investigations, which will lengthen the processing time. Additionally, the workload at the embassy or consulate in that country can impact how quickly they can process the visa application.

Administrative processing is a common reason for delays in the fiance visa process. This can involve additional security checks, verification of information, or review of certain aspects of the application. Even if the initial interview seems to go well, the consular officer may decide that further administrative processing is needed. This can be a lengthy process, and there is often no set time frame for how long it will take. It can range from a few weeks to several months.

Make sure to gather all the required documents accurately and completely from the very beginning. Double – check everything before submitting it to USCIS or the NVC. This includes making sure that all translations are done by a qualified translator and that the documents are in the proper format.

The petitioner and the foreign – born fiancé should follow up on the status of their application regularly. USCIS and the NVC provide online tools where you can check the status of your petition or application. If there are any issues or if additional information is needed, respond promptly.

Throughout the process, it’s important to be honest about your relationship and all the information you provide. Any signs of dishonesty or fraud can not only delay the process but also lead to the denial of the visa.

The time it takes to get a fiance visa can vary widely, but on average, it can take anywhere from 9 months to over a year. The process involves multiple steps, from filing the initial petition with USCIS to the final interview at the embassy or consulate. Understanding each step, the factors that can affect the processing time, and taking steps to speed up the process can help ease the anxiety and anticipation. Remember, patience is key during this journey, as you work towards building a life together in the United States with your fiancé. By being well – prepared and following the guidelines carefully, you can increase the chances of a smooth and timely visa approval.