If you are a US citizen and engaged to someone who lives in another country, you can travel to the US to get married with a K1 visa.You need to file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services if you are a US citizen.They will apply for the K1 visa in their home country.You have 90 days to get married after they arrive.Once married, your spouse can apply for a green card to stay in the country.
Step 1: You can download the petition and instructions.
Form I-129F can be found on the website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.To view and fill out the form, you'll need to have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed.The form and instructions can be downloaded from the website.Before you start filling it out, read the instructions and look over the form.Make sure you understand what you need.You should consult an immigration lawyer if you have any questions.
Step 2: To support the petition, gather necessary documents.
You and your fiancée must provide original documentation for the information you give in the petition.The two of you are eligible to get married because of these documents.Birth certificates, passport-style photographs, divorce certificates and evidence that the two of you have met in person at least once in the past 2 years are included in these documents.A complete list of required documents is listed in the instructions to the petition.Some documents are original and others are photocopies.Unless specifically requested, don't send an original unless it's yours.Keep the original documents together if you submit photocopies.At any time during the process, you may be asked to provide them for inspection.
Step 3: You must complete your petition.
Provide the information required for the petition.If you want to answer all questions thoroughly, type or write in black ink.If the question doesn't apply to you, type "N/A" instead of leaving it blank.Attach blank sheets of paper if you need more room to answer a question.Sign and date each sheet you add, and clearly indicate which question and page number the information relates to.
Step 4: The filing fee can be paid with a check or money order.
The $535 filing fee can be paid with a check or money order in US currency and drawn on a US financial institution.You can make the check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.The amount of the fee must be specified in your check or money order.The fee amount can be verified by calling the National Customer Service Center.You can find this information on the website.If you are currently living outside the US, you should contact your nearest US embassy to find out how to pay the filing fee.
Step 5: Send your package of documents to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Mail the required documents to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility.I-129F, 2501 South State Highway 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067 is the address of Box 660151.You should read through the form filing tips before mailing your documents.Your petition can be delayed or denied if you follow these tips for assembling your document package.Make a copy of everything you send and keep it for your records.
Step 6: Wait to hear back from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
It may take several months for the agency to process your petition once you receive your package.You can receive a request in the mail.If the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your petition, it will send it to the Department of State National Visa Center so that your fiancée can continue the process of applying for a K1 visa.You will receive a notice if the petition is denied.You can submit another petition.Even if the petition is denied, there will be no refunds of your fees.
Step 7: Find out when the interview is happening.
The petition will be forwarded to the US embassy or consulate where the fiancée lives.If you are a foreign fiancée, you will complete the rest of the process on your own.The person who filed the petition will usually communicate with the Department of State.When you need to attend your visa interview, your fiancée will let you know.The interview is scheduled by the embassy or consulate in your country, and you don't have a choice of date.If you can't make the interview at the scheduled time or date, contact the embassy or consulate as soon as possible.Your petition is valid for 4 months after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services approves it.If it expires before your visa is processed, a consular officer can extend that time.
Step 8: Required forms and documents need to be gathered.
You will need to bring a valid passport, divorce or death certificates of any previous spouses, police certificates, medical examination report, evidence of financial support, and 2 passport-sized photos to the visa interview.Form I-134 Affidavit of Support can be used to provide evidence of financial support.The form can be downloaded from the website.Many of the forms and documents were already submitted with the petition.You must bring original documents with you for your visa interview.
Step 9: You have to complete your visa application.
The visa application must be completed online.The application requires the same information as the petition.The website will allow you to submit after you've filled out the application.Take the confirmation page with you to the visa interview.If you have children who will be coming with you, they may be able to enter the US on a K-2 non immigrant visa.
Step 10: Go for a medical examination.
An authorized physician must complete a medical examination before you can attend your visa interview.A review of your medical history, a physical examination, blood tests, and chest x-ray are included in the exam.Before your medical exam, you should get a copy of your immunization records, medical history records and any chest x-rays.You can find the link to the city where you will be having your visa interview on the travel.state.gov website.The instructions may be country specific.You can schedule your exam by finding a list of approved physicians along with their contact information.
Step 11: Attend your interview.
A consular officer will meet with you in person at the US embassy or consulate nearest you to discuss the information in your petition and your visa application.The consular officer will let you know if there are any issues with your visa.They can offer suggestions on how to fix the problem.You may be ineligible for a visa if you have certain conditions.If that is the case, the consular officer will tell you if you can get a waiver and what the process is like.
Step 12: Receive a visa.
If the consular officer approves your visa, they will return your passport with a sealed packet of documents.Do not open it.When you arrive in the US, it can only be opened by an immigration officer.Depending on the processing time, it may be several days or a week after the consular officer approves your visa before it's ready for you to pick up.
Step 13: Make your travel plans.
The K1 visa is valid for 6 months after you get it.You must get married to your partner within 90 days of entering the US on a K1 visa.If you have children who are also traveling to the US on K-2 visas, they can travel with you.You can't bring them to the US before you do.
Step 14: You must complete an inspection at your port of entry.
A K1 visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the US.The customs agent has the right to deny entry to you.If you are denied admission after completing the petition and visa process, you should return to your home country and work with an immigration attorney to get into the US.
Step 15: Within 90 days, make wedding arrangements.
Since it can take months for a K1 visa to be approved, it's likely that you and your fiancée have already set the date and made plans for the wedding.You will need to apply for a marriage certificate in the state you plan to hold the ceremony in.You don't have to have an elaborate wedding ceremony.If you decide to stand before a judge with a few people as witnesses, you won't be questioned about the legitimacy of your marriage.
Step 16: Authorization to work is needed.
You can apply for work authorization immediately after arriving in the US, if you hold a K1 visa.The application for employment authorization can be found on the website.If you apply for work authorization before you get married, it will only be valid for 90 days.If you apply for a green card after the wedding, you can get an extension of that authorization.
Step 17: You need to apply for a green card.
You can become a US permanent resident after you marry your US citizen fiancée.You can apply for a green card by filling out a form.You and your spouse will have to provide a lot of documentation.If you and your spouse have been married for less than 2 years when your green card application is approved, you will be granted permanent residency.The conditions on the green card can be removed within 90 days.