A K-1 fiancé visa allows an eligible foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. If you need to bring your partner to the U.S. for marriage, a Farmington immigration lawyer can help.
Mendoza Law has represented more than 100,000 clients. If you need to file for a K1 visa, a K1 fiance visa lawyer in Farmington can guide you through the process and help you get approved.
How a Farmington K-1 Fiance Visa Lawyer Can Help
Even a small mistake with a visa application can result in a delay or denial.
A Farmington K1 fiance visa lawyer can help with your application by:
- Reviewing your eligibility: A lawyer can determine whether you and your fiancé meet the requirements for a K-1 visa.
- Helping prepare immigration forms: An attorney can help ensure your forms are complete and accurate.
- Gathering supporting evidence: A lawyer can help gather documents that demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and that other requirements have been satisfied.
- Addressing potential complications: An attorney can help identify and address issues involving prior marriages, immigration violations, or criminal convictions.
- Preparing you for the interview: A lawyer can explain what your fiancé may encounter during the consular interview and what documentation may be required.
What Is a K-1 Fiancé Visa?
The K-1 fiancé visa is a temporary visa category for the foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen. It is intended for couples who plan to marry in the United States.
Generally, the U.S. citizen fiancé begins the process by filing a Form I-129F petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petition is approved, the case can proceed through the Department of State and the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.
After receiving a K-1 visa and entering the United States, the foreign fiancé generally must marry the U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days. After the marriage, the foreign spouse may apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.
Who Qualifies for a K-1 Visa?
To qualify for a K-1 visa, the petitioner must generally be a U.S. citizen rather than a lawful permanent resident. The couple also must intend to marry each other within 90 days after the foreign fiancé enters the United States. In addition, the parties generally must have met in person at least once during the two years before filing the petition.
Other requirements can affect your eligibility. For example, both parties must generally be legally free to marry. If either person was previously married, the prior marriage typically must have been legally terminated before the K-1 petition is filed.
What Evidence Do You Need for a K-1 Visa?
Documentation is an important part of a K-1 fiancé visa case.
Types of evidence you may need to provide include:
- Proof of your U.S. citizenship
- Passport-style photographs
- Evidence that any previous marriages were legally terminated
- Documentation showing that the two of you have met in person
- Photographs of the two of you together
- Travel records
- Airline tickets or hotel reservations
- Correspondence between the two of you
- Records of visits and shared activities
- Statements describing your relationship and intent to marry
- Evidence concerning wedding plans (when available)
How Long Does the K-1 Visa Process Take?
Every K-1 fiancé visa case is different. Processing times can vary depending on factors such as USCIS workloads, the government agency handling a particular stage of the case, consular processing times, requests for additional evidence, and security or background checks.
Since processing times can change, you and your fiancé should avoid making important plans based on an assumed approval date.
What Happens at the K-1 Visa Interview?
The visa interview gives the consular officer an opportunity to determine whether your foreign fiancé qualifies for the K-1 visa. Your fiancé may be asked questions about you, your relationship, your plans for marriage, your families, any prior travel, and other aspects of your immigration application.
Your fiancé should answer all questions honestly and bring the documents required by the embassy or consulate handling the case. Failure to provide required documentation can cause delays.
Can You Get a Green Card After a K-1 Visa?
A K-1 visa itself is not a green card. It simply allows the eligible foreign fiancé to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying the U.S. citizen petitioner.
After entering the country and marrying within the required 90-day period, the foreign spouse may generally seek adjustment of status, which can lead to lawful permanent resident status.
The adjustment-of-status process involves its own forms, evidence, fees, and eligibility requirements. The government may also require an interview and additional documentation.
Talk to a K1 Fiance Visa Attorney in Farmington
K1 visa cases can get complicated fast. If you need to apply for this type of visa, a Farmington K1 fiance visa attorney from Mendoza Law can help gather evidence that supports your application and maximize your odds of approval.
Call now to get help with your application.