What is the process like?

[funnyman7879 0]

I'm a US citizen and I am planning to marry someone from India within the next few months. The plan is for me to fly down there and have an engagement. What are the next steps I need to take after that? I have been reading about the process but it seems confusing... do I submit papers (129F application for fiancee visa) in India or do I come back and submit them here? Reading various sources I see that it can take up to 8 months for my fiancee to actually get the visa to come here to the US, is that the absolute quickest route? During that time can my fiancee visit me on a visitors visa or is the only option for me to take multiple trips back to India to see her?

Another point... i've read that 8 months is the maximum and more typically it's around 5 months? Is my assumption correct?

[Anvi 5]

I'm a US citizen and I am planning to marry someone from India within the next few months. The plan is for me to fly down there and have an engagement. What are the next steps I need to take after that? I have been reading about the process but it seems confusing... do I submit papers (129F application for fiancee visa) in India or do I come back and submit them here? Reading various sources I see that it can take up to 8 months for my fiancee to actually get the visa to come here to the US, is that the absolute quickest route? During that time can my fiancee visit me on a visitors visa or is the only option for me to take multiple trips back to India to see her?

Another point... i've read that 8 months is the maximum and more typically it's around 5 months? Is my assumption correct?

Anything you want to apply you have to apply here in US. You can apply 129F visa before marry- May take to approve anywhere from3 months to 8 months or one year or more than that. (I usually see less than 10 months). When you send a 129F packet make sure 100 times everything right and you included everything that they need. Once they approve USCIS will send to NVC from there it will go to Bombay or Delhi embassy (another 1 more month). Once you get interview date you can take medical and interview. For bombay I have seen once bombay got your 129-F packet you can appointment in a month. USCIS site says 5 months, which is not true. If your fiance come here on Fiancé a visa. You guys need to marry here and apply for Adjustment of statues.

If you file after marry that may take from 1 year to 2 years to approve.

My friend applied for husband she got her petition approved after 10 months and all processes took 12 months. My another friend applied for her husband 18 months ago they just got approved last month.

My brother applied for her wife his petion got after 7 months. So nobody can tell you exact time frame.

I applied 129F visa. If you look at my timeline you can see.

During the process your fiance can visit you if your fiance got a visiting visa (which is really got get for young people) If I were you I won’t that risk. You can go there many time you want.

Edited April 17, 2014 by Anvi

[funnyman7879 0]

That is disappointing that it takes that long for a fiance visa. How hard is it to get a visitor's visa during that time and does applying for a visitors visa cause any issues with the fiancee visa application? If it is revealed that you have an fiancee visa pending it is impossible to get a visitors visa?

Someone told me another alternative is to apply for the I-485 directly instead of a fiancee visa and it will take about the same amount of time. How does that work?

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

The foreign fiance(e) would have to be in the US already, then you decide to marry and adjust status. You cannot file the I-485 from abroad or plan to get a tourist visa with the intent to enter the US, marry, adjust status and stay.

[baron555 934]

That is disappointing that it takes that long for a fiance visa. How hard is it to get a visitor's visa during that time and does applying for a visitors visa cause any issues with the fiancee visa application? If it is revealed that you have an fiancee visa pending it is impossible to get a visitors visa?

Maybe, depends on the Embassy.

Someone told me another alternative is to apply for the I-485 directly instead of a fiancee visa and it will take about the same amount of time. How does that work?

Bad info. The 485 form is for AOS, not a visa. Read the Guide.s. Your alternate to a K-1 is to marry there and file a CR-1.

[Anvi 5]

That is disappointing that it takes that long for a fiance visa. How hard is it to get a visitor's visa during that time and does applying for a visitors visa cause any issues with the fiancee visa application? If it is revealed that you have an fiancee visa pending it is impossible to get a visitors visa?

Someone told me another alternative is to apply for the I-485 directly instead of a fiancee visa and it will take about the same amount of time. How does that work?

I am just saying that is what time frame for fiancé visa. If you are really lucky, they may approve your fiancé application within a month or so. It happens to other lucky people.

When you apply for visitors visa, they will ask you what is the reason y she/he Applying for? How long will she/he intent to stay here in US? Will he/she go back? She/he need to prove so many things that shows that he/she need to go back to India. Also when you apply for visiting visa they ask the question in the application Have you ever applied before? If yes? what Visa? granted or denied? Reason? In this case if you apply for visiting visa first then fiancé visa they will ask you all these visa related question again i.e have ever applied before? What visa so on……. Once you applied you are in the system.

If I were you I wouldn’t apply for visiting visa because if in case visiting visa didn’t approve that is a red flag for fiancé visa. Appling for visas both won’t hurt anything. I am not discouraging you from anything but just saying.

I-485 is for adjustment of status. In order to file I-485 that he/she has to be here in the US first through, K1, or 1-30, or any other visa.