What does the 455 dollars cover?

[kylejb 0]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1? After it has been sent to the NVC, do you also have to pay $131.00 per visa to actually get the visa?

Hope this question makes sense.

[ScottThuy 140]

The 455 covers the stuff done in the US before the innterview.. then 131 per visa at the interview stage, then another grand for AOS after you get married.. it adds up...

Edited August 31, 2009 by ScottThuy

[Otto 83]

The $455 covers the filing fee for the I-129f petition, nothing else.

The $131 you're referring to is the visa application fee (per application).

[LiLMermaid 2]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1? After it has been sent to the NVC, do you also have to pay $131.00 per visa to actually get the visa?

Hope this question makes sense.

$455 is the filing fee and then you pay for your medical and then yes the visa cost and at my consulate, not sure about others...you also have to supply them with a self addressed, stamped mailer to send it to you in. lol

Then after thats all done there is the AOS costs after your fiance gets here and married.

[driver 9]

wow i totally didn't realize there was more charges after the initial - will be sure to keep my checkbook with me at all times when dealing with government.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1? After it has been sent to the NVC, do you also have to pay $131.00 per visa to actually get the visa?

Hope this question makes sense.

It covers the fee to file a petition. A petition is a request to be allowed to apply for a visa. If the petition is approved, your fiance can apply for a visa. The visa fee is $131, per visa. There is also a medical exam fee which varies for each country from a little ($125 for Ukraine) to a LOT, per visa. This has to be done and paid before she applies for the visa. Then there is the AOS which is $1010 per person (or $600 each for children under age 14) Plus translation fees (if applicable) etc., etc.

[Nik+Heather 122]

wow i totally didn't realize there was more charges after the initial - will be sure to keep my checkbook with me at all times when dealing with government.

Hee hee!!

Bringing your beloved here on a K1 is the most expensive way to do it, and it isn't cheap! Please don't be surprised by the following costs:

- I129f Filing fee ($455)

- Visa Application Fee ($131)

(PLUS supporting fees including:)

+Medical Exam Fee

+Police certificate fee

+Replacement Birth certificate fee (if you lost yours)

+Passport application/renewal fee (if needed)

- Airfare to move here

- AOS fee ($1010)

(PLUS supporting fees including:)

+Vaccine Transcription

+Full on medical (if RFE'd)

+Marriage Certificate fee (and the license fee - many states charge for extra copies)

I'm sure there's more that I haven't considered.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

wow i totally didn't realize there was more charges after the initial - will be sure to keep my checkbook with me at all times when dealing with government.

Hee hee!!

Bringing your beloved here on a K1 is the most expensive way to do it, and it isn't cheap! Please don't be surprised by the following costs:

- I129f Filing fee ($455)

- Visa Application Fee ($131)

(PLUS supporting fees including:)

+Medical Exam Fee

+Police certificate fee

+Replacement Birth certificate fee (if you lost yours)

+Passport application/renewal fee (if needed)

- Airfare to move here

- AOS fee ($1010)

(PLUS supporting fees including:)

+Vaccine Transcription

+Full on medical (if RFE'd)

+Marriage Certificate fee (and the license fee - many states charge for extra copies)

I'm sure there's more that I haven't considered.

Hee, hee, though not associated with a K-1 per se, expect utilities and food bills to double, fees for drivers license and/or driver training, new car, triple insurance rates (new driver...wooo hooo! Just like insuring a 16 year old) double, at least, medical insurance rates, the list goes on and on. I think you had better look very closely at what you are planning financially, it is definitley not a $455 one-shot cost. That would not even make a respectable down payment

[Anh map 2,098]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1? After it has been sent to the NVC, do you also have to pay $131.00 per visa to actually get the visa?

Hope this question makes sense.

So to sum up what everyone has said up to this point: it covers the tip of the financial iceburg that is K1.

But, it's worth every cent once you are together in the same place.

[endoftheroad 1]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1?

Okay, no one else has said it but the $455 covers the following at USCIS:

- donuts and danish in the mornings

- a pizza party

- scented toilet paper in the women's lav

- unscented soap in the men's lav

- doilies on the lunch tables

- seasonal decorations for the office

- birthday stripgrams for chosen employees

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but what does teh $455.00 dollars cover when filing for the K1? After it has been sent to the NVC, do you also have to pay $131.00 per visa to actually get the visa?

Hope this question makes sense.

So to sum up what everyone has said up to this point: it covers the tip of the financial iceburg that is K1.

But, it's worth every cent once you are together in the same place.

It is a shame I forgot to mention that. Shame on me!

[FaridS 0]

oh boy....there is more to pay???

I thought $455 was enough to cover everything. they do charge quite a bit considering they take their time processing the applications. No wonder they call us "customers."

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Oh yeah...

It costs so much, that I haven't bought a pair of shoes in well over 2 months.

Most unlike me.

[Shad and Dani 3]

Four hundred and fifty five dollars worth of puddin....Ahhhhhh Yeeeaaahhhh!

Edited September 1, 2009 by Shad and Dani

[SMR 368]

Unlike a lot of the services provided by the US government, immigration is not paid for by taxpayers. Immigrants and the people who sponsor them have to foot the bill. As a taxpayer, I think this is fair. I wouldn't want my taxes going to pay to bring somebody elses wife to the US.

This makes a lot of sense, if the government was actually bringing the foreign spouse to the USA. But last time I checked, airfare or anything else tangible isn't covered by the K-1 fees. You are really just paying the government to get out of your way.

Although it might be reasonable to expect that the average taxpayer should not be expected to pay for this service, you have to ask yourself, what do my federal income taxes pay for? Considering the federal government takes a sizable portion of your check every time you get paid before you even see the money (and that portion is larger than is written on your pay-stub), it seems unreasonable that every time you need a government service, you have to pay for it up front anyway. Why do we pay taxes?