Cost of K-1 Process

[CyberSamurai013 69]

I wanted to track the overall cost of the K-1 process for anyone who is interested or curious. I will update as we progress. We are doing the process without an attorney so here goes:

Travel to meet in person per requirement = $5000.00

Document translation for I-129F = $300.00

I-129F Filing Fee = $455.00

[K and L 27]

Unless the USC was not born in the US, or the beneficiary was not born in an area that uses the language for the country they presently live in, there are no translation costs for the K1.

Our costs, which are different from yours because the DOS raised the prices of the interview, USCIS dropped the price of the K1 petition and raised the price of the AOS, were:

• Initial travel: ~$1000 (includes visa to Brazil, airfare, hotel, food, entertainment)
  
• I-129F petition for K-1 visa: $500
  
  • Petition itself: $455
    
  • Passport-sized photos: $18
    
  • Postage to the US: $9 (his G325A, photographs, etc)
    
  • Photocopies: $0 (scanner/printer at home)
    
  • Postage: $18 (USPS Express)

  [*]K-1 visa: ~$1950 (though if I hadn't've come, it would have cost only $370ish because L has family in Rio)

  • Airfare to Rio de Janeiro (him): $150
    
  • Airfare to Rio de Janeiro (me): $900
    
  • Hotel, food, transportation in Rio: $600
    
  • Photographs: ~$18 (4x3cm photos for the medical, 5x5 cm photos for the visa) (R$33)
    
  • Medical exam costs: ~$180 (R$330)
    
  • Visa interview: $131
    
  • Courier fees: ~$30 (R$50)

  [*]I-485 (adjusting to permanent residency/green card): $1430

  • I-485, I-131, I-765 petitions: $1010
    
  • Postage: ~$17
    
  • Passport-sized photos (we only had 4 and needed 6): $9
    
  • Medical transcription of vaccinations: $75
    
  • Travel to biometrics: ~$320 (at the government travel expenses 50c/mile + $30 per diem/person for food, times two trips)

So when all is said and done, we spent about $5,000, plus what was spent on the other trips I made to Brazil, plus what we spent trying to get his tourist visa.

[JimVaPhuong 4,864]

Unless the USC was not born in the US, or the beneficiary was not born in an area that uses the language for the country they presently live in, there are no translation costs for the K1.

I had to provide copies of my fiancee's divorce decree with the I-129F, and I had to include an English translation. It didn't cost anywhere NEAR $300, though.

At the consulate stage, many consulates require non-English language documents to be translated even if they are in the native language of the country where the consulate is located.

Personally, I think these bullet lists of costs are kind of pointless. They vary radically from one country to another, and even between cases in the same country. For example, if you want to get a fiancee visa out of the consulate in Vietnam then it's practically essential that you have a traditional engagement ceremony followed by a BIG party. You could easily spend $3K to $5K just on the engagement party. Of course, you could choose not to do this and save some cash, but your chances of getting a visa drop dramatically.

Even travel expenses are going to vary substantially. I never spent $5K on round trip airfare to southeast Asia, but I did spend over $2K on one trip, and less than $900 on another. Someone with a fiancee in Canada might not spend more than it takes to fill their car with gas a couple of times.

[K and L 27]

Right - but that does show some of the other costs associated with the K1 process, which is what the OP (who is just starting out) is trying to track.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Can I include my wife's Macys bill in there? Shoes and handbags, it's an obsession.

[JimVaPhuong 4,864]

Can I include my wife's Macys bill in there? Shoes and handbags, it's an obsession.

It's an obsession with all Asians. Wait until she discovers Louis Vuitton and Coach!

[Aztec&Taino 144]

It's an obsession with all Asians. Wait until she discovers Louis Vuitton and Coach!

I guess I must consider myself lucky that my fiance does not have expensive tastes and is happy if he eats rice with his meals! My obsession is dancing, fortunately it is not something that requires lots of money, but just some music.

[usmcwife 3]

I would also add however many months of not being able to work to that list. it might not seem like an expense but it certainly doesn't help.