General K1 Guides and Info

[KemalTuanaYalcin 16]

K-1 Visa Holder Starter Kit

compiled by LisaD

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT! You must be so excited! Man, there is so much for you to digest...plan on reading a great deal! No, getting married to a foreign national is not like the movie 'Green Card'. You are gonna be shocked!

Do yourself a favor and read the GUIDES <---click here! as well as understanding what a K-1 Visa actually is.

Read the FAQs <----click here!

And if you have a specific question that you're unsure of...hit up the Forum Search <---click here!. Most times, your question has been asked and answered countless times over.

Please refer to these tools that the admin CAPTAIN EWOK has provided. And many members have worked very hard to write all this info.........

And one more thing....BREATHE!!! Yes it seems like a lot of ####### and red tape to go through, but there are countless couples who have gone through this and who have lived to tell the tale.

oh, and no, you cannot file for a K-1 and get married while you're waiting. <---CLICK HERE!

Useful links along your K1 Visa Journey:

compiled by Sheriff Uling

[CLICK HERE] - Department of State (DOS) Nonimmigrant Visa Information (Overview of the K1 Process)

[CLICK HERE] - USCIS FAQ for Fiance(e) (2pg PDF File)

[CLICK HERE] - 5 Stages of the K1 Visa Process "Simplified and Theoretical" (according to Sheriff Uling)

[CLICK HERE] - VJ's K1 Visa Guide & Information (Detailed Steps for Filing)

[CLICK HERE] - VJ's K1 Visa Flowchart (General Overview)

[CLICK HERE] - VJ's K1 Visa Tips (Tips on Forms and Documents)

[CLICK HERE] - VJ's Acronym and Form Definition page (Great for New Members)

[CLICK HERE] - Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide (Specific to the Philippines)

Make sure you also check out the Example Forms Section. This section has many example forms, for a general case, that you can use as reference.

Here is the official USCIS FAQ for Fiance(e) Visa's: http://www.uscis.gov.../article/A2.pdf. Once you file you will have several options available to track your case.

Helpful Notes for K1 Applicants (If you have a suggestion that you think should be added please PM me):

Note #1 (suggested by member: Mew):

Note #2 (suggested by member: sukie175 and pax):

Note #3:

Note #4:

Note #5:

Note #6:

I am so confused surrounding the "packages" do you know where I can find specific information to what each "package" entails please?

[MJIrene 0]

Just want to thank all the people for positing here, and sharing knowledge and just as importantly, the idea that one must be patient and careful. My fiance and I have just filed our I-129f and it's hard to think about all the time it might take, but it's very encouraging to know there are many good people who have been though this before and we won't be all alone in the experience.

All best!

MJ

[VisaLover 1]

There are many considerations to be taken into account when choosing which visa is the right one for you. Based on the fact that you do not intend to get married til 2012, I would say you should apply for a K1 fiance visa. As far as your fiance's military allowance, it should work as long as it is above the poverty guidelines (for which I would need more information) and if it is not, then he can use a co-sponsor to supplement his income and show that him and his co-sponsor will be able to support you once you move to the United States. Good luck!

Hello everybody,

I'm from Brazil and my boyfriend is from the US. We are planning to marry in a about a year from now, I don't how long all the proccess takes and which type of visa is better and easier in our case.

Once we intend to be together next year I realized we better rush on the procedures. It's too hard to be apart and wait for this 'right moment' to apply. My tourist visa was denied last year, so everytime we need to meet, he has to come or I have to go somewhere else. ;(

I'm concerned about the fact that he doesn't work, he served on the Military of the US and since he left, he has a "allowance" from the Military and as he study full time he can't work. Is that a problem? What are the chances of the visa get denied?

Which one of the visas are easiest and more indicated in my case?

Thank you very much you all. =)

[paoluzziluca 0]

Hi all,

First time here. I haev a question. I'm italian, my fiance is american. She filed the K1 and the petition was approved. She called the NVC and they already assigned the case number. Now Im waiting to receive my package 3 from Naples and plan the interview. I would like to go and visit her at the end of October.

I called the very expensive number in Naples and I was told that I can't go to the states while the fiancee visa is not issued. If I want to go I have to ask for B1 or B2 but it takes time and it might be refused.

So my question is: can I go to the states as visitor (just with my passport as I've been doing up to now) before the fiancee visa is issued? And 2nd question, if the fiancee visa is issued, can I still enter the states as visitor and go there later time using the fiancee visa?

Thanks for your help and best regards,

Luca.

[joonphon 7]

OMG!!! I sent in our photos but our names were not in the back of the photos, just date and location but i haven't heard anything back from them yet regarding no names on our photos.

The last time they touched my file was back in June when I first sent in my application. Does anyone know how long do we have to wait until we hear something back from the USCIS?

[mr Davies 0]

Hi i hope i can get a swift response from readers here.we filled for a K1 fiance visa sometime last year got our approval and date for interview at the lagos embassy on the 25th of August 2011, after going through my documents and asking few questions the ECO officer said he isnt satisfied i am genuinely going to Marry my Fiance and said our case file will be sent to the Home Land security for review or possible revocation: his reasons, he said for immigration purposes only.we are at cross roads now on what to do, heard its a norm at the US Lagos embassy for K1 visa applicants.can anyone please advice us on the neccessary steps to take when the file is sent back to USICS from the embassy on review and possible revocation asap.thanks.Mr Davies.

[Gopher 0]

Hello! This is my first time here and I am about to start the fiance visa process. Thank you so much for the information as it is of great help! I look forward to going through this process with everyone else!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

OMG!!! I sent in our photos but our names were not in the back of the photos, just date and location but i haven't heard anything back from them yet regarding no names on our photos.

The last time they touched my file was back in June when I first sent in my application. Does anyone know how long do we have to wait until we hear something back from the USCIS?

You will likely wait around 5 months for approval.

[Tex&Jane 0]

On uscis.gov, it says if I am a USA citizen wanting to bring my fiance to USA , there are only 2 forms it says I have to fill out. The I-129F and the g-1145( E-Notification Form). It does not say that any other forms are necessary. However , I am seeing other people and Visa Journey recommending using form G-325A and all kinds of other letters, info and pictures that I can not find in any Government Intructions. Where is the reference to using all these other forms and procedures? Fiancé Letter of Intent? I see this no where. Or is is this just a recommended procedure? I ask this because I have a co worker who brought his fiancee to the USA and to marry and he did not fill out any of this other information that your recommending in your checklist. He is looking at me in disbelief when I am telling him about all this big package presentation.

Don't mean to rock the boat here,this is a great site. Just trying to understand better.

[Laure&Colin 464]

On uscis.gov, it says if I am a USA citizen wanting to bring my fiance to USA , there are only 2 forms it says I have to fill out. The I-129F and the g-1145( E-Notification Form). It does not say that any other forms are necessary. However , I am seeing other people and Visa Journey recommending using form G-325A and all kinds of other letters, info and pictures that I can not find in any Government Intructions. Where is the reference to using all these other forms and procedures? Fiancé Letter of Intent? I see this no where. Or is is this just a recommended procedure? I ask this because I have a co worker who brought his fiancee to the USA and to marry and he did not fill out any of this other information that your recommending in your checklist. He is looking at me in disbelief when I am telling him about all this big package presentation.

Don't mean to rock the boat here,this is a great site. Just trying to understand better.

Hi,

Just to give you a quick answer, the letter of intent is mentionned in the instructions for filling I-129F, together with all the other stuff you hear about here (proof of having met in person...)

I have a small question here about translation of documents : I read the requirements on USCIS website and they say the translator should sign a statement saying he is competent and blabla, but I don't see anywhere that the translator has to be approved or anything. Does that mean I can translate some documents myself ? I could as well do it, and it would be faster and cheaper !

Has anyone tried ?

[promy 1]

I was wondering if my fiance need to sign the G325A form and the letter of intent before I can send out the 129f package? please advise.

Thanks!

[Andie 147]

I was wondering if my fiance need to sign the G325A form and the letter of intent before I can send out the 129f package? please advise.

Thanks!

I don't know that the instructions specifically ask for an original signature but I have read posts where an RFE has been sent requesting an original signature. I read somewhere it is dependent on the adjudicator and it is therefore better to send an original signature and also on the Letter of Intent. It is also better to either sign in blue ink or with a pen that makes an impression and does not look like like a photocopy, because you have no way of knowing who is going to be dealing with your petition and how 'picky' or informed they are.

[sergnavi 3]

hey.

people should know that your case can be in "Administrative Process" My fiance who had her interview at U.S Embassy in London UK on June 16 2011 is in "Aadministrative Process". This really really sucks. Imagine having to wait again after you interview date. I hope no one goes thru this crazy time. O by the way we are both muslims. I hope it isnt the reason why. Good Luck to everyone. God Bless You!!

[Jim/Jan 1]

Help. I received my NOA1 Oct. 11, 2011 with my receit number but when I call the USCIS number they do not recognize it for an update?

[Manu&Nina 0]

Hi All,

I am from INDIA and our NOA-2 is approved. My concern is that my fiancee is here in India with me for a vacation and her Mom received NOA2 in mail in United States.

Please guide us for the process coming ahead and is it possible that my fiancee communicate with Visa Center from India and send them whatever required by them from here or she have to go back in United States to send them a reply and other documents. We are very much confused about everything and the whole process coming ahead. one place it says that she can file I-134 or I-864 for sponsoring me. She doesn't make enough money to sponsor so her sister is agreed to be a joint sponsor. Which form she has to file? Is there any kind of Notarization required of documents and if yes then do they accept Indian Notarization...Please Help...We are very confused.....