Apply for K-1 Visa from Abroad?

[beilis 0]

Hello everyone, I'm currently living with my boyfriend in Spain, and we want to move to the US. I called USCIS to ask if I could apply for the K-1visa while abroad and they said that I couldn't. But, I've seen on here that other people have applied from abroad with no problem (although a couple years ago). Has anyone applied successfully from a different country or know if it's possible or not? I'd like to if I can so that we don't have to be separated so long.

Thanks!

[Alexxx21 11]

Hey! My fiancee's been living in Spain for 2 years and half now. We applied for a K1 in October and I got my visa approved 16 days ago, so it's possible.. The only thing is that you will have to find someone in the US who can co-sponsor you. But for sure you can apply.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

USCIS callcenter is not called the "missinformation line" for nothing....

Yes you can apply from abroad.

[AMW 6]

It's totally possible to apply from abroad! It happens all the time. And if anything it probably makes your case stronger because it means you've spent some solid time with your fiance.

 

I met my fiance (now husband) in Ethiopia and we applied together from there. The hardest part was communicating with my family and USCIS due to impossibly slow internet (which was more often than not blocked by the local government), down phone networks, and mail being delayed or stolen. I imagine these issues are far less severe in Spain. I communicated with my family in the states to scan/email or physically mail me important documents that I didn't have access to abroad (birth certificate, tax records) and that was fine. Compiling the paperwork was so much easier being right by my fiances side - easy access to his signature. A check from a US bank account needs to be included - so I had my mom hide a few checks in a birthday package she was sending. It would have cost a ton to send our entire package by mail, and I was really scared it was going to get stolen/lost, so I waited until a friend was going to the states and sent it with her in an already addressed envelope and gave her some USD. 

 

The tricky part was communicating with USCIS - this could be why someone said it wasn't possible. You have to include a mailing address so that you can receive notices. I contemplated between using my Ethiopian address or my parents address stateside. I chose to use my Ethiopian address in case I needed original copies in my hand for anything. I have friends who used US addresses and had notices scanned and emailed to them. Both systems have flaws but both worked. A few times I had to call USCIS (lost mail, confusion in process steps, questions about requirements) and just wanted to cry because of the cost (we used a Skype phone number but it was still expensive due to being on hold long amounts) and time differences in order to reach the East Coast. But it all worked out.

 

Applying abroad is horrible communication wise but I firmly believe it makes a much stronger case for you and your fiance. My husband just had his Green Card interview (approved) and it was obvious the interviewer was thrilled we spent so much time in each others culture.

[beilis 0]

Thanks so much! I just assumed the person on the phone knew what she was talking about...good to know not to trust everything they say.