Filing for K1 visa while living abroad with your fiance

[powerpuff 5,907]

5 minutes ago, dd2024dd said:

@powerpuffwow, that's great. Thanks for that suggestion. That sounds like a winner to me!

I've been reading their website, and the scheduling page mentions this:
 

Do you know, what license are they referring to?

 

yes it’s a great option. If it were available back in 2020 when we did K1, I would’ve definitely went for this option. But due to COVID border shut downs, we didn’t know when/how we would be able to marry since a lot of government places were shut down.
 

Marriage license. It’s like with any county in the US. You must apply for a marriage license, wait for 24 hours (most cases - I’m sure some states have exceptions) and only after that you can get married and get a marriage certificate.

Edited February 9 by powerpuff

[JaredShadkin 53]

3 hours ago, dd2024dd said:

I'm a US citizen, currently living in Nairobi, Kenya with my fiance, a Kenyan citizen. We're planning to apply for K1 visa. I have read the instructions on the USCIS website, but I have a couple of questions:

 

1. Do I have to mail the I-129F form using the snail mail, or can I file online?
2. Payment wise, I'm wondering how can I pay for I-129F filing from Kenya?
3. I also read that they may require a biometric screening. I wonder if I can do it at the embassy in Nairobi?
4. Lastly if they green light the application, can I go with her to the embassy for the interview here in Nairobi?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

With regards to #4, it is Embassy specific. In my case, I emailed the U.S Embassy in Madrid and was allowed to go to the interview with my fiancé, although they only interviewed him and did not ask me any questions. When you get to that stage, can find out by emailing the embassy. 

[carmel34 3,531]

12 hours ago, dd2024dd said:

@powerpuffwow, that's great. Thanks for that suggestion. That sounds like a winner to me!

I've been reading their website, and the scheduling page mentions this:
 

Do you know, what license are they referring to?

 

You apply for the marriage license online, Utah County website, then schedule the Zoom marriage.  It's fast, easy, and valid for US immigration purposes.  Many have done this in similar situations to yours.  CR-1 spousal visa is far superior to K-1 and about the same processing time from filing the petition to visa interview.  Do more research on the I-864 and financial sponsorship.  You will need sufficient US-based income and evidence of US domicile or intent to re-establish US domicile as the primary sponsor.  You can also find a qualified joint sponsor.

Edited February 9 by carmel34

[dd2024dd 5]

Thanks, guys. I couldn't reply earlier because evidently there's a limit to the number of replies that I can make per day.

 

Anyway, we scheduled an online virtual (Zoom) ceremony via the UT website that someone linked above. We shall see how it goes. Thanks again for suggesting it!

 

One thing is not clear to me though. I requested and paid for the marriage license (via utahcounty.gov website) and also set up & scheduled an appointment for the virtual/Zoom ceremony, also through them. But then I read somewhere that we also need someone to officiate this virtual marriage. So do we need to find someone to do that, or what?

[Redro 4,600]

22 hours ago, dd2024dd said:

Thanks, guys. I couldn't reply earlier because evidently there's a limit to the number of replies that I can make per day.

 

Anyway, we scheduled an online virtual (Zoom) ceremony via the UT website that someone linked above. We shall see how it goes. Thanks again for suggesting it!

 

One thing is not clear to me though. I requested and paid for the marriage license (via utahcounty.gov website) and also set up & scheduled an appointment for the virtual/Zoom ceremony, also through them. But then I read somewhere that we also need someone to officiate this virtual marriage. So do we need to find someone to do that, or what?

I would message the people you made the appointment with and ask them this question. We cannot answer because we don’t know what type of package you bought. 

[dd2024dd 5]

Thank you all for your help! We got married at the Utah County website via their online Zoom ceremony yesterday. I can't believe how quickly it happened. Those guys are very efficient. The ceremony itself took about 10 min via Zoom and it cost $71 for the marriage license, and $36 for the Zoom ceremony itself. All from the same website.

 

What's also funny is that there are third-party services, like Courtly that charge over $500 for the same thing.

 

So now we're working on applying for I-130.

[Redro 4,600]

29 minutes ago, dd2024dd said:

Thank you all for your help! We got married at the Utah County website via their online Zoom ceremony yesterday. I can't believe how quickly it happened. Those guys are very efficient. The ceremony itself took about 10 min via Zoom and it cost $71 for the marriage license, and $36 for the Zoom ceremony itself. All from the same website.

 

What's also funny is that there are third-party services, like Courtly that charge over $500 for the same thing.

 

So now we're working on applying for I-130.

Thanks for the follow up! Great to know you didn’t need to hire the officiant. 
If you need any assistance with the I130 and proof you’re in the correct spot and people will be able to help you! 

[dd2024dd 5]

Good to know.

As for the officiant then it was all done by the UT country people. Very easy.

[Crazy Cat 39,268]

43 minutes ago, dd2024dd said:

Thank you all for your help! We got married at the Utah County website via their online Zoom ceremony yesterday. I can't believe how quickly it happened. Those guys are very efficient. The ceremony itself took about 10 min via Zoom and it cost $71 for the marriage license, and $36 for the Zoom ceremony itself. All from the same website.

 

What's also funny is that there are third-party services, like Courtly that charge over $500 for the same thing.

 

So now we're working on applying for I-130.

Congratulations!!!  Personally, I think you made a very smart move as compared to a K-1.  I hope the rest of your journey is smooth.

[dd2024dd 5]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Congratulations!!!  Personally, I think you made a very smart move as compared to a K-1.  I hope the rest of your journey is smooth.

Thank you. Your guys' advice on this forum was very helpful.

[Boiler 43,451]

Congratulations

 

Yesterday was the 14th!!!

[dd2024dd 5]

11 hours ago, Boiler said:

Congratulations

 

Yesterday was the 14th!!!

 

I know, right. Thanks a lot!