K1 visa -Denied

[Soc89 0]

Hello, my K-1 petition just shows “Denied” on USCIS case status (August 19, 2025). I have not received the denial notice yet, so I don’t know the exact reason. Can anyone share how long it usually takes to get the denial letter, and if I should wait before deciding between appeal or refiling? Thank you.

[OldUser 10,281]

Sorry about denial.

It takes 2-8 weeks to get a physical letter in the mail.

 

You may consider going CR-1 route instead. I'd wait for letter to know the reason first. Maybe you or your spouse weren't free to marry in the eyes of USCIS 

Edited Wednesday at 04:58 AM by OldUser

[Soc89 0]

Thank you for your advice. The problem is my fiancé feels he is too old now and does not want to travel such a long distance to get married for the CR-1. That makes it difficult for us.

[TBoneTX 47,695]

Thread is shifted from the main K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum.

[Crazy Cat 44,953]

5 hours ago, Soc89 said:

Hello, my K-1 petition just shows “Denied” on USCIS case status (August 19, 2025). I have not received the denial notice yet, so I don’t know the exact reason. Can anyone share how long it usually takes to get the denial letter, and if I should wait before deciding between appeal or refiling? Thank you.

There is no appeal.  The case will expire.  That is one of the disadvantages of a K-1.  Normally, the person who was interviewed knows the reason for denial.  Normally, it was due to one of the parties not being eligible to marry or the consulate officer doubts the relationship is real.  

To be clear, are you the US citizen or the beneficiary? 

Edited Wednesday at 10:49 AM by Crazy Cat

[carmel34 3,756]

6 hours ago, Soc89 said:

Thank you for your advice. The problem is my fiancé feels he is too old now and does not want to travel such a long distance to get married for the CR-1. That makes it difficult for us.

You can travel and get married in his home country, then file for CR-1.  Or meet in a third country close to his for marriage if the home country is more complicated or takes more time/documents.  Another option is to marry virtually via Utah County online marriage, then meet in person somewhere before filing the I-130 petition to start the CR-1 process.  Good luck!

[Boiler 47,719]

7 hours ago, Soc89 said:

Thank you for your advice. The problem is my fiancé feels he is too old now and does not want to travel such a long distance to get married for the CR-1. That makes it difficult for us.

Have you considered travelling?

[Dashinka 26,030]

It is not clear to me, was the visa application denied at the consulate or was the I129F petition denied at USCIS?  You mentioned the case was showing denied at the USCIS site which implies it was the I129F that was denied.  The OP needs to clarify at what stage of the process the denial was decided.

[JeanneAdil 7,178]

Never received one since 2009

 

USCIS doesn't deny a case / they return it for reasons like no signature, missing pages

embassy is the one who denys and that would be posted on CEAC site

 

USCIS would also send RFE for additional documents needed 

Edited Wednesday at 01:05 PM by JeanneAdil

[tinubiyi 28]

8 hours ago, Soc89 said:

Hello, my K-1 petition just shows “Denied” on USCIS case status (August 19, 2025). I have not received the denial notice yet, so I don’t know the exact reason. Can anyone share how long it usually takes to get the denial letter, and if I should wait before deciding between appeal or refiling? Thank you.

So sorry to hear about your denial. There are lots of people here with tons of knowledge and similar experience. First off please fill in your time line and give more details.  That way they know how to be of help. Who is the beneficiary and what were some of the questions asked at the interview? 

[Soc89 0]

I am the beneficiary. The US citizen petitioner is my fiancé.

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

There is no appeal.  The case will expire.  That is one of the disadvantages of a K-1.  Normally, the person who was interviewed knows the reason for denial.  Normally, it was due to one of the parties not being eligible to marry or the consulate officer doubts the relationship is real.  

To be clear, are you the US citizen or the beneficiary? 

 

[Soc89 0]

3 hours ago, carmel34 said:

You can travel and get married in his home country, then file for CR-1.  Or meet in a third country close to his for marriage if the home country is more complicated or takes more time/documents.  Another option is to marry virtually via Utah County online marriage, then meet in person somewhere before filing the I-130 petition to start the CR-1 process.  Good luck!

 

• Thank you. The problem is that my fiancé doesn’t want to travel far because of his age. I’m not sure if he would agree to the CR-1 process

 

[Crazy Cat 44,953]

6 minutes ago, Soc89 said:

I am the beneficiary.

You were interviewed?  

[Soc89 0]

Thank you for your reply. Actually, we never reached the interview stage. My fiancé filed the K-1 petition at the end of October 2024. While waiting for NOA2, USCIS issued an RFE for a divorce decree copy, because he lost the original. We submitted the copy, but about 4 weeks later the case was denied. So the denial happened at USCIS, not at the consulate interview.”

1 hour ago, tinubiyi said:

So sorry to hear about your denial. There are lots of people here with tons of knowledge and similar experience. First off please fill in your time line and give more details.  That way they know how to be of help. Who is the beneficiary and what were some of the questions asked at the interview? 

 

[Soc89 0]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You were interviewed?  

No, there was no interview. The petition was denied at USCIS after we submitted an RFE for a divorce decree copy. We never reached the embassy stage