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K1- Visa Journey!

Posted by N3r3N

Nov 26, 2008

10 comments

Visa Journey

To those who wants to do it alone with your Boyfriend here’s a guide that will truly help you.I gathered everything I’ve learned about K1- Visa so please read it carefully. It was an amazing journey but Oh boy it was tough!

Ok here it goes…

A K1 fiance visa is a nonimmigrant visa, which allows a foreign fiancé(e) entry into the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen. After marriage, an application is made for an adjustment of status for permanent residence.

Obtaining the K1 visa is a multi-step process. First, the U.S. citizen files a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once that is approved, the foreign fiancé will be allowed to complete the process to obtain a K1 visa. The foreign fiancé(e) will provide additional documentation to the local U.S. embassy, attend a medical exam and visa interview.

The K1 Visa Application Process – Fiance Visa:

The U.S. citizen (also knows as the “petitioner” submits a petition for his or her foreign fiancé(e) (also known as the “beneficiary” to the USCIS.
The petitioner submits Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé, along with Form G-325A Biographic Information, current fees and any required documentation to the appropriate USCIS Service Center.
After a few weeks, the U.S. petitioner receives Form I-797, the first Notice of Action (NOA), from the USCIS acknowledging that the petition has been received.
Depending on processing times, the petitioner then receives the second NOA from the USCIS acknowledging that the petition has been approved.
The USCIS Service Center forwards the petition to the National Visa Center.
The National Visa Center will process the file and run preliminary background checks on the beneficiary, then forward the approved petition to the beneficiary’s embassy, as listed in the I-129F.

Acquiring the Fiance Visa

The embassy receives the file and processes it locally.
The embassy sends a package to the beneficiary that includes a checklist of documents that must be collected. The beneficiary will be instructed to send certain items back to the embassy immediately, while other items will be brought to the interview.
The beneficiary will complete the checklist and any forms, include any documents required immediately and send the package back to the embassy.
Once received, the consulate will send a letter to the beneficiary confirming the date and time of the visa interview.
The beneficiary attends a medical interview.
The beneficiary attends the visa interview. The interviewing officer will review all documents, ask questions, and make a decision on the case.
If approved, the K1 visa will be issued that day or within the week, depending on the embassy.

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

1.	Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted.
2.	Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.
3.	Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e)
4.	Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.
5.	Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1.
6.	Proof of having met in past two years.
7.	G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated
8.	One passport-type photo of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag “Photo of <Insert US Citizen’s Name>“. Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.
9.	G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated
10.	One passport-type photo of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag “Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) “. Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.
11.	Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen’s passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen’s naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.
12.	Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.
13.	Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.
14.	In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.