Abe's INS Fiancée Visa Help Site

INS Fiancée Visa Process Part 1 ... (2) (3) (4)

Please note that the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) has been changed to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), which is now within the Department of Homeland Security. For the purpose of this website it should be understood that wherever the term "INS" is referenced, we are referring to the former INS which is now the USCIS.

INS Fiancé Visa Process simplified - Part 1:
The whole INS Fiance Visa (K1) process is difficult and nerve-wracking at the best of times. This site is designed to save you time, effort and money as well as frustration. It is full of helpful tips, tricks and hints. As I am not a lawyer, you should probably not use this website as your sole resource, but I'm certain you will find it helpful. There are many excellent and helpful sites out there and you can find many of them though our links page.

The K1 visa allows US Citizens to bring their foreign fiance(e)s to the United States in order to get married. The K2 visa enables unmarried children (under age 21) of the fiance(e) to move to the US as well.

The K1 visa is not an end in itself. It is only a single step in a procedure that I will outline here for obtaining permanent residency (a green card) based on a marriage to a US Citizen after entry. The steps involved in immigrating to the US via a K1 visa can be generally described as follows:

1. The US Citizen files the I-129F petition for the foreign fiance(e). Approval is required before the fiance(e) may apply for the K1 visa. The petition phase is very straightforward. Approval timelines vary thru the Service Centers, anywhere from one to three months.

2. After the I-129F has been approved, the fiance(e) has 4 months to obtain the K1 Visa at the US Consulate in the foreign country. This time period can be extended by a consular officer if required. The visa application process is generally similar in all countries, altho each Consulate will vary a bit in their requirements. Every K1 applicant will have a unique story to tell about how they got their visa.

3. Once you have the K1 Visa it is good for one entry into the United States within 6 months. A K2 may enter up to one year after the K1, but a K2 may not enter the U.S. prior to the K1.

4. Once in the United States, you have 90 days to get married

5. Immediately after marriage, you must apply for an Adjustment of Status, Form I-485, to become a permanent resident. You will also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and "advance parole" in case you want to travel outside the United States and re-enter before getting your green card. .....And then...

6. You may wait a year or more to be interviewed for "Conditional" Permanent Resident status (green card).

7. After two more years, you apply to have the "Conditional" status removed.

8. Further on down the road, you can apply to become an American citizen (naturalization).

Continue to INS Fiancé Visa Process Part 2

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