Abe's INS Fiancée Visa Help Site

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

It may take awhile after the approval of the I-129F petition before the fiance receives the paperwork. Some INS offices send the info out to the Consulates via "diplomatic pouch" (very slow), while some do it in other modern ways. The process can take a month, depending on the INS office and the location of the foreign US Consulate. The foreign Consulate then forwards the paperwork to the fiance(e).

One way to get the information from the U.S. Service center to the foreign consulate is to have it cabled. To do this, write "Please cable" on the I-129F form next to line 20. This may or may not work but can't hurt to ask for.

Apparently, the Vermont Service Center cables approval notices automatically to the US Consulate in the foreign country without needing the I-824 to be submitted. This has yet to be verified, though, and as with everything else governmental, is subject to change.

A few Consulates will open a provisional file for the fiance(e) if you fax them a copy of the I-797 Notice of Approval. This means they will send out paperwork to the fiance(e). They normally will not schedule an interview without receiving the approval from the US Service Center. You may wish to contact the Consulate and ask.

Exactly what type of paperwork the fiance gets sent will vary depending on the Consulate, but the first packet to arrive will most likely contain the following:

1. S-2001 (or OF-169 or UK/85) -- This is your main set of instructions. It is also a checklist of items required for the interview.

2. OF-167 -- information sheet about financial responsibility. You may also receive an I-134 Affidavit of Support form.

3. DS-156K -- Nonimmigrant fiance(e) visa application

4. DS-230 or OF-230 Part 1 -- biographical data sheet.

5. DS-156 -- Nonimmigrant visa application form

6. DSL-1083 -- An information sheet about police certificates, military records and more.

7. DS-157 -- Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (for all males between ages of 16 and 45)

8. You may, at this time, receive medical exam information, and a list of required immunizations.

9. In December, 2001, the State Department announced a change in the name of Packets 3 and 4, which were the instructions, forms and appointment information. They are now refered to as "Instruction Package" and "Appointment Package". Some of the forms are renamed slightly as well, so if the exact form numbers are different, just follow the instructions.

10. Sometimes, the Consulate may forget to send extra copies of these application forms for the children for whom a K2 visa is intended. If so, contact the Consulate to obtain the forms.

Continue to INS Fiancé Visa Process Part 4

INS Fiancé Visa | Fiancé Visa Articles | Site Map