How Long Does It Take to Process a Fiancé Visa?

What is a Fiancé Visa?

A fiancé visa is a visa that allows a non-citizen to enter the United States legally for the purpose of marrying a U.S. citizen. Once the visa is granted, the couple has a 90-day period in which to get married in the United States, after which time they can apply for permanent residency for the non-citizen spouse.

Marriage Location

If you and your fiancé wish to get married in the United States, a K-1 visa may be a good choice for you. Many couples even choose to have a religious ceremony or celebration of marriage overseas before relocating to the United States. This may be acceptable ONLY IF it constitutes an unofficial ceremony and is not considered a legal marriage in the place where it is performed.

Steps to Acquiring a K-1 Fiancé Visa

In order to acquire a K-1 Fiancé Visa, the sponsoring citizen must first submit a form I-129F or Petition for Alien Fiancé. This is done with the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office. Currently, the processing time is approximately a year for this type of petition. The next step is for an interview to be scheduled at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign national’s home country or country of legal residence. That step can take six months or even much longer due to interview backlogs.

Expediting the K-1 Visa

Some visas are eligible for premium processing, where an applicant can pay a premium for faster visa processing. Unfortunately, the K-1 visa is not eligible for premium processing. The best way to ensure fast processing is to obtain representation from an immigration attorney, who will use their expert knowledge of the law and process to help avoid unnecessary delays.

Contact Hurtubise Weber Law

For more information or to schedule a consultation, get in touch with the team at Hurtubise Weber Law.