U.S Citizen Petitioner: Requirements in Filing K-1 visa

Tips For K-1 Visa Applicant

If you are thinking of possibly applying for a K-1 Visa, and find this, you probably have questions about the K1 Visa process. It all starts with your initial filing.

Helpful Links

Check out these helpful links to get more information about the U.S. Visa and Citizenship Process. Most links are for Philippines to USA processing. I will add more links soon.

1. http://www.uscis.gov - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website

2. http://travel.state.gov- US State Department (Office of the Secretary of State) - Instructions, FAQ's, etc. for various visas

3. http://manila.usembassy.gov- Embassy of the United States in Manila, Philippines

4. http://www.cfo.gov.ph - Commission on Filipinos Overseas (Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminar)

5. http://www.vitalrec.com - To obtain birth certificates in the USA

6. https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp - request online birth, marriage, death certificate or CENOMAR.

If you know some more helpful website for U.S. Visa and Citizenship Processing, please leave links in the comment section.

The K-1 or Fiance' Visa Application Process

If you and your fiance' have decided to apply for K-1 Visa, you need to review the K-1 Fiance' Visa eligibility requirements and make sure that you are eligible. The K-1 Fiance' Visa allows the foreign fiance' of a U.S citizen to legally enter the United States of America in order to get married. A K-1 Visa holder has 90 days to get married in the U.S.

Steps in Obtaining a K-1 Fiance' Visa
1. The U.S Citizen files a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F, with the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office that serves the area where he lives.

2. Once the I-129F is approved, the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F, is sent to the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) and it will be processed and will be forwarded to the corresponding US Embassy and Consulate where the foreign fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 Nonimmigrant visa.

3. The National Visa Center sends the foreign fiance' a follow-up application and further instructions. He or she will fill up some forms like Form DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156K Supplement to Form DS-156 and Form DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. The forms and instructions that NVC sends and their requirements varies a bit among consulates.

4. The foreign fiance(e) fills out some more forms and present them during his/her interview at the U.S consulate in his/her home country. He or she will also have a medical exam before his/her interview appointment.

5. Once the K-1 Fiance' Visa is approved, the foreign fiance' may enter up to into the United States within 6 months of the issue date. The K-1 Fiance' Visa is good for only one entry.

6. Once the foreign fiance is in the United States, you have 90 days to get married.

The next step after the marriage is the Adjustment of Status Application using Form I-485, for the K-1 Visa holder to become a permanent resident.