Steps to Take Before Applying for a K1 Visa
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Getting a visa to come to the United States is no walk in the park. Besides meeting stringent requirements for the various nonimmigrant (temporary) and immigrant (permanent) visas available, one must navigate the complex immigration system to get approved for any of the visas. One of the nonimmigrant visas available for those who qualify is the K1 or “fiancé” visa.
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we have experienced immigration lawyers who assist clients in the Chicago area to apply for and obtain both a K1 visa and a green card when they come to the U.S.
A K1 visa allows a fiancé of a U.S. citizen to come to the U.S. and apply for an immigrant visa (green card). However, both the fiancé and U.S. citizen must satisfy various requirements and take the steps necessary to complete the process of obtaining the K1 visa and the green card after they arrive in the U.S.
Below are the steps one must take before applying for a K1 visa:
Determine K1 Visa Eligibility. To be eligible for a K1 visa, the following requirements must be satisfied:
- The foreigner must be engaged to a U.S. citizen filing the petition.
- Both the foreigner and U.S. citizen must be free to legally marry. This means if either or both the foreign fiancé and U.S. citizen were previously married, the marriage must be terminated, and you must have proof of the termination (divorce decree) before submitting your application.
- Both the U.S. citizen and foreign fiancé must have met each other in person within the last two years.
- Both the foreign fiancé and U.S. citizen must have intent to get married within 90 days of the foreign fiancé entering the U.S.
Filing the Petition. If the above requirements are met, the U.S. citizen will file a Form I-129F with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay the applicable fee.
Foreign Fiancé Files Form DS-160. Once the U.S. citizen fiancé’s petition (Form I-129F) is approved by USCIS, the foreign fiancé will file Form DS-160 online. The form is electronically transmitted to the Department of State.
Police Clearance and Medical Examination. The foreign fiancé will next undergo a medical examination by a doctor approved by the U.S. Embassy where the foreign fiancé lives. The foreign fiancé must also obtain a police clearance from every country they have lived in for the previous six years.
K1 Interview. The foreign fiancé will next be given an appointment for an interview with a visa officer at the U.S. consulate, as indicated on Form I-129F.
Admission to the U.S. If the interview is successful and the K1 visa is approved, the foreign fiancé will have the K1 visa stamped in their passport. The foreign fiancé will then use the K1 visa to enter the U.S.
Marriage. The foreign fiancé and U.S. citizen petitioner must get married within 90 days of the foreign fiancé being admitted into the U.S.
Adjustment of Status. The foreign fiancé will start the adjustment process for the green card after getting married.
Meet with an Illinois Immigration Lawyer About Your Options
Kriezelman Burton & Associates helps clients with a wide range of immigration matters. If you need help with applying for a K1 visa, contact our office today to schedule an appointment to learn more about how we can help you.
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Kevin Raica literally saved my life. He helped me out of a dangerous situation that my previous attorney had put me in. After 17 years without status and 6.5 years of working with my previous attorney, I had experienced so many denials that I had completely lost hope. When I met Kevin, everything changed. He genuinely cared about my situation and gave me hope when I couldn’t see any for…
We sincerely thank the entire team for the professionalism, responsiveness, patience, and dedication shown throughout our case. From our very first visit, Justin reassured us that everything would be all right. Thank you, Khiabett, for your expertise, professionalism, and calm guidance before and during the interview, which greatly reduced our stress and gave us confidence. We also deeply appreciate Kamila's hard work, patience, and responsiveness throughout the process. For sorting…
I would like to sincerely thank Attorney Justin Burton and PL Kamila Lada for support with my adjustment of status case. I have been working with the firm for over a year now, and I have received nothing short of exceptional services and support throughout various cases for myself and family members. Highly recommend consulting and retaining this firm.
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
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Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
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I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
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