What to Expect During the K-1 Visa Process
Ah, the joys of getting a visa, especially when it’s for your fiance. But don’t you love how difficult and taxing the K-1 visa process can be?
Marriage licenses can take up to a year if the USCIS suspects a marriage broker brokered the marriage, so it’s good to be prepared.
If you’re interested in getting a K-1 visa, chances are you’ve fallen in love and can’t wait to live happily ever after. Don’t let the USCIS slow you down. Start your lives together ASAP by continuing to read about how to get a K-1 visa.
Some Basic K-1 Visa Process Facts
K-1 visas or “fiance” visas allow brides or grooms-to-be to bring their future spouses to the US so they can marry and their spouse can become a US citizen.
It may seem daunting, but obtaining a K-1 visa doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you hire a Visa Tutor.
All US citizens are eligible to file for K-1 visa petitions.
K-1 visa petitions usually take 4-6 months. However, if the USCIS suspects the marriage is fake or that a marriage broker organized the marriage, the process can take much longer or be outright denied.
If you get married in a different country, your spouse is not eligible for a K-1 visa. There is a different visa for this circumstance.
Why Get a K-1 Visa Instead of Other Available Visas?
Which visa you choose to apply for depends on your situation. You should consult with an immigration lawyer to determine which visa works best.
However, as a rule of thumb, the aptly named K-1 visa best serves engaged couples who have one US citizen and one non-US citizen. This type of visa gives the couple up to ninety days before their marriage to plan their wedding and spend time with each other.
You don’t want to be away from your fiance for the three months before your wedding, do you?
However, if you prefer getting married overseas, the correct visa would be an I-130 immigrant relative petition. This type of visa would allow the non-US spouse to have a green card awaiting them after getting married overseas.
The K-1 Visa Interview
The interview is one of the most important aspects of applying for your K-1 visa. It determines whether you or your fiance will be granted citizenship before your wedding.
The reason why? Between 1997 and 2007, there were more than 2 million fraudulent marriages carried out for citizenship. That’s a bunch of loveless marriages. Sad, huh?
But of course, that’s not your marriage, and if it is, that’s none of our business. Regardless, you need to be prepared for the visa interview.
K-1 visa interview formats vary, but their sole purpose is to determine whether a couple loves one another. So, how dare they, you’ll show them!
The interview consists of an interviewer, you, and your fiance. The interviewer will ask questions to determine your plans, how you met, the dynamics of your relationship, etc.
The interview usually lasts 15-20 minutes and consists of a slew of questions chosen from a list you can find by clicking here.
Think of the interview as a chance for the consulate to get to know you better rather than an interrogation.
Don’t Dread the K-1 Visa Process
Hiring a visa tutor is a good idea if you’re worried about the K-1 visa process. But don’t fret too much, you’re in love, and you and your spouse will be living together in the US in no time.
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With over 20+ years of experience in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Diana has developed a great understanding of Marketing Strategy, Brand Development, Customer Success, Public Relations and Management. Her internal drive for developing others and external brands, has allowed her to work in some of the largest cities in the world including Milan, Paris, NY, Mexico, and the Middle East. This experience has been fundamental to Diana’s success and ability to communicate cross-culturally.
