Fiancee visa

Fiancee visa

One of the benefits that the United States offers its citizens is the ability to bring another person into the country on a K-1 Visa, also known as a fiancée visa. This visa allows those who have met partners in other countries to marry in the US and have their partners remain with them indefinitely. But while this service provides an alternative to immigrant-based visas, the process has a set of regulations that must be followed exactly in order for an application to succeed, one that can often trip up those looking to begin their lives together on American soil.

The Basics of the K1 Visa

There are many requirements that any potential visa applicant must be in order to be considered eligible for the K-1 visa including the ability to legally marry under both the laws of the US and the applicant's home country. In addition, the visa applicant must be entering the United States solely for the purpose of marrying a US citizen, and must do so within 90 days. Once approved for a fiancée visa, an applicant can also apply for a permanent resident status and begin working legally in the United States. K-2 visa application permits an applicant to bring any children they have to the US so long as they are listed on the original fiancée petition.

There are a large number of documents that will be required for any fiancée visa application, and the process, while often shorter than that of an immigration visa, is difficult. Some of the documents an applicant will need to provide include two nonimmigrant visa applications, Form DS-156, a passport for valid US travel, and pertinent death, marriage or divorce certificates, police certifications from the applicant's present country of residence, and evidence of financial support. Details about the state of the relationship and its validity will also need to be provided, and US Immigration has broad powers in order to assess claims before visas are granted.

In addition, every U.S. Embassy processes the case in a specific manner. For example, the Embassy in Montreal requires a waiting time of 4-6 months where the Embassy in Ciudad Juarez has different requirements and offers an open walk-in appointment.

The Benefits of Help

If the K-1 visa process sounds complicated, it should. The US requires a great deal of information from both the US citizen applying and their soon-to-be spouse. Medical exams and other supporting forms are required by the United States Embassy that conducts the interview, and a K1 visa lawyer is often a good investment for those couples who are beginning this process. K1 visa lawyers can assist not only in completing documentation properly, but following the entire visa process from start to finish. By communicating with both applicants and the embassy as required at every step of the fiancée visa application, a K1 visa lawyer can help marriages happen more quickly on American soil.