Any type of visa application process requires great care and attention to details. Even a slight error can delay the process and create problems for you. It is especially true when you are applying for time-sensitive visas such as required for weddings. One such example is the fiancée/fiancé K1 visa.
What is the fiancée/fiancé K1 visa?
The K1 visa is a necessary document that foreign nationals need if they wish to marry their fiancée or fiancé who is a citizen of the United States.
So, for instance, the K1 visa is required for Filipinos getting married to American citizens in the USA. The petition for it needs to be filed by the American citizen with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Upon the approval of the petition by the relevant authorities in the US, it is then sent to the Embassy located in Manila. The process then moves forward when the Embassy contacts the fiancée/fiancé with details about the next steps to take for the visa application.
It is best to clarify the details before sending in an application with erroneous information. A simple mistake in the application can indefinitely delay your visa processing. You can seek information directly from the Embassy or hire a reliable visa service company or provider to help you out with the process and do away with any hassles involved with it.
Consider these five questions to ask in your K1 visa process.
Question 1 –
What is the approximate time frame for processing of the K1 visa?
The time to process the K1 visa can be anywhere from 3 months to 6 months. The confirmation of the time frame will help you plan your trip in a more efficient manner. You will also be free from the stress of not knowing when you can finally get your visa.
Question 2 –
What are the restrictions associated with the K1 visas?
The K1 visa is only valid for a single entry. It is primarily meant for the fiancée/fiancé to enter the US in order to get married to the petitioner who is the US citizen.
The K1 visa is only valid for a period of 90 days since the issuance date. So, if you will need to marry the petitioner within that period or else the K1 visa will become null and void.
Question 3 –
Is it possible to file the petition for the K1 visa in the country of the fiancée/fiancé?
You can file the petition for the K1 visa in the US only. In fact, the US citizen in the situation needs to be the petitioner and file it in the country. The rest of the process moves forward once the USCIS approves it. If the authorities don’t find any problem or fault with the petition then they send it for further processing.
Question 4 –
Can the children of the fiancée/fiancé enter the US on the K1 visa?
The children of the fiancée/fiancé can enter the US along with them but they will require the K2 visa. The children can remain in the US for 90 days on the K2 visa.
If the fiancée/fiancé marries the petitioner, the children can also apply for more permanent immigration status. But if the marriage doesn’t happen within the stipulated 90 days then the children are also required to leave the country within a period of 30 days or as instructed.
Question 5 –
What are some of the common questions to expect during the K1 visa interview?
Some of the common questions will pertain to your name, date of birth, place of birth, previous marriage/s, children if any etc. The next set of questions will pertain to the petitioner. These questions can pertain to some basic information such as the petitioner’s name, occupation, income, family etc. The other questions can be more specific such as the petitioner’s favorite food, interests, known languages etc. The rest of the question can be related to the wedding itself such as the venue, the date etc. The other question can be about your relationship – how you met, where etc. The fiancée/fiancé will need to answer correctly to all the questions.
