Why is the K1 Referred to as an Immigrant Visa at Some Embassies?

[JULIAFERNO 0]

The U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey classifies the K1 visa as an immigrant visa. Why is that? Isn't it actually a non immigrant visa?

[katej0203 1]

I actually think it makes more sense to call it an immigrant visa... although you are entering the country as a "foreigner" and have to change that status once married, you obviously have no intension of leaving. I guess there are always those that change their minds before the wedding! lol

Edited August 1, 2008 by katej0203

[pushbrk 13,121]

The U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey classifies the K1 visa as an immigrant visa. Why is that? Isn't it actually a non immigrant visa?

I'm not sure why you think they are classifying it as an immigrant visa. You can be certain you'll pay the non-immigrant visa fee.

What is universal (as far as I've seen) is that the K visa cases are dealt with in the immigrant visa units of Consular Services. This is because the applicant intends to immigrate, making the Consular process much more like that of an immigrant visa than the other non-immigrant visas.

[*JG* 2]

I never understood why they call it non-immigrant. The intent is to immigrate from the start. That wording always baffled me.

[pushbrk 13,121]

I never understood why they call it non-immigrant. The intent is to immigrate from the start. That wording always baffled me.

Immigrant visas don't require status adjustment. K visas are a hybrid in that there is immigrant intent but not immigrant status at the POE.