K-1 Queries - Faster processing? Co-Sponsor?

[Fishychips 0]

Hi, my fiance and I are planning to marry in the US where she is a citizen. I am a UK citizen. Having researched our visa options in depth, we've decided the K-1 Fiance Visa looks like the option for us, as the plan is for us to reside together in the USA following our marriage. However I still have a couple of lingering queries about the process, and would appreciate any help. Apologies if they're obvious, but there's a lot of information to filter.

1. From what I can gather, K-1 has no Fast Track option. Is this correct? I understand the process typically takes 8 - 10 months. The UK equivalent Visa has a Priority processing option for a fee, but I can find no evidence of such an option for the US K-1?

2. Is it worth hiring an Immigration Attorney to help ensure a successful application? Completing paperwork isn't really an problem for us, but the thought of waiting almost a year for the process, wondering whether something was missed out seems pretty stressful. Also for anyone who's used one, does it add much to the processing time, if so how long?

3. I read that my fiance (in the US) can have a family member co-sponsor me on the Affadavit of Support and in our case this may be necessary. On the Affadavit form (I-134), where exactly do you enter the Co-Sponsor's details? The form seems to be geared around just one person declaring support?


Any help would be really appreciated. Many thanks.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

The UK equivalent Visa has a Priority processing option for a fee, but I can find no evidence of such an option for the US K-1?

Nice, the Brits leads us in efficiency again.

They do have a fast track but not for a fee, you hav eto be military or prove a need.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Hi, my fiance and I are planning to marry in the US where she is a citizen. I am a UK citizen. Having researched our visa options in depth, we've decided the K-1 Fiance Visa looks like the option for us, as the plan is for us to reside together in the USA following our marriage. However I still have a couple of lingering queries about the process, and would appreciate any help. Apologies if they're obvious, but there's a lot of information to filter.

1. From what I can gather, K-1 has no Fast Track option. Is this correct? I understand the process typically takes 8 - 10 months. The UK equivalent Visa has a Priority processing option for a fee, but I can find no evidence of such an option for the US K-1?

There isn't a fast track option for most. The expedite criteria is here: http://1.usa.gov/LsxHTZ

2. Is it worth hiring an Immigration Attorney to help ensure a successful application? Completing paperwork isn't really an problem for us, but the thought of waiting almost a year for the process, wondering whether something was missed out seems pretty stressful. Also for anyone who's used one, does it add much to the processing time, if so how long?

You'll find that most people on VJ are going through/have gone through this process without the use of an attorney. Unless you have a complex case, you can do it on your own and use this site to ask questions, check out form examples, etc.

3. I read that my fiance (in the US) can have a family member co-sponsor me on the Affadavit of Support and in our case this may be necessary. On the Affadavit form (I-134), where exactly do you enter the Co-Sponsor's details? The form seems to be geared around just one person declaring support?


Any help would be really appreciated. Many thanks.

For the UK, you only need to supply the I-134 for the co-sponsor if that's whose income is being used to show support for the beneficiary. They would need to fill out the I-134 and then supply the supporting information. If the same co-sponsor will be used for the Adjustment of Status phase, be sure they read the I-864 thoroughly since that is a legally binding document.

[faithful27 1]

It might be easier to get married and file for the I-130 which is the petition for permanent resident and file the I-485 which is the change of status at the same time.

According to my attorney this is a fast way to get eveyrthing organized and you can be here with your wife while you do this.

[rayandmel 39]

LeftcoastLady hit the nail on the head. You can hope for the shorter side (8 months)... but you are spot on with what you have researched.

You are not likely to have a valid reason for expedite.

As far as attorneys, I would not bother. They take your money to file papers that you have to collect anyway AND this site tells you exactly how to do it, gives you samples, and tells you how to put it together and send it in, FOR FREE. Friend, you have a lot more expense in the future. The petition, medical, then the visa, then adjustment of status, you are looking at close to, if not over $2000.00. Why spend more? You will be ok. This site is your guide and your friend.

Good luck with your journey.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

It might be easier to get married and file for the I-130 which is the petition for permanent resident and file the I-485 which is the change of status at the same time.

According to my attorney this is a fast way to get eveyrthing organized and you can be here with your wife while you do this.

If the beneficiary enters with the intent to marry via VWP and attempts to adjust status, they face not only being denied, but being banned.

[Tinchen_ 21]

It might be easier to get married and file for the I-130 which is the petition for permanent resident and file the I-485 which is the change of status at the same time.

According to my attorney this is a fast way to get eveyrthing organized and you can be here with your wife while you do this.

that visa mostly takes longer and you cant stay with ur husband / wife then. just the 90days for the VWP or you can apply for a B Visa.. anything else is fraud.. what kinda attorney do you have??

[orangedesk 27]

Hi, my fiance and I are planning to marry in the US where she is a citizen. I am a UK citizen. Having researched our visa options in depth, we've decided the K-1 Fiance Visa looks like the option for us, as the plan is for us to reside together in the USA following our marriage. However I still have a couple of lingering queries about the process, and would appreciate any help. Apologies if they're obvious, but there's a lot of information to filter.

1. From what I can gather, K-1 has no Fast Track option. Is this correct? I understand the process typically takes 8 - 10 months. The UK equivalent Visa has a Priority processing option for a fee, but I can find no evidence of such an option for the US K-1?

2. Is it worth hiring an Immigration Attorney to help ensure a successful application? Completing paperwork isn't really an problem for us, but the thought of waiting almost a year for the process, wondering whether something was missed out seems pretty stressful. Also for anyone who's used one, does it add much to the processing time, if so how long?

3. I read that my fiance (in the US) can have a family member co-sponsor me on the Affadavit of Support and in our case this may be necessary. On the Affadavit form (I-134), where exactly do you enter the Co-Sponsor's details? The form seems to be geared around just one person declaring support?


Any help would be really appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi! I agree with everything LeftCoastLady said. Everything in my situation is going along with the timelines I expected and I didn't use an attorney - there's a ton of posts on here about attorneys messing things up for people so my best advice is to read the guides and proofread all your documents three times.

If you want to ask questions in the UK forum as well, here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/99-united-kingdom/

[rocks 494]

Nice, the Brits leads us in efficiency again.

If you had tried to read the instructions for applying for the visa you would know that USCIS is way better.

Edited June 7, 2012 by rocks