Visa Fees

[Anikka 6]

Hi all. I know that the initial filing fee is $535. My fiancé saw that the total cost of the visa ends up being around $2,000. Can anyone explain to me what the rest of the fees go to, and around when do they usually have to be paid? Confused on this. Any help is appreciated!

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

As of early 2021, the filing fees for the K-1 process were $535 for Form I-129F (filed with USCIS), $265 to apply for the K visa (paid to the consulate), and $1,225 for Form I-485 and the adjustment of status packet (filed with USCIS), including the biometrics fee. That brings the total government U.S. fee to $2,025.

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

and the medical exam fee which varies, but I suspect will be a few hundred dollars.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Crazy Cat

[Anikka 6]

2 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

As of early 2021, the filing fees for the K-1 process were $535 for Form I-129F (filed with USCIS), $265 to apply for the K visa (paid to the consulate), and $1,225 for Form I-485 and the adjustment of status packet (filed with USCIS), including the biometrics fee. That brings the total government U.S. fee to $2,025.

And as far as timing goes, approx when does the K Visa (to consulate) get filed? And adjustment of status packet is AFTER visa gets approved right?

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

36 minutes ago, Anikka said:

And adjustment of status packet is AFTER visa gets approved right?

Adjustment of status is filed after the visa is issued, the visa holder has entered the US, and after the marriage.

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

11 hours ago, Anikka said:

And as far as timing goes, approx when does the K Visa (to consulate) get filed? And adjustment of status packet is AFTER visa gets approved right?

the guides above will help u with the process

i only put the cost as it was not in the guide 

Hit the word guides on the top of this page

drop down box to US visas and K1

 

without knowing your the country and embassy,  understand that many of us have to make several trips to see the intending immigrant to get a visa approval

and u need to figure also the cost of those visits,   the medical exam and the flight for the US if visa approved

 

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by JeanneAdil

[Ed&Midori1031 330]

17 hours ago, Anikka said:

Hi all. I know that the initial filing fee is $535. My fiancé saw that the total cost of the visa ends up being around $2,000. Can anyone explain to me what the rest of the fees go to, and around when do they usually have to be paid? Confused on this. Any help is appreciated!

That's correct about the K-1, but when you start to add medical, and of course along with AOS, it starts to add up. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,459]

18 hours ago, Anikka said:

Hi all. I know that the initial filing fee is $535. My fiancé saw that the total cost of the visa ends up being around $2,000. Can anyone explain to me what the rest of the fees go to, and around when do they usually have to be paid? Confused on this. Any help is appreciated!

 

• Day 1:  $535 -- I-129F application fee to USCIS
• 6-8 months later:  $0 --  NVC stage.  No additional fee.
• 8-10 months from filing I-126F:  $265 -- DS-160 fee to the US Embassy of the beneficiary's country (typically to a specific bank account or other payment processing party).
• 8-10 months from filing I-126F:  $varies -- Medical exam fee to the Medical facility/Doctor authorized by the US Embassy of the beneficiary's country.  Depends on the country, but around $200-$300 (some cost more, some might be less)
• 8-10 months from filing I-129F:  $varies -- Police Clearance Certificate fee to the beneficiary's country's relevant government office.  Pakistan does not require a Police Clearance Certificate, there may be a few other countries that do not.  Can be a few dollars to tens of dollars or more.
• 9-13 months from filing I-129F:  $1225 for Adjustment of Status package fee to USCIS.  This needs to be done after beneficiary arrives in the US and marries their USC fiance.

The above times are typical for non-covid days.  With the pandemic, a lot of embassies/consulates did not process K1's in 2020 and created backlogs.  You will need to check the beneficiary's country to see if the consulate there has cleared their backlog or are even processing K1's.

 

It is helpful if you enter some profile information - specifically the country of the beneficiary.  Also, creating a timeline can help in estimating when you can expect to be approved for the various stages.