When to file petition for K-1 visa ?

[Mr. Grey 0]

Hi everyone,

I already posted here a couple of weeks ago, stating that my fiancee and I are looking to a wedding in early October 2008 (in the US) and plan to live in Germany after the wedding. However, on my last visit we talked a lot and finally came to the conclusion that my fiancee wants to finish college before moving to Germany.

Therefore, I will have to apply for the K-1 visa in order to get married in the US and file for AOS afterwards, because we definitely want to be with each other after the wedding. My question would be, when should we file the petition for my K-1 visa in order to have the whole process finished until the wedding ?

My fiancee lives in Texas, and as far as I know, we would file the petition with the Vermont Service Center. The next time I'm gonna be in the States is mid-November (Thanksgiving), and that would be the most convenient occasion to fill in all forms and mail the whole package to the Service Center.

Would you think that filing the petition in mid-November is sufficient for getting through the whole K-1 process until September 2008 ?

Regards

[Otto 83]

Hi everyone,

I already posted here a couple of weeks ago, stating that my fiancee and I are looking to a wedding in early October 2008 (in the US) and plan to live in Germany after the wedding. However, on my last visit we talked a lot and finally came to the conclusion that my fiancee wants to finish college before moving to Germany.

Therefore, I will have to apply for the K-1 visa in order to get married in the US and file for AOS afterwards, because we definitely want to be with each other after the wedding. My question would be, when should we file the petition for my K-1 visa in order to have the whole process finished until the wedding ?

My fiancee lives in Texas, and as far as I know, we would file the petition with the Vermont Service Center. The next time I'm gonna be in the States is mid-November (Thanksgiving), and that would be the most convenient occasion to fill in all forms and mail the whole package to the Service Center.

Would you think that filing the petition in mid-November is sufficient for getting through the whole K-1 process until September 2008 ?

Regards

Mr. Grey,

The short answer to your question I believe is Yes - plenty of time. We filled out the forms in late November (visiting US for Thanksgiving holiday), filed in December (just before leaving to Germany to celebrate Christmas and New Years together) and got the visa in mid-April. Once it is issued, you have 6 months to enter the US so getting the Visa early is better for planning a wedding. Hope it works out to your favor..

[Stibnite 0]

I believe the fiancee visa is good for 6 months once approved. The process itself could take anywhere from 3-12 months realistically based on which countries are involved and if everything goes smoothly. So technically that gives you a 9-18 month standard window to work with for planning.

I would imagine if you started now, you would be safe. If the process moves more quickly than hoped for, you can slow it down yourself.

Basically, with the 6 month window after approval, if you are approved on or after May/June 2008, then you are very much in the safety range for making plans in October 2008.

I would certainly get started right away if it were me.

[Jasman0717 9]

Take a look at the Immigration Timelines link at the top of the page. There are stats for the service centers and embassies

[ausqueen 0]

Stibnite said: "I would imagine if you started now, you would be safe. If the process moves more quickly than hoped for, you can slow it down yourself."

As far as "slowing" process down if necessary (if you are lucky and all goes super fast) - remember that on top of visa being valid for 6 months for initial entry on K-1 you have another 3 months before your I-94 expires.

So: from visa issue date to wedding date you can give yourself 9 months if you need and want that long!

Edited October 21, 2007 by ausqueen