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  • K1 Fiance Visa Process Flowchart and Timeline

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    Disclaimer: The flowchart below is designed to illustrate a typical K-1 Visa application process and should be used for reference only. This flowchart can not take in to consideration a great number of variables and/or events that may alter this flowchart for a particular case such as a Request for Evidence (RFE). Please read the Terms and Conditions for more information.


    Please begin by reading the Step-by-Step Guide to the K-1 process (for the US Citizen). You should also refer to the K-FAQ's for more information. The timeline below will help you visualize the entire process. Please note that the details of the process are not included below, they can be found in the links mentioned previously.

    BEGIN:

    Timeline (approx) Step Information
    Varies 1.
    U.S. Petitioner gathers various documents
    U.S. Petitioner gathers various documents (birth certificate etc) to send with I-129F

    *     Start ASAP
    N/A 2.
    I-129f Package sent
    U.S. Petitioner sends compiled I-129F package to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox which will forward the package for processing.

    *     Triple check everything. Double check all forms with examples available online. Send postage with an return receipt requiring signature when it is delivered (not necessary but highly advisable for peace of mind). Make a complete copy of the entire package.
    2-3 Weeks 3.
    1st Notice of Action (NOA)
    U.S. Petitioner Receives first Notice of Action (NOA) acknowledging K-1 petition has been opened

    *Typical wait time is 2-3 weeks after the Service Center receives the I-129F.
    See Processing Times 4.
    2nd Notice of Action (NOA)
    U.S. Petitioner Receives second Notice of Action (NOA) acknowledging K-1 petition has been approved

    *     Start gathering documents needed by beneficiary (Fiance(e)) - See K-1 Guide.

    *Beneficiary can research and prepare forms required by embassy.
    2 Weeks 5.
    Case Forwarded by your Service Center to the National Visa Center (NVC)
    Case Forwarded by your Service Center to the National Visa Center

    *Two weeks after you receive the NOA2 you can contact the NVC to see if they have received your approved I-129F. You can contact them at 603 334-0700. Their homepage is here. Welcome to the US Department of State! Things move much faster now :).
    1-4 Weeks 6.
    Case Forwarded by NVC to U.S. Embassy in your fiance(e)'s country
    Case Forwarded to U.S. Embassy as specified in the I-129F.

    *NVC uses DHL to send the package, which typically delivers a package worldwide within 3-5 business days.
    1 week 7.
    Case received by Embassy from NVC
    Embassy receives package and processes it. They will then prepare a letter to be sent to the foreign fiance(e).

    *5-7 business days after the NVC sends the package to the embassy, you can begin contacting the embassy to see if they have received it.
    1 week 8.
    Forms and Checklist sent to Beneficiary
    Forms and Checklist sent to foreign Beneficiary (Fiance/e).

    *This will be sent out within a week (typically less) from when the embassy processes the received petition. This package will include a checklist of items and paperwork that must be collected. Some will be sent back asap, and others will be sent back later or brought to the interview.
    Varies 9.
    Foreign Beneficiary compiles required forms
    Beneficiary fills in Forms and assembles various documents

    *The downloads section for K-1 Visa's has a list of some forms the fiance(e) will need. You can practice with these forms.
    N/A 10.
    Completed Forms sent to Consulate
    Beneficiary sends completed Forms to U.S. Embassy
    N/A 11.
    Fiance(e) must attend medical interview prior to interview
    Attend medical appointment.

    *Some embassies require the medical the same day as the interview. Most require the interview to be done ahead of time and have the results sent to the embassy directly from the doctor.
    *This may occur after an interview date is given.
    1 week to issue date 12.
    U.S. Embassy issues Beneficiary with Interview date
    U.S. Embassy issues Beneficiary with Interview date

    *This may occur before your have your medical. You will need to get the medical done before the interview as instructed by the embassy.
    1 Month to interview 13.
    Beneficiary has Interview at U.S. Embassy
    Beneficiary has interview at U.S. Embassy for K-1 visa. All being well case is approved.

    *K-1 visa will be issued either the same day or within the next week depending on the embassy with some exceptions.


    Timeline (approx) Step Information
    N/A 14.
    Beneficiary travels to and enters the U.S.
    Beneficiary travels from their country to be with the U.S. Petitioner (Fiance(e)) in the US.

    *Must enter the US within (typically) 6 months of the K-1 being issued.
    5-20 minutes 15.
    Point of Entry (POE) in U.S.
    Beneficiary arrives at Point of Entry (POE) in U.S. and shows K-1 to the immigration officer.
    1 hour (early morning) 16.
    Apply for Social Security Number
    Apply for Social Security Number (SSN)

    *See the SSN step-by-step guide for more info. This will allow you to open a bank account and do other things (many states require this for a drivers licence, etc).
    1 hour 17.
    Apply for marriage certificate
    Apply for marriage certificate. Must marry within 90 days of entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa.
    VARIES! 18.
    Get married
    Get married. and give each other a pat on the back. You've both earned it!
    1 hour (early morning) 19.
    Change name on SSN
    Go back to the SSA office and bring your SSN Card and marriage certificate. Change your name.
    Varies! 20.
    Complete I-693
    Complete I-693 per the K1/K3 AOS Guide. This is required so that your vaccinations can be documented properly on the I-693 as part of your completed AOS package.

    You can complete this step at any time after entering the US.
    N/A
    (File asap once you marry)    		 21.
    Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS), EAD, AP
    Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS) to receive a "green card" and become a Legal Permanent Resident. You should file as soon as possible. If you have not filed for AOS and your K-1 expires, you will be considered out-of-status until you file. Make all attempts to file before you become out-of-status. You may also file for your EAD and AP at this time.

    *EAD allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS (i.e. "Green Card") application is approved). AP allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed. Please read this regarding when to file for AOS and not becoming out-of-status.
    See Processing Times 22.
    Receive EAD / AP
    Receive your EAD and AP via US Mail. You will have a biometrics appointment prior to being issued the EAD.
    See Processing Times 23.
    Interview for AOS (I-485 approval)
    Interview appointment for AOS. When approved you will receive an I-551 stamp in your passport indicating you have been approved for AOS and will also receive your green card in the mail later.

    *If your interview (and specifically the approval) occurs within 2 years of your marriage you will be granted a conditional permanent residency (2 year validity). If this happens you will have to apply to lift conditions 90 days prior to your 2 year green card expiring. If you are 'adjusted' greater than 2 years after you were married you should receive a normal 10 year green card.

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    NOTE: The above information does not address the specific requirements for any given case and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    smilus

    Guys this is an amazing chart. I have used the resources on this site and they are truly helpful.

     

    ADVICE: On point 16 - SSN - do not wait for your SSN before you file for Adjustment of Status.

    The SS office typically has to verify the I-94 with USCIS and this is typically late at which point the I-94 is expired - our experience and word from SS Office.

     

    File your adjustment of status while the I-94 is valid - this is what we did. If i had not it would have endangered her status. You do not need your SSN to file AoE.

    Take my advice or ignore it. I'm telling you that the burdened immigration system cannot process on time and you could be crying.

     

    Khuda Hafiz, 

    smilus

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    Duke Alfonse III
    On 4/9/2020 at 3:09 PM, smilus said:

     

    ADVICE: On point 16 - SSN - do not wait for your SSN before you file for Adjustment of Status.

    The SS office typically has to verify the I-94 with USCIS and this is typically late at which point the I-94 is expired - our experience and word from SS Office.

     

    File your adjustment of status while the I-94 is valid - this is what we did. If i had not it would have endangered her status. You do not need your SSN to file AoE.

    Take my advice or ignore it. I'm telling you that the burdened immigration system cannot process on time and you could be crying

    Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate you!

     

    I was wondering how we could fit all that paperwork and running around into 90 days. That is a very tight window.

     

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    Aidan and Dylan

    Where it says 1 month to interview- but it says the actual interview to the right of it, what does that mean? The person has 1 month to make it to the interview or it still takes a month to get an appt.?

     

    Thank you

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    Dan&Loren
    1-4 Weeks 6.
    Case Forwarded by NVC to U.S. Embassy in your fiance(e)'s country
    Case Forwarded to U.S. Embassy as specified in the I-129F.

     

    This might have to be adjusted to 1 year or more... lol. 

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