form i 129f cover letter

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• Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F)

Do you have a sample I-129F cover letter?

Home » Do you have a sample I-129F cover letter?

May 31, 2021

Always keep your cover letter short and simple. Be concise when explaining the purpose of the letter.

Sample I-129F Cover Letter

CitizenPath offers a sample I-129F cover letters for your use. There is an example for fiancé-based petitions (K-1 visa request) and another example for spouse-based petitions (K-3 visa request). Select the one that matches your need and modify it for your use.

Sample Cover Letters for Form I-129F

Use these sample cover letters for Form I-129F as a guide. Do not submit any of these letters without updating them to fit your specific situation. What’s more, these sample cover letters are not comprehensive checklists for supporting documents. Use your filing instructions to confirm that you’ve included the correct supporting documentation with Form I-129F. It’s not mandatory to submit a cover letter when you file Form I-129F, but a cover letter can help to clarify the purpose of the petition and why your petition may require special attention.

RECOMMENDED: Evidence to Submit with Form I-129F

Mistakes on your I-129F petition can cause costly delays or a denial.

Where to address your cover letter.

You may write your letter using the same address where you filed the I-129F petition. Refer to USCIS page for I-129F . Or, if you used CitizenPath’s I-129F preparation service , refer to the custom filing instructions that we provided to you.

RECOMMENDED: Biggest Mistakes in the K-1 Visa Process

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How To Write a Cover Letter for Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé)

To prepare a K-1 fiancé(e) visa application for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you must complete the required forms, gather supporting documents, and pay fees. It’s not mandatory to include a cover letter in your application packet, but doing so can help keep your application materials organized and make sure you don’t miss any required documents. You can also use the cover letter to highlight anything you want USCIS to know about your visa application. This article explains what a K-1 fiancé visa cover letter is and the elements it should include. There’s also a template you can use to write your own.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated May 17, 2023

What Is a Form I-129F Cover Letter?

You’ll need to file Form I-129F : Petition for Alien Fiancé if you are a U.S. citizen who wants your foreign partner to receive a K-1 visa . Though it’s not required, writing a cover letter to supplement this form can be helpful for USCIS. A cover letter is a document that outlines your application contents and addresses any unusual circumstances you’d like to flag for your application readers.

A cover letter can give your USCIS officer a useful overview of you and your partner’s case. You can also use your cover letter as a personal checklist to make sure you’ve included all necessary documents in your package.

Is a Cover Letter Required for My Form I-129F Application?

USCIS does not require a cover letter for your Form I-129F petition package. However, it’s often beneficial for applicants to include cover letters. A cover letter can help your USCIS officer better understand and evaluate your overall application.

If there is anything unclear about you and your foreign fiancé’s relationship, a cover letter gives you the opportunity to address these concerns upfront. Remember that USCIS only wants to distribute K-1 visas to couples in genuine relationships. If there is anything unusual about how your relationship started or progressed, you may wish to address it with a disclaimer in your cover letter. 

If you call attention to any unusual circumstances in your cover letter, you’ll be able to explain your side of the story in greater detail. By giving USCIS greater clarity on your case, you can make it easier for the USCIS officer to process your application.

What Should My K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Cover Letter Include?

You should begin your Form I-129F cover letter with a heading and greeting. Your heading should provide USCIS officials with your mailing address, your name, and your foreign partner’s name. Your introduction should then explain your reasons for writing this cover letter. Use your introduction to give USCIS a basic overview of your relationship and tell them you are seeking a K-1 visa for your fiancé.

Checklist of Information To Include in Your K-1 Fiancé Visa Cover Letter

USCIS will find it most helpful if you include the following information in your cover letter:

Your contact information

The USCIS address to which you’re sending this letter

Your full name as the petitioner

Your fiancé’s full name as the beneficiary

A note stating which form and visa you are filing an application for

A list of all the supporting documents you’ve included in your package, in bullet points:

You must include evidence of your U.S. citizenship, such as your birth certificate , copy of your naturalization certificate, Form FS-240, an unexpired U.S. passport, or an original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying that you are a citizen with a valid passport.

You’ll also need evidence that you and your fiancé have legally terminated any previous marriages. For example, you may need to include divorce decrees , annulment orders, or a former spouse’s death certificate.

You’ll need one color passport-style photograph of yourself.

You’ll also need one color passport-style photograph of your fiancé taken within 30 days of filing.

If you or your fiancé have ever changed your name, you’ll need to provide evidence of this legal name change.

You’ll need evidence that you and your fiancé intend to marry within 90 days of their admission into the United States.

Finally, you’ll also need evidence that you and your fiancé have met in person within two years of filing for this visa. Alternatively, you may submit evidence that an in-person meeting would cause extreme hardship or violate strict traditions of your fiancé’s foreign culture.

Your signature and the date

Lastly, you should thank USCIS for their time and conclude your letter. Remember that this cover letter should be the first part of your application package that USCIS sees. You should place it at the top of your overall package before mailing it out to the appropriate USCIS office.

Where To Send Your Form 1-129F Application & Cover Letter

Note that USCIS processes Form I-129F at its Dallas lockbox, so you should mail your application to the address below that corresponds with your chosen mailing method:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

Attn: I-129F

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266-0151

FedEx, UPS, and DHL

Attn: I-129F (Box 660151)

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

Note that there is a $535 fee to file Form I-129F. You may pay this fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. You should make any checks payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” When filing at a USCIS lockbox, you also have the option to pay by credit card. To pay with a credit card, you’ll need to file Form G-1450 : Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.

Form I-129F Cover Letter Template

You may use the following template for guidance when writing your USCIS Form I-129F cover letter. However, be sure to edit each field to reflect your own situation. You should replace each [bracketed field] with personalized information. To access an editable version of the Form I-129F cover letter sample below, you may make a copy of this sample USCIS cover letter .

Your foreign partner will be known as the “beneficiary” in this visa petition. You, the U.S. citizen sponsoring your foreign partner, are the “petitioner.” Note that you must be a U.S. citizen to sponsor your foreign partner’s K-1 visa application. U.S. green card holders cannot apply for K-1 visas for their foreign partners.

[Petitioner’s Street Address]

[Petitioner’s City, State  ZIP code]

[Relevant USCIS mailing address]

RE:[Marriage Green Card Application]

Beneficiary:[Immigrant’s Full Name]

Petitioner:[Citizen/Green Card Holder’s Full Name]

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed, please find my [K-1 Fiance Visa Application] for [Immigrant’s Full Name], the beneficiary, and [Petitioner’s Full Name], the petitioner and [U.S. citizen/Green Card Holder fiance] of the beneficiary. The following documents accompany and support this application:

Filing Fee Payments

[Check or Money Order] in the amount of [Current Fee Amount] for Form I-129F or  

Form G-1450 authorizing payment of the filing fees for all included forms (credit card charge authorization if you completed one)

[OPTIONAL Form G-1145 (e-notice authorization if you requested them in our system)]

Petitioner’s Form I-129F

[List of supporting documents]

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at [Phone Number].  Thank you very much for your prompt consideration of my [K-1 Fiance Visa Application].

[Petitioner’s Full Name]

[Petitioner’s Signature]

[Signature Date]

Tips for Writing Your K-1 Fiancé Visa Cover Letter

Be sure to write your letter clearly and concisely. Remember that your cover letter is only a summary of your application contents, so you won’t need to write too many details in this letter. You should also use bullet points when listing your included application materials. Using bullet points will help your USCIS officer more easily understand your application throughout the visa process.

Within your letter, you’ll want to mention that the documents you’ve provided throughout your package are accurate and unaltered original documents or photocopies. If you’ve included any certified translations in your package, be sure to mention this too. 

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Home » Fiance Visa USA » Cover Letter for I-129F, K-1 Visa – Fiance Petition

Cover Letter for I-129F, K-1 Visa – Fiance Petition

Rahul Gupta 123 Park Avenue, Iselin, NJ 08830 USA

Home: 732-391-9293 Work: 732-733-4087

United States Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 75 Lower Welden St. Saint Albans, VT 05479

November 12, 2019 Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed, please find the Form I-129F, Petition for K-1 Fiancèe for Manisha Devi Agrawal, and supporting documents as follows:

• Application fee – <$535>
• Form I-129F
• Evidence of my U.S. citizenship
• Form FC-029
• Proof of having met in person within the last 2 years
• Letters of intent to marry, petitioner and beneficiary

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents, and I agree to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date if required.

Yours truly,

<petitioner’s signature>

Rahul Ram Gupta

New Immigrants Insurance

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• K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

I-129F Cover Letter and Table of Contents

By aislinn76 December 4, 2015 in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

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4 posts in this topic

Recommended posts, aislinn76   3.

I used the http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide and their example cover letter. I met briefly with a lawyer who suggested some changes. He wanted me to only list the forms on the cover sheet. He said to put the beneficiary's G-325a first, but the guide says the petitioner should be first. Then move everything else to a second page, hand number the bottom of every single page, and then include the page numbers behind each one.

I-129F Cover Letter

US Department of Homeland Security

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

December 1, 2015

Nature of the submission: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find my enclosed form I-129F, Petition for a K-1 Fiancé Visa for beneficiary’s name and supporting documents.

Contents include:

- Payment in the amount of $340

- G-1145 e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

- I-129F Supplement: Part 2, Addendum to question 34.a, details of meeting in person

- G-325A and passport style photo ( Petitioner)

- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)

- Birth certificate Regina (Petitioner)

- Marriage Certificate (Petitioner)

- Divorce Decree (Petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry ( Petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry ( Beneficiary)

- Proof of having met in person in the past two years

- Proof of ongoing relationship

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

My name & signature

Link to comment

Share on other sites, baron555   934.

Appreciate input OK, you asked . I used the http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide and their example cover letter. I met briefly with a lawyer who suggested some changes. He wanted me to only list the forms on the cover sheet. He said to put the beneficiary's G-325a first, but the guide says the petitioner should be first. Doesn't matter. Then move everything else to a second page, hand number the bottom of every single page, and then include the page numbers behind each one. This really doesn't matter because if the lawyer understood what USCIS does to your package when they log it in.....It's in the Sticky Notes at the top of this forum section.....but what they do is Verify all the necessary forms are attached, then they take everything apart and place the parts into separate folders and then into a master folder and then into a box of petitions. A bar code is attached and is then scanned in. This in turn generates your NOA1. Somewhere in this process they take your check and cash it (they are very efficient at that.). So numbering each page is not necessary since they bust everything up as they see fit. Example... Birth certificate (12) Marriage certificate (13) Divorce Decree (14-35) I have no problem doing what is necessary. I also get that they are probably okay with either or on some of it. I will number the pages and include a more detailed table of contents if I need to. I think he does things more extensively, which is fine since he gets paid a lot for it On the other hand, I do not want to seem lazy. Appreciate input Thank you!! I-129F Cover Letter My Name address Kansas US Department of Homeland Security US Citizenship and Immigration Services P.O. Box 660151 Dallas, TX 75266 December 1, 2015 Nature of the submission: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION To Whom It May Concern: Please find my enclosed form I-129F, Petition for a K-1 Fiancé Visa for beneficiary’s name and supporting documents. Contents include: - Payment in the amount of $340 - G-1145 e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance - I-129F - I-129F Supplement: Part 2, Addendum to question 34.a, details of meeting in person - G-325A and passport style photo ( Petitioner) - G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary) - Birth certificate Regina (Petitioner) - Marriage Certificate (Petitioner) - Divorce Decree (Petitioner) - Divorce Decree (Petitioner) - Letter certifying intent to marry ( Petitioner) - Letter certifying intent to marry ( Beneficiary) - Proof of having met in person in the past two years - Proof of ongoing relationship Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date. Thank you, My name & signature

Phil (Lockport, near Chicago) and Alla (Lobnya, near Moscow)

As of Dec 7, 2009, now Zero miles apart (literally)!

LionessDeon   2,060

Yea I agree with the above. They separate everything anyway. Also this portion is really about the petitioner. Most likely the reason its listed to put the petitioner's G-325 first. The interview stage is for the beneficiary. BUT in reality I highly doubt the order really matters. I cannot see USCIS returning or denying a petition for that!

I did not number any pages and did not list forms on the cover sheet. I did it exactly the way the example cover letter here shows. USCIS approved my petition in 65 days.

Best of Luck!

Hope everyone has a good holiday season!!

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How to Write an I-129F Cover Letter - Sample & Tips

An I-129f form is the petition that you fill in to assist in your fiancé(e) or spouse's move to the United states. In the case of having an immigrant fiancé(e), you would fill out this form to bring them to the U.S. for the purpose of marriage, whereas, for your spouse, you'd be petitioning for their lawful permanent residence status. You can also use this form to petition for your fiancé(e) or spouse's children.

In this article, we'll cover how to write an I-129f cover letter effectively, and what should be included in the cover letter for I-129f forms.

• # I-129F Cover Letter Sample
• # I-129F Cover Letter Structure
• # Tips for Writing I-129F Cover Letter
• # How to Edit I-129F Cover Letter Template

I-129F Cover Letter Template

This is a free cover letter template for i 129f. Free Download and customize it according to the sample text below.

Supported formats

I-129f cover letter sample (text).

For our sample cover letter for I-129f petitions, we'll look at writing an I-129f cover letter for your fiancé(e).

Your address City State Zip Code Month Day, Year

USCIS Attn: I-129f USCIS filing address City State Zip Code

Re: I-129f, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) Petitioner: Your full name Fiancé(e): Their full name

Dear USCIS Officer,

In this document packet please find the Form I-129f, Petition for K-1 Fiancé(e), (insert partner's name), and the following supporting documents:

• Evidence of my U.S. Citizenship
• Form FC-029
• Proof of having met (insert partner's full name) in the last 2 years
• Letters of our intent to marry
• The USCIS application fee for this petition: (insert amount in USD)

The documents submitted with Form I-129f are exact photocopies of official and unedited documents. I am willing to submit the original documents if required at a later date. Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely, (Sign your name) (Print your name)

If you're petitioning for your spouse, simply refer to them as a K-3 spouse, rather than a K-1 fiancé(e).

It's also important to name your spouse or fiancé(e)'s child(ren) on your cover letter where applicable. If it's your fiancé(e) you're writing for, their children are considered K-2, but children of your spouse are considered K-4. You will also need to provide documentation for the child(ren) involved.

Structure of an I-129F Cover Letter

Like most cover letters that you'd write for a USCIS petition form, the cover letter for I-129f forms barely differs. However, we have put together a quick guide on the structure of a I-129f cover letter for you, to make writing the cover letter a little easier. See below:

• Start by writing your current postal address at the top on the right-hand side of the letter.
• Date the letter on the right below your address.
• Note the mailing address of the USCIS service where you're filing the form on the left-hand side.
• Underneath the date, name the USCIS and note the petition form number. It should look like this on the left-hand side, underneath the date (remember to exclude the quotation marks): "USCIS" "Attn: I-129f"
• Add the subject line, noting the full title of the petition form, your name, your fiancé(e)'s name, and the names of any children involved: "RE: I-129f, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) Petitioner: (insert your name) Fiancé(e)/Spouse: (insert partner's name) Child(ren) of Fiancé(e)/Spouse: (insert child(ren)'s name)"
• Start with a salutation.
• Very briefly explain why you're writing.
• Name the documents that included with the cover letter.
• Give a phone number for the USCIS to contact you on.
• Thank the department for their consideration.
• Sign-off with your full name, and sign.

Tips for Writing I-129F Cover Letter

• Always date all documents and cover letters.
• Use the full names of any persons named in the cover letter.
• Note all evidence attached to the cover letter.
• Make your writing style professional and ensure that your sentences are properly formed.
• Check your grammar and spelling before sending the letter.
• Make use of form checking services to reduce the risk of rejection.
• Check that you're using the correct terminology to refer to your partner.
• Mention your partner's child(when) where appropriate.
• Supply as much evidence as possible.
• Keep copies of the letters you send for yourself.
• Thank the USCIS Officer for their time.
• Sign the cover letter.

Remember that cover letters for USCIS petition forms are very basic. They do not require mass amounts of detail to function and can be a waste of USCIS officers' time when they are over-done. The information included in the letter simply needs to state the names of the people involved, while including a list of all documents that the covering letter is for.

The purpose of the letter is to introduce the document packet with all of the completed forms and evidence so that the USCIS officers know exactly what they're looking at and can deal with the petition in a quick and professional manner.

With these tips and the sample cover letter for I-129f, you should easily be able to finish your I-129f petition filing and be well on your way to helping your partner and their children immigrate to the United States.

How to Edit I-129F Cover Letter Template

PDF cover letter will help you land an interview successfully due to the popularity of PDF format. You can free download the PDF cover letter template in this post and edit it with a professional PDF editor, Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor . You can edit the text, images, form fields in the template with this simple tool. You can also create a new and unique PDF cover letter with it.

Step 1. Open the I-129F Cover Letter Template

Step 2. Click on "Edit" and Enter Your Text as You Like

Step 3. Complete and Save Your I-129F Cover Letter

Posted by Elise Williams to Updated: 2024-04-08 10:50:04

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Form I-129F, Explained

A guide to the processing time, cost, and requirements to file the “petition for alien fiancé(e)” form, in this guide.

• Form I-129F Processing Time
• Eligibility
• Supporting Documents
• Fiancé Visa Information

What is Form I-129F?

Form I-129F (“Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)”) is the first step towards a K-1 visa for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen, or a K-3 visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen (note the K-3 visa is rarely issued). If you’re engaged to a U.S. citizen, you can use the K-1 visa to enter the U.S. if you plan on getting married within 90 days of your arrival.

Not sure which visa is right for you? Answer a 5-minute questionnaire and we’ll guide you through your visa options.

Form i-129f processing times.

The current average wait time for Form I-129F is 6 months , according to Boundless partner Track My Visa Now

Form I-129F to Green Card Timeline

Once your Form I-129F petition has been approved, the sponsored fiancé will then need to apply for their visa, attend an interview, and enter the U.S. before they can apply for a green card.

For more, Boundless has put together a guide on timelines for each phase of the K-1 process .

Once the K-1 visa is approved, the sponsored fiancé will need to enter the U.S. within six months, and the couple must get married within 90 days. The sponsored fiancé — now considered the spouse of a U.S. citizen — will then need to file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) so they can start their spousal green card application , which can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to process.

Expedited Processing for Form I-129F

Premium processing is not available for Form I-129F, but you may be able to make an expedite request through the USCIS Contact Center with your 13-digit USCIS case receipt number . USCIS considers each request on a case-by-case basis, and you will need to have documentation to support the reason you’re asking for expedited processing.

Form I-129F Cost

The government filing fee for Form I-129F is $675. If you’re filing Form I-129F to petition for the spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter on a K-3 visa however, then that fee is waived.

Important Update (January 31, 2024):

The cost to file Form I-129F will increase from $675 to $675 on April 1, 2024. Learn more about USCIS’ upcoming fee changes here and get started on your application with Boundless now to avoid paying higher fees.

In January 2023, USCIS announced plans to increase filing costs for nearly every visa type, including family-based immigration and Form I-129F for K-1 visa applications. New fees will take effect on April 1, 2024. Be sure to check out Boundless’ USCIS fees guide for more information on what costs to expect and additional updates on USCIS’ fee hike.

Not sure what costs to expect? Boundless’ USCIS fee calculator can help determine the exact government fees for your K-1 visa application. We also help you pay your costs in installments, so you can get started now and pay later. Get started today!

Who can file Form I-129F?

You can file Form I-129F if you are a U.S. citizen petitioning for either your fiancé to enter the U.S. for your marriage, and you have met your fiancé in person in the last two years. You can also file this form if you’re a U.S. citizen petitioning for your spouse to enter the U.S. and USCIS has already approved Form I-130 (“Petition for Alien Relative”) for them to start their green card application (although learn more about why this option is rarely used ).

Who cannot file Form I-129F?

Because only U.S. citizens can file Form I-129F, if you are a green card holder, you won’t be able to file Form I-129F for your fiancé or spouse. If you are a green card holder who is already married, you can petition for your spouse’s entry as the first step in the green card process.

When you file Form I-129F, you will need to include supporting documents to prove your identity and your relationship with your fiancé or spouse. These documents may include:

• Proof that you are a U.S. citizen, either through a copy of your birth certificate , a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a copy of an unexpired passport.
• One color photograph, passport-style, of both yourself and your fiancé, taken within 30 days of filing.
• Proof of legal name change if you’ve changed your name in the past.
• If you or your fiancé have previously been married, you’ll also need to show proof the marriage has been terminated, for example with a divorce decree or annulment order.

If you’re petitioning for your fiancé to enter on a K-1 visa, you should also include the following:

• Proof that you and your fiancé intend to marry within 90 days after they arrive in the U.S.
• Proof you have met each other in-person within two years of filing Form I-129F. If you haven’t met each other in-person, you’ll need to send proof of why you haven’t been able to meet, for example, if meeting each other would have violated strict, long-established cultural customs.

If you’re petitioning for your spouse to enter under K-3 status, you should include the following:

• A copy of the receipt notice from USCIS, Form I-797C (Notice of Action) . You should have received this as a response to filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) on behalf of your spouse.
• Proof of your marriage , for example, a marriage certificate.

Form I-129F FAQs

You can file Form I-129F to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility . Don’t forget to check the correct address for the postal carrier you plan on using.

No, you will need to file Form I-129F physically by sending the form and any supporting evidence via mail to the correct USCIS Dallas Lockbox address.

Only USCIS will assess Form I-129F, so the sponsoring U.S. citizen will need to file from within the U.S..

If the sponsored fiancé or spouse has children under the age of 21, they can also be included in the Form I-129F petition. Any dependent children of a K-1 visa holder will receive a K-2 visa, while any dependent children of a K-3 visa holder will receive a K-4 visa.

You can check the status of your Form I-129F petition online using your 13-character USCIS case receipt number. The receipt number consists of three letters, followed by ten numbers. You should be able to find this number on any letters you have received from USCIS.

After you file Form I-129F, you may need to wait up to 13 months for USCIS to approve it. Once this happens, your fiancé or spouse will be able to apply for their K-1 or K-3 visa, and if they’re eligible, a marriage green card .

With Boundless, you don’t have to start your marriage green card paperwork from scratch because our user-friendly software safely stores your K-1 information and documents.

Immigration guides

• How to Apply For a K-1 Visa
• Should I Choose a Fiancé Visa or a Marriage Green Card?
• What is the Processing Time for a Marriage Green Card?
• List of Common K-1 Interview Questions
• Requirements for a Fianc é Visa

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Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fianc(é)e (K-1)

Important notice:.

Important Information for Syrian applicants processing in Amman, Jordan :  Interviews are scheduled by the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan in order to help facilitate entry into Jordan. This applies to all K visa petitions received at the National Visa Center for Syrian applicants currently residing in Syria. 

Important Notice :  Effective December 1, 2017, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi will no longer process K visas. The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai will be the interview location for all K visas in India. This change applies to all K visa petitions received at the National Visa Center  on  or  after  December 1, 2017. 

Important Notice: Same-sex Marriage

Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140  petition from  USCIS . For further information, please see our  FAQ’s .

• Overview: What is a K-1 Visa?
• What Is a "Fiancé(e)"?

The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 (IMBRA)

The first step: filing the petition, the second step: applying for a visa, required documentation, review additional u.s. embassy/consulate-specific instructions, medical examination and vaccination requirements, proof of financial support and affidavit of support forms, do the same income requirements apply to form i-134 as apply to form i-864.

• Fees - How Much Does a K Visa Cost?

Rights and Protections - Pamphlet

• My Petition Expired - Can It Be Extended?
• Ineligibilities for Visas - What if I Am Ineligible for a K visa?

How Long Will It Take to Get My K Visa?

After you receive a k-1 fiancé(e) visa, does my u.s. citizen fiancé(e) need to file separate petitions for my children, are my children required to travel with me.

• Entering the United States: Port-of-Entry

Adjustment of Status, Working in the United States, and Traveling Outside of the United States

How to apply for a social security number card, when you are a permanent resident, further questions, overview: what is a k-1 visa.

The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a United States (U.S.) citizen.  The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.  The foreign-citizen will then apply for adjustment of status to a permanent resident (LPR) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants receive K-2 visas.

What Is a “Fiancé(e)”?

Under U.S. immigration law, a foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen is the recipient of an approved Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F, who has been issued a nonimmigrant K-1 visa for travel to the United States in order to marry his or her U.S. citizen fiancé(e). Both the U.S. citizen and the K-1 visa applicant must have been legally free to marry at the time the petition was filed and must have remained so thereafter. The marriage must be legally possible according to laws of the U.S. state in which the marriage will take place.

In general, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) and U.S. citizen sponsor must have met in person within the past two years. USCIS may grant an exception to this requirement, based on extreme hardship for the U.S. citizen sponsor to personally meet the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), or, for example, if it is contrary in the U.S. citizen sponsor’s or foreign-citizen fiancé(e)’s culture for a man and woman to meet before marriage.

Detailed information about IMBRA requirements is contained in the  Form I-129F , Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), instructions.

• You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file  Form I-129F , Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. See  Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)  for information on where to file the petition. Further information is available on the USCIS website under  Fiancé(e) Visas .  Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad.
• After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the  National Visa Center (NVC) . The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé(e) lives.

The NVC will mail you a letter when it sends your fiancé(e) case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Once you receive this letter, inform your fiancé(e) to take the below-listed actions to apply for a K-1 visa and prepare for the interview.

Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants may apply for K-2 visas. Separate applications must be submitted for each K visa applicant, and each K visa applicant must pay the visa application fee.

You, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), (and eligible children applying for K-2 visas) will be required to bring the following forms and documents to the visa interview:

• Completed  Form DS-160 , Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application . You (and any eligible children applying for K-2 visas) must: (1) complete Form DS-160 and (2) print the DS-160 confirmation page to bring to your interview. 
• A passport valid for travel  to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless  country-specific agreements  provide exemptions).
• Birth certificate .
• Divorce or death certificate(s ) of any previous spouse(s) for both you and the U.S. citizen sponsor
• Police certificates  from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)
• Medical examination  (vaccinations are optional, see below)
• Evidence of financial support  ( Form I-134 , Affidavit of Support, may be requested)
• Two (2) 2x2 photographs . See the required photo format explained in  Photograph Requirements
• Evidence of relationship  with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e)
• Payment of fees,  as explained below

Note:  The consular officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs and other proof that the relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is genuine. Documents in foreign languages, other than the language of the country in which the application takes place, should be translated. Applicants should take to the visa interview clear, legible photocopies of civil documents and translations, such as birth and divorce certificates. Original documents and translations will be returned.

There may be additional instructions for collecting documentation needed for your K visa interview. Review U.S. Embassy/Consulate-Specific Instructions  here , to learn what additional requirements there are, if any.

In preparing for the interview, applicants will need to schedule and complete a medical examination. Before the issuance of an immigrant or K visa, every applicant, regardless of age, must undergo a medical examination which  must be performed  by an authorized panel physician. You will be provided instructions regarding medical examinations from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa, including information on authorized panel physicians. See  Medical Examination  for more information, including a list of panel physicians by country, and frequently asked questions.

K visa applicants are encouraged to get the vaccinations required under U.S. immigration law for immigrant visa applicants.  Although such vaccinations are not required for K visa issuance, they will be required when adjusting status to that of legal permanent resident following your marriage. Applicants are therefore encouraged to fulfill these vaccination requirements at the time of the medical examination. See  Vaccination Requirements for IV Applicants  for the list of required vaccinations and additional information.

During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they are not likely to become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is able to provide support. The Consular Officer may request that a  Form I-134 , Affidavit of Support be submitted by the U.S. citizen fiancé(e).

The U.S. citizen fiancé(e) will need to submit Form I-864 to USCIS with the application for adjustment of status to that of legal permanent resident following the marriage.

No. The 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline minimum income requirement, the most recent year's tax return, and other requirements only apply when Form I-864 is needed. Applicants presenting Form I-134 will need to show that their U.S. sponsor's income is 100 percent of the federal poverty guideline.

Fees are charged for the following services: 

• Filing an Alien Fiancé(e) Petition, Form I-129F
• Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-160 (required for each K visa applicant)
• Medical examination (required for each K visa applicant; costs vary from post to post)
• Other costs may include translation and photocopying charges, fees for getting the documents required for the visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.), and travel expenses to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.
• Filing  Form I-485 , Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status

For current fees for Department of State, see  Fees for Visa Services . For current fees for USCIS, see  Check Filing Fees  on the USCIS website.

You should read the  Rights and Protections pamphlet  before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you. The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview. Additionally, K-1 visa applicants will be provided with any existing criminal background information on their U.S. citizen fiancé(e)s that USCIS received from other government agencies during processing of their Form I-129F petitions.

My Petition Expired – Can It Be Extended?

The I-129F petition is valid for four months from the date of approval by USCIS. A consular officer can extend the validity of the petition if it expires before visa processing is completed.

Ineligibilities for Visas

Certain conditions and activities may make you, the applicant, ineligible for a visa. Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking;  overstaying  a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents.

If you are ineligible for a visa, you will be informed by the Consular Officer and advised whether there is a  waiver  of the ineligibility and what the waiver process is. Learn more and see the complete list of  ineligibilities .

For Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), you can visit the USCIS website for the status of your  petition .

Once your case has been received from NVC by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that will process it, the length of time varies from case to case according to its circumstances. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully or supply incomplete information. (It is important to give us correct postal addresses and telephone numbers.) Some visa applications require further  administrative processing , which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer.

If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you  do not open the sealed packet . Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. As the K-1 visa holder, you must enter the United States either before or at the same time as any qualifying children holding K-2 visas.

With your visa, you can apply for a single admission at a U.S. port-of-entry within the validity of the visa, which will be a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance.  You must marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of your entry into the United States.

No. Your eligible children may apply for K-2 visas based on the approval of Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), that your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) filed on your behalf, but your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) must list the children on the petition. Separate visa applications must be submitted for each K-2 visa applicant, and each applicant must pay the K visa application fee.

After your marriage, your children will need to file separately from you for adjustment of status. They cannot be included on your application for adjustment of status. More information about adjustment of status is available on USCIS’s website under  Green Card (Permanent Residence) .

Important Notice:  Under U.S. immigration law, a  child  must be unmarried. In order to file for adjustment of status for your child following your marriage to your U.S. citizen spouse, the child’s stepchild relationship with your spouse must be created before the child reaches the age of 18.

Your children may travel with (accompany) you to the United States or travel later (follow-to-join). Like you, your children must travel within the validity of their K-2 visas. Separate petitions are not required if the children accompany or follow to join you within one year from the date of issuance of your K-1 visa. If they want to travel later than one year from the date your K-1 visa was issued, they will not be eligible to receive K-2 visas, and separate immigrant visa petitions will be required. If your child has a valid K-2 visa and you have already adjusted status to that of permanent resident, your child may still travel on the K-2 visa.

Entering the United States: Port of Entry

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the United States. You should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the U.S. Upon arrival at the port-of-entry, be prepared to present to the CBP officer your passport with visa and your unopened/sealed packet containing your documents. Travelers should review important information about admissions and entry requirements on the CBP website under  Travel .

Information for K-1/K-2 visa holders about adjustment of status, permission to work in the United States, and travel outside of the United States is available on the USCIS website under  Fiancé(e) Visas .

To learn about applying for a Social Security Number Card, visit the website for the  Social Security Administration .

Coming to the United States to live permanently, you will want to learn more about your status as a  Lawful Permanent Resident . See  Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants  to review information on the USCIS website about living in the United States.

• If your inquiry concerns a visa case in progress at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you should first contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your case for status information. Select  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  to review their website for contact information.
• Before making an inquiry, we request that you carefully review this website. Often, the answers to questions are easily found which enables us to help other applicants and U.S. sponsors in need of assistance. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, Visa Services cannot promise an immediate reply to your inquiry.
• You can find contact information for our Public Inquiries Division at  Contact Us .

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