If you are a non-citizen of the United States engaged to a citizen, it may not be as easy as packing up your things, moving in with them, and starting your lives together straightaway. That is, there is a certain sequence of steps to be considered legally married and subsequently legally reside with your partner in the United States. This is more formally known as the K-1 visa, fiancé nonimmigrant visa, process. Follow along to find out the steps involved in the K-1 visa process and how a proficient fiancé visa lawyer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can guide you through each one.
What are the qualification criteria for the K-1 visa process?
You must understand that not just any engaged couple with mixed immigration statuses may apply for the K-1 visa. Rather, the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enforces the following strict qualification criteria:
- You must be legally residing outside of the United States at the time of filing.
- You must have never been convicted of serious crimes or overstaying your prior visas.
- You must have met your United States citizen fiancé at least two years before your filing date.
- You must have met your United States citizen fiancé in person at least once before your filing date.
- You and your United States citizen fiancé must be legally free and able to marry (i.e., single, divorced, or widowed).
- You and your United States citizen fiancé must have a bona fide intent to marry for reasons other than immigration benefits.
What are the steps involved in the K-1 visa process?
The ultimate goal of the K-1 visa process is to travel to the United States to marry your citizen fiancé within 90 days of arrival. However, there are several steps you must complete before reaching this point of opportunity. This may start with proving that you both meet the qualification criteria above. The rest reads as follows:
- You must file Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and its required supporting evidence.
- Your United States fiancé must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, and its required supporting evidence.
- Your United States fiancé must file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to prove they can provide sufficient financial support and that their fiancé is unlikely to become a public charge.
- You may have to schedule and attend a medical examination with a United States embassy or consulate-approved physician and fulfill any outstanding vaccination requirements.
- You may have to schedule and attend an interview with a USCIS official to answer questions regarding your reasons for applying for this visa type and more.
In conclusion, there is far more to explain than this blog has only begun to cover. For more information, please get in touch with a talented family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C. We look forward to collaborating with you.