Fiance(e) K1 Visa Cost

Sponsoring your foreign fiance(e) for a K-1 visa and immigration won’t be cheap.  Think seriously about setting up a budget.

The total fiance(e) K1 visa or K2 visa process can end up costing you more than thousands of dollars in filing fees, traveling expenses, and attorney charges (if you’re using one).  Not to mention, after marriage costs and fees.

In fact, the first question you should ask yourself is: Can you afford the entire fiance(e) visa costs?

As of 2017, you can expect to pay the following fees and expenses.  Here’s a simple breakdown list of the Fiance(e) K1 visa payments you’ll likely make. 

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Cost of the K1 Visa Petition (USCIS)

You begin your fiance(e) visa process by submitting an I-129F petition form to the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).  The petition process will cost you:

The I-129F Filing Fee ($535)

As of 2017, the total Fiance visa filing fee to the USCIS is $535.  It should be payable to the US Department of Homeland Security.  Check the USCIS latest fees for the current amount.

Factor in the cost of mailing the actual application to the USCIS. Your personal income or financial status does matter at this stage. Leave that for the K-1 visa interview.

Cost of the U.S. Consulate interview

After the USCIS approves your I-129F (k-1 visa) petition, the case is sent to the U.S. Consulate in your fiance(e)’s country.  Before the actual interview, your fiance(e) will pay for a number of fees.  These payments include:

Filing K-1 Visa Application Fee with US Embassy (after DS-160) (about $265)

The first application your fiance(e) submits is the DS-160 form online with the US consulate.  The visa fee after submitting the DS-160 is about $265 according to the fees for visa services  and it’s due before he/she goes to the interview.  Check the instructions packet for complete and up-to-date cost information.

If you have children applying for the K2 visa, then there will be additional fee per each child. 

Medical Examination (about $200+)

Your fiance(e) needs to pass the medical examination prior to the interview.  An approved physician conducts the medical exam, and the costs vary from country to country. You can expect it to be $200 to $300 USD. Check the cost of the medical examination with the approved physician before going for the checkup.

Your K-2 Children may or may not need to have the medical exam before immigration.  If they do, then you’ll pay for each.

All Legal Documents (about $150)

Unless your fiance(e) already has all required documents, he/she needs to get the passport, police certificate, birth certificates, translations, and other proofs.  These cost money and time.  It’s hard to know the cost beforehand.  But, estimate the costs to be about $150.

 If your fiance(e)’s children are also applying for legal documents, add the expenses for their documents too.

Reciprocity Visa ($0)

Some countries require you to pay a “visa issuance fee.”  You can check if your fiancé will be charged the reciprocity visa by country.

However, K-1 Fiance(e) Visa are exempt from reciprocity fees. It’s not required.  However, you should check to be knowledgeable.  For other visas (not K-1 or K-2) If you are required to pay this price, it’s usually around $200.

Travel expenses while applying for a K-1 visa

Since your fiance(e) may not live near the embassy or medical exam clinic, it will cost to travel. Did you consider how he/she will travel? where will he/she stay? Remember, in foreign countries, transportation can get expensive.

The total travel expenses during the K1 visa process may include:

1. 1. Traveling (car, bus, train), gas, tolls, etc.
   1. a. to the US Embassy,
   2. b. to medical examination (are children going too?)
   3. c. to local civil offices for proper documents
   4. .
2. 2. After Visa approval, the biggest travel expense is the airline ticket to come to the US.
3. .
4. 3. Lodging: hotels, if your fiance(e) travels far from home during the K1 visa process.
5. .
6. 4. Food, etc.  During travels.

Legal Fees for the K1 visa process

You might find it worthwhile to hire an attorney for your K1 or K2 visa case.  Although not required, an attorney can help especially if your case is complicated.  They might have experience with your particular US Embassy abroad and offer helpful tips.  The fee to hire an attorney depends on the services he/she offers.

Most immigration attorneys charge a flat legal fee for filing, mailing, reviewing, consulting, and more.  You can expect over $1500 flat legal fee + cost of filing petitions forms + embassy costs. Sometimes you might be billed per hour.  

Again, many people will choose to file the petition process themselves.  If you have doubts — or just not enough time — you can hire an attorney.

How much does a K1 Visa cost?

Finally, if you’re asking yourself: how much does a K1 or K2 visa cost?  then

simply add up the fees for

1. 1. filing the I-129, DS-160, any other required applications
2. 2. Medical exam for yourself (and children)
3. 3. travel to the US, and transportation to the Embassy, Medical clinic for exam
4. 4. Proper legal documents (for yourself + children)
5. 5. After marriage costs (i.e. Adjustment of Status).