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Fiance K-1 Visa Costs: A detailed breakdown

Fiance(e) K-1 Visa Cost

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How much does the Fiance K-1 visa process cost?

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

As you know, the K visa process gets your foreign fiance, boyfriend or girlfriend into the US so he/she can marry you within 90 days.

On average, the total K-1 visa or K-2 visa process can cost you more than $3,000 in filing fees, traveling expenses, and attorney charges (if using one).  Not to mention, after marriage costs and fees.

The biggest uncertainty is how many K-2 visa children are applying (each pays separate fees and can increase the cost exponentially). That’s a tidbit of information no expert will tell you.

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

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the fiance visa process cost for 2020 both direct and indirect for forms, paperwork, documents, visa interview.

Download this k-1 visa fee breakdown

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As of 2021, you can expect to pay the following fees and expenses. Here’s a simple breakdown list of the Fiance(e) K-1 visa payments you’ll likely make.

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Direct Cost

1. $535 I-129F Filing fee
2. $265 Visa Fee
3. $200 Medical Exam
4. $150 Official Documents 

Indirect Cost

1. $1,000+ Airline Tickets
2. $500 Traveling
3. $1,500 Legal Fees (if hiring)

After approval

1. $35 Marriage License
2. $1,225 I-485 Filing Fee (Green Card)
3. $$ More after GC issued

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Cost of the K-1 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:

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The I-129F Filing Fee ($535)

As of 2021, 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.

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a table listing the immigration fees for petitions such as K-1 fiance visa

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Add the cost of mailing the actual application to the USCIS (Fedex, UPSP, etc). Also note: a common misconception is that you submit the I-134 with your I-129F. That’s not true. Your personal income or financial status does matter at this stage. Leave the Affidavit of Support for the K-1 visa interview.

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Breakdown cost at the U.S. Consulate interview

After the USCIS approves your I-129F petition, the case is sent to the NVC and then to U.S. Consulate in your fiance’s country.  Before the actual interview, however, your fiance pays for a number of fees.  These include:

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Filing K-1 Visa Application MRV 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. 

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Medical Examination (about $250+)

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.

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

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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 because each country has unique policies. For example, in the Philippines, you must pay for and get the NBI for the interview. For an estimate, assume that you pay around $150. 

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

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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After marriage expenses

A K-1 visa approval is not the end of the fees. After entry, you will need to get married within 90 days. The cost for a marriage certificate is relatively inexpensive. In New York City, for example, the certificate is $35.

However, your next major fee will be filing the I-485 Adjustment of status (currently $1,225 for each applicant). If you have K2 children, the cost skyrockets for each one. Again, don’t forget other smaller things: mailing the application, preparing the I-485 packet, and traveling to get documentation all cost money.

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The total fiance K1 Visa cost

Use the chart from above and simply add up the fees for

    1. 1. Filing the I-129F, DS-160, Police clearance, any other required applications. ($535, $265, etc.)
    1. 2. Medical exam for yourself (and children) ($250)
    1. 3. travel to the US, and transportation to the Embassy, Medical clinic for exam ($500)
    1. 4. Proper legal documents (for yourself + children) ($150)
  1. 5. After marriage costs (i.e. Adjustment of Status). ($1,225+)
  2. .

Remember, K-2 visa children raise the cost of the entire process exponentially because each child pays a separate amount during the interview and Adjustment of Status.

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How do I get my Fiance K-1 visa approved in 2021?

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There are 13 comments so far

  • Abdul Hayee Basharat
    3 days ago · Reply

    Hi Prem,
    I am Canadian, I want to marry with U.S. citizen, she works part time, have children all over 18 years old. Age difference is 20 +years. What’s process to apply. If we gets marry in Canada, then how do I proceed to apply . I am completely confused, I need help

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      3 days ago · Reply

      Abdul,
      Your options are to apply for a fiance visa or go for a spousal visa (if you marry). If you marry in Canada, you would apply for the I-130.
      -Prem

  • Ella
    1 month ago · Reply

    Hi Prem, my Fiance is working in the US for a year-present since he moved back to the States. Is that an issue with submitting his tax returns, transcripts, or whatever income status and stability during my interview. Does he need to be working for more than a year for us to get no other complications on that part? Thanks

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      3 weeks ago · Reply

      Hello Ella,
      There’s no requirement to be working in order to be approved for a K visa. Your US petitioner must be able to show adequate income (at the time of submission), assets, or use a joint sponsor to fulfill the I-134 obligations. Your question is a very common one and is answered in great detail here https://www.visatutor.com/do-i-need-a-job-to-file-for-a-k-1-visa/
      Please take a look and get back to us if you’re still confused on the matter.
      -Prem

  • Khuram Shahzad
    10 months ago · Reply

    Hello. I want to ask you I was lived in Saudi Arabia and now im live in Italy. My question is I don’t have ppc police clearance certificate from Saudi Arabia. So what happens if I don’t get pcc of saudi arabia before my interview in american embassy ?????

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      10 months ago · Reply

      Khuram,
      I believe in SA, you don’t need a PCC if you’re no longer living in the country. Please check the civil reciprocity tables. Nonetheless, an officer will determine whether or not you need a PC based on your criminal history, if any.
      -Prem

  • Luis Henrique Amado
    12 months ago · Reply

    Hi Everyone
    My Fiancé just got approved her nonimmigrant visa .To be Honest with all of you it was so simple and easy.
    But all these process has to be correct no mistakes and not lies. Please do it with all your honesty than you will be all set.Frist of all you need to have the prove of relationships Included flight tickets if is you Fiancé or Fiancée is over another Country, photos, trying to visiting her or hem as much’s you can, each time take photos .Have the engagement party.etc etc.
    When she went for interview they asking her not more then 6 questions but she’s was very prepared with everything in cause they asking her. Again, be honesty telling the thru show then the evidence make sure your paper work is done from de begun to the end with out mistakes. Mistakes can cause delay .

  • Chloe
    1 year ago · Reply

    In regard to the After costs:

    Would I have to file the I- 485 and I-751 at the same time. The I-485 is more expensive than the 1-751 and offers a green card for 2 years, unlike the I-751 which is 10 years.

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      1 year ago · Reply

      Hi Chloe,
      The I-485 and the I-751 are not filed at the same time. You will first file the I-485 to get the 2-year conditional GC. When that’s almost expired, you will file a I-751 for removal of conditions for a 10-year GC. You don’t have a choice of which you want to file first. You have to do them in order.
      -Prem

  • b
    1 year ago · Reply

    Can I file a visa in person at a USCIS office if short on time?

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      1 year ago · Reply

      Hello Bill,
      No, the I-129F packet is mailed to the USCIS office only. There’s no direct drop off option.
      -Prem

  • Travis R
    1 year ago · Reply

    Hi Prem,

    My fiancé and I got our email to set-up the interview. She has two children under 18. I am confused, do I need to pay the $265 for each child also? Or does the one payment for her also cover her children? Lastly, do the children also each need their own D160? Thank you for your time and help.

    -Travis.

    • pkumar@visatutor.com Author
      1 year ago · Reply

      Hi Travis,
      Each child has a separate visa fee, separate medical fee, etc. You will also submit separate DS-160. You can find all the details here in my article:
      https://www.visatutor.com/hows-the-process-different-with-k-2-visa-children/
      -Prem

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  • Carmen January 19, 2021 at 3:53 pm on K-1 Fiance(e) Visa – Affidavit of Support (form I-134)Hello Prem, thank you so much for all the information! Quick question: The US petitioner...[click to read more]
  • Abdul Hayee Basharat January 19, 2021 at 1:51 pm on Fiance K-1 Visa Costs: A detailed breakdownHi Prem, I am Canadian, I want to marry with U.S. citizen, she works part...[click to read more]
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