Fiance K-1 Visa Process Flowchart 2021
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Here’s the 10-simple-step flowchart of the fiance K-1 Visa.
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Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to figure out.
There was one time, I found myself asking, “aren’t I supposed to be getting a letter in the mail right now?”
Funny enough, this came at a time when I was so knee deep in research of the fiance visa process that I could’ve wrote a book on it.
Clearly things can get confusing to keep track of. But instead of guessing the next steps, follow something that makes it simple.
Below you’ll find my K-1 visa flowchart. It’s got simple steps laid out visually on a sheet. You can download it instantly.
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Step by step K-1 Visa Procedures Flowchart
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Download this flowchart to your computer
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- Steps 1-3
- Prepare and send your I-129F to the USCIS. They review it and send you an approval notice if all goes well with the petition adjudication.
. - Step 4
- Is where the NVC processes your case. Once they review your paperwork, they assign a case before forwarding it to the US consulate overseas.
. - Step 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Are the most-critical steps where you prepare for and undergo the K visa interview. You’ll gather up documents, undergo the medical exam, Police clearance, and everything else for the interview.
. - Steps 10, 11
- Are where you are approved and enter the US. Below this flowchart, there’s a helpful timeline. This helps you compare yourself with other people’s timeline.
. - So, I suggest you quickly print this out and save it as it’s a good diagram to keep handy.
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Click to share this flowchart with your fiance or friends on Facebook or Twitter
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The next step
Now, if you have a good grasp of the overall process, take a look at a more detailed step-by-step guide, K-1 Visa process guide. There is also a useful checklist to help you keep track of your K-1 Visa petition process.
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Hi, I’m Prem…
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Hi Prem,
Are the estimated time frames on this chart current? Because I’m looking at Visa Journey processing time data and it’s saying that NVC is processing cases received 158 days ago and the Montreal consulate is processing applications received 169 days ago. I hope this is not the case.
Hi Prem! Thanks to your information I was able to fill out the petition for my fiance, thank you for that!
My petition was approved on December 9, and I received approval notice from USCIS one week later. A few days ago I contacted NVC about my case and they told me that my case isn’t in their system. So I decided to check my case status on USCIS, just in case. I was surprised and frustrated because there was an update saying that the Department of State sent my petition to USCIS on January 26, for review.
Could u explain to me what this means?
Because I’m so worried now..
Hello Natalia,
Thanks for writing in. Having a case sent back from the NVC to the USCIS is a rare, but frustrating, occurrence. There’s no way to guess at this point why it was sent back. Perhaps the NVC didn’t get the correct background check documentation, a certain page (USCIS mistake), or approval notice. Until the USCIS gets the case and reveals what has happened, we won’t know. All you can do at this point is to email the USCIS about a case inquiry and ask what’s the matter. They may indicate what has happened and what will be the turnaround time to fix the mistake and re-send the documents to the NVC. Normally there is not a requirement for you to do anything on your end. However, if the error was due to a missing document or so, the USCIS may issue you an RFE to you to resolve it. Normally, that’s not the case though. This may delay your case 2-3 weeks unless the USCIS decides to hold it longer for any reason. Best of luck and I hope your case gets back on track quickly. Please get in touch with the USCIS and inquire about what happened. Let us know whenever you find out. Thanks!
-Prem
Hi – Is Step 5 mandatory in the K1 visa process? We got the BMBxxx number from NVC and then went ahead and filed DS-160. We are now preparing the documents before we schedule an interview. We were told that the embassy will not mail us anything and that we have to schedule ouselves.
Thank you very much!
Jay,
The consulates always need time to review your case before they allow you to apply for a K visa with them. Once your CEAC status reads “ready”, then you can begin. Some consulates do not mail physical documents to you. Most will just email you a notification that your case is ready. However, it’s up to you to keep on top of the process. It’s also not entirely accurate that you have to schedule interviews yourself. Some consulates schedule your interview date for you once you tell them you’re ready for it. Other times consulates leave it up to you to schedule the interview depending on when you’re ready. Your specific embassy website/instructions will tell you exactly how to proceed.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
the approval notice had 2 more months for validation, What would happen if it gets expired?
Thank you
Hassan, you should review the revalidation procedure: How to extend your I-129F validity
-Prem
Yea,.. I’m going on 10 weeks since my NOA-2. No letter, no nothing. I Asked the NVC twice, but they just send back a canned reply that does not speak to my question. Calling isn’t working. Just have to endure.
Tim,
Thanks for sharing. Yes, that’s the situation with everyone nowadays. We all must wait until routine visa processing resumes.
-Prem
Hi Prem
Hope you’re staying safe. It’s been almost 4 months since my petition was approved by USCIS and I haven’t received a letter from NVC. Recently I called NVC and the conversation was quick and not informational but I did get my case number from them but no instructions. When I check the status it says at NVC but is there something that I should be doing?
Ana,
That’s a common situation as you may have read in my recent emails. The NVC will hold onto your paperwork until the Embassies reopen for routine visa processing. Until then, unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to help the process.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
Thanks for all of your awesome resources! I have kind of a silly question. My fiance lives in Egypt and I was wondering if the US Embassy mail a packet to my fiance’s address using their native address that I tried to provide in Arabic on the I-129F, or the English version? I’m nervous that my written Arabic isn’t good or there may be a mistake and that the packet might not make it to the right place. What do you suggest if this happens? Thank you!
Hi Carolyn,
The Consulate will go with one of these address. I’m not sure if they’ll use the English or Arabic version. However, they often have the information emailed to the recipient or the petitioner. In addition, they have the same exact K visa packet to download on their website. Therefore, there’s really no way of losing out on instructions. You can check the consulate’s website in Cairo for details and exact instructions. If you still have questions after looking through their website (usembassy.gov), you’re welcome to come back and ask any questions.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
My fiancee is from Uganda, but has been employed in UAE on a work VISA for 4 years. I also visited her there last year. Will this be an issue?
Thank you
Craig
Craig,
Not sure what exactly you think would be an issue when you apply for the K1 Visa… working? visiting?
-Prem
Hi Prem,
Hope youre doing good. I just want to ask, Im a bit confused about the process. I read some previous blogs saying that after you recived the NOA and the NVC letter you have to wait for the embassy to contact you for your visa interview schedule. I follow vlog and it helps me alot. I just want to clarify. Im in the process where im already done paying the visa issuance and paying my medical fees. Now I didnt received any message yet from the embassy for my visa interview. Did they really call me? Or am i the one to contact them for my visa interview.
Thanks in advance.
Hello,
Each embassy has a different set of steps. Sometimes they contact you with an appointment, other times you schedule one on your own. You will have to check their specific instructions for details. Sometimes you will have to alert them and let them know you’re ready to be scheduled. So, it’s really up to you now to figure out for your specific embassy the step you need to take to get an interview scheduled.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
I just want to ask, since my Fiancè Petition was approved, it could be possible that me and my son can come to the US at the same time.? My fiancè included him in the I-129F. How long does it take ,that my son can follow in US for a K2 Visa? Thank you
Hello Maricris,
Once your I-129F is approved and you apply for the fiance visa at the consulate, you will also do the procedures for your child as well. Your options are to either do the process and get a K-1 and K-2 visa so you can travel together. Or you can have your child come within 6 months after your approval with a K-2 visa. Your last option is to use the “follow to join“. You should read the K2 visa process articles for more details.
-Prem.
Hi sir
I apply for my finance got approval from uscis in May,
In jun got NVC letter said case is been forwarded to embassy or consulate will take several week go online and learn K1 visa got ISL case number since than no communication, I called NVC to ask them what I’m waiting for next but no hope there say wait for nvc to contact me …
I ready online I should fill up DS 160 to start my finance process please guide me what direction I have to go please
Hello Sebestia,
You will have to contact the US consulate and ask if they’ve received your case. Check the CEAC status.
Read up on the procedures here: https://www.visatutor.com/steps-129f-fiance-visa-petition-approval/
-Prem
Is it possible to change the country / consulate for 1 interview after we have submitted the application?
Hello S,
what application are you referring to? the I-129F or are you asking about approval with NVC? or the application with the DS-160?
-Prem
Hi Prem,
You did a great job by putting all the information based on your experience. I hope your doing good. I am a bit stressed out about few questions which every you tube video says different things. how many forms are required in the process of after me and my partner get engaged. Since he is a US citizen and his income requirements are not matching with 125 FPL guidelines. So, we have decided to use joint sponsor, Its his mom and they both live in the same household and i wont be living in the same house after i arrive at USA. why do we have to file I-134 and not I-186 form ? please help me out
Brinda,
For the I-129F petition, you do not need to submit the I-134. Only once you go for the K visa interview, then you will bring along the I-134
https://www.visatutor.com/k-1-fiancee-visa-affidavit-support-form-134/
The I-864 is not required for fiance visa applicants during the visa process. You only need the I-134.
However, after you enter the US and apply for permanent residency (i.e. green card) that’s when you use the I-864.
-Prem
Hey Prem,
Hope you are doing well. I wanted to ask, the packet my petitioner mails to USCIS and if approved, do the USCIS send the same packet to the US embassy in fiances country? US embassy in fiance country will have that packet in advance if i go for the interview?
Hello Phew,
Yes, most US Embassies receive the physical packet that the petitioner has prepared after it has been approved by the USCIS. Many countries digitize it and send it electronically. In either case, the officer will have the full I-129F available to them in advance of the interview. In fact, that’s the entire concept behind trying to “front load” your petition.
-Prem
I have completed most of the paperwork. However i need help in reviewing the paperwork for form and correctness.
Thank you,
Edward B
Ed,
You can check under “products” for a list of services offered.
-Prem