I-129F Process Step by Step Guide
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From the moment you first meet your fiance to the actual I-129F approval, these are the overview steps you take.
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If you’re ready to file for your foreign fiance, you’ll need a step-by-step tutorial of the entire I-129F Petition process for an Alien fiance(e) visa.
Watch the video below to find out how the entire process works. To begin the journey for a Fiance(e) K1 visa, you will:
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- Step 1 – Get engaged & gather proof1
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- You have to physically meet fiance(e) within the last 2 years to comply with the meeting requirement. Go and see your fiance, get photographs, receipts, dine together, vacation together and have fun. Just remember to document (with dates) all of your time together. This way, you can show the USCIS (in your I-129F packet) that you know each other. Note: you don’t necessarily have to be engaged to apply for a K-1 visa. But you do have to intend to marry each other.
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- Step 2 – Gather and Prepare documents2
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- You can only begin once you collect the required documents. So, first step is to see the requirements from the I-129F instructions. I recommend that you use the I-129F Petition package checklist to help accompany your preparations. With the checklist, the steps are laid out one by one and the paperwork is listed in order.
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- Step 3 – Finalize & send I-129F package to USCIS3
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- Finally, when you triple-checked all of the documents and made copies, you’re ready to mail it out. Finalize all your documents; make sure you’ve signed where you need to and included the fees. You have two choices: either mail express or regular postal. Express is recommended because it gives you a confirmation when it’s received.
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- Secondly, when the USCIS receives and accepts your initial petition for review, you’ll get the Notice of Action 1 (NOA1) form I-797C. This simply indicates that you’ve submitted a complete and correct petition (i.e. you’ve signed it, included payments, not missing pages, etc.), but it still needs to be reviewed for approval.
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- Step 4 – USCIS processes your I-129F petition4
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- This is by far the majority of time taken by your Fiance visa process. The initial I-129F petition forms review takes several months. It’s when the USCIS adjudicates your I-129F petition, confirms eligibility, inspects your evidence of relationship, does a background check, etc.
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- During this time, the USCIS may ask you questions for any missing/required evidence. You’ll get a “Request for Evidence” (RFE) with instructions on what/how to provide. Comply with these as soon as possible. Because when you get a RFE… it’s one of the reasons why the K-1 visa takes so long.
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- During this time, the USCIS may ask you questions for any missing/required evidence. You’ll get a “Request for Evidence” (RFE) with instructions on what/how to provide. Comply with these as soon as possible. Because when you get a RFE… it’s one of the reasons why the K-1 visa takes so long.
- If all goes well, the form I-129F petition is approved. You’ll get the Notice of Action 2 (NOA2) form I-797 of approval. Your case is then forwarded by the USCIS to the National Visa Center (NVC).
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- Step 5 – NVC Processes I-129F (approved case)5
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- Basically, a couple of things happen during this stage: the NVC issues a case number to your petition; and, your case is checked for visa availability (which is simply of no concern to family based visas — like the K1). Because K1s have priority over other visa types.
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- Your approved case is forwarded to the closest embassy to your fiance(e). From now on, it becomes an Embassy case. The US Consulate will handle/process the case from here on out.
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- Step 6 – Further steps…6
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- The approved I-129F petition from the NVC is valid for up to 4 months. The Embassy will process the case from now on, and reach out to your fiance(e) to invite him/her to apply for the K-1 visa. Your fiance(e) needs to comply within the 4 months. But, don’t let that worry you, because the validity of the I-129F can be extended indefinitely by the consulate.
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I-129F Flowchart and timeline
A flowchart for the I-129F Petition Process K-1 visa is shown below. It’s a handy tool to understand the steps in the overall process and timeline. You’ll realize how it’s a simple list of all the steps.
Use it to help you while you’re filing your Fiance(e) Petition process. It’s important to know what’s going on and what’s coming up next. Because being aware of the status will improve the odds of success.
Although each case is unique and processed differently, these processing times are accurate for 2021.
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download the I-129f process flowchart
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The next step…
Start the I-129F process after getting a solid understanding of the K-1 visa process. That’s what this site is all about. To begin, sign up and download the I-129F Checklist. It will tell you exactly what you need to start.
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Hi, I’m Prem…
Let me show you how to confidently get the Fiance Visa on your own.
Please note: I’m not a lawyer and cannot provide legal help. For that, you must seek a licensed professional.
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January 28, 2022 at 11:04 pm on Steps after I-129F Fiance Visa petition approvalDo you know what USCIS processing center processes the F-1 visa? On their website, they...[click to read more]- January 27, 2022 at 1:04 pm on K-1 Visa: Adjustment of Status Checklist (with assembly guide)Hello Prem, We have our green card approved for two (2) years. How do we...[click to read more]
- January 24, 2022 at 1:19 pm on K-1 Fiance(e) Visa – Affidavit of Support (form I-134)So if we qualify with just our income we can leave blank or put N/A...[click to read more]
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Hello. I asked a question previously, but no reply… 🙁
With the travel ban lifted we’re gonna send this application finally but we’re so confused about this IMB or marriage broker websites… we were on inter’ Cupid, it charges u some fee for having more access, but it’s doesn’t differ for usa citizens, also in their terms and conditions they mention we are not a marriage broker, there’s also written : join for free!
Are these enough to attach ? We really can’t afford more time being wasted, we aim to let no risk by doing everything accurately. Pleaaase reply please
Hello Prem ,is been a while we heard from you.My question is after getting a marriage license certificate in this COVID times.can one apply for adjustment of status or unless we get the marriage ceremony done.is the license alone enough or the certificate is enough.thanks.
Hi Prem, how do I change my fiancee’s international mailing address? Thanks!
Hey, should I submit regular printed photos or photos on a word document? Also the evidence photos I send USCIS with the petition form I-129f are they ever sent back to me or do they keep them?
Hi,
I am wondering how long it takes to get get a letter from NVC? My I-129F was sent to NVC on October 2nd, but I have not heard anything from the NVC yet and starting to get worried as I cant proceed without a case number from NVC .
The Visa Tutor website and videos have been my number one resource throughout this process! I can’t thank you enough for all the guidance and help.
Hi Cris
Thank you for your quick response.
Answering your questions: I got just one e-mail from the NVC starting with a RDJXXX but not the second one with the actions/procedures to be taken after that.
So I contacted my fiancee and she gave a call to the Consulate asking them about her case, after waiting for some time on the lineshe was informed that they didn’t receive any application for a visa on her name from the NVC.
So I will call them on monday and find out what s going on with it. I informed her that in the meantime it would be good to send and e-mail requesting an extension on the I-129 approval in case she doesn’t get everything she needs for the interview.
Unfortunately when she contacted the doctor’s office they told her, and I confirmed that on the Consulate website, that they wouldn’t be able to make the appointment for her medical examination until she would get the interview date from the Consulate.
So let’s see what they tell me in the next few days,
I will keep you posted,
Really appreciate your help on this matter
Regards
Al
Hi Mr. Prem
Just wondering what I should do about my fiancee application.
It was approved on March 25th by USCIS, got the letter from them, then on April 16th I got the e-mail from the NVC that said they sent all the info to the Consulate in Rio de Janeiro (fiancee is brazilian)But until this day she didn’t get any e-mail or plain mail from the Consulate.
The approval notice is valid until July 19th.
What should I (or my fiancee) do to know if the Consulate is processing the paperwork?
She filled out the DS-160 already but she didn’t send it yet, I’m a little confused on the Consulate instructions:
“… inform your fiancé(e) to follow the instructions in the next pages to apply for a K-1 visa and prepare for the interview”….”apply” means fill it out and send it? or wait ’til Consulate contacts her?
If you get the time I would appreciate your comments,
Thanks a lot for your fantastic job, it helped me so much
Al
I received an approval letter for my I-129 and was informed that it was being forwarded to the NVC. That was December 20th 2018, it is now March 10 2019 and I haven’t heard nothing since. What might have happened?
Hi there.
My daughter’s Fiance has received the approval letter for her visa. It said in the letter that another letter was mailed the next day. That was 3 weeks ago and she hasn’t received anything yet. Is she supposed to be getting instructions as to what she needs to do next?
Thanks for your time
Hi
I have a question regarding question 38, to be filled out ONLY if they are CURRENTLY in the US? Otherwise, leave it all blank? Is my interpretation correct on this one?
We sent out the I-129F, but found out in a family picture. We listed under the picture a family member as petitioner’ step brother Peter, which should be a half brother. Will this be a problem?
If in the interview asked about did I meet with his family members or do I know his family members…I should just say filed wrong and Peter is half brother? or just say step brother like what we filed in I-129F package?
Do I need my fiance to write me a letter to declare about the mistake we made on the picture?
thanks
Hi, my American Fiancee is going to apply for a K1 fiancée visa to leave the UK and join him in USA.
.How long does it take from application till I can join him, to then marry within 90 day.
Also my 3 children aged 12,13 & 16 will be coming too.
Many thanks
I am having trouble reading my receipt number. I gathered that my number was 45,426. But I am having reading the 901 part. That part is supposed to be the work day that it was entered into the system but I am having trouble figuring out what it means can you please help?
Hi prem, my fiance submitted our k129f on 26th June 2018 and we haven’t received our NOA1. Is it normal
Hi i sent my petition back in April 2, 2018 and i received the receipt with case number and everything from the California office within less than 2 weeks. My fiancé is from the dominican republic and i wanted to know whats the next step after this and whats the average wait time to get to that next step because it is getting very frustrating waiting and getting no answer or anything. thank you
Hello, my fiance’ likes in South Africa. I live in USA. I filed a K-1 Visa back in February 14, 2018. The wiat is killing us but were very excited. California is processing our case. Does California have a reputation of being overloaded with cases? If so, should I call and request for it to be moved to another office?
Can you give me details about the medical exam? How intensive is it? Can any doctor do it?
can I call to ask you a question? Or call me [PERSONAL INFORMATION OMITTED BY VISATUTOR]
Thanks
Dane
Hello,
I once had an order of protection. Do I have to explain why and submit copy with the I-129F?
Thanks.
Cath.
Hi Prem,
What if the beneficiary is the one preparing all the required evidence and all, should he/she sign as the “preparer”? I know lots of people said you don’t have to if you’re not the 3rd party paid to do so but on the preparer statement, it IS stated that “I am not an attorney…….”
Please advice? Thank you!
It is legal in my state in the United States for same-sex marriage. My fiance is in the Phillipines. Is the consulate there going to be an issue since it is not allowed there? Also she will be bringing a 4 year old what kind of documents do we need from the childs father? Also i intend to adopt the child.
I am having trouble envisioning a timeline for submitting my I-129F application. My fiancé is in Brazil, and will not be ready to come here before graduating. Therefore, I do not want to submit the application too early, as he will not be able to leave the states as we apply for an adjustment of status. At the same time, I want to have the application processing, so that when he is ready to come here, there wont be a year of visa processing time as an obstacle. What is the fastest processing time that you have witnessed? What can I expect would be the minimum time for the process? Trying to get any advice that I can. Thanks!
Do I need to submit a I 134 affidavit for support during this process at all?
I have questions, my fiancé lives in India. He has some criminal record as fraud but his case has been clear. Does he have to provide any evidence or even admit that he has any record since the court has prove him innocent and clear his record ? Please let me know.
Sincerely
Marry