I-129F Process Step by Step Guide
From the moment you first meet your fiance to the actual I-129F approval, these are the overview steps you take.
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:
- Step 1 – Get engaged & gather proof1
- You have to physically meet fiance(e) within the last 2 years to comply with the meeting requirement. Go and see your fiance(e), get photographs, show receipts, dine together, vacation together and have fun. Just remember to document (with dates) all of your time together. 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.
- Step 2 – Gather and Prepare documents.2
- The I-129F petition can only begin once you collect the required documents. See the requirements at the USCIS I-129F instructions. But, it’s recommended that you use the I-129F Petition package checklist to help accompany your preparations.
- Step 3 – Finalize & send I-129F package to USCIS3
- 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.
- Step 4 – USCIS processes your I-129F petition4
- This is by far the majority of time taken by your Fiance(e) K1 visa process. The initial I-129F petition forms review takes several months. It’s when the USCIS reviews (adjudicates) your I-129F petition, confirms eligibility, inspects your evidence of relationship, does a background check, etc.
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- During the processing period, 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, the review process is on hold until you make required submissions.
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- 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).
- Step 5 – NVC Processes I-129F (approved case)5
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6 – Further steps…6
- Your 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.
- See the entire Fiance(e) K1 visa process.
Flowchart and timeline
A flowchart for the I-129F Petition Process for an Alien Fiance(e) (K-1 visa) is shown below. It’s a handy tool to understand the steps involved in the overall process, timeline and processing time. A simple list of all the steps sequenced in the bottom portion of this site. Follow along.
Use this flowchart 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.
Download (i-129f process flowchart). It highlights the major procedures involved. Although each case is unique and processed differently, these timelines and processing times are accurate for 2018.
download this I-129f process flowchart
The next step…
It’s best to start the I-129F process by getting a solid understanding of the K-1 visa process. That’s what this site is all about. To begin your journey, sign up and download special The I-129F Checklist. It will tell you exactly what you need to start.
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Recent Comments from readers…
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?
Hey Destiny,
You’re right, there’s a specific sequence for the receipt #. Have you tried giving them a call? as long as you provide them your information, they will be able to retrieve your data.
-Prem
Hi prem, my fiance submitted our k129f on 26th June 2018 and we haven’t received our NOA1. Is it normal
Hi Bev,
Delays are normal. Generally the NOA1 should come within 1-2 weeks. Have you gotten an email or notification at all? In any case, the USCIS says you can contact them after 30 days if you haven’t heard from them regarding your case. It seems you have to wait a few more weeks before contacting them and inquiring. You can read about the entire process of the lockbox facility and USCIS here https://www.visatutor.com/i-mailed-my-i-129f-petition-whats-next/
-Prem
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 Ray,
Thanks for stopping by. It seems like it’s been only 3 months for you. The average nowadays is 6-7 months before hearing back. You can see the discussion about the processing time here: https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-petition-uscis-case-processing-charts/
If you’d like to know what to do while waiting, I suggest you check out https://www.visatutor.com/i-mailed-my-i-129f-petition-whats-next/
I know it’s frustrating to keep waiting, but the only thing to do is to wait our turn.
-Prem
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?
Hi DJ,
If you’ve filed in Feb, then it’s relatively recent. Most of us are experiencing 5-7 months of wait time. I understand your frustration and impatience. I was on the same boat. But there’s little you can do to expedite the case. California has generally handled well in the past but there’s no way we can ask to be shifted to another service center. The USCIS makes that determination on their own to speed up cases. So, just hold on hopefully you’ll see an approval soon.
-Prem
Can you give me details about the medical exam? How intensive is it? Can any doctor do it?
Hey Carla,
welcome back. You can read all about the medical exam here https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k-1-visa/k1-visa-medical-exam/
if you have a particular question about it, you can drop a question in the comment section
-Prem
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.
Hey Cath,
Yes, generally for order of protection or temp. restraining order, you will show certified documents. Especially if it followed or preceded any criminal history.
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!
Hello Rena,
The categories of “preparer, interpreter, and representative” refer to 3rd parties who help prepare your documents (usually for a fee). If you’re doing it on your own for your fiance, then I don’t feel it’s necessary to list yourself as the preparer. Usually filing services, attorneys, or hired immigration experts would be the one filling out this section. For you, I wouldn’t consider it necessary.
-Prem
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.
Hello AA,
That’s a very good question. The K-1 is only granted to those couples who can be legally married to each other in the US states. Since same-sex marriages are allowed throughout the US, the K-1 is also valid for same-sex couples. This means that, regardless of the marriage laws in the host country (Philippines), the K-1 visa will allow your partner to come to the US and marry you. So, it will not be a problem.
For your partner’s child, the US Embassy requires proof/documentation that she’s given authority by the other parent to remove / emigrate the child from the country. Typically, this is a child custody agreement or other legal court document. The child will be granted a k-2 visa after proving that he/she is allowed to emigrate from the Philippines. Does this help?
-Prem
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!
Hi Lindsay,
I apologize for the slightly late response. I try to get to everyone’s comment within 24 hours. However, with a wife and kid, sometimes it’s not possible.
I see you’re worried about the processing timeline and whether your planning is going to go through. Let me shine a light on it.
There’s actually a lot more flexibility in the fiance visa process than most of us realize. Once you submit your I-129F, it’s out of your hands. The USCIS can take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months. Nothing we can do about it.
But, once it gets to the Dep’t of State (the US Embassy), you actually have more wiggle room with time/scheduling. You see, an approved I-129F is valid for up to 4 months (at a time). So, once your I-129F is approved, you have up to 4 months to wait before taking the next step (i.e. set up an interview). So, add that to your basket.
Next, once your interview is scheduled, you may be waiting another 2 months for an interview to come through. Add that to your basket.
After approval, you have up to 6 months to use the K1 visa. Add that to your basket.
In the end, if you really wanted, you could delay/stall/flexibility of nearly 10 months. Of course it depends on a number of things and how fast the USCIS processes your case. But you, yourself, have a lot of opportunities to make it work on your terms. Does this make sense?
To answer your question, I’ve seen (and personally dealt) with cases ranging from 3 months (beginning to end) up to 12+ months.
-Prem
Do I need to submit a I 134 affidavit for support during this process at all?
Hi Chase,
You’re not required to submit the i-134 during the I-129F submission packet. You bring it only to the k-1 interview.
-Prem
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
Hello Marry,
Your fiance will have to gather up all his paperwork and present them during his K-1 visa interview. If he’s cleared and deemed innocent of charges, he must present all court documents to verify. Remember, all fiance visa applicants have to get police clearance certificates. It’s required to disclose all history rather than risk hiding facts and getting a denial for hiding facts.
-Prem