28
Aug

What happens at the Fiance K-1 Visa Interview?

Complete guide for the Fiance K-1 visa interview

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For most of us, the Fiance visa interview is the most nerve-racking part of the process. It’s the first instance where you come face to face with any immigration official.

You can’t predict what’s going to happen or what questions they’ll ask.  And unlike submitting your I-129F petition, not all things in the interview are always certain or clear.  The best way to prepare and assure your success is to be prepared.

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What is the Fiance K-1 visa interview?

A fiance visa interview is a face to face appointment with a Consular Officer who reviews your paperwork, asks questions about your relationship, and verifies the details on your case before passing a decision.

This interview is held at a selected US Embassy and normally the US consulate closest to you will host you. However, on occasions you may have to travel far to attend one. Your I-129F approval letter (I-797) from the NVC tells you the location also. Alternatively, you can check the CEAC website to find out.

In this interview, you present yourself (and any K-2 visa children) to the US Embassy officer. You bring documents, provide fingerprints, and answer any questions related to your eligibility.

At the conclusion of this interview, the officer informs you of their decision: approval, denial, or Administrative Processing (AP).

The US petitioner is not required to accompany you to this interview; only the K-1 and K-2 applicants are required to attend.
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How to schedule your interview

Since there are many visa applicants who are interviewed daily by any given Embassy, you have to schedule a time and date for yourself. Fiance K-1 visa interviews are scheduled in one of two ways:

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  • – Either the US consulate schedules a date once you’re ready, or
  • – You schedule it once you pay the visa fee 

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The method of how to schedule it is different for each country. So, you will have to check the consulate’s K visa instructions. But more or less, here are the main procedures:
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  1. 1. Gather required documents from their instructions (K visa packet)
  2. 2. Pay the MRV visa fee
  3. 3. Schedule the visa interview online (USTraveldocs or AIS.USvisa-info)
  4. 4. Alternatively, the consulate schedules you once you pay the fee

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Normally, it takes about 1-2 months to find an open appointment slot for the interview. That’s because there are other applicants ahead of you and normally a date isn’t available before 3 weeks. But this is different for every embassy. Some take longer, others take shorter.

The cost to schedule a fiance visa interview is the MRV visa fee of $265 per applicant. This is non-refundable.

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How to prepare for the interview

Understand that the intent of the interview is for you to submit documents to support your K visa eligibility… and it’s an opportunity for the Consular officer to verify details of your case. So, to prepare for the K-1 visa interview, you must be ready for both purposes.

First, bring all documents to the interview: your DS-160 confirmation page, Medical exam report, Police Certificates, Proof of relationship, the I-134 Affidavit of Support and much more. I recommend you follow the K-1 visa interview checklist to keep track. Keep in mind that missing paperwork or incomplete details are the number 1 reason for fiance visa denials.

Likewise, it’s helpful to prepare a packet and organize your files into a folder. So, while you stand at the interview booth, you won’t need to shuffle through papers looking nervous. Use sticky notes, paperclips, tabs, or other ways to separate out documents.

Next, understand the logistics of getting to your interview. Do you know the way? Are you accounting for traffic on the road? Are you renting a room close by? Where will you store your personal belongings?

Next, you ought to rehearse the questions and answers. The officer asks about past travel history to the US, criminal history, any issues with your background checks and more. You must prepare supporting documents in such issues. The officer will also take the opportunity to verify your bona fide relationship by asking various questions about the relationship (see the next section).

Finally, get enough sleep the night before the K visa interview. You should be mentally alert.
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What happens during the interview?

Your scheduled date and time is when you appear to your interview. There will be many applicants who come at the same time. They’re applying for different visas — tourist, student, spousal, etc. K visas are just one type. You will see several embassy staff members who assist with your paperwork.

Here are the procedures in the morning of your interview:
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  1. 1. Enter through security
  2. 2. Get a ticket at the counter
  3. 3. Submit I-134, medical report, and other supporting documents
  4. 4. Submit fingerprints and/or photo
  5. 5. Undergo a face to face interview with questions and answers
  6. 6. Receive your results

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The total duration of the fiance visa interview is about 2-4 hours. The actual face-to-face part with the officer can be 5-30 minutes depending on the complexity of your case.

During the face-to-face interview, the officer evaluates your bona fide relationship, any weak points (aka red flags), any criminal history or immigration violations which lead to inadmissibility, and so on.

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What happens at the end of the interview?

At the conclusion of your K-1 visa interview, there are three possible outcomes:
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  • ♦ Approval
  • ♦ Denial
  • ♦ Administrative processing (AP)

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The officer informs you at the end what they’ve decided. Then they hand you a sheet with final instructions.

If you’re approved, the consulate retains your passport + documents so they can place a visa stamp. This normally takes 1-2 weeks following a successful K visa interview… after which they send you the visa packet for pick up.

In the meantime, you can track the status of your visa on the CEAC website. It may say “approved”, “refused” or “administrative processing”.

Once you’re approved and have the visa, your fiance can enter the US immediately. There’s no waiting period. But Keep in mind, you must enter before the K visa expires (usually 6 months).

Administrative Processing, AP 221(g), is when officers need more evidence to make a decision or if they need to perform further checks. The officer informs you of the next step. This can take anywhere from 1 week to up to 6 months.

A K visa denial (INA 212) is when you were found ineligible or inadmissible. The officer will not grant you the visa and your case is returned to the USCIS. This may happen to those who are ineligible, suspected of marriage fraud, medically Class A or Class B, or have some criminal history.
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Interview tips

Let’s go over a few tips to improve your experience:
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  • ♦ Review paperwork – look over all your paperwork to iron out details. Review your I-129F packet and your I-134 because they’re most important.
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  • ♦ Dress appropriately. Be presentable – There is no dress code. You’re free to dress casually. My recommendation is for men to wear a shirt and pants. Women can wear a dress. My rule of thumb is: don’t draw too much attention.
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  • ♦ Behavior – You should behave relaxed, natural and confident, showing Interest for your future. Be respectful, courteous and speak clearly and concisely. Don’t talk too much (or offer information you’re not asked for).
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  • ♦ What will they ask me? That’s a common concern and I address it in detail. For the most part, officers can ask a variety of questions to find out how genuine your relationship is. They ask about you, your partner, your relationship, your future marriage, and so on.
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  • ♦ Learn from past experiences – How did previous couples prepare? How did they feel? What tips can they give you? You can watch plenty of videos on YouTube or search through online communities of your choice.

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Step-by-step tutorial for the K-1 visa interview

Finally, if you’d like help to prepare for your K visa interview, please review the remaining parts of the website. 

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There are 23 comments so far

  • Lisa
    2 years ago · Reply

    Hello,
    My fiancé’s interview was approved (so far) however his police clearance is taking longer than expected to arrive so he didn’t have it at the interview. He is in Australia, and is afraid they might still deny him( he hasn’t had any police record!) Have you ever heard of this situation and have any experiences to share? They kept his passport, he just has to mail the clearance when he gets it. Thanks!

  • Robbie
    2 years ago · Reply

    Hi Prem,
    Thank you so much for this website, It’s the most helpful website I’v been at.
    I’m US citizen, currently in the process of applying for k1 visa for my fiancee , my fiancee has dual citizenship (Syrian and Venezuelan) (both are under the travel ban).
    My question is when filling the 129F form, which nationality should I put in the field that is asking about country of citizenship? can I put them both in the same field? Do I need to submit photocopies of both passports? should I put only one and attached a handwritten note that she carries another nationality? please guide me through this field.
    Also, another question that since Syrians inherit their family name only from their dad, while Venezuelans have two last names (from their dad and mom) , so one passport shows 2 last names and the other passport shows only one last name, how to solve this issue?
    P.S: she was born in Syria, and she resides in Syria as well. She got her Venezuelan citizenship as her dad passes it to her.

  • Daryl Melvyn Bailey
    3 years ago · Reply

    Hello

    I’m curious as to how my documents should be delivered to Guangzhou where my fiancé’s interview will take place. Do I need to mail originals to her, or can they be emailed, ie, affidavit of support, tax returns and divorce decree? Also, does the divorce decree have to be a certified copy?
    Thank you
    Daryl

  • Chris
    3 years ago · Reply

    Hi Prem,

    Thank you for your help! My question relates to my beneficiary having dual citizenship. Our i-129f has been approved, and our case is currently at the Embassy in Panama. We are in the process of doing the DS-160 and i-134, and awaiting to schedule an interview.

    My fiancee has both Panamanian and Spanish citizenship. She lives (and has always lived) in Panama, and has never lived in Spain or any other country. On the i-129f we put that she has both of these citizenships and had no issue. Should we continue to present both her Spanish and Panamanian passports when asked for her passport data page? Is there anything we should keep in mind moving forward? Again she has never actually lived there, and we are applying thru the US-Panamanian Embassy.

  • Joy
    3 years ago · Reply

    greetings, while filling my Ds-160 I was unable to print out my form and I submitted immediately because I was in a hurry to submit, so that I can quickly get a date for interview. pls I hope this does not cause any harm???

  • iv
    3 years ago · Reply

    since my fiance has to fly out to the embassy for the medical and for the interview. I was wondering if he could do the medical and interview in one shot (spend the night and do both in one trip) in stead of having to fly out 2 different times. would that be advisable?

  • Sarah
    3 years ago · Reply

    Hi Prem! So I’m looking at the requirements for the K-1 interview and application for the UK, and it says the following:

    Birth Certificate: Obtain the original, or certified copy (provided by the issuing authority), of the birth record of each family member (yourself, your spouse, and all unmarried children under the age of 21, even if they are not immigrating with you.

    …So does this mean my UK fiance needs his birth certificate and also needs my birth certificate? Thank you!!

  • Sydney
    3 years ago · Reply

    My fiancé and I have submitted our DS-160 to the US Embassy in Montreal Canada. Our I-129F will be expiring in March and we haven’t had an interview yet. Will this be a problem? What happens if our I-129F expires before we have an interview? (We have reached out to the embassy to extend our expiration date but they told us it was up to the consulate officer to extend it during the interview, but we don’t have an interview yet and our I-129F will have already expired by that point)
    Also, since we have submitted the DS-160, do we need to wait for the embassy to tell us when to schedule and interview? Will they send us something to tell us it’s time to schedule the interview? How does that process work?
    Thank you!

  • Franklina Yeboah
    3 years ago · Reply

    Hi, so I applied for my fiancé in Ghana and we just received a letter that says the embassy is ready to process his visa. But my problem is I know I have to submit an affidavit of support and I just started working after graduating in may2018. My question is would I need a joint sponsor for him and if so what of the two affidavit of support form (I134 and I-864) do I use for the joint sponsorship. Lastly the person I am using as a joint sponsor didn’t not file taxes last year so I want to know if that can also be a problem.

  • Destiny
    3 years ago · Reply

    Today was our interview date and we were approved! Just have to wait for the documents to come through and he gets to move over. I’m so happy and so is he!

  • Arimalala
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hello,

    I am very happy having found this forum.

    Me and my fiance (US citizen) are expecting to launch K1 visa soon (1-3months). We would like that my son and one other child member of my family will come also with me to live together in US.

    I am in Madagascar , few questions :
    – is the US embassy who choose the interview date and the medical exam test or it’s me?
    – if it’s the US embassy which décide the interview and medical test dates, in which moment after the beginning of the process I would be informed about ?
    – do you think adopting à child then bringing her with me in US may make not approved our K1 visa request ?….can you advise please.

    Sincerely,
    Manitra

  • Uriella Moocarme
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hi Everybody.

    I just wanted to share my interview experience with y’all at the Consulate in Johannesburg this September 2018.

    My appointment was at 1pm. I got there at 12:30.
    There were a few people waiting already.
    Got in the premises and went through the security. I was 4th in line for the interview.

    I was called once to hand ALL the documents they requested me and I also provided my finger prints. The lady was very friendly.

    I was told to sit and wait until I am called for the interview by another officer.

    I sworn an oath and she returned some originals I provided and gave me back all the new proofs of relationship I provided. (I got scared that could be a negative sign). But kept it cool.

    The only questions I was asked were:
    1) How did you meet?
    2) Did you meet in person? When?
    3) Were you married before? How many times was your fiancé married before?
    3) What’s your fiancé’s job?

    She said « Well, I don’t see any reason why I should not approve you »

    I was briefed on the lead time it will take to get my passport back with the visa and that was it.

    Very simple and quick procedure.

    I kept my answers short but precised. I was not nervous and smiled a bit here and there (not overdoing it).

    If your case is a genuine one, you don’t have to worry!

  • Destiny
    4 years ago · Reply

    So my fiancé and I just got the acceptance for the petition. Now we are waiting for the visa to go to the NVC then we will be getting the date for the interview. But I can’t figure out what information I need to obtain. Can you help me figure out what I need.

    Please and thank you.

  • Joulie
    4 years ago · Reply

    So as I am waiting for my NOA2, I have been reading up on the Police Clearance. I am the petitioner, so my fiance the benificiary living in Lebanon. I thought the NVC does their own background check on both of us. is the PCC somethign we need to work on or is the NVC going to get it on their own?

  • Linda
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hi. I am investigating requirements for Affidavit of Support. I have already filed the I-129F and waiting for approval. My question is just to be clear, it is okay to meet 100% of the poverty guidelines and not the 125%? The I-864 differentiates between active duty and “all other sponsors.” My concern is that I have been a graduate student the past couple of years and not been able to work full time because of unpaid internship hour requirements. My fiancé and I recently had the conversation that his child may come with him. I meet the 100% guideline, but I am just under the 125% and I am not active duty. I also do not have a joint sponsor. I am wondering if I can show the school loan money I received as income? Also, I will have my Master’s degree before the interview. Can I show that as proof of income potential? I hope to have a new job by that time as well! Thank you.

  • Corgi
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hello! Thank you for all the information I find it very useful.

    I have one very important question. My fiance (US citizen) and I are filing K1, we are waiting for NOA2, our interview will be at Ciudad Juarez Consulate in Mexico, we are having a religious ceremony and we know it will be probably before the interview as we already have the date, venue, etc. I have been stressed because recently I have seen some posts about people saying that holding a religious ceremony is risky and you may get denied your K1 application, but a religious ceremony isn’t a legal way to get married in Mexico, there is even information about it on the US embassy website: https://mx.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/marriage/

    It states the following: “If an American Citizen plans to marry in Mexico, he/she must follow all the applicable rules and laws of Mexico. A marriage will be recognized in the United States as long as it is apostilled and translated. Only marriages performed by Civil Registry Officials (not religious officials) are considered legal and valid in Mexico.”

    I know I should not…

    [CONTENT OMITTED BY VISATUTOR]

    … but I don’t know if that can be mentioned without raising a red flag during the interview or should my sole purpose be JUST getting married and intend to return to my home country after the marriage?

    Thanks a lot

  • Mia
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hello !!!
    My interview in couple days ! So unbelievable !:) I’m very excited and nervous! It was confusing moment in our case, I got instructions and interview date in same letter even before we filled DS-160 ! So we filled forms and send it after my interview scheduled..
    I’ll do my best and write you here !)
    Thank you for your help !

    Respectfully,
    fiancée from Azerbaijan

  • Joulie
    4 years ago · Reply

    ok so I am preparing the paperwork for the interview (I-134) why do they make these questions soooo confusing. On page 4 question 26-29. i never applied before, technically my fiance is the first. do i need to fill his info in? It’s confusing because i dunno if they are asking me if i filed previous to him or previous to filing that form.

    The other question is on the same page Question 38. everyone seems to be clicking yes and writing information on the last page(page 8) “N/A (K1 Visa Process For Permanent Residence)” should i do that too? i intend to support him but i am not sure what that they mean” I intend to make specific contributions”?

  • Marie
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hi everyone. I received the NVC letter about a month ago now (i’m the visa beneficiary). In it, it said that the US Embassy will contact me. However, I do not know if I was supposed to fill the DS-160 form in which it says that it is the first step to the process. I’m really lost.
    I’m looking forward to your answer,

    Marie

  • Kris
    4 years ago · Reply

    Hello,

    I had an interview for K 1 yesterday. I didnt grt the visa becaus I had a missing G325 form. They gave me a paper and told me to fill in the form and submit it so they can continue.

    My fiance should fill it as well. Can he sign it electronically or it should be with a pen?

  • Joulie Sleiman
    4 years ago · Reply

    Have you heard anything about this new Form they started giving out around the interview DS-5535? I am not sure if this is given out for just spousal or other visa related applicants, I am curious because I am hearing lots of delays 6-7 months delay after interview. Please inform us how long the process is. I know it’s new and it’s part of Trump’s new immigration policy. any info will help!! I am concerned that this will delay my fiance from arriving this summer.

  • Daisy
    6 years ago · Reply

    What if I can’t speak English well?

  • Ayan
    7 years ago · Reply

    This information is a great resource for many couples who are going through the K-1 process. I have gone through it and it was very confusing and nerve wrecking! Keep up the good work! Let me know if you need anything, I am always willing to help a fellow K-1 survivor 🙂

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