What document do you need to prepare for the Fiance visa Interview?

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Download this checklist to prepare your K visa interview packet and avoid delays or denials

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In this detailed article, you’ll get a downloadable checklist to help prepare your packet for the K-1 visa interview.

Why use a checklist in the first place? Well, it turns out that missing documents are the # 1 reason for denials or delay at the Fiance K-1 visa interview. Yes, you heard right. 

Missing, incomplete or inadequate paperwork is the 221(g), the most-cited reason that consular officers turn away fiance visa couples because they’re unprepared. 

So, be sure that you’ve got all the paperwork, documents and evidence necessary to get approved. 

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Statistics reveal: being unprepared is the # 1 reason for Fiance visa denials or delays

Believe the numbers.

Statistics say being unprepared is the # 1 reason for delays or denials. 76% of the time couples are turned away because Consular officers don’t see applicants walk in with the complete set of documents. 

Either we miss out translations, notarizations, copies, or if we have red flags, then we don’t provide enough evidence to convince them we’re a legitimate couple. 

The default response of the officer is to place you in Administrative Processing while they “process” your case further.

This whole thing is such a big phenomena, that I wrote about it in detail in another article (How to prevent the top reason for K-1 visa denial).

Source: “9 FAM 502.7-3(C)(3) K Visa Documentary and Clearance Requirements” 

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The complete Fiance K-1 visa interview checklist

This list of documents come from official directions from the US embassy from all over the world. I took time to go through dozens of their instructions and even from the FAM to compile it.

It’s broken into three segments: 

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• ❒ Documents you absolutely need – paperwork that all applicants must have when they show up for their scheduled K visa interview.
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• ❒ Documents you may need – paperwork required only if certain things apply to you.
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• ❒ Documents specific to each country – required paperwork only if you’re going to a certain Embassy or country (doesn’t apply to everyone).

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Download the K-1 visa interview checklist 

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Documents you MUST have…

(Required checklist from everyone. Check Civil Reciprocity tables for details)

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1. ✔ Passport – A current, valid passport for all including K-2 visa children. Bring any old or expired as well. Get them renewed if the passports are expiring within the next 6-8 months. If all goes well during your K visa interview, the embassy will stick a visa stamp within one of these pages.
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2. ✔ Passport size photos – Passport size 2 inch by 2 inch photos for all applicants including K-2 children.
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3. ✔ Birth Certificate – Birth Certificates of all applicants or secondary evidence if not available. Some embassies require birth certificates of all your children under 21 even if they apply for a K-2 visa “follow to join” later.
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4. ✔ DS-160 Confirmation Page – Only the page with barcode & confirmation number.
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5. ✔ Police Clearance – A PCC from all countries where you lived for more than 6 months after the age of 16. This also applies to any K-2 Children over 16.
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6. ✔ Medical Exam Report – Bring the sealed medical exam report. Sometimes the physician will deliver the report directly to the Embassy on their own. Notice that K-2 children have their own separate reports.
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7. ✔ I-134 Affidavit of Support – Affidavit of Support and supporting documents. Don’t forget tax returns (transcripts), paystubs, bank statements, letter of employment if necessary. This applies to a joint sponsor as well. Each applicant including K-2 children need to be supported.
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8. ✔ Proof of Relationship – A compilation of your primary and secondary evidence. See how to prepare proof of relationship for the visa interview.
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9. ✔ Proof of Visa Fee payment – Evidence that you paid the visa fee for all applicants. This includes proof of biometrics (if required) done before the interview. You can pay through various methods (online, in person, or through a bank).
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10. ✔ Approval notice – Your I-129F and NVC approval letters (I-797). This is good to have as a backup although not explicitly required containing your case number and details.
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11. ✔ Interview appointment letter – Proof your appointment is scheduled for that day. Normally, you get one from an email printout or whichever method the embassy sends you a notice (sometimes USTravelDocs.com or AIS.US-visa.info)
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12. ✘ DS-5540 “Public charge Questionnaire” (discontinued, this form is no longer required) – It was a supplemental form, required on a case-by-case basis, to demonstrate that the incoming beneficiary won’t become a “public charge”. One of the main requirements for a “positive factor” is having health insurance. 

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Documents Required by a specific Embassy…

(On a country-by-country basis. Check each embassy specifically). 

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1. ✔ Specific Embassy requirements – Certain documents apply specifically to your country or Embassy. Check USEmbassy.gov for specific requirements. For example, in the Philippines, you need a CENOMAR. In Brazil, you need the “marriageable statement certificate”. However, not all Embassies require such documents.

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Documents you MAY need…

(Depending on individual circumstances. Check Civil Reciprocity tables)

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1. ✔ Previous US Immigration – all documents if the beneficiary or K-2 children have been (or tried to go) to the US. Including, but not limited to: visa applications, deportations, Customs, bars, Green cards, etc.
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2. ✔ Divorce / Death documents – all documents if the beneficiary or petitioner have been divorced or have had deaths of former spouses.
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3. ✔ Name change evidence – all documents if you’ve had a name change due to marriage, divorce, adoption, legal court order, etc. Birth certificates and passports are important for these.
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4. ✔ Custody of Children – if applicable, bring custody agreement documents if K-2 visa children are under age. This may include parental consent forms. See my website for directions on how to get them.
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5. ✔ Adoption documents – all documents if either the beneficiary or his/her K-2 children have been adopted.
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6. ✔ Prison or Court records – all documents if the beneficiary or K-2 children have  police, court or prison records. Your information should be clear, complete, and match with the DS-160.
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7. ✔ Military Service – documents if you served or are discharged from military service.
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8. ✔ Originals, certified copies, notarizations, and translations – all documents must be as required by the Embassy. Many times you must bring the original + photocopy. Follow the rules on the Embassy checklist. If needed, get them notarized, certified or translated.
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9. ✔ Special statements – although not required or enforced everywhere, sometimes the US Consulate will specifically ask for a written statement from the US petitioner in regards to something crucial. Common examples include that in the Philippines, the US petitioner is required to submit a written statement that he/she is aware of the beneficiary’s current pregnancy. Other times, they require a fresh letter of “intent to marry”. This is specific to situations and to certain embassies. You will be directed by the Consular officer at your interview which statements they require specifically from you.
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10. ✔ Copy of I-129F packet – although not required, it’s a good idea to bring a copy of your I-129F packet for your record.

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How to prepare the final packets for the K visa interview

Time and again, couples go to the K visa interview, sit next to other K visa applicants and are shocked at how others look nervous and disorganized. 

Meanwhile the ones who are organized feel ready, confident and in control.

But it’s not just about looking neat. It also helps you remain calm. Imagine not having to rummage through paperwork looking nervous if the embassy staff ask for your I-134 Affidavit of support (which you buried in somewhere your folder).

So, to help, here are some “do’s” and “don’ts”:

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Do this – 

• ● Organize your paperwork in different packets: required paperwork (like passports, birth certificates, etc.) all in one folder. Then have proof of relationship, the I-134, and supporting documents in different folders.
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• ● Use adhesive tabs to separate paperwork and folders so they’re easier to pull out when needed
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• ● Use binder clips, paperclips, etc.
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• ● Print single sided. Make clear, legible copies (preferably color). Make copies. Rehearse the questions/answers. Know the location of all documents 

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Don’t do this – 

• ● Shrink paperwork or text
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• ● Staple unless necessary
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• ● Mix documents or statements
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• ● Leave it up to the last day

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Gather up documents, prepare for the K visa interview

Statistics say that being unprepared is the # 1 reason for fiance visa delays or denials. So, you should be diligent in preparations. 

Use my checklist to help you collect and organize your visa interview packet. As you go through the list, mark off what you have and move to the next line item.

Download the K-1 visa interview checklist 

It’s great to separate out documents in categories and packets. Do one for the main required documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.). Then create others for Proof of relationship, the I-134, and so on.

If you’d like more in-depth help on preparing your paperwork, sign up below to get more helpful tips, guides, and step-by-step guides just like this. 

As a bonus, you’ll get my 6 categories of questions they ask at the K visa interview.

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