What happens after your Fiance visa case (I-129F) is approved
Approval of your Fiance visa petition (I-129F) is just half the journey. Take a deep breath. Here’s how you prepare for the final K-1 visa interview…
Nothing compares to the feeling when your Fiance visa petition (I-129F) is approved. It means you’re one step closer to being with your fiance. The USCIS has given their “O.K.” for you to apply for a K-1 visa.
While excitedly looking at that (I-797) letter in your hands now, are you picturing your fiance landing at the airport now? you standing there with flowers to greet him or her?
That day isn’t far away. Want to make sure that all comes true? (see what happens when you file your I-129F to the USCIS. What do they do with your forms?)
Steps after I-129F approval
After an I-129F petition approval, there are still 2 major steps remaining. Let’s walk through them step by step. Because it’s important to get them right otherwise, instead of a quick, painless approval — you’re going to see major delays or denial.
Let’s see an overview at the process after your I-129F petition is approved. Here are the three main steps:
- (1) USCIS forwards approved Fiance visa Petition. The USCIS reviews, processes and validates your I-129F petition for an Alien Fiance. After all RFE issues have been dealt with, they approve your case. It’s then sent to the National Visa Center (NVC, still in the US) for processing.
- (2) NVC Processes Case. The NVC performs background checks and assigns a case number. They send your case overseas to the selected US Consulate with all your case details.
- (3) US Consulate/Embassy processes case. This Consulate, Post or Embassy performs the final processing, criminal checks and interview before a K-1 visa is granted. This is where it really counts. The “final exam” before you’re approved.
After approval of I-129F by the USCIS
So, let’s go back and look at the first step. Following several months of waiting (and feeling like they forgot about you), the USCIS finally informs you that they’ve approved your I-129F Fiance visa petition.
Depending on your preferences, you get notified in different ways. Then they immediately forward your approved case to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Email, text message. You’re alerted in your email inbox or by text message. If you choose case status updates, the USCIS informs you of a “post decision activity”. In it, it says that the USCIS approved your fiance visa petition.
- Mail. You’re mailed an approval Notice of Action I-797 (NOA) with details of your fiance visa petition. The rest of the letter describes how the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). Tip: keep this notice safe, you’ll need it when you file the Adjustment of Status (I-485) after marriage.
An I-129F approval is not a K-1 visa approval
Before we get too far ahead, let’s cover an important clarification. Getting your petition approved by the USCIS doesn’t mean your fiance already has the K-1 visa. These are two very different things.
The petition approval is only half the journey. It means your case has being accepted for K-1 visa eligibility. Honestly, this was the “easy” part.
The remainder of the K-1 visa process involves security checks and documents of the foreign beneficiary. The results of which gets decided at the visa interview at the Consulate. That’s the “tough” part.
So, let’s get back to the process. What happens when your case is completed by the USCIS and it’s received by the NVC?
The National Visa Center (NVC) processes case
This NVC reviews your case following approval of the I-129F. Their main job is to give a fresh look to your case, perform background checks, input your details into the Department of State’s database, and finally assign you a case number.
You’re not actively required to do anything during the entire NVC process.
It’s not glorious and unfortunately that’s why petitioners don’t follow much through this process. That’s a huge mistake.
It’s very important for you to keep track and make sure your case is in and out of the NVC in a timely fashion.
What the NVC does
- 1. Receives and reviews your case
- 2. Assigns a case #
- 3. Performs background checks (yet, again)
- 4. Forwards your packet to a US Embassy overseas where your fiance has an interview
- 5. Mails you an approval notice that your case has been sent abroad
Your duty is to follow up with the NVC. Be warned that many times entire petitions are “lost” either in transit or at the NVC. Don’t risk waiting several months to realize something is wrong.
The US Embassy processes case
At this point, your approved I-129F petition makes your foreign fiance eligible to apply for a K-1 visa.
The final leg of the Fiance K-1 visa journey is the Consulate phase. The Consulate repeats much of the same process in terms of background checks and eligibility verification. However, they’re much more in-depth.
How the US Embassy processes your K-1 case
- 1. Receives and Processes. The embassy receives your case, reviews it and performs even more security checks. Your name and your fiance’s name are matched against databases. When all is complete, they take the next step.
- 2. Send K-1 visa packet. They mail out (or email) the K-1 visa packet to the beneficiary fiance. Your foreign fiance is invited to apply for the K-1. The packet contain instructions for the steps to take. At this point it becomes a K-1 application (not an I-129F anymore).
- 3. The foreign beneficiary collects all required documents and applies for a K-1 visa, including:
- ✦ Supporting documents (Passport, birth certificates, etc.)
- ✦ DS-160 (filed online)
- ✦ Police Clearance
- ✦ Medical Exam Report
- ✦ Affidavit of Support (I-134)
- ✦ Proof of Relationship
- ✦ Visa payment receipt
- ✦ Much more…depending on your situation (for example, divorce documents).
- 4. Schedule interview. When you’re done gathering paperwork, you schedule an interview. This is the dreaded K-1 visa interview. Where you’re face to face with someone who decides your fate. The beneficiary gets interviewed with questions regarding eligibility and relationship. Any and all criminal history (petitioner’s) is discussed.
- 5. K-1 visa approval or denial. The officer makes a decision on the K-1 visa application (approval or denial). All documents will be considered and your bona fide relationship evaluated.
If everything is in order, the visa application is approved. In the following days, you receive a visa packet with your passport/visa and sealed medical exam results. Your fiance can literally take the next flight to the US.
If there is a problem in the interview, there can be denials. We don’t want that. Because a denial means you repeat the entire process — totally starting from scratch: months of more agonizing waiting, fees, and another interview.
And worse, no guarantee you’ll get approved next time. Many times, the same problems get couples denied the second time.
How to get a K-1 visa approval
Consider the K-1 interview similar to a college final exam. You’ve studied all year for this one chance to graduate. You should go in there 100% confident that you’re going to be approved. You know how much it means to both of you.
Now, I have to tell you some bad news. Denial rates have gotten more frequent over the years due to “extreme vetting” and tighter immigration policies. The K-1 visa is not “easy” as it used to be and definitely not quick anymore.
Professionals, lawyers or anyone else cannot pick up the phone and get you an approval. You really have to earn this yourself by virtue of documents and a genuine relationship. Even one missing document can be an excuse for a delay/denial.
Take the lead and make sure you get approved. All my readers agree that my step-by-step online tutorial helped them the most. Where you go at your own pace in a guide that holds your hand through each step. What to do, how to gather documents, how to prepare for the interview and pass without a problem.
No guessing, no confusion. Just plain-English steps to follow even if you have red flags (you know… age difference, quick relationship, etc.). It’s all based on actual laws and procedures for all countries.
Plus, a ton of insider tips (that I’ve picked up over the years) to boost your chances of a quick, solid approval.
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August 17, 2018 at 12:25 pm on I mailed my I-129F petition. What’s next?Hi, I submitted my I-129f December 2018 and it’s in...
August 17, 2018 at 8:30 am on I-129F Sample Form (Petition for Alien Fiance)they approved my 129f k1 last august 8..and they say...
Thanks Prem
Your articles are always very explicit and it makes things easier for some of us. Thanks for the time you take to make us understand and prepare during this distressing process.
Thanks Alio,
I’m glad you find them useful in the distressing process. What is the latest with your case so far?
-Prem
My fiancé and I have waited 5 months for the approval yet we still haven’t gotten any word for uscis. Is there anything I can do to speed things up?
Hey Destiny,
I know it’s very depressing to wait several months and feel like they forgot about you. For most people, there’s no way to expedite the I-129F processing. The best you can do is to avoid delays. You can read further here https://www.visatutor.com/preventk1delays/
The other is — if you’re curious — to know what the USCIS is actually doing at this point, you can read about it here and why they take so long…https://www.visatutor.com/i-mailed-my-i-129f-petition-whats-next/
Overall you can expect a 6-7 month wait as you can see lots of other couples talk about it here: https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-petition-uscis-case-processing-charts/
Hope this helps
-Prem
Greetings to all on this wonderful Journey,
I wish everyone lots of luck. I had never before heard of the k-1 process until I was calling the consulate overseas. I met my fiancé through a family friend and when I met him and got to know him I fell in love like many of you have done with your SO. I filed the K-1 petition in July and after an RFE in March because of lack of my passport photo and letter of intent we were then approved in March. By the time NVC reviewed our forms and the consulate received the hardcopy of the petition from NVC our interview date was the 1st week of May 2018.
So my fiancé goes to his interview and feels confident about each question and response and as well as that we have tons of evidence to back up our relationship. At the conclusion of the interview he asks them, “ Did I pass the interview”? Instead of a response he was handed a 221g yellow form and was left speechless. The Consulate Officer told him that the visa was refused at this time but that they were going to take everything for further review and then get back to him. The CO kept his passport and told him to fill out online where he would like to retrieve his passport when Administrative Processing is over.
Meanwhile in the US, I’m sitting here anxiously at work waiting for his call on FB messenger and after 2-3 hrs I started to feel uneasy. When he told me the type of response that was given at the conclusion of the interview I felt so sick and faint I left work at lightning speed. We talked about what happened as we both felt scared and were trying to fight tears. After speaking to my fiancé I called Prem, the superhero, and he was able to reassure me and told me to keep checking with NVC to see what their updates was over the coming days and to call or e-mail the consulate with reference to our receipt# in the calls and e-mails. My goodness everyone, speaking to Prem really helped me. It was like he threw a bunch of water on a fire. I called the NVC that day and the people on the phone are very sympathetic and understanding the words they used are so comforting I didn’t feel like I was speaking to a complete stranger thousands of miles away from CA. The NVC told me to stay on top of contacting the Consulate for definite answers. From fri-sun I kept emailing the consulate and I tried to get answers for the heck a 221(g) yellow form is, the purpose of not being given clear answers from the CO, if my fiancé passed the interview, ect. I think a total of seven emails went back and forth the next couple days. But in the last e-mail the consulate admitted that he was supposed to pick up not only his passport, but my documents, and his VISA 🙂 and after reading that in the e-mail on the NVC website the status changed to ‘Issued’.
I felt like I had won my life back
.
So now I am preparing for his soon arrival and our wedding ceremony in July 2018.
I will say this to everyone. Yes the process does cost a bit. I was fortunate that my fiancé paid for his airline tickets, police clearance/medical/visa. I am paying for the wedding and AOS/work permit. Even though I’m on a tight budget and can’t have the wedding of my dreams like many others in this process I’m still at peace because I found my soulmate. Someone I can’t live without and my future only exists with him in my life together in each other’s presence. I never knew that I was ready for marriage until we met.
After our wedding later on when we’ve saved enough we’ll have a small party, take a trip, ect. But my advice to everyone is to stay strong. Keep loving each other and don’t let any negativity about the process get between you and your fiancé. I’m so glad we both were capable of doing so. And for sure, you’ll be approved across the board as well.
P.S. my fiance’s Consulate is in Fiji and wishing all love, approval, and wedding bells.
Hey AD,
Thanks for sharing your story. I remember when you and I first started talking, it was still in your early stages where you had just sent in your paperwork. And now it’s been so many months and you two are already done and almost married. I’m glad you shared your story.
It’s easy to realize two things after reading your story: (1) we all have some level of difficulty and emotional battles to face in the K visa process because of the long distance relationships and the hectic immigration system (2) research and preparations go a long way. I know you were very diligent in researching, preparing, and contacting the Embassy to get the case 100% complete if something came up.
So, congratulations… it’s well deserved.
For anyone reading this, I’d also ask them to share their own stories, emotions, and struggles in their K visa process. Let’s get this done together. That’s why I made this website!
-Prem
Hi! I received an email containing my reference case number, that the petition is now at my local US embassy. Also, it mentioned about my upcoming immigrant visa interview. can i now make an appointment schedule at the US embassy using the email letter sent or do i still have to wait for the “physical” letter to arrive?
Hello Aimie,
usually you can being scheduling your medical, PCC, and all other requirements with your case #. You can print it out yourself and use this document. The one they mail you will be similar to the one you can download from the USEmbassy.gov website.
-Prem
Hello!
On may 10th my fiancé and I were approved our I129F K1 visa.
What is next… do I need to contact the NVC now or wait?!?
My fiancé works on cruise ships here in America and is due to return back next week. We don’t know if he should stay home in his country or return to ships until our NVC letter arrives…. HELP!
Hey Alicia,
Congratulations on the approval. As you’ve read in this article, you don’t contact the NVC right away. You must give 2-3 weeks for them to get the delivery and process it before they can issue you a case #. I know it’s very exciting, but you have to wait a few more weeks before taking the next step.
If you read the timeline, you will see that the NVC takes roughly 4-6 weeks to process your case. The Embassy will take another 2 weeks to get the case. So, try to figure out from that timeline when you should start making a move or decide to stay home or not.
-Prem
Hello,
Our I-129f petition was approved on January 31st and is due to expire on May 31st, we thought it would take long for the Dublin Embassy to send out our visa packet so I visited my fiancee in the U.S. for a few weeks. I have all my documents ready and my medical on the 17th May. They said it takes 7-10 days for the results to come back so I’m estimating May 28th/29th to submit my letter of readiness. Is this OK as everything will be done and ready and submitted before the expiration date or should I apply for an extension? If I need to apply for an extension how do I go about doing that in Ireland?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Hello Mae,
Congratulations on the approval. I’m curious — why’d you wait so long to begin the K-1 application process. I see you got approved by the end of January. That means if the NVC was done by the beginning of March, then the Embassy should’ve had your case by mid March. This means you could’ve filed a while back — almost 2 months ago. But, regardless there’s no harm done. I’m assuming that’s the time you spent with your fiance here in the US?
In any case, yes, you’re allowed to ask for an extension. Quite honestly, there’s no problem with just emailing the US Embassy and informing them that you’re still intending to apply for a K-1 visa and that your I-129F is going to expire soon. Ask for an extension (if need be) and you should be able to easily get it. From my experience, they’re very easy with extension requests. They will give you another 4 months (typically) to keep going with the K-1. In which case, you’ll already be done with it.
Hope this helped
-Prem
Hey there,
my i-129F got approved. I know the medical exam asks about previous incidences of self-harm. My fiance was in a severely battered abusive relationship that ended 6-7 years ago, and due to duress she had cut herself on that one ocassion. She successfilly completed treatment with a Doctor and was discharged accordingly. She will take a letter stating she is of no harm to herself and that she has no mental disorder. I hear that is important for the case officer to see.
Have you seen/heard of these issues in the medical phase with other applicants? I am told that so long as she is in good health today and has supporting documentation, she should be just fine.
That is the only ? on her side of the coin. I have a single misdemeanor possession of marijuana criminal conviction. My petition got through, and I know they look for more serious crimes.
Any chance her medical issue and my one blemish on my record can cause grounds for denial? My understanding is that they want to make sure it is a bonafide relationship (which we have mountains of evidence of) as well as that the Beneficiary won’t be a harm to the public or a public charge (which she isn’t she will have medical and professional character references).
Thanks!
Hello Amit,
Thanks for discussing your issue, and I’ll try my best to shed light on the topic. When your fiance has the medical exam, at the physician’s discretion, they may ask her a few questions to evaluate mental health. If there’s a reason for the physician to suspect that there may be some psychological issues, then they may ask further questions or refer her to a specialist.
The physician may or may not see the scars and may or may not ask about it. However, it’s important for your fiance to bring the supporting documentation to show to the physician that she has been treated for this before. My hope is that the physician will take everything into account and give her a ‘clean bill of health’.
Furthermore, once the medical is completed, the physician jots down notes on the exam and anything they’d like to disclose to the Embassy. At which point, it’s up to the discretion of the Consular officer how they would like to proceed with implementing their recommendation.
All in all, to me it seems like if her psychological health is good at this point in time, then it’s no need to worry about the medical exam. Especially since she has supporting documentation to prove she’s fit. But it’s your obligation and responsibility to disclose the information to the physician and Embassy if they inquire about the past. I hope this helps clarify the issue. let me know your thoughts
-Prem
Thank you so much ??? I’m feeling better now after I read all your ans. Thank you very much?? Godbless you❤️❤️
So it could be possible me and my child can go to US together? I read some articles online that the k2 wl wait for one year or more before they follow On u in US is that true?
Hello Sherlyn,
The K-1 and K-2 visas are usually issued together. So, your child will be able to come with you to the US. The 1-year issue you read about was an option you have if you want to delay your child coming to the US (for any reason). It’s an option, not the rule. If you want to read about the K-2 process, see here https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k-1-visa/k2-visa/
and you can read about the optional k-2 following to join https://www.visatutor.com/k2-visa-follow-join/
-Prem
Hi I just want to ask help ,,my fiance filed a petition to me and to my our child and we got a approved but we found out later on that the I-129f of my fiancé submitted is he accidentally didn’t put the name of our child ,so what should we do ..
Hello Sherlyn,
You’re allowed to include children for a K-2 visa after submitting the I-129F. All you would need to do is submit the DS-160 for each child, pay visa fees, get medical/pcc, etc. for the children after informing the US Embassy that there are children you’d like to include in your case. You can read about the K-2 situation here https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k-1-visa/k2-visa/
-Prem
Hi ! This is Mia again )
I have another question and I didn’t see anything about it on this website..
Well , I have 5 years old kid.
Do I need to take my kid with me on interview? Because no one answered my question and we have to travel to another country for interview , I just wanted to to know so I need to take kid with me there..
What do I need to know after I-129F was approved, when I have kid (K1-k2 )
Hey Mia,
All K-2 children are required to submit the DS-160 and pay visa fees. Usually, they’re required to attend the interview. Unless the US Embassy instructions specifically tell you that they’re not required to attend, you should assume your child/children must attend.
You can find the k-2 section here https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k-1-visa/k2-visa/
keep in mind, the PCC may or may not be required depending on age. However, the medical is usually required regardless of age. Again, all of the specific instructions are spelled out for your particular US Embassy.
-Prem
I know I have to wait 5-7 months next month will be three months that we have waited. What do I do if we do get approval?
Hi Destiny,
After I-129F approval, you can follow the steps according to this guide to schedule the interview. You will wait for NVC processing, then Embassy processing, and begin the process on your own. All of this is explained above.
-Prem
I read that after 50-75 days you need to call and do a verbal check on your case status. Is this true?
Hi Destiny,
You’re not required to verbally check any case status. After your case has been approved by the NVC, you can check the status online through the CEAC website. However, you may want to jump ahead and get your case # by calling the NVC after the USCIS has approved your case. Is that what you’re referring to?
-Prem
They have lost my case after the approval, so I waited another 4 months for the NVC to get it. Now it is 10 days they got it, but we still have no case number.
Hello ,
My case was approved in November 2017 and I have no update ever since. I contacted the USCIS and the NVC hundred times and still nothing.
I call them on weekly basis and they tell me to wait a month for the answer, I do wait but again nothing happens.
In February the NCV said they contacted the USCIS and USCIS said that they have emailed the notice in February 12, but after a month I call the USCIS and they tell me they haven’t sent anything to NVC yet.
Hello An,
Sorry to hear that. Didn’t they say before that they knew you got approved and sent everything over? Now, there’s no development and they’re pointing fingers at each other? Well, the best I can say is that it’s most likely lost somewhere. Did you happen to save a copy of your I-129F?
I would suggest you give them a call and speak to the highest tier officer to get this sorted once and for all. Keep in mind an approved I-129F petition is valid for only 4 months. Your I-129F approval could have expired already, so use that as an “urgency” situation to get them to act. They will most likely have to extend the approval. Let us know what happens.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
Two questions,
Do you have an estimate time form when the Interview and the approval of yhe K1?
Txs
Alicia
Hi Alicia,
You will see all about the time estimate here: https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k-1-visa/fiancee-k-1-visa-process/k1-visa-timeline/
or if you’re wondering about the i-129F processing, see here: https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-petition-uscis-case-processing-charts/
Let me know if that didn’t answer your question
-Prem
Yes, they said I should wait. It was my approval notice, which they send you ater somw 5-7 months .
Thank you.
Hi Anna,
I see you got approved but they never “got” your paperwork. Just send in a copy of your approval letter and wait until they respond. Hopefully, they’ll resume processing.
Remember, it’s your case. You have to see this through. The agencies may get “lazy”. So be sure to keep tabs on them. If they don’t respond soon, contact them again.
-Prem
Yes they contacted me saying they dont have my case (NVC) and they will contact USCIS to see where my case is.
Great. Please keep us informed!
Hi,
I got an email from NVC after contacting them. They said they contacted USCIS and they said the case is on its way to NVC.
Nice work, Kristan.
I’m glad you followed up and made them work. So, now at least you know your case is safe and on it’s way. Thanks for reaffirming my motto: “it’s your case and your future”. It’s all up to you. No one else puts in the time, energy or dedication to your case like you will.
Cheers and let us know when the NVC gets it.
-Prem
Hello,
My issue was that after USCIS approved my case I didn’t have any update after 2.5 month. I contacted NVC as advised here, and they had no idea where my case was. They didn’t even get it. They asked to send them the approval notice and they will notify me in 15 days time.
Is this just delay, or something might be wrong.
Thanks,
An
Hi An,
That’s hard to tell if it’s a delay or something is wrong. I even suspect that it may be lost in transit. Send the NVC the approval letter at once so they can track it down. It could even be that they’re backed up and haven’t actually looked at your case yet. Either way, after you send them your letter, they can track it down. Let us know what develops after you send it.
-Prem
Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
And in case it is lost, should I start everything from the beginning or will they just consider my approval notice and go on from there?
I sent them the notice , they said they would update me in 15 days.
Hi An,
It’s unlikely that your case is lost. However, it’s a rare possibility. In all likeliness, the packet is just sitting on someone’s shelf waiting to be picked up.
However, if in case it is lost, you’re not under obligation to resubmit your paperwork because it wasn’t your fault. Just send your approval notice to the NVC and they’ll run the process there.
You’ll have to wait for the NVC to respond. Secondly, just to make sure… you got an approval notice i-797, correct? it wasn’t a receipt, right I-797c?
-Prem