how to get a fiance visa lawyer

How do you apply for a fiance visa?

Your fiancé visa petition will also need to include:

• Proof of petitioner's U.S. citizenship status. ...
• Photos. You must submit one passport-style color photograph of yourself and one passport-style color photograph of your fiancé, two by two inches in size, showing your current appearance. ...
• Fee. ...

How much does a fiance visa cost?

How much do fiance visas cost? Fiancé or K-1 visa cost: $2,025 The U.S. citizen partner completes the appropriate government form (I-129F – “petition for a K-1 Visa”), and mails it to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with the $535 filing fee.

What are the requirements for a fiance visa?

• Completed Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. ...
• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. ...
• Birth certificate.
• Divorce or death certificate (s) of any previous spouse (s) for both you and the U.S. ...

More items...

How to apply for a fiance visa?

• Provide you with a detailed tailored document checklist;
• Provide you with a set of tailored letter templates;
• Provide general email support for you and your partner’s fiancé (e) visa application.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for K-1 visa?

An attorney who is familiar with the K1 fiancé visa process can help to ensure that all of your forms are filled out correctly, that you submit the appropriate documents, and that you do not experience avoidable delays in the processing of your case.

Can a lawyer speed up K-1 visa?

The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.

How much does it cost to file a fiancé visa?

Fiancé or K-1 visa cost: $2,025 The U.S. citizen partner completes the appropriate government form (I-129F – “petition for a K-1 Visa”), and mails it to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with the $535 filing fee.

How hard is it to get a fiancé visa approved?

So Is it Difficult to Apply for a K1 visa? The approval of the K1 visa may vary from case to case according to circumstances, and in most cases can be denied or delayed simply because of the applicant's fault for not being able to provide the correct information or follow instructions.

How long does it take to get a fiancé visa 2021?

To provide a quick recap on the K1 visa processing time, it takes about 8 months to 1 year to get your K1 visa. Once you are in the United States on your K1 visa, it takes about another 7 to 9 months to get your green card and become a permanent resident.

Are K1 visas suspended 2021?

However, K-1 visas are still being processed in a timely manner, and you can expect only slight changes to the standard processing times in 2021 and beyond.

How much does a 90 day fiancé visa cost?

All About the K-1 Visa | Fiance Visa | 90 Day Visa It costs $535. The medical examination, which costs around $200, but the price may change depending on the medical service center. The actual K-1 visa application. It costs $265.

How long does fiancé visa take 2020?

The exact K-1 fiancé processing times can vary, but many applicants are able to enter the United States within 6 to 9 months. There are multiple steps and the process is handled by multiple agencies from (USCIS) to the National Visa Center to the U.S. Department of State.

Is it better to get a fiancé visa or spouse visa?

Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.

How often do fiancé visas get denied?

According to those statistics, approximately 20,000 K-1 fiancées/fiancés every year are denied visas when they go to their interviews at the embassy. This is nearly 40% of the total number of K-1 visa applicants. And while eventually many of them are able to overcome the initial denial, some do not.

How much money do you have to make to sponsor a K-1 visa?

In dollars and cents, this means that you must have stable earnings of at least $16,910 per year for a two-person household (in 2019) to qualify as financial sponsor for a fiancé(e) visa petition, and you must have stable earnings of at least $21,137 per year for a two-person household to qualify as financial sponsor ...

How long a fiancé visa takes?

It takes 10-13 months on average (as of April 2022) for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process Form I-129F (technically called the “Petition for Alien Fiancé”), and an additional 3-4 weeks to receive instructions from the National Visa Center (NVC) to continue the process.

How much does a k1 fiancé visa cost?

The government filing fees for getting a K-1 visa is $800 or $2,025 for the K-1 visa and the “Adjustment of Status” form required to transfer from a K-1 visa to a green card after arriving in the United States. This does not include the typical cost of the required medical examination, which varies by provider.

What documents are needed for a fiancé visa?

The documents you'll need for your fiancé(e) visa applicationProof of citizenship for the U.S. citizen fiancé(e)Copy of sponsored fiancé(e)'s passport.Evidence of terminated marriages, where needed.Proof of meeting within 2 years of applying.Evidence of legal name change, where applicable.More items...

How long is the processing time for fiancé visa?

The processing time for a K-1 fiancé visa is 19 months as of June 2022, based on feedback from more than 1,000 Boundless couples. *The U.S. Embassy Packet of Instructions, which arrives via regular mail or email, instructs you on everything you need to do before the interview.

What are the requirements for a U.S. fiancé visa?

You may be eligible to bring your fiancé(e) to the United States on a fiancé(e) visa if you meet the following requirements:You are a U.S. citizen;You and your fiancé(e) intend to marry one another within 90 days of your fiancé(e)'s admission to the United States on a K-1 nonimmigrant visa;More items...•

Why Do I Need a K-1 Visa Lawyer?

VisaNation Law Group K-1 visa lawyers have assisted several clients with complex situations and have successfully obtained K-1 visas for foreign citizen fiancé (e)s.

Why is my visa denied?

Another reason why your visa might be denied is if the immigration officer at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy is not convinced of the legitimacy of your engagement. Unfortunately, this can easily happen if there has been a high number of fraudulent applicants coming from your particular country.

How to get a K-3 visa for a foreign citizen?

Once the U.S. embassy or consulate where the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) will apply, receives the petition from NVC, it will provide the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) with specific instructions, including where to go for the required medical examination. The foreign-citizen fiancé (e) will then be called in for an interview at the consulate for the issuance of a K-3 visa.

What is a K-1 visa?

The K-1 fiancé (e) visa is a nonimmigrant classification of marriage-based visa that is designed for the foreign-born fiancé (e)s of U.S. citizens. It gives those foreign fiancé (e)s the opportunity to come to the U.S. with the intention of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s who are sponsoring their visas.

How to prepare for a K-1 visa interview?

A great way to make sure that you are as prepared as possible for the K-1 visa interview is to go over the specifics of your situation and relationship with an experienced fiance visa lawyer.

How much does it cost to get a K-1 visa?

There are several costs to take into account when applying for a K-1 fiance visa. The first is the filing fee for the I-129F, which comes out to be $535. This is paid by the fiance who is sponsoring the beneficiary when he or she files the petition. Fortunately, there is no cost for filing K-3 petitions provided that an I-130 Petition of Alien Relative has been submitted to the USCIS by that same U.S. citizen sponsor.

What to ask for in a K-1 interview?

During your interview, you will be asked questions that will help the officer verify your relationship. Consult with a K-1 Visa lawyer to determine which other documents may be appropriate.

Petition for Foreign National Fiancé (e)

U.S. citizens can apply for a visa on behalf of their foreign national fiancé (e).

A Note About Conditional Permanent Residency

If you and your spouse are married for less than two years at the time the green card is issued (a certainty in a fiancé (e) visa case), your spouse will be given a “conditional” green card with a two-year duration.

How We Can Help

The attorneys of Sam Shihab & Associates have helped many families navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration process. Please call or email us for a free consultation with an experience family-based immigration attorney and learn more about the process of petitioning for your foreign-born fiancé.

What does a good lawyer do?

In fact, good lawyers advise you on what works and what doesn’t. And if you’re really in a pickle, they can help with some tricky stuff — like criminal history, immigration violations, hardship waivers, and much more.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't return phone calls?

On the other hand, if your lawyer uses a typewriter to fill out your paperwork, or won’t return your phone calls, then grab your documents and walk out of their office. Or else you risk getting your K-1 visa denied by an inexperienced attorney.

Is a lawyer good for a K-1 visa?

I have to admit: lawyers are good. They’re professionals who know a thing or two about immigration. They oversee your case and help if you have questions. And they’re allowed to do almost everything on your behalf in your fiance K-1 visa process, such as…

Do lawyers have connections with politicians?

There are also some rare lawyers who have connections with politicians and can get “things done”. You’ll know how to spot them because they have a very high price tag.

Can a lawyer prepare for a K-1 visa interview?

So, it’s unlikely that a lawyer will take time to prepare you for the K-1 visa interview questions.

Can filing services be different from lawyers?

You can try your luck with a filing service. But from what I’ve gathered, they’re no different than lawyers. They charge huge fees but you still do 90% of the work and hand them your evidence, photos, statements, etc. In addition, they use computers to fill out your paperwork (not real people). There’s a lack of personal attention for each couple — which means mistakes and delays.

Do you have to give everything to a lawyer?

You don’t have to give your lawyer everything. If you’re capable of figuring stuff out yourself, only give your lawyer the difficult questions to answer. That way, you get your money’s worth. For example, for criminal history, I’d have the lawyer guide me on it without asking him/her to fill out my I-129F, make the packet, or staple stuff together, etc.

Who notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled?

The U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled.

Who determines if a fiancé qualifies for a K-1 visa?

The DOS consular officer determines whether your fiancé (e) qualifies for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

What is the form for alien fiancé?

You file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) according to the form instructions. This form asks USCIS to recognize the relationship between you and your fiancé (e).

What form do I need to get married?

If you are a U.S. citizen who wants to bring your foreign fiancé (e) to the United States in order to get married, you will need to file a Form I-129F, Petition For Alien Fiancé (e). This is the first step to obtaining a K-1 nonimmigrant visa for your fiancé (e). The K-1 nonimmigrant visa is also known as a fiancé (e) visa.

How long is a fiancé's work authorization valid?

In this case, your fiancé (e)’s work authorization is valid for only 90 days after his or her entry into the U.S. Your fiancé (e) may also apply for work authorization at the same time he or she applies for a Green Card. In this case, your fiancé (e) can file Form I-765 together with the Form I-485.

What happens if you marry your fiancé after 90 days?

This may result in removal (deportation) and could affect their future eligibility for U.S. immigration benefits. However, if you marry your fiancé (e) after the 90 day period, you may file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Where to send I-129F?

The NVC forwards the approved Form I-129F to the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé (e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. This is generally the U.S. Embassy or consulate where your fiancé (e) lives. The U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancé (e) is scheduled.

How much does a lawyer charge for a family visa?

More than half (53%) paid between $1,000 and $3,000, but over a third (35%) paid more than that. Only about one in ten (12%) paid $1,000 or less. The amount any particular lawyer will charge to handle a family or fiancé visa application will depend on several things, including the attorney’s experience, the city or region where the lawyer works, and whether the case involves complications (such as the need for a waiver because the immigrant was previously in the U.S. unlawfully, or low family income that requires extra affidavits of support).

How much does an immigration lawyer charge per hour?

When immigration lawyers use an hourly billing arrangement, they usually charge between $150 and $500 per hour. Although hourly fees can add up quickly, it might be to your advantage to pay by the hour in certain situations.

How Many Applicants Hire Immigration Lawyers?

More than 4 in 10 readers hired lawyers for their family-based immigrant visa applications, compared to fewer than 3 in 10 of those who applied for fiancé visas.

What do you call a notary for immigration?

Given the expense of hiring an immigration attorney, some people turn for help to paralegals, notaries (known as notarios in the Spanish-speaking community), or so-called immigration consultants. Very few of our readers hired nonlawyers to take them through the process—7% of applicants for family-based visas, and only slightly more (12%) of applicants for fiancé visas. There are good reasons for that. Notaries in the U.S. (unlike in some other countries) don’t need to have any legal training or knowledge; the same is true for people who call themselves immigration consultants. Certified paralegals do have the training to help fill out legal paperwork, but they can’t give you legal advice or discuss your case with immigration officers. (See Nolo’s article on the risks and savings of hiring paralegals or notaries for immigration cases .)

Why do readers give satisfaction to immigration lawyers?

Aspects of good communication were the most common reasons readers gave for satisfaction with their immigration lawyers—though they also cared about results. Remember that when you’re having an initial meeting like this with a lawyer, you’re not only discussing your case; you’re also essentially conducting a job interview. ...

Do immigration lawyers charge an hourly fee?

Immigration lawyers typically charge a “flat,” or fixed, fee, rather than billing by the hour. In fact, our survey showed that nine in ten of our readers paid their lawyers a flat fee to handle their visa applications for fiancés of U.S. citizens or for overseas relatives of U.S. citizens or green card holders.

Do immigration lawyers offer free consultations?

Many immigration lawyers offer low-cost (or sometimes free) initial consultations. (Our national study on immigration attorneys showed that nearly three-fourths of them said they offered free consultations to potential clients.)