If you’re engaged to a US citizen and you wish to have your dream wedding in the US, you might consider applying for the K1 visa. This visa enables you to travel to the US to marry your fiancé soon after arrival. If this sounds like a good idea, you may as well begin planning your wedding, but don’t forget to include the K1 visa cost 2022 in your budget.
So, how much does a K1 visa cost? Here’s all you need to know to calculate the cost of a K1 fiance visa accurately.
What is the K1 Visa?
The K1 visa is also known as the fiancé visa. It is a nonimmigrant visa for a foreign-born fiancé (or fiancee) of a US citizen. This visa allows the foreign fiancé to enter the US and marry their US citizen fiancé within 90 days.
Here are some facts about the K1 visa you should know.
The K1 visa is valid for 90 days. For this reason, the foreign-born fiancé will no longer be eligible to live in the US if the couple doesn’t marry within that time.
Similarly, the fiance visa becomes invalid if the couple ends their engagement before their wedding.
The K1 visa is for engaged fiancés of US citizens only, including naturalized citizens. However, if you’re married to a lawful permanent resident, you may consider applying for a marriage visa to join your spouse in the US.
K1 Visa Requirements 2022
These are the eligibility requirements for K1 visa applicants.
- The sponsor must be a US citizen
- The couple must be legally single and free to marry
- The couple must prove that they physically met at least once within the last two years before applying for the visa
- The couple must prove their intentions of getting married within 90 days before the visa’s expiry
- The US-citizen fiancé must meet specific income requirements provided by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This fiancé can also find a financial sponsor if their income alone doesn’t meet the required financial threshold.
K1 Visa Application Process
Before calculating the K1 visa costs 2022, let’s outline the application process.
First, gather all the documents needed to complete the application. This step is vital because your documents play a significant role in determining the outcome of your application.
If the evidence is insufficient, incomplete, or unclear, the USCIS may reject your application or send you an RFE letter requesting more evidence.
Typically, the RFE is a one-time chance to provide the agency with the proper documents and respond to any inquiries about your application. However, to avoid making avoidable mistakes, you may want to consult a K1 fiance visa attorney like Serah Waweru and her team at The Law Office of Serah Waweru for further assistance.
The documents needed for a fiancé visa application include:
- Proof of the citizenship of the US fiancé
- Copy of valid passport of the foreign fiancé
- Sworn statements of both partners about their intention to marry
- Evidence of a legitimate relationship
- Evidence of physical meeting two years before applying for a fiancé visa
And more, depending on the circumstances of your case.
After gathering the required documents, the US citizen spouse completes and files Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance with the USCIS. The agency then forwards the application to the National Visa Center after approval for further processing. Next, the NVC assigns a case number to the application and forwards it to a consular office in the embassy or consulate closest to the foreign spouse.
After a few weeks, the Consular office notifies the foreign fiancé about a scheduled interview and the documents to bring. In addition, the foreign fiancé must complete Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
Lastly, the foreign fiancé attends an interview at the US embassy or Consular’s office. If successful, the fiance will receive a visa within a few days or weeks. The fiance must travel to the US within six months and get married within 90 days.
K1 Visa Cost Breakdown
There are several expenses to consider when calculating the K1 visa cost 2022. Here’s a breakdown of all the fees and expenses you’ll incur during this process.
Mandatory Filing Fees
The US government charges fees for filing Form I-129F and Form DS- 160. Currently, filing form I-129F costs $535, while Form Ds-160 costs $265. However, these amounts are subject to changes. Therefore, you should always confirm with the filing fees from the USCIS for any updates and changes in filing fees.
Medical Examination Fees
Your application also includes a medical examination from a government-approved physician. The fee for the medical examination varies from one physician to another. In addition, some physicians accept medical insurance covers for these tests.
K1 Visa Lawyer Cost
Making mistakes on your K1 fiancé visa application is costly. For example, you won’t get your filing fees back if the USCIS rejects your application because of a missing signature or insufficient evidence.
For this reason, consider hiring a K1 visa lawyer to help you with your application. The K1 visa lawyer cost varies depending on the services they offer. For instance, the lawyer assesses your application, compiles your supporting documents, and helps you complete your forms correctly.
Given their experience, the lawyer knows what documents you need to provide strong evidence of a legitimate relationship. Because each case is different, you need to contact your K1 visa lawyer for a quotation.
K1 Fiancé Visa FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the K1 Visa.
What Is the K1 Visa Approval Rate 2022?
Because each fiance visa application is unique, the chances of approvals and denials are almost the same. To increase your application’s approval rate, ensure that it is complete and provide sufficient supporting documents.
What Is the K1 Visa Processing Time 2022?
Generally, it takes about 10 to 13 months to process a K1 visa. However, this timeframe doesn’t include unprecedented delays caused by systemic backlogs and staff shortages. Additionally, if the USCIS sends you an RFE, your application may take longer to process. Therefore, the K1 visa processing time 2022 may be 13 months or more.
How Much Does a K1 Visa Cost?
Besides the mandatory filing fees, you must consider other application-related costs. For example, you need to consider mailing fees, including the charges of mailing documents from abroad. In addition, if you hire a K1 visa lawyer, ensure that you ask for a quotation of the services they provide.
Key Takeaways
The K1 visa cost 2022 varies depending on the circumstances of a case. Besides the mandatory fees, you must consider other costs such as the medical examination and attorney fees to determine the accurate cost of this visa.
You also want to avoid costly mistakes that may make you spend more than you need. If you’re having problems completing your application, contact a K1 visa attorney for help.
At the Law Office of Serah Waweru, we can help you with any questions or concerns regarding your K-1 Visa petition. Contact us today at (253) 332-9193 or send us a message online to schedule a consultation.
Attorney Serah Waweru serves clients in Tacoma, Lakewood, Kent, Renton, University Place, Burien, Tukwila, Auburn, Federal Way, Olympia, and all over the United States.
