If you’re going for the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa, here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on
what you and your American fiancé need to do to successfully apply and get you to
the U.S. for your civil wedding:
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Step 1: Petition for K-1 Visa (Form I-129F)
1. Your American Fiancé Applies for the K-1 Visa Petition
- What is Form I-129F?: Your American fiancé must file Form I-129F, Petition for
Alien Fiancé(e), with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is the
first step in the K-1 visa process.
- Documents Your Fiancé Needs:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization
certificate).
- Proof of meeting in person at least once in the last two years (photos, travel
records, chat logs, etc.).
- Evidence of a bona fide relationship (e.g., photographs, emails, chat logs, travel
history).
- Statement that both of you are free to marry (e.g., divorce decree if previously
married).
2. Submit the Petition
- Your fiancé will submit Form I-129F along with all the required documents to the
appropriate USCIS address.
- Processing Time: This can take 6 to 9 months on average. You’ll receive a notice
of approval or denial from USCIS.
3. USCIS Approval and NVC Processing
- Once USCIS approves the petition, they’ll forward it to the National Visa Center
(NVC), which processes the petition and sends it to the U.S. Embassy in Manila for
further steps.
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Step 2: Apply for K-1 Visa at U.S. Embassy in Manila
Once the NVC forwards your case to the U.S. Embassy, you can begin the next
steps:
1. Pay the Visa Application Fee
- The K-1 visa application fee is around $265 USD. Check the U.S. Embassy’s
website for payment details and the current fee.
2. Complete the DS-160 Form (Online Visa Application)
- What is DS-160?: This is the online visa application form.
- Complete the DS-160 form on the U.S. Department of State website: [Consular
Electronic Application Center (CEAC)]([Link]
- After completing the form, print the confirmation page with the barcode. This will
be needed for your visa interview.
3. Schedule the Medical Examination
- Who needs to undergo it?: You (the applicant) need to undergo a medical
examination by an authorized physician. You can find the list of authorized
physicians on the U.S. Embassy website.
- What to bring to the medical exam?: Bring your passport, visa application fee
receipt, 2 passport-sized photos, and any medical records if applicable.
- Medical Exam Results: You’ll get a sealed envelope with your results, which
you’ll bring to your visa interview.
4. Prepare Documents for the Visa Interview
At the U.S. Embassy, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Valid passport (with at least six months' validity).
- Form DS-160 confirmation page with barcode.
- Visa application fee receipt.
- 2 passport-sized photos (in accordance with U.S. visa photo requirements).
- Medical examination results in the sealed envelope.
- Birth certificate.
- Police clearance from the Philippines.
- Evidence of your relationship (e.g., photos, chat logs, affidavits from friends or
family).
- Affidavit of support (Form I-134) from your U.S. fiancé to show they can
financially support you.
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Step 3: Attend the Visa Interview
1. Visa Interview Appointment
- You will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. You’ll need
to bring all the required documents mentioned earlier. The embassy will assess your
application to ensure everything is in order.
2. Interview Process
- During the interview, the consular officer will ask questions about your
relationship and the documents you've submitted.
- Be honest and clear. They want to ensure that your relationship is genuine.
3. Decision
- If everything goes well, your K-1 visa will be approved, and you’ll receive a visa
packet that you must bring with you to the U.S.
- If there are any issues or additional documentation needed, the consular officer
may ask for further information.
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Step 4: Travel to the U.S. and Marry Within 90 Days
1. Receiving Your K-1 Visa
- If your K-1 visa is approved, you will receive your visa in your passport, and the
embassy will provide instructions on how to collect your visa.
- You will also receive a sealed envelope with your documents, which you must
carry with you to the U.S. Do not open it.
2. Travel to the U.S.
- You can now travel to the U.S. with your K-1 visa. Upon entry at a U.S. port of
entry, you will be inspected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
3. Get Married in the U.S.
- Once you enter the U.S., you have 90 days to marry your fiancé.
- You can marry at any location, including a civil ceremony at the courthouse or
with a licensed officiant.
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Step 5: Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
1. After Marriage
- Once married, you must apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to become
a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
- You will need to submit additional documents, including:
- A copy of your marriage certificate.
- Proof of financial support (Form I-864, Affidavit of Support).
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status).
- Proof of valid entry into the U.S.
- Passport-sized photos.
2. Biometrics Appointment
- You will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment (fingerprints, photos, and
signature) as part of the green card process.
3. Attend the Green Card Interview
- If required, you and your spouse may need to attend an interview with USCIS to
verify your relationship is genuine.
4. Receive Your Green Card
- If everything goes smoothly, you will receive your green card. If you were
married for less than two years at the time of your green card approval, you’ll
receive a conditional green card. After two years, you will need to file to remove the
conditions.
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Additional Tips
- Financial Support: Your fiancé must show they can financially support you in the
U.S. by filing Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, with the U.S. Embassy and then Form
I-864 (Affidavit of Support) when applying for a green card.
- Evidence of Relationship: Gather and organize as much evidence as possible to
prove your relationship is legitimate (photos, chats, gifts, and travel records).
- Be Prepared for Delays: The K-1 visa process can take several months, so plan
accordingly.
