by

The Fiance Visa interview is essentially the last step in the process of obtaining a K1 Fiance Visa. Most clients are understandably nervous for their interview because they don’t know what to fully expect. It may be the first time that the client has worked with the US Embassy or Consulate or spoken to an American official.

The Fiance Visa interview is important but its not hard.  The most important advice that I can give you is to always tell the truth. Do not lie about anything!

Next, be prepared to discuss how you met your future spouse and what made you fall in love. For someone in love, this is easy to do.  Be prepared to tell the hearing officer whats so special about your future spouse.

Its always a good idea to bring some pictures to the Fiance Visa interview. You can likely show them to your hearing officer and discuss what you were doing and where you were at the time the pictures where taken. If you have some love letters or cards that you have kept, bring those as well.

Continue reading →

by

When applying for a Fiance Visa, both the Petitioner and the Beneficiary (the couple) should submit signed personal letters describing how they met and fell in love and further state their intent to get married within 90 days after the beneficiary fiance arrives in the US. The fiance visa is granted to those couples who are truly in love and have met in person at least once within a 2 year period of time prior to the application filing date for the fiance visa. Each letter should describe how you met one another and what caused you to fall in love. You should describe your meeting and the things you did together. Because the fiance visa requires you to get married within 90 days after the beneficiary fiance arrives in the US, each of your letters should state that you intend to get married as required. I always recommend that each of my Fiance Visa clients state at the end of their letters that they intend to get married within 90 days after their future wife or husband arrives in The United States.

If you have any questions about applying for a K1 Fiance Visa, please feel free to call me toll free at 1-888-515-3529. I am always happy to answer your questions.

Jeff Pettys

 

by

Is Getting a K1 Fiance Visa faster than a CR1 Marriage Visa? Typically yes, but consider the following….

Based on my experience, the processing times for a K1 Fiance Visa and a CR1 or IR1 Marriage Visa are relatively close. I would say that it now takes about 7-8 months to obtain a K1 Fiance Visa and about 10-12 months to obtain a Marriage Visa. As you can see, the actual processing times are not that different.  What makes a difference is when you can file for either visa. You can file for a K1 Fiance Visa as soon as you like. Whereas you must already be married to file for a CR1 or IR1 Marriage Visa. This big difference in when you can file is largely why the K1 Fiance Visa is faster to obtain and the most popular Visa for couples in love and wanting to be together as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether a K1 Fiance Visa or a CR1 Marriage Visa is best for you, just give me a call. 1-888-515-3529.

Continue reading →

by

To successfully petition a fiance for a fiance visa, you should be able to show that your earn 125% above the poverty guideline for your size family. I say 125% because this is the number you will need to show when you petition your fiance for their Legal Permanent Residency once married. If you fail to meet this requirement then you will have to demonstrate that you have sufficient assets, if liquidated, to support your fiance in lieu of your insufficient income. I think a good benchmark for assets is about 3 times the income requirement.  If you are unable to show sufficient income and or assets to petition your fiance, then you may be able to present a co-sponsor who does meet the income and or asset requirement. It is important to check with the US Embassy located in your foreign fiance’s country to see whether they will accept a co-sponsor if needed.

If you have any questions about the fiance visa, you are welcome to call me anytime. I can be reached toll free at 1-888-515-3529.

Attorney Jeffrey C. Pettys

 

by

Yes!

First, let me readily admit that there is no requirement that you hire legal counsel to help process your K1 Fiance Visa. But, I strongly recommend it.

Ive recently reviewed several online sites that claim to offer full K1 Fiance Visa preparation service at more than half of what I charge. In my opinion, you would be better offer to save a few hundred dollars and do it yourself than hire a company that does not have attorneys doing the work. Its a matter of care.

With experienced legal Counsel, you can insure that the process will proceed correctly and without any unnecessary delay. Lawyers are duty bound and obligated to handle your matter with the highest level of care.This means that the clients interest comes first before anything else. In plain English, this means that the care extended to the client supersedes any economic motive of the law firm.  This stands in stark contrast to the many non legal organizations and businesses who process visas and immigration paperwork  like Immigration law firms. I see such companies everywhere on the Internet, located all around the world and many times next to US Embassies. There is obviously a market for rock bottom prices for immigration work, but  I am always sceptical of who is actually doing the work and what shortcuts are being taken to make a profit at such a low price.

Continue reading →

by

The Petitioner for a Fiance Visa must generally show that he or she earns income in access of the US Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of your intended family for the most recent calendar year. The Federal Poverty Guidelines are published by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Although the Petitioner for a Fiance Visa only has to earn in excess of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you should be aware that the income requirement of a CR1 Marriage Visa or Green Card is 125% above the US Poverty Guideline. This is important to know because after obtaining the Fiance Visa, you will be required to apply for a Green Card and the 125% requirement will be imposed.

The income for a Fiance Visa must come from a US based source (an exception is for U.S. military stationed or on deployment overseas, and also for Department of Defense Contractors).

Continue reading →

by

To obtain a Fiance Visa, you will need to fill out and submit USCIS form I-129f. This form is called Petition for Alien Fiance(e). The form is about three pages long. You will also need to submit USCIS form G-325A for the petitioner and the foreign fiance. These three forms along with all the supporting evidence of a bona fide relationship must be submitted to USCIS.  If there are minor age children of the fiance who need visas as well, their names must be listed on form I-129f.

Once approved by USCIS, the Fiance Visa application and approval is transferred to the US Embassy nearest to the residence of the foreign fiance(e). The US Embassy has their own forms to submit, which can include any combination of the following fiance visa forms, DS 230, DS 156, DS 156k, and DS 157. Each US Embassy has their own set or procedures for submitting forms and evidence and its important that you obtain their current instructions for processing your fiance visa. (See Update on new DS 160 Online form)

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your plans to obtain a K1 Fiance Visa, please feel free to call me at 1-888-515-3529.

Continue reading →

by

Obtaining a K1 Fiance Visa is essentially a two part process. First, you must file form I-129f and a G-325A for both of the parties. These forms along with several required documents must be filed with USCIS to obtain your Fiance Visa. Form I-129f will provide you with the current filing location and address. Make sure you are using the most recent forms for the most current information. Your application for a Fiancee Visa will stay with USCIS until a decision is made in 4-5 months. Once approved, USCIS will advise the US Embassy closest to where your foreign fiancee lives that you have been approved for your K1 Visa. You will be notified by the US Embassy when they are ready to work with you. Working with the US Embassy is the second part of the process.

Continue reading →

by

What makes the CR1 and IR1 Marriage Visas so great is that they come with a Green Card. Once issued, there is no need to do anything else to obtain your Legal Permanent Residency….”Green Card”.  This means no application for an Adjustment of Status! This benefit of the Marriage Visas is in stark contrast to the K1 Fiance Visa, which requires the Beneficiary, once married, to apply for Legal Permanent Residency.In most cases, applying for a Green Card takes hours of legal work, several months of waiting and the filing fees alone are over one thousand dollars.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the benefits of a Marriage Visa by comparison to a Finace Visa and what Visa is best for you, please feel free to call me at 1-888-515-3529.

Jeffrey C. Pettys

Business Consumer Alliance Expertise Badge 10 best 2020 Client Satisfaction The National Advocates - Top 100 Member
The National Advocates - Top 100 Lawyers
Proud Member - Business - Consumer - Alliance
Best of the Best Attorneys
Contact Information
Ohio Office
 1900 Polaris Pkwy #450-018
Columbus, OH 43240
Toll Free: 888-515-3529
Los Angeles Office
 10940 Wilshire Blvd #1600
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Toll Free: 888-515-3529

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2014 – 2024, Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Pettys
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design