What Forms are Needed for a Marriage Visa?

If you are planning to marry someone from another country and would like to live together in the United States, a marriage visa or a K visa can help make your dream come true. The process of obtaining a marriage visa can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and expensive, but understanding what forms are required can make the journey a little smoother. In this article, we will discuss the various forms needed for a marriage visa, including their purposes and requirements.

K Visa Overview

A K visa allows a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States temporarily to get married. The K visa is obtained by filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Once approved, the fiancé(e) can enter the U.S. for 90 days and get married. After the marriage, they can apply for adjustment of status and become a permanent resident of the United States.

Form I-129F – Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

Form I-129F is the initial form required to obtain a K visa. It is filed by the U.S. citizen sponsor and is used to establish the relationship between the sponsor and the fiancé(e). The form requires personal and biographical information from both the sponsor and the fiancé(e). The form also requires information on the sponsor’s financial stability to support the fiancé(e) while they are in the United States. Supporting documents, such as photos of the couple together, letters of intent to marry, and evidence of the sponsor’s citizenship, must be submitted with the form.

Form DS-160 – Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Once the I-129F petition is approved, the fiancé(e) can apply for a K visa. The fiancé(e) must complete Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, which can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website. This form is used to gather biographical and background information about the fiancé(e), including information about their intended stay in the United States. The form must be submitted electronically, and a confirmation page must be printed and brought to the visa interview.

Form I-134 – Affidavit of Support

The U.S. government requires that the sponsor demonstrate the ability to financially support the fiancé(e) during their stay in the United States. Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, is used to demonstrate the sponsor’s financial ability. The form requires the sponsor to provide information on their income, assets, and debts, as well as information on their household size. The sponsor must provide supporting documents, such as tax returns and bank statements, to demonstrate their finances.

Form G-325A – Biographic Information

Form G-325A, Biographic Information, is required for both the sponsor and the fiancé(e). The form asks for basic information, such as name, address, and date of birth, and requires the applicant to provide information on their immigration history, criminal history, and employment history. The form must be signed and submitted with the application.

Form I-797C – Notice of Action

If the application is approved, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send a notice of action, Form I-797C, to the U.S. citizen sponsor. This notice confirms that the K visa application has been approved, and includes instructions on how to proceed with the next step of the process.

Form I-129F (Supplemental Evidence) – Request for Evidence

In some cases, the USCIS may require additional evidence to process the I-129F petition. This is known as a request for evidence (RFE), and it can be common in cases where the relationship between the sponsor and fiancé(e) is not clearly established, or where financial support is unclear. The RFE will explain what evidence is needed, and the sponsor will have a certain amount of time to provide the evidence.

Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Once the fiancé(e) enters the United States and gets married, they can apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used for this purpose. The form requires information on the applicant’s biographical and immigration history, as well as information about the sponsor’s financial ability to support the applicant. Supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate and evidence of the sponsor’s finances, must be submitted with the form.

Conclusion

Obtaining a marriage visa can be a complex and daunting process, but understanding the necessary forms and requirements is key to a successful application. If you are planning to marry someone from another country and would like to live together in the United States, a marriage visa or a K visa can help make that dream become a reality. Remember to stay informed, keep track of the deadlines, and seek professional guidance if needed. Good luck with your application!

A simple pledge of vows or family photos are not going to satisfy the government when attempting to prove that the relationship between two people seeking a marriage visa.

1. Petitions for an alien relative or fiancé(e) – Based on whether or not one’s significant other is currently a spouse or not and their status to live in the United States, there are three combinations of the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-129 Petition for Alien Fianceé for cases of marriage to a U.S. citizen. For the immigrant marriage

2. Affidavit of Support – For the immigrant marriage visa, help of the federal government in the form of welfare is discouraged. The petitioning spouse must be able to assert their possession of a domicile and of an income at or above 125% of the poverty line to support their incoming partner. At this point in the visa service process, the form I-864, an Affidavit of Support, must to be completed and submitted to the National Visa Center for approval and relay to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.

3. The visa application/removal of conditions – Along with the fees and requisite proofs of identification posted by the Department of State on official notices, there is a two-part application form, Form DS-230, to be completed by the concerned married party to submit for the interview portion of the visa service process. In addition, if the couple has been together for less than two years, the immigrant will only be listed as a conditional permanent resident, and before acquisition of the Immigrant Relative (IR) visa, will have to send in a completed USCIS Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence.

Necessary Requirements for a Marriage Visa

Marriage visas are issued to those who seek to enter into the United States of America with the intent of marrying a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This type of visa is also known as a K-1 visa, and the requirements for obtaining one can be rigorous and extensive. In this article, we will discuss the necessary requirements for a marriage visa, how to apply for one, and what to expect during the process.

What is a Marriage Visa?

A marriage visa is a type of visa that allows a foreign national, referred to as the fiancé(e), to enter the U.S. for the purpose of marrying a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The visa allows the non-U.S. citizen spouse to remain in the country and apply for a green card (permanent residence).

The process of obtaining a marriage visa can be lengthy and complex. It requires extensive documentation and proof of the relationship between the fiancé(e) and the U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, the foreign national must pass background checks and meet other eligibility requirements.

Necessary Requirements for a Marriage Visa

To be eligible for a marriage visa, there are a number of requirements that must be met. Below, we will outline some of the most important requirements:

1. Genuine Relationship

One of the most important requirements for a marriage visa is proof that the relationship between the petitioner and the fiancé(e) is genuine. The couple must have met in person at least once within the two years prior to filing the petition. Documentation of the relationship should include photographs, letters, emails, and any other evidence that supports the relationship as a genuine one.

2. Eligibility as an Immigrant

The fiancé(e) must also be eligible to immigrate to the U.S. This means that they must not have any disqualifying factors that would make them inadmissible, such as criminal convictions, drug use, or fraud. In addition, the non-U.S. citizen spouse must demonstrate that they will not become a public charge if admitted to the U.S.

3. Financial Support

When petitioning for a marriage visa, the petitioner must demonstrate that they are financially capable of supporting themselves and their fiancé(e). They must also provide evidence of their income as well as any assets that can be used to support the immigrant spouse.

4. Filing the Petition

The first step in the process of obtaining a marriage visa is to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition should include documentation of the relationship as well as proof of the petitioner’s eligibility as a sponsor.

5. Medical Examination

The fiancé(e) must undergo a medical examination by a physician appointed by the U.S. embassy or consulate. This exam is to ensure the person is not inadmissible to the country on health-related grounds.

6. Criminal and Security Checks

The fiancé(e) must undergo a criminal background check and security clearance. This includes fingerprint scans and a review of their criminal record in their home country.

7. Interview

The final step in the process of obtaining a marriage visa is an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. This interview is conducted by a consular officer who will assess the relationship between the petitioner and the fiancé(e) and determine if their marriage is bona fide. Additionally, the interviewer will ask questions to verify that the petitioner and the non-U.S. citizen spouse meet all eligibility requirements.

How to Apply for a Marriage Visa

The process of applying for a marriage visa begins with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS. This form should include information about the petitioner and their fiancé(e), including their names, addresses, and employment information.

Once the petition is approved, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will create a file for the fiancé(e) and request additional documentation. The fiancé(e) must then apply for a nonimmigrant K-1 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

During the interview, the consular officer will review the evidence provided to determine whether the relationship is genuine. If the officer is satisfied that the relationship is authentic, the fiancé(e) will be issued a K-1 visa. The fiancé(e) must then enter the U.S. within the visa’s validity period, which is typically six months.

After entering the U.S., the fiancé(e) must marry the petitioner within 90 days and then apply for a green card (permanent residence).

Conclusion

Obtaining a marriage visa can be a complex and challenging process that requires extensive documentation and proof of a genuine relationship. The requirements for a marriage visa include demonstrating eligibility as an immigrant, financial support, and passing security checks. Applying for a marriage visa involves filing a petition with USCIS and undergoing a medical examination, criminal background check, and security clearance. If the petition is approved, the fiancé(e) must attend an interview and prove that their relationship is genuine. Once the interview is complete, a K-1 visa will be issued and the fiancé(e) must enter the U.S. within six months.

Despite all of the normal considerations and special considerations you and your family may have had to take to get approved through the National Visa Center and have an interview scheduled for visas for marriage, the work certainly does not stop once you get to the final stage.

If nothing else, the need to safeguard against any gaps in one’s history and documentation is only magnified as a result of the interview process. A marriage/fiancé visa, as a result of being so frequently defrauded in the past and with new attempts always happening, is under a lot more scrutiny due to the high incidence of green card marriages.

1. Certified translations – Whenever possible, U.S. embassies and consulates will prefer to deal in the English language. In fact, for some visa forms such as visas for diversity, the application will only be eligible if completed in English. Any translation must included a signed statement saying the translation is accurate and that the translator was in charge of his or her faculties.

2. Fingerprinting/biometrics and medical tests – Of course, failing to uphold a good moral character and participating in actions that could endanger the American people could hurt your chances of successfully earning visas for travel to the United States. As part of the testing phase of the visa application process, fingerprints will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review, and potentially you could be rejected for your bid for a visa if you fail to pass vaccinations. In some countries, though a select few, possessing the HIV virus will also prevent you from entry.

3. Single entry vs. multiple entry marriage visas – The non-immigrant K-class visas are distinguished between a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa. The K-3 marriage visa is a multiple entry visa, while the K-1 fiancé visa is a single entry visa that prohibits return on the same visa. You will have to return on a new entry visa should you choose this route.

4. Failing to pass customs – Even with a visa, a violation at customs upon arrival at a U.S. port-of-entry will invalidate the visa.