How Long Does It Take to Process a Fiance Visa?
United States citizens wishing to bring a fiancé from a foreign country to the U.S. may apply for the nonimmigrant visa for fiancé(e) (K-1). The average wait time, as of 2010, is under a year.
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Paperwork Involved
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Before any action is taken, the couple must submit Form I-129F, Petition for Relative or Fiancée, with the United State Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) location that has jurisdiction over the area of the U.S. citizen's residence. The petition is relatively quick to complete, so long as all necessary documentation required of the foreign fiancé(e) is in order and the couple can prove their relationship is legitimate.
Waiting for Approval
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At this stage, the paperwork merely needs to be processed. The average wait time is between three to six months from the time the paperwork is submitted to the date the fiancé(e) is legally allowed to immigrate to the United States.
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Exceptions to the Average
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Some people report experiencing longer waits than six months, with some applications taking a little over a year to process. However, this is the exception rather than the rule, and the delays may be due to poorly prepared petitions. There are attorneys that deal specifically with these issues that can ensure all materials you may need are in order.
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References
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