The fiancé visa is the first step towards getting married, and it does not guarantee that you are going to get married with your fiancée.
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If you intend to file a for fiancé visa, here are the following requirements:
- You should be at least 18 years of age when you file for the petition.
- You should be legally free to marry. It means that you are single or divorced/widowed with no dependents. You should prove that your partner is truly in love with you and intends to get married because he wants to share his life with you and not just because he is forced to marry for any reason.
- You should prove that you and your fiancé have met at least once, face to face within two years before filing the petition.
- You should be able to show evidence of having met in person such as photos or videos during one of your vacations together or when you met in the country where your partner lives. You should also show evidence of having maintained a relationship throughout the entire year before filing the petition for K-1 visa.
- You should prove that you can financially support each other after marriage by submitting documents like tax returns, bank statements, employment letters and any other financial evidences.
- You should be able to show evidence that your fiancé is not in one of the categories of inadmissible individuals. You can see if your fiancé is inadmissible by checking the I-129F petition form instructions.
In order to process your fiancé visa, here are the steps you need to follow:
- You need to file a petition first on USCIS website.
- The petitioner should also file an I-129F petition formalong with supporting documents.
- After the immigration approves your petition, you will get Form I-797 Approval Notice. You will be notified about the interview date which is usually 4 months after your application is submitted. The embassy of your partner’s country will notify you about the interview date.
- Your fiancé will need to schedule an appointment at the consulate or embassy in order to receive further instructions. Your partner’s country usually asks for medical checkup and police clearance certificate along with other required documents.
- After your partner’s interview, you will be notified about his or her status either with a letter or by mail. If he/she is approved then he can travel to Utah within 30 days of issuing visa stamp.
- You are required to enter into a valid legal relationship within 90 days of your partner’s entry as a fiancé. You should prove that you entered into such a relationship by providing the relevant evidences like marriage certificate, photos and other important documents.
- During the K-1 visa process, it is advisable to consult an immigration attorney who can help you with the process and provide guidance.
The fiancé visa process in Utah varies from a person to person, based on a variety of factors including the color of your skin, where you were raised, and your first language, among others. The purpose behind this article was not to “rank” or compare the processes of all people who are in this situation, but to give an overview of the process. Fiancé visas may not be the answer for everyone; however, they are available and can save you a lot of time and money if you qualify.