There’s been an increased interest in K-1 visas ever since the popular TLC show 90 Day Fiance started airing on television a few years ago. These visas allow Americans to bring their future spouse to the U.S. They have 90 days to marry them, or otherwise, they must return to their home countries.
While this visa program’s requirements may seem relatively straightforward, things don’t always go as smoothly as they seem. Securing this visa takes some effort. Certain choices you make may result in the denial of your application and thus continued challenges in bringing you two together.
What you must do to secure a U.S. marriage visa
You’ll need to fill out a K-1 application to initiate the marriage visa process. Immigration officials will require you to provide supporting evidence of your relationship and proof of finances along with your application. Immigration officials will likely require your fiance to complete an interview with consular officials to move the processing of your K-1 visa application forward.
Can your fiance travel to the U.S. while waiting on a K-1 visa decision?
While your fiance may be able to legitimately travel to the U.S. on a business, family or travel visa while their K-1 application is processing, consular officials recommend against them doing so. They note that this may require them to perform security checks once again, which can delay the K-1 approval process.
Immigration officials outline how getting married as you await a decision on your K-1 visa application may be an unwise choice. They note that a marriage disqualifies you from qualifying for the K-1 visa. You may have to complete an application for a completely different visa if you marry before immigration officials render a decision in your case. You may incur additional time delays due to this.
Is pursuing a marriage visa the right choice for you?
There’s no guarantee that you’ll receive a K-1 visa after applying. You may find it helpful to discuss your situation with an attorney to get their opinion about your chances of success. They may be able to provide you with some insight into how to strengthen your application so that you’ll have a better idea of the outcome that you can expect in your case.