Houston Lawyer for Fiancé Visas
K-1 and K-2 Visas for Intending Spouses of U. S. Citizens and Their Children
Generally, the process of obtaining a
nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa begins when the individual who is a U.S. citizen files a petition, Form
I-129F with USCIS. The U.S. citizen or petitioner has to submit proof
of his/her citizenship and that both of them are free to contract marriage
with each other. There are other criteria that the couple must meet before
the fiancé(e) can be allowed to move to the United States for marriage purposes.
For parents holding a K-1 fiance visa and looking to bring their children
with them to the United States they must obtain a K-2 Visa. A K-2 visa
permits children with K-1 visa holders to enter the U.S. until a immigrant
visa is available to them. In order to qualify for this visa the child
must be under the age of 21 and unmarried.
No matter what, you will need a Houston immigration lawyer - do not wait to
contact Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC.
Legal Requirements to Obtain a Fiancé Visa
One of the legal requirements to obtain this
visa is that a couple must have "met in person" within two years
preceding the filing of the fiancé(e) petition. USCIS may allow
exemption from this requirement for those who can show that they are following
strict cultural or social practices. Exceptions also are considered for
those who would experience extreme hardship if forced to comply with this
requirement.
In regard to documents, filing the Form I-129 F, Petition for Alien Fiancée
is required. They must be taken to the nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) by the United States citizen that wishes to bring their
fiancée to reside in America.
Once the USCIS gives approval of the petition, they get in touch with the
U.S. embassy within the home country of the fiancée. Beyond that,
the individual wishing to come to the U.S. for marriage must apply for
a K-1 visa and be married to their fiancée within 90 days of entering
the country. The marriage must also be legal according to the state in
which the union will take place.
Process After Petition Approval
If USCIS approves the petition, they will forward the petition to the appropriate
consular office, allowing the following to take place:
- The intending spouse of the U.S. citizen will have to present certain legal documents
- They will be interviewed by a consular officer
- If the consular officer is satisfied that the fiancé(e) meets the
legal requirements to be granted the visa, the consulate will issue a K-1 visa
