My I-129f PETITION WAS APPROVED, NOW WHAT?


Once your Form I-129f visa petition is approved by USCIS, there are still several more steps in the process to obtaining the K1 visa.

  • STEP ONE

     

    NVC Assigns Case Number

    Once the I-129f petition is approved by USCIS, USCIS will mail the case to the National Visa Center, who will notify you by email of your case number.  Unlike for consular processing cases, for K1 visa cases there are no documents to upload to the NVC and no application to submit to the NVC at this time.The NVC will automatically forward your case to the consulate.

  • STEP TWO

    Obtaining Required Documents

    You can begin preparing the documents that will ultimately be required for the interview. You should have a lawyer review your documents.

    You will need the I-134; Affidavit of Support (and supporting documents).

    You will also need several civil documents.

     

    STEP TWO

  • STEP THREE

     

    DS-160 Application

    You will need to complete a DS-160 application. https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/  It is recommended that you have a lawyer review your draft application(s) before submission.

  • STEP FOUR

    Prepare for Interview

    There are additional administrative tasks to complete prior to the interview, and the lawyer can also be available to review any changes to supporting documents and to answer any last minute questions you have.

     

    STEP FOUR

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (… and others)


WHAT ARE THEY & WHEN ARE THEY NEEDED?

For every fiancé(e) visa case, the immigrant fiancé(e) will require several original documents at the interview with extra photocopies.   The consulate will not issue the visa without reviewing the original documents.  

All documents from foreign countries must match the NVC reciprocity schedules for that country!

 CLICK HERE to check your document by type and country. 

The immigrant fiancé(e) will also need to bring additional copies (bring 2 copies to be safe) of each original document.

WHAT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED?

    1. The US citizen’s original signed I-134 affidavit of support and supporting documents for each immigrant.  Read more below. NOTE: The majority of the supporting documents, such as tax return, W2s, paystubs, etc. will not be originals.  However, the bank letter and letter from the employer should be original if possible. 
    2. Original new (signed within 30 days of interview) statement of intent to marry  – one for the US citizen and one for the immigrant fiancé(e). 
      1. SIMPLE Statement-of-Intent-to-Marry-US CITIZEN
      2. SIMPLE Statement-of-Intent-to-Marry-IMMIGRANT
    3. Original birth certificate for each immigrant.
    4. Passport style photographs for each immigrant: Two (2) COLOR front view photographs taken within the past six months.
    5. Originals or original stamp certified copies of all divorce decree, decrees of annulment or death certificates for prior spouses of either the US citizen or the immigrant fiancé(e).
    6. Original name change documents or sex change documents (if applicable) for each immigrant.
    7. Original certified court records for criminal history (if applicable) for each immigrant.
    8. Original police clearance letters for each immigrant over 15 years old.
      1. The police clearance letters must not be expired:
        1. They must not be expired due to the document itself indicating an expiration date, and;
        2. They must not be more than two years old.  Note: there is an exception to the two year rule in some cases at 9 FAM 504.4-4(A), but generally should not be used since the immigration officer always has the discretion to ask for a new one.  
      2. A police clearance letter is required from the following countries [when in doubt get more]:
        1. Country of current residence of the immigrant fiancé(e);
        2. Any country where the immigrant fiancé(e) is a citizen (if they have lived there longer than 6 months at any time), and;
        3. Any other country where the immigrant fiancé(e) has lived for one year or more after turning age 16.
    9. Certificate of Marital Status (if required by particular embassy). 
    10. Original Military Records (if applicable) for those having served in the military.

WHAT ELSE IS REQUIRED?

Non-original documents that will be required include the following:

  1. DS – 160 Confirmation Page for each immigrant (print from CEAC)
  2. Interview letter (usually an email)
  3. Medical examination for each immigrant
  4. Proof of payment of the visa fees for each immigrant
  5. Passport delivery registration documents for each immigrant

DO I NEED TO TRANSLATE THE DOCUMENTS?

Some consulates require that all documents are translated into English. Other consulates will permit the document to be in either English or the native language of the country where the consulate is located. 

FORM I – 134; AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT 


WHAT IS IT?

The I-134 is a form required of all fiancé(e) visa applicants at the time of the consular interview abroad.  The form ensures that the petitioning US citizen is capable of supporting the fiancé(e) in the United States.  Although there are not exact income requirements for the I-134 (see 9 FAM 302.8-2(B)(3) (U) Determining “Totality of Circumstances”), we recommend that you have a joint sponsor complete a I-134 (and provide the same documents) if the US citizen petitioner’s income is less than 125% of the poverty guidelines based on family size. https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p. After all, this is the income requirement for the similar affidavit of support (I-864) filed once the fiancé(e) is in the US, married to the US citizen and filing for adjustment of status.  

WHEN IS IT NEEDED? 

For the interview, the fiancé(e) will require the US citizen’s original signed I-134 affidavit of support. The fiancé(e) will also require all supporting documents for the affidavit of support (listed below).

WHAT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED TO PREPARE THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT?

Before you can properly complete your draft of the I-134, you will need to get these documents:

  1. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits/stocks, identifying the following details regarding the account:
    (1) Date account opened; (2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and (3) Present balance.
  2. Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing: (1) Date and nature of employment; (2) Salary paid; and (3) Whether the position is temporary or permanent.
  3. Copy of all pages of last tax return and all W2 / 1099 tax forms
  4. Last six months of pay stubs (if any)
  5. Statements from stock accounts, etc. 

Depending on your financial situation, current employment status, etc., we may need a joint sponsor. We will let you know when we receive the documents.

HOW DO I COMPLETE THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT?


PURCHASE ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY SUPPORT


Our office does not handle the K1 visa process full service once the Form I-129f petition has been approved. However, you can purchase Immigration Lawyer Document Review for that stage. We video record our sessions and remote access your computer to make the most of our time with you.

PURCHASE IMMIGRATION LAWYER DOCUMENT REVIEW