With the start of the new year, USCIS is making a lot of changes to immigration procedures, forms, and filing fees. This means that you may want to consider filing very soon to start the process of bringing your fiancé to the U.S.
To learn about changes to other forms and processes that USCIS is making this year, read our article about Filing Fee Increases in 2024.
You should consult with an immigration attorney to know the best options for you and your fiancé, as each couple’s circumstances differ. Depending on your unique situation, an attorney may be able to present you with other, better options for your fiancé to reside with you in the U.S.
It’s good to know what the process looks like to obtain a fiancé visa so you can have the best information going forward to decide what is best for you.
Initial Application to USCIS for Fiancé Visa
The first step in the fiancé visa application is to submit form I-129F, which is the Petition for Alien Fiancé. In addition to submitting this form, you will also include documentation that helps to legitimize your relationship. This includes providing evidence for your intent to marry each other and providing proof that you have met each other in person sometime within the last two years. Some of these documents could include photos, flight tickets, an engagement ring receipt, or other evidence of communication. There are many other types of documents and evidence you could include, so speaking with an immigration attorney would help determine the best evidence for your matter specifically.
After you submit form I-129F and its supporting documents, you will wait to receive a receipt notice saying that USCIS has received your paperwork. Then you wait for your notice of approval, which often takes around a year.
Application to National Visa Center (NVC)
After your form I-129F is approved by USCIS, you can move on to the next step in the process which is for the immigrant to submit a form DS-160 to the National Visa Center (NVC). The DS-160 helps to verify the immigrant’s background to make sure they are eligible to come to the United States. You submit the DS-160 through your own account. If you hire an immigration attorney to assist with your process, they will guide you on how to do this step.
After you submit the DS-160, you will need to continue gathering information for another form, form I-134. Form I-134 is a form that your fiancé will need to bring with them when they get scheduled for an interview at their embassy. In addition to this form, they will need to bring supplemental documents which could include:
- Your fiancé’s birth certificate
- Your fiancé’s passport
- A confirmation that you submitted the DS-160
- A police report
- A verification that your fiancé is not married
- A medical examination with a consulate-authorized medical professional
There are other required documents your fiancé may need to bring to the interview; you will receive a list of all the information you need to bring before your scheduled interview so you can prepare accordingly. They will also need to undergo a medical exam with a doctor authorized by the consulate.
This application and interview step can take many more months, sometimes even a couple years, to complete after submitting the DS-160. Each consulate has different processing and interview wait times, so you can expect to wait several months or even longer before your fiancé's visa is approved.
Coming to the United States
Once your fiancé’s immigration visa is approved, they can make plans to come the United States! After they come to the U.S., you must get married within 90 days of your fiancé’s arrival. Once you are married and have the official marriage certificate, your fiancé can apply for a Green Card!
Green Card Application
The application for the Green Card consists of several forms. However, if you get married in a timely manner, then you won’t need to file quite as many forms. Read our article about Green Card Forms to learn more about the specific forms and information you may need to prepare for your fiancé to obtain a Green Card. The Green Card application can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to process and get approved.
If you have questions about the Green Card process, then consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that your application is successful. There is a lot more information you and your fiancé will need to successfully apply for a Green Card.
Attorney Tim Jones
Here at the Law Office of Timothy Jones, we have helped countless couples reunite in the United States through the fiancé visa application process. Once you meet with Attorney Jones and officially hire us, our team will communicate with you regarding what information we need for your specific immigration case. We will work efficiently so you don’t have to wait longer than necessary to reunite with your loved one. To learn more about how we can help you and your fiancé, contact us today!
