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I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

Use this form to petition to bring your:

• Fiancé(e) (K-1) and their children (K-2) to the U.S. so you may marry your fiancé(e); or
• Spouse (K-3) and their children (K-4) to the U.S. to await the approval of a Form I-130 filed on behalf of your spouse.

How to Report Suspected Marriage Fraud U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an online tip form to report suspected benefit/marriage fraud or other violations.

Help for Immigration Crime Victims Different types of support are available through ICE’s  Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office .

Forms and Document Downloads

Form I-129F (PDF, 683.71 KB)

Instructions for Form I-129F (PDF, 313.68 KB)

Form Details

04/01/24 . You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Dates are listed in mm/dd/yy format.

If you complete and print this form to mail it, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different form edition, we may reject your form.

If you need help downloading and printing forms, read our instructions . 

File Form I-129F at the USCIS Dallas lockbox.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: I-129F P.O. Box 660151 Dallas, TX 75266-0151 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-129F (Box 660151) 2501 South State Highway 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

We cannot adjudicate this form at USCIS international offices.

You can find the filing fee for Form I-129F by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

You can pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check or  pay by credit card or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions . If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request. If you pay by credit card or debit card, you cannot later dispute the payment. Use our Fee Calculator to help determine your fee.

If you are submitting multiple forms, pay each filing fee separately. We are transitioning to electronically processing immigration benefit requests, which requires us to use multiple systems to process your package. We may reject your entire package if you submit a single, combined payment for multiple forms.

Please do not submit this checklist with your Form I-129F. The checklist is an optional tool to use as you prepare your form, but does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. We recommend that you review these requirements before completing and submitting your form. Do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations.

If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Did you provide the following?

• A copy of your birth certificate, issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority showing you were born in the United States; 
• A copy of your naturalization or citizenship certificate issued by USCIS or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service; 
• A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; 
• A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; or 
• An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport;
• Final Divorce decree;
• Annulment order; or
• Death certificate for their prior spouse;
• One color passport-style photograph of yourself and one for your fiancé taken within 30 days of you filing this petition; 
• Evidence of legal name change (if applicable); and
• Evidence to support an International Marriage Broker Regulation Act waiver (if applicable).

If you are petitioning to classify your fiancé(e) as a K-1 nonimmigrant , did you provide the following?

• Evidence you and your fiancé(e) intend to marry within 90 days of their admission into the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant; and
• Evidence you met your fiancé(e) in-person within two years of you filing your Form I-129F. If you haven’t met within two years, submit evidence that meeting in-person would violate strict and long-established customs of your fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice or would be an extreme hardship on the petitioner.

If you are petitioning to classify your spouse as a K-3 nonimmigrant , did you provide the following?

• A copy of the Form I-797C, Notice of Action, showing you have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of your spouse; and 
• A marriage certificate.

Complete all sections of the form. We will reject the form if these fields are missing:

• Classification Sought for Your Beneficiary
• Family Name
• Your Mailing Address
• Date of Birth
• Classification Sought for Beneficiary

Filing Tips:  Review our  Tips for Filing Forms by Mail  page for information on how to ensure we will accept your form.

Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.

E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or text message that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance , and clip it to the first page of your form.

Do not include:

• Anything that contains electronic chips and batteries (such as musical greeting cards) or any non-paper materials such as CD-ROMS, DVDs, toys, action figures, or thumb drives. We will not accept these types of materials. However, we will accept photographs or copies of these items;
• Any biological or genetic samples as DNA evidence. For information on DNA testing and submitting DNA samples, please visit the Department of State’s  webpage ; or
• Graphic photos of childbirth or intimate relations as evidence of a relationship or marital bona fides.
• Fiancé(e) Visas
• Optional Checklist for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
• Department of State Link: Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiancé(e) (K-1)
• K-3 Nonimmigrant Visas
• Department of State Link: Nonimmigrant Visa for a Spouse (K-3)

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The K-1 Fiancé Visa: Timeline, Cost and Requirements

Fiance Visa Example

What is the K-1 fiancé visa?

The K-1 visa, also known as the Fiancé visa, is a non-immigrant visa that allows a foreign fiancé to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying a U.S. citizen. This visa is designed for couples who are engaged and plan to get married in the United States.

What is a K-1 visa for the Philippines?

A K-1 visa for the Philippines is pretty much the same as a regular K-1 Fiancé visa. It has the same requirements and costs. The only difference with a K-1 visa in the Philippines is that for those whose partner is currently living in the Philippines at the time of application, your partner will be required to attend the face-to-face interview at the US embassy in Manila.

In this guide, you will learn about K-1 visa processing times, fees, requirements, and the application process.

K-1 Visa Timeline

How long does it take to get a K-1 fiancé visa? The current processing time for Form I-129F (“Petition for Alien Fiancé”) is  10-16 months,  plus 4-6 weeks to receive an interview notice.

Factors That Can Affect Your Timeline

Originating Country

Some countries have longer processes that can be brought on by the local embassy workload, conflicts in the area, or other unexpected delays.

Requests for Evidence (RFE)

The most common delays are brought on by  RFEs . The vast majority of these can be avoided if your petition is assembled professionally.

USCIS Workload

In the past, influxes of USCIS workload have affected overall timelines. This could be brought on by changes in immigration processes or policies.

Quality of Your Petition

Petitions that are easy to move through and approve tend to get approved faster.

Natural Disasters, War, Terrorism

Events such as these are out of your control and can cause unexpected delays.

K-1 Visa Cost

The cost for a  K-1  visa can range from $1,200 to $5,000 including government fees, medical exam, and legal assistance.

Basic K1 Visa Cost Overview

K1 Visa Costs & Fees Breakdown

Other costs you should consider are:

Postage - Getting files back and forth between you, your fiance, your agency/attorney, and the government at various steps. If your attorney or agency uses secure document transfer, it can save time and money.

Cost of Acquiring Certain Evidence - Hunting down old divorce decrees, bank statements, or birth certificates can add to the tally.

Passport - If the foreign partner doesn't already have a passport, he or she will need to acquire one.

Passport Photos - Passport photos are required for the K1 visa. Make sure the foreign partner gets them in the right size and standards.

Children - There is no extra USCIS fee if the child K2 applicant accompanies the K1 applicant, however, there will be additional embassy and medical exam fees.

Translation Service - If you need certain documents translated, and don't have a friend to do it for you, this could add to your cost.

K-1 Visa Requirements

How do you qualify for a K-1 visa? Not everyone will meet the K-1 visa requirements. You may check your eligibility with our  K-1 visa eligibility calculator . Note that USCIS and consular officers are different and some countries may have additional requirements.

If you work with an immigration attorney, or a fiancé visa agency, they will carefully review your situation to verify that you meet all of the requirements.

The petitioner of a K-1 visa must:

1. Be a U.S. Citizen

The U.S. petitioner must be able to prove he or she is a U.S. citizen. Green card holders are not eligible for the K-1 visa. They are, however, eligible for a marriage green card, although the process can take up to two years or longer.

2. Be Legally Free to Marry

If the sponsor was ever married before, he or she must provide proof that any such marriage has been legally terminated through death, divorce, or annulment. This is usually proven with evidence such as a death certificate or divorce decree.

3. Intend to Marry Within 90 Days

The sponsor must convince USCIS agents and consular officers that the relationship is "bona fide", and that he or she truly intends to marry within 90 days of entry. This is to avoid fraud from scammers marrying U.S. citizens for the sole purpose of immigration.

4. Have Physically Met their Fiancé Within 2 Years

The couple must prove that they have physically met in person at least once within the last 2 years. This doesn't mean they need to know each other for 2 years, just that within the last 2 years, they have met. Skype doesn't count .

5. Meet the Income Requirement

The U.S. citizen sponsor must meet the minimum income requirements, or use alternatives to meet the requirement .

Options if you don't meet the income requirement:

You can use 1/3 of the dollar value of certain assets, such as real estate, stocks and bonds.

If you have someone willing to co-sponsor, such as a family member or friend, you can use their income.

In certain cases, you may be able to use a joint sponsor or assets in lieu of income. Please call us for specifics on your situation.

NOTE : The income requirement is one of the most common reasons for denial . You need to prove you qualify through documents like tax returns and pay stubs.

6. IMBRA Requirement

IMBRA stands for International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. K-1 visa petitioners must disclose in their petition if they have met through a marriage broker. In addition, they must provide the signed, written consent form that the international marriage broker obtained from the beneficiary authorizing the release of his or her personal contact information.

If you have been convicted of certain crimes (or attempted them), you may be disqualified for a K-1 visa as per IMBRA. You are required to disclose records of incidents such as domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, dating violence, elder abuse, stalking, homicide, murder, manslaughter, rape, abusive sexual contact, sexual exploitation, incest, torture, trafficking, peonage, holding hostage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, and false imprisonment.

K-1 Visa Process

Step 1. USCIS Filing

The United States citizen sponsor files the K1 visa petition with USCIS by mailing the completed I-129F petition package along with a check to the Department of Homeland Security for $510.

Step 2. Notice of Action 1 (NOA1)

Two to three weeks after mailing your petition, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1) in the mail indicating USCIS has received your petition. You do nothing at this step.

Step 3. Notice of Action 2 (NOA2)

Usually, between 13 and 18 months after mailing your petition, you will receive a notice of action (NOA2) in the mail indicating USCIS has approved, denied or requests additional evidence for your petition. If approved, you do nothing at this step. If you are denied, there are a few options you can take . If you receive an RFE , you need to respond to it with the evidence requested.

Step 4. NVC Phase

The service center that handled your petition (either Vermont or California) forwards your case to the State Department’s NVC (National Visa Center). This will happen within two weeks of your approval. The NVC will run a security check on your fiancé. You will not receive anything in the mail at this point. If you want to verify that the NVC has received your file, call them at 603-334-0700 or email them at [email protected]. You do nothing at this step.

Step 5. NVC to Embassy

If your fiancé's security check comes back clean, your approved K1 visa petition will be routed to the Bureau of Consular Affairs. The Bureau of Consular Affairs will send your file to the U.S. Embassy in your fiancé’s country via DHL. You do nothing at this step.

Step 6. Embassy Letter

After receiving your visa petition, the U.S. Embassy (usually in the country of origin) sends the fiancé a letter with instructions for scheduling the medical exam and interview. You (the U.S. citizen) do not have to attend the embassy interview.

Step 7. Gather Embassy Documents

The U.S. Embassy will instruct the fiancé to return some of the documents immediately. Other documents will be kept until the interview.

Step 8. Medical Exam

The fiancé must do a medical exam. The package sent to the fiancé by the U.S. Embassy will explain how to schedule the medical exam . You must pay a fee for the medical exam. The fee is usually paid in the local currency and varies depending on the location . You (the U.S. citizen) do nothing at this step. This fee can’t be paid from the United States.

Step 9. Embassy Interview

The fiancé must attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy . All applicants must bring their passport. If children are joining on a K-2 visa, they must also attend the interview. The package sent to the fiancé by the U.S. Embassy will explain how to schedule the interview. The U.S. citizen sponsor is not required to attend the interview. However, the sponsor is allowed and encouraged to attend in some countries while other countries will not allow the U.S. citizen to attend. The $265 embassy fee is paid directly to the embassy. A consular officer will ask a series of questions to determine if the relationship is genuine.

Step 10. Visa Issued

The alien fiancé may be able to pick up the actual visa the same day. However, there will usually be a wait of up to one week. The visa will be delivered via courier. The actual K1 fiancé visa is a self-adhesive decal that is placed in the beneficiary's passport. At this point, airline tickets can be purchased for travel to the United States.

Step 11. Travel to the U.S.

The fiancé has 6 months to use the visa to enter the United States. He or she will be given a package of documents by the U.S. Embassy which he or she will surrender at the Point of Entry (POE) into the United States. The sponsor does not need to travel with the beneficiary when they travel to the United States.

Step 12. Wedding

The petitioner must marry the alien fiancé within 90 days of entry into the United States. If a wedding doesn't take place within this time, the fiancé must leave the United States. The 90 day clock starts on the date you enter the United States, which is normally stamped in your passport. The K1 visa beneficiary can only marry the person who submitted the petition. Eventually the alien must file an adjustment of status petition to receive the green card . There is no deadline for filing the AOS, and it does not need to be filed within 90 days of arrival. However, the alien will not be able to work or re-enter the United States before it is filed.

Additional Items Related to the K1 Visa Process

Children of K1 fiancé Visas (K2 Visa)

The fiancé's children who are under 21 and unmarried may be eligible for a K2 nonimmigrant visa. All that is necessary to include them during the K1 visa petition process is to include their names on the I-129F.

Working in the U.S. with a K1 fiancé Visa

After your fiancé arrives in the United States, he or she may apply for permission to work by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The current average processing time for the I-765 is 5.5 months.

K1 fiancé Visa and HIV/AIDS

HIV is no longer a ground of inadmissibility. This rule was changed on January 4, 2010. Applicants are no longer required to file Form I-690 if HIV infected.

Disqualifying Events

A K1 fiancé visa will be refused if the applicant:

• Has committed serious criminal acts including crimes involving moral turpitude, drug trafficking, and prostitution.
• Is addicted to drugs.
• Has a communicable disease other than HIV.
• Has a dangerous physical or mental disorder.
• Is likely to become a public charge .
• Has used fraud or other illegal means to enter the United States.

Multiple K1 Visa Filings

If you have filed two or more K1 visa petitions in the past, you must apply for a waiver. You will also need a waiver if you have had one K1 approved within the past two years. To request a waiver, you simply write a letter stating all available facts about your previous filings. You will state that you are requesting a waiver, and attach the letter to your new fiancé visa petition.

Using a Different Type of Visa to Come to the U.S. for Marriage (not a K1 Visa)

Coming to the U.S. on a different visa (not a K1 visa) or no visa ( ESTA ), with the intent of getting married would usually be considered immigration fraud. This situation should be avoided. For example, you should not attempt to bring your fiancé to the U.S. on a tourist visa with the intent to get married . The penalties for immigration fraud are steep and can even result in up to 5 years in prison.

K1 Visa if Fiancé is in the United States Illegally

If your fiancé is in the United States illegally, you will not be able to get a K1 visa. If this is your situation, you should talk to an immigration attorney before you leave the United States.

K-1 Visa Checklist

1. Visiting Your fiancé

• Take time-stamped photos together
• Take time-stamped photos with fiancé's friends & family
• Keep your boarding passes
• Keep receipts from restaurants & stores
• Get to know details about your fiancé
• Gather documents for USCIS filing (see below)

2. USCIS Filing

• Form I-129F
• Form G-1145
• $535 check for the filing fee
• Cover letter
• Statements of intent to marry
• Primary proof of meeting in person within the last 2 years
• Passport photos (petitioner and beneficiary)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate)
• Evidence of all previous marriages ending (ie. death certificate/divorce decree)
• Proof of legal name change (if applicable)
• Certified copies of police & court convictions, in compliance with IMBRA
• Send via trackable mail or courier
• Embassy Phase
• DS-160 Form
• Passport with at least 6 months of validity left on it
• Divorce documents of previous marriages (both parties)
• Police certificates from current residence country
• Police certificates from other residence countries lived for 6+ months
• Medical exam
• Vaccinations records
• Evidence of financial support (I-134)
• Alien birth certificate
• Affidavit of support (if requested by embassy)
• Evidence of relationship
• $265 embassy fee

3. After Visa Granted

• Travel to USA
• Marry within 90 days
• File adjustment of status (green card)

NOTE: If you are a RapidVisa customer, a more detailed, customized checklist will be generated based on your information.

K-1 Visa FAQs

What are the requirements for approval of the fiancé visa?

You must be a US citizen ; fiancés of permanent residents are not eligible for the K-1 fiancé visa . You and your fiancé must be legally able to marry. You must really intend to marry within 90 days of the time your fiancé comes to the US. You must not have any disqualifying conditions such as criminal records or communicable diseases. You must have personally met your fiancé within the last two years Note: there are some exceptions such as physical disabilities or cultural prohibitions to personally meeting prior to marriage. However, these exceptions are very hard to get and most requests for an exception to these rules are denied.

What if we don't have pictures from when we met?

Pictures are great proof that you have met your fiancé in person. However, the law doesn't absolutely require them. Other things you can use as proof include passport stamps showing entry to and exit from your fiancé's country, airline boarding passes, hotel receipts and receipts of other types. You can also get affidavits from individuals who will attest to your visit. Just note that it may seem suspicious to a consulate that you traveled to a foreign country to meet the love of your life and forgot to bring a camera. You will need to over-compensate with your other evidence.

Do we qualify for a fiancé visa?

You must be a U.S. citizen to request a K-1 fiancé Visa petition . In your petition, you must show that:

1. You are a U.S. citizen

2. You and your fiancé intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé entering the United States

3. You are both free to marry

4. You have met each other in person within two years before you file this petition.

How long does it take to complete my K-1 Visa Petition?

Using our streamlined process, you could easily complete the entire application in about an hour. However, most people find they need to do a little research to find information like your fiancé's mother's date of birth. With RapidVisa, you can answer the questions you know and then save your work and come back later when you have the missing information.

So how do I get my fiancé here?

A U.S. citizen who wishes to marry a non-U.S. citizen can help their fiancé obtain permanent residence in different ways. The fastest way to apply for a fiancé visa if your fiancé is overseas and you want to marry in the United States. This is called the K-1 visa and lets your fiancé enter the United States for 90 days so that your marriage ceremony can take place in the United States. Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while you apply to adjust her/his status . After your initial fiancé visa petition is approved, it is sent to the National Visa Center, which will process and forward it to the U.S. Embassy or consulate nearest your fiancé’s foreign place of residence. The embassy or consulate will then invite him or her to an interview before issuing the actual fiancé visa.

Can my fiancé enter with a tourist visa, marry me, & adjust her status to get legal?

Entering the United States on a tourist visa with the intent of staying is visa fraud. This can and often does lead to deportation and a bar from reentering the United States. For an example of how this can go terribly wrong, read the decision of the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office below. In this case, a Philippine woman married an American and tried to enter the Untied States on a tourist visa. Not only was she unsuccessful in staying in the U.S., later when she tried to enter the U.S. the legal way, they denied her because of her previous attempt to misuse the tourist visa. She appealed and her appeal was denied. She is now barred from entering the United States.

Note however, that your fiancé can come here on a tourist visa and marry you. But she will have to leave before her tourist visa expires and apply for a spousal visa from outside the United States. It is the intent to stay that is illegal, not the marriage. A person who enters the U.S. with no intent to get married and stay who, while visiting, spontaneously decides to marry and attempt to stay may be able to do so. However, you must convince the government that this was not your intent all along.

Do you help us with the interview?

We will answer any questions you have about the interview and give you some general tips. However, you should be very wary about any service that offers to coach you on the interview process. According to the U.S. Department of State , "The end result is that every client from a particular consultant sounds exactly like one another. This diminishes credibility among those who memorize the 'correct' answers and cannot hold free-flowing conversations with the visa officers."

Can my fiancé work after she arrives on her K-1 Visa?

Yes, but she will first need to obtain an Employment Authorization Document. You apply for this document (which is actually a card, Form I-766) using form I-765 after you are married. You can't start this process until after your fiancé arrives. It typically takes about 2 months to get the EAD and she will not be able to work during that period. She will not be able to work before you are married because you can't get the EAD until you are married.

Does it matter where we get married?

It does not matter where you get married, but you must not get married before you come to the United States on your K-1 visa. Once you are in the U.S. you can get married anywhere. You do not have to get married in the state where the U.S. citizen sponsor lives.

Once my fiancé has her K-1 Visa, when should she travel to the United States?

She can travel immediately upon receiving her K-1 Visa, even on the same day. The K-1 Visa is valid for 6 months, so she needs to travel to the United States before the end of 6 months. The K-3 visa is valid for two years.

My visa was denied. Can I reapply?

Yes. If you have new information or your situation has changed you can reapply using the same process you used the first time.

Will I get my visa application fees back if I am denied?

No. All visa application fees are non-refundable.

Can we get married at the U.S. Embassy?

No, American consular officers are not permitted to perform marriages (Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations 52.1). Additionally, marriages are not allowed on embassy grounds.

How long is my K-1 Visa good for?

The K1 visa is good for 6 months and allows you to enter the United States only one time. The K1 approval from the USCIS is good for 4 months, which means the visa must be issued within 4 months of your USCIS approval. However, the consular officer can extend the USCIS approval for another 4 months and will routinely do this if it is not the applicant's fault the visa could not be issued within the 4 months. Once the fiancé arrives in the U.S., the couple must get married within 90 days. This 90 day period cannot be extended.

What does the K in K-1 Visa stand for?

The "K" doesn't actually stand for anything (not a word or phrase). K non immigrant visa applicants are a class defined by sub-paragraph (K) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The "K" simply refers to the sub-paragraph of this section of the act. Most K visas are K-1's.

What do I do if something goes wrong with my case?

Most petitions go through with no problems at all. However, if you run into serious problems that require an attorney we recommend you contact an immigration attorney.

Once I have my visa, are there certain places I must enter the U.S.?

No. You can enter the United States at any U.S. port of entry . Any commercial airline flight to the U.S. will work.

What will my visa look like?

The actual visa is a decal that is attached to a page in your passport. It is about the size of one passport page.

Can my fiancé enter under the visa waiver program, marry me, & adjust her status to get legal?

Yes and No. A person admitted under the Visa Waiver Program cannot get an extension of the 90 day visit. You can marry your fiancé while she is in the U.S., but she will need to return to her country before her visa expires. You can then file for a spousal visa.

Here is an article from the New York Times from May 14, 2010, discussing a man who was jailed and faces deportation for entering the U.S. on the visa waiver program and trying to apply for a green card.

However, many people have successfully came to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program and adjusted their status to permanent resident after marriage to a U.S. citizen. The key point is intent. If you intend to come on the VWP and try to get a green card through marriage, you have probably committed visa fraud since your implied intent was to just vist. But a person who intends to visit but at some point after arrival decides to marry an stay may be allowed to do so.

My K-1 petition was denied. Can I appeal?

Yes. The denial letter you received will tell you how to appeal. Unless otherwise instructed, you will file your appeal on USCIS Form I-290B. You will normally have 33 days from the time you receive your denial to get your appeal to the USCIS. The appeal must be sent to the same office that denied your petition. Appeals are handled by the Administrative Appeals Unit in Washington, DC.

I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa, but would like to marry somebody else. Is this possible?

No. You can only marry the person who petitioned you. You must leave the United States before your 90 day stay is up. Your new fiancé can then file a new K-1 petition to bring you back.

Can a person who is HIV positive get a U.S. visa?

Yes. HIV was removed as an inadmissible condition on January 4, 2010. HIV testing is no longer required in the medical exam . Although forms DS-160, DS-230 and DS-156 still ask about HIV, a person who is infected can legally answer "NO" to this question.

When will USCIS cash my check?

The USCIS will scan your check and electronically withdraw the fee from your account within 24 hours of receipt. They will destroy the original check and therefore it will not come back to you.

What happens when I enter the U.S. on my K-1 Visa?

The big envelope you were given at the interview and told not to open will be opened. Your passport will be stamped and the I-94 attached to a page of your passport. The I-94 is an important document that you will need later so make sure it never comes out of your passport. You may be asked a few questions by the immigration officer. That's it, welcome to America!

I brought my previous fiancé to the United States on a K-1 Visa, but we didn't get married and she returned to her country. Can I apply for another K-1 Visa?

You can only apply for a K-1 fiancé visa one time in a 2-year period, and only two times total. So if it has been more than 2 years you are okay. If it has been less than 2 years you will need a waiver. In this situation, it may be easier just to get married and file a spousal visa instead of hoping for a waiver that may not be granted.

You can only file two K-1 visa petitions in your lifetime without getting a waiver. In this situation it would probably be easier to get married and file a CR-1 spousal visa petition. No such limitation applies to the spousal visa.

What if I discover a mistake after I print my K-1 fiancé package?

This is where RapidVisa really shines! Errors or typos are no problem. Our program catches most mistakes as you make them. However, if you do find you have made a mistake or left something out all you do is correct the information and reprint your K-1 fiancé package. You can change, print and reprint your package as many times as you like all for the same low price.

How does the K-2 visa work to bring children over?

To qualify for a K-2 visa, an applicant must be a minor, unmarried child under 21 years of age of a qualified K-1 applicant. The U.S. citizen who filed an I-129F petition for his or her fiancé does not have to file a separate I-129F petition for the child of that fiancé. These children must, however, be listed on the I-129F petition of the fiancé.

Must children attend the embassy interview?

Yes, if they are included in the petition and seeking a K-2 visa, they must attend the interview with you. This includes newborns. They will also be required to have the medical exam.

Does the child of a K-1 recipient have to travel to the U.S. with the parent?

No. The K-2 visa holder child can travel to the U.S. up to one year after the K-1 parent.

Must my newborn baby have his eyes open in his passport photo?

What if my fiancé's country does not have a U.S. Embassy?

If your fiancé's country does not have a U.S. embassy, or if the embassy there does not issue visas, the National Visa Center will send the petition to the embassy or consulate that normally handles visas for that country. For example, if your fiancé is in Iran the petition will be handled in Turkey.

Can I get the U.S. embassy to translate documents?

No. However, you don't need any type of "official" translation. Anybody can do the translation for you.

If I leave the USA before getting married on my K-1 Visa, can I come back?

If a K-1 visa, valid for a single entry and a 6-month period, has already been used for admission into the United States and the foreign fiancé has returned abroad before getting married, the consular officer may issue a new K-1 visa, provided that the period of validity does not exceed the 90th day after the date of initial admission of the beneficiary on the original K visa and provided also that the petitioner and beneficiary still intend and are free to marry. The foreign partner’s return to the United States and marriage to the sponsor must take place within 90 days from the date of the original admission into the U.S. in K-1 status. Because the K1 is a single-entry visa, you cannot leave the country and re-enter on a K1 .

Can I get a K-1 fiancée Visa if we have not met in person?

Probably not. Although there are rare cases where the USCIS has granted a waiver for religious or health reasons, this almost never happens.

Meeting online does not count. You must physically meet in person and that meeting can't have been more than 24 months ago. The meeting can be anywhere in the world and doesn't have to be in your fiancée's country. So you can't use the excuse that her country is not safe. Your inability to get a passport or leave the USA will also not work as an excuse since your fiancé can simply meet you here in the USA.

You will not fool the USCIS. Many people try to come up with an excuse for not meeting. They have heard every excuse and reject nearly all of them. Unless your justification is 100% legitimate you will not succeed. And even if you do succeed in getting a waiver of the meeting requirement , you will spend thousands of dollars and it will take up to 2 years to make it happen. Don't even think about creating false evidence such as photo-shopped pictures of you with your fiancée. Many people have already tried this. Immigration fraud is a serious crime which can and does land people in jail and can get your fiancée a permanent bar from ever entering the USA. You will not think up an excuse that the USCIS has not already heard and rejected.

Under no circumstances will they accept financial hardship as a reason not to travel to see your fiancée.

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

• If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
• If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
• Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

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Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brunei Darussalam

Burkina Faso

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Congo the Democratic Republic of the

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Côte d'Ivoire

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Micronesia, Federated States of

Moldova, Republic of

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea

North Macedonia

Palestinian Authority

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Russian Federation

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten (Dutch part)

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Virgin Islands, British

Wallis and Futuna

What is Reciprocity?

Nonimmigrant visa applicants from certain countries*/areas of authority may be required to pay a visa issuance fee after their application is approved. These fees are based on the principle of  reciprocity:  when a foreign government imposes fees on U.S. citizens for certain types of visas, the United States will impose a reciprocal fee on citizens of that country*/area of authority for similar types of visas. 

How Do I Find Out if I Have to Pay a Reciprocity Fee?

To view the Reciprocity Page for your country* of nationality, select your country*/area of authority from the list of countries on the left side menu. On the Reciprocity Page, select the Visa Classifications tab from the column on the left

Select the type of visa you have applied for, such as a B-1/B-2 (temporary visa for business or pleasure), F-1 (student visa), etc. from the drop down menu: 

The reciprocity information for that country*/area of authority will display:

What does this table tell me?

Visa Classification:  The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee:  The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries:  The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. “M” means multiple times. If there is a number, such as “One”, you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period:  This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

What is the Difference between the Reciprocity Fee and the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee?

The nonimmigrant visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, is a nonrefundable fee paid by most applicants for U.S. visas, whether the application is approved or refused. It covers the costs associated with processing a U.S. visa application. Current nonimmigrant visa application fees can be found on our  Fees – Visa Services  webpage. (This webpage also lists the few visa categories for which application fees are not required.)

While most visa applicants are required to pay the visa application fee, the Reciprocity Fee is only charged to an approved nonimmigrant visa applicant after the visa interview.

Immigrant Visa Interviews

For Immigrant Visa interviews each U.S. Embassy or Consulate has specific instructions for their applicants. Please click here to select your designated interview location.

Civil Documents and How to Use Them

Immigrant visa applicants are required to submit certain civil documents as part of their visa application, such as birth certificates and police records. (Nonimmigrant visa applicants do not routinely need to submit civil documents as part of their visa application.) Each Reciprocity Page will provide detailed information about how to obtain these civil documents from the country* you have selected, as well as the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you can apply for your visa. For more information about civil document requirements for immigrant visa cases, see  civil documents .

To view the Civil Documents for your country* of nationality, select your country*/area of authority from the drop-down menu below. On the Reciprocity Page, click on the tabs on the left to see the categories of Civil Documents and how to obtain them.

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* With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” on this page, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]whenever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b) (1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.