Tampa Fiancée Visa Lawyer

Applying for a Fiancée Visa

A K-1 visa, or a fiancée visa, allows for a foreign national to marry a U.S. citizen within the 90 days of his or her arrival. After marriage, the foreign national will apply for the adjustment status to a permanent resident via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The foreign national that travels to the U.S. and marries a citizen is required to pass certain requirements of an immigrant visa.

To learn more about fiancée visas, get in touch with our Tampa K-1 visa lawyers at Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A. Give us a call at (800) 708-4399 or send us a message online.

Overview of the K-1 Visa Process

It is the duty of the U.S. citizen sponsor to file Form I-129F, which is the Petition for Alien Fiancée. The form must be filed with your local USCIS office, not at a consulate, a U.S. embassy or a USCIS office abroad. Then, the foreign national fiancée must follow the specific instructions given to him or her by the NVC, amongst which a medical examination location is determined.

The fiancée will have inkless, digital fingerprints taken during the required interview for consulate records. The process may be slowed down due to extraneous administrative processing taking place after the initial interview with the consulate officer. Children of K-1 visa applicants may apply for K-2 visas, as long as they meet the visa requirements and pay an individual fee per child.

Visa applicants must schedule and participate in a medical examination performed by an authorized panel physician prior to the interview. Although some vaccinations are not required for K visa issuance, applicants are recommended to receive the vaccinations that are required under U.S. immigration law.

Along with various other requirements, the U.S. consulate requires proof of financial support for the foreign national, by either the foreign national or the U.S. citizen fiancée. A Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be requested for submittal from the U.S. citizen.

Hear from Someone We've Helped

“Mr. Davis' tremendous experience in immigration law achieved the goal, which is bringing my fiancé to the U.S.A; and after I got married, Mr. Davis helped my husband apply for and obtain citizenship. Throughout the process, I always felt confident of a positive end result because I saw how Mr. Davis handled my case personally and answered all my questions every time I had any.” - Simone A.

Who Qualifies for a K-1 Visa?

To qualify for a K-1 fiancée visa, both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must meet certain eligibility criteria. Here are the key requirements:

U.S. Citizen Petitioner:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Both parties must be legally free to marry. This means any previous marriages must have been legally terminated through divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse.
• The U.S. citizen petitioner must intend to marry the foreign fiancé(e) within 90 days of their entry into the United States.
• The petitioner must meet the minimum income requirements, demonstrating the ability to financially support the fiancé(e). In cases where the petitioner does not meet these requirements, a co-sponsor may be considered.

Foreign Fiancé(e):

• Must be outside the United States at the time of filing the petition and visa application.
• The foreign fiancé(e) must intend to marry the U.S. citizen petitioner and immigrate to the U.S. for that purpose.
• Both parties must have a genuine and bona fide intention to establish a life together as a married couple.
• The fiancé(e) must be admissible to the United States. Certain criminal convictions, health issues, or other grounds of inadmissibility may affect eligibility.

It's important to note that the K-1 fiancée visa is intended for couples who genuinely plan to marry and build a life together in the United States. The visa is not suitable for those seeking to enter the U.S. for other purposes, such as tourism or work.

Meeting these eligibility criteria is essential for a successful K-1 visa application. Consulting with an experienced K-1 visa attorney in Tampa, like those at Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A., can help ensure that both parties understand and fulfill the necessary requirements, increasing the likelihood of a smooth and successful visa process.

Contact Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A. for Help

Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A., is proud to offer superb service to clients on a corporate and individual basis. Our firm is AV rated, holds board certification in immigration and nationality law by the Florida Bar, and has over 100 years of experience. Our promise to honest representation is what sets us above the rest.

Get assistance with all of your K-1 visa needs. Contact our fiancé(e) visa lawyers in Tampa to arrange a consultation: (800) 708-4399. We have offices nationwide.