Love knows no bounds, and neither does the U.S. immigration process.
Unfortunately, even the slightest misstep in the visa application process can lead to heartache and delays in your relationship. Olubusayo Fasidi is an experienced U.S. immigration attorney who specializes in helping foreign citizens obtain fiancé(e) visas (also known as K-1 visas).
Ms. Fasidi understands the ins and outs of the visa application process and can help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible. Whether you're just starting to plan your wedding or you've already tied the knot, our law office can help you every step of the way.
A fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows the foreign-citizen fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married.
Allows entry to the U.S. specifically for marriage to a U.S. citizen
Marriage must occur within 90 days of arrival in the United States
After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for permanent residence
Unmarried children under 21 may qualify for K-2 visas
The U.S. citizen petitioner is at least 21 years old.
Both parties are legally free to marry.
The couple have met in person within the past two years (with some exceptions).
The U.S. citizen petitioner can demonstrate financial means to support the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) in the U.S.
The journey to bringing your fiancé(e) to the United States involves several important steps
The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Once USCIS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC).
The NVC assigns a case number and forwards the petition to the U.S. embassy or consulate where the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) lives.
The foreign-citizen fiancé(e) completes the visa application (DS-160) and schedules a medical examination with an approved physician.
The foreign-citizen fiancé(e) attends an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, presenting evidence of the genuine relationship.
If approved, the K-1 visa is issued, allowing the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States.
The couple must marry within 90 days of the foreign-citizen fiancé(e)'s arrival in the United States.
After marriage, the foreign-citizen spouse can apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (green card holder).
The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. Permanent residents (green card holders) cannot petition for fiancé(e) visas.
The U.S. citizen petitioner must be at least 21 years of age.
Both parties must intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign-citizen fiancé(e)'s arrival in the United States.
Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) must be legally free to marry.
The U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) must have physically met each other in person within the two years before filing the petition.
The in-person meeting requirement may be waived if it would result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner or if it would violate strict and long-established customs of the foreign-citizen fiancé(e)'s culture.
The U.S. citizen petitioner must demonstrate the ability to financially support the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) at 125% above the U.S. poverty guidelines.
Certain criminal convictions may bar the U.S. citizen from petitioning or the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) from receiving a visa.
Navigating the fiancé(e) visa process can be complex and overwhelming. Our experienced team provides comprehensive assistance at every stage:
We help you prepare and file Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) with all necessary supporting documentation.
We assist in preparing the Affidavit of Support and gathering the necessary financial evidence to meet USCIS requirements.
We guide you in collecting and organizing compelling evidence of your genuine relationship, including photos, correspondence, and travel records.
We thoroughly prepare your fiancé(e) for the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, including practice questions and documentation review.
We help address potential issues such as criminal history, previous visa denials, or requests for evidence from USCIS.
We provide guidance on the adjustment of status process after marriage to help your spouse obtain permanent residency.
Long processing times can keep couples apart for extended periods.
We ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid unnecessary delays. We can also help with expedite requests in certain circumstances.
Some couples struggle to meet the in-person meeting requirement due to financial constraints or travel restrictions.
We can help you document your meetings effectively or apply for a waiver of the meeting requirement if you qualify for an exception.
Meeting the financial support requirements can be challenging for some petitioners.
We help identify alternative sources of financial support, such as assets or joint sponsors, to meet the income requirements.
Demonstrating the authenticity of your relationship can be difficult, especially for couples with cultural or language barriers.
We guide you in gathering compelling evidence of your relationship and help you present your story effectively to immigration officials.
Prior visa denials or immigration violations can complicate the fiancé(e) visa process.
We develop strategies to address previous immigration issues and prepare documentation to overcome potential grounds of inadmissibility.
Communication issues during the interview or misunderstandings of cultural practices can lead to complications.
We provide cultural context to immigration officials and help prepare your fiancé(e) for the interview, including arranging interpreters if needed.
Let our experienced team guide you through the fiancé(e) visa process with expertise and dedication.