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K-1 Visa Success Starts Here!
K-1 Visa Lawyer Experience & Responsiveness that Makes a Difference.
Our K-1 Fiance Visa Lawyer Guarantee:
- 100% focused on processing your K-1 visa quickly & successfully
- Strong K-1 Visa Lawyer experience
- Best Fiance Visa service and a commitment to open, responsive communication
- Highest level of K-1 Fiancee Visa Attorney service at an affordable FLAT rate
- Rapid turnaround on K-1 Fiance visa applications
To discuss your case with a K-1 Visa Lawyer call: 212-643-0985 or 1-800-673-1120 or
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How We Can Help with your K-1 Visa...
The K-1 visa was introduced to give foreign fiancé(e)’s of U.S. citizens a means to legally enter the U.S. for the purpose of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé(e) and applying for a green card. At Lightman Law Firm we consider it an honor to be entrusted with the task of safely and efficiently assisting our clients in navigating the K1 fiance visa. It is highly satisfying to know that we played a vital role in helping a couple begin their lives together.
With the above in mind, we ensure that the process is navigated safely and efficiently by creating an appropriate and personalized strategy, paying careful attention to detail, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining open communication with our clients, USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the U.S. Consulate abroad. We use our vast K-1 visa experience to navigate the K1 fiance visa process safely and efficiently.
We listen, we communicate, we address concerns, and we adhere to the highest legal, ethical, and professional standards. With these elements in place, our clients are able to rest easy that their case will be handled professionally, quickly, and safely.
Benefit from our Visa K-1 experience. We:
- Create an appropriate and personalized strategy for your fiancee visa
- Assist you and your loved one with collecting the proper documentation
- Analyze the details of your K-1 visa application and ensure all legal requirements are met
- Prepare and submit all K-1 visa forms and documents
- Communicate with YOU, USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the U.S. Consulate
- Monitor the K-1 visa application from start to finish
Your success with the fiance visa process is our success. At Lightman Law, that's not lip service. You'll know it from the first communication through the completion of your K-1 visa.
Take Advantage of our K1 Visa Evaluation.
K-1 Visa Questions? Concerns? We can help. We'll explain the K1 visa process and time frame, and outline exactly what you need to prepare... and what you can expect.
There's no obligation. Contact us:
* 212-643-0985
* 800-673-1120
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Common K-1 Visa Questions:
What is an K-1 Visa? The K-1 Visa is a visa specifically for the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The purpose of the visa fiancé is to allow the foreign fiancé to enter the U.S. in the K-1 visa status in order to marry his/her U.S. citizen fiancée and apply for a green card. Although a K1 visa is considered a “nonimmigrant” visa, it is more like a hybrid visa, since the intention of the visa is to allow the foreign fiancé to ultimately “immigrate” to the U.S.
Do I qualify for an K-1 Visa? The most obvious qualification is that you have a U.S. citizen fiancée who is willing to sponsor you for the K1 visa. Other important qualification aspects are as follows: you have an intention to marry within 90 days of entry on the K-1; you’re legally eligible to marry; and that you and your fiancée have met in person within the two years of filing the fiancé visa petition.
How does the process work? The process generally works as follows:
USCIS Stage:
- U.S. citizen fiance(e) files the Petition for Alien Fiance(e) in the U.S. on behalf of his/her foreign fiance(e);
- USCIS evaluates and ultimately approves the petition; and
- Upon approval, USCIS transfers the case to the National Visa Center.
National Visa Center (NVC) state:
- The NVC reviews the file for completeness;
- The NVC may communicate with the petitioner and attorney that the case has been received and is being processed; and
- Upon file review, the NVC transfers the case to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad.
U.S. Consulate:
- The U.S. Consulate abroad receives the file and issues a request to the beneficiary for specific documents and information;
- The beneficiary provides documents and information requested;
- The Consulate issues a notice to the beneficiary with an interview date and a list of items to bring to the interview;
- Assuming the case is approved at the interview, the beneficiary is issued a K-1 visa in his/her passport shortly thereafter; and
- The beneficiary uses the K-1 visa in his/her passport to enter the U.S. and marry his/her U.S. citizen fiance(e) within 90 days and applies for a green card.
How long is the visa valid for? The actual K-1 visa is valid for a period of 6 months. The visa is known as a “single-entry” visa, meaning that it can be used only ONCE for entry to the U.S.
How soon do I have to marry after entering the U.S.? You are required to marry within 90 days of entry on the K-1 visa.
How do I apply for a green card after entering on the K-1 visa? After you have married your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) you can then apply for a green card through the marriage green card process. For more info on this process, please see the following : green card through marriage.
How long does the Visa K-1 process take? From the time the application is submitted, the entire process could take approximately 5-8 months. However, processing times fluctuate and it’s difficult to put an exact time frame on a case due to the fact that three different agencies are involved in the process: USCIS; the National Visa Center; and the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Each of these organizations have their own time frames that fluctuate.
How do I plan a wedding with such an uncertain time frame? We recommend that you do not make any definite plans until the actual visa is approved at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
What if we marry before the visa is issued? If you marry before the visa is issued then you will no longer be a fiancé(e) and if you’re not longer a fiancé(e) you cannot obtain a K-1 Fiance Visa. An individual in this scenario would probably want to apply for a green card via the immigrant visa route.
What if I don't marry the U.S. citizen fiance(e) who sponsored me for the K-1 visa? Then you cannot apply for a green card. In fact, your immigration options in the U.S. will be severely limited and impaired as you cannot change status to another nonimmigrant status from the K-1 status and you cannot adjust status to a permanent resident through any other route aside from the one based on a marriage to the petitioner who originally submitted fiancé petition.
Are there any quotas or caps for K-1 visas? There are no quotas or caps for K-1 fiance(e) visas.
How recently do we have to have met? You and your fiancé(e) must have met IN PERSON within two years of filing the Petition for Alien Fiance(e), which is the first part of the process. This requirement may be waived if “extreme hardship” or “long established” custom can be established.
What if I have children? Children can accompany the foreign fiancé(e) by obtaining a K-2 visa. They must be unmarried, under the age of 21, and named in the petition.
How does the fiance K-1 visa compare to the K-3 marriage visa? The K-3 Marriage Visa is for the spouses of U.S. citizens and works in much the same way as a K-1 visa. However, since the immigrant visa process is now a relatively quick process, the K-3 marriage visa no longer makes sense for the spouses of U.S. citizens. Spouses of U.S. citizens who are abroad and are not able to return to the U.S. should process their green card via the immigrant visa route as oppose to the K-3 visa.
What if I'm already in the U.S.? Depending on your status, how you entered the U.S., your travel needs over the next few months, and your marriage plans, if you are already in the U.S. it may make more sense to just marry your U.S. citizen fiancé and apply for a green card through marriage as opposed to navigating the process via the K-1 Fiance Visa. Please contact us to discuss this scenario with an experienced K-1 Visa Lawyer.
Is there a financial requirement for the petitioner? Yes, the petitioner will have to submit an affidavit of support as part of both the fiancé visa application and as part of the marriage green card affidavit. The affidavit of support in connection with the fiancé visa petition (I-134) is technically not a legally enforceable contract and therefore if a joint sponsor is needed it may be easier to convince a friend or family member to help out. The affidavit of support (I-864) in connection with the marriage green card process is a legally enforceable contract. For more info on the I-864, please see: green card affidavit of support.
What type of information and documents do you need from me and my fiance(e)? A substantial amount of information and documents are necessary for the K-1 fiancee visa process. At the beginning of the process, we’ll need passports, birth certificates, divorce documents, and other similar items, along with substantial evidence of the relationship. Later on in the process we’ll need items such as tax documents, bank statements, and police records…just to name a few. As each case is unique, we can discuss the specific needs of your case during our free, no obligation attorney evaluation.
What if I don't live in New York City? No problem! We take great pride in offering the same stellar level of service to individuals whether they are located across the street, across the country, or across the globe. Whether we meet in person, over the phone, or using the internet, our strong communication will be an asset to your case.
How much will a K-1 visa cost? The UsCIS petition fee is $340 and the K-1 visa stamp fee due at the consulate abroad is $240. There will also be fees associated with the medical exam, that may range from $100 to $300. The flat legal fee depends on the details of the case. Give us a call and we will be happy to discuss our fees with you. Rest easy, Lightman Law Firm takes great pride in offering the highest level of service at an affordable FLAT rate, and we will never pressure you to work with us.
Put our K-1 Visa Attorney experience to work for you.
Contact us to discuss your fiance(e) case:
* 212-643-0985
* 800-673-1120
*
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Did You Know?
Some Interesting K-1 Visa Facts that May Help You:
Single Admission Visa
The K-1 Visa is good for only ONE admission to the U.S. That means that if you use the K-1 Visa to enter the U.S. and you leave before you have been approved for a green card or before you have advance parole, you will have to start the K-1 process all over again.
Travel in and out of the U.S. after entering using the K-1 visa
Once you enter the U.S. using the K-1 visa, you may not leave without abandoning the process, until you have either been approved for a green card or have received advance parole as part of your green card process.
Cannot change status or adjust status other than through marriage to K-1 petitioner
When you enter the U.S. using the K-1 visa your only immigration option in the U.S. is to apply for a green card based on marriage to the individual who petitioned for you. You cannot change status to another status or adjust status in the U.S. through another means.
Disclosure of petitioner's criminal history
If the petitioner has a criminal history involving violence or sex offenses, USCIS may disclose the matter to the beneficiary.
Alternatives to the K-1 Visa
Under the right circumstances, there may be two alternatives to the K-1 Visa, both of which require marriage to the U.S. citizen fiancé: green card adjustment of status and immigrant visa processing. The adjustment of status process is only available to spouses of U.S. citizens in the U.S. whereas the immigrant visa process is available to spouses of U.S. citizens abroad. Before considering these alternatives, it is important to understand the risks and legal consequences.
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Please Contact Us to Discuss Your Case with an K-1 Visa Lawyer!
Call 212-643-0985 or email
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