| The K1 fiancee visa has been a popular travel | | | | A current proposal would raise these fees from one |
| document for those who have a foreign loved one | | | | hundred and thirty-one to three hundred and fifty |
| whom they wish to bring back to the United States. In | | | | dollars. For most people, a fee increase of $220 is |
| 2009, the K1 visa process remained largely unchanged | | | | substantial. This may have an impact upon those who |
| when compared to 2008. However, there may be | | | | even opt to file for a K1 visa as this $350 Consular |
| changes in store for the K1 visa in 2010. This article | | | | Processing fee could prove to be prohibitively |
| looks at the possible changes that couples could | | | | expensive. |
| expect to encounter in 2010. | | | | Another change that could occur in 2010 involves |
| For those unfamiliar with the K1 visa process the | | | | Comprehensive Immigration Reform. At present United |
| following is a brief synopsis: | | | | States legislators and the President are discussing |
| First, a K1 visa petition is filed by a US Citizen fiance at | | | | ways of overhauling the American Immigration system. |
| a USCIS Service Center in the USA. USCIS | | | | Some have wondered if these changes to the US |
| adjudicates the US Citizen petitioner's application and, | | | | Immigration system will impact the K category visas |
| upon approval, forwards the application on to the | | | | under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It is this |
| National Visa Center. The National Visa Center (NVC) | | | | author's opinion that 2010 will not likely see dramatic |
| is under US State Department jurisdiction and is | | | | changes for those seeking a K1 fiancee visa, but by |
| responsible for conducting security clearances and | | | | being prepared for upcoming legislation attorneys, |
| forwarding case files on to the Embassies or | | | | applicants, and petitioners will be able to better |
| Consulates abroad. In the Kingdom of Thailand, nearly | | | | anticipate possible problems before they arise. |
| all K-1 visa applications for Thai Nationals or other | | | | (Please note, the above article should not be viewed |
| foreign nationals residing in Thailand are adjudicated at | | | | as a sufficient substitute for individualized legal advice |
| the American Embassy in Thailand. The Consular | | | | from a competent licensed attorney. The information |
| Officers and State Department Personnel at the US | | | | imparted above is for general research purposes |
| Embassy will carry out a visa interview and, if the visa | | | | exclusively and shouldn't be viewed as specific advice |
| application obtains approval, issue the K-1 visa. | | | | regarding an individual set of factual circumstances. For |
| Overall, the above outlined process will likely remain the | | | | those who are interested in obtaining information about |
| same for most couples in 2010. That being said, a | | | | United States Immigration law, it might be optimal to |
| recently proposed rule from the American State | | | | make contact with a licensed United States |
| Department would likely increase the American | | | | Immigration lawyer. |
| Embassy Consular Processing and visa interview fees. | | | | |