Overview of the Fiancé Visa Process

The overview of the process of bringing your fiancé· Two completed sets of copies of Form G-325A
to America is as follows: The first step is to bring yourBiographic Data Sheets. One set for you and one set
fiancé to America under a Fiancé Visa. Thefor your fiancé. Each set has four pages that must
second step of the process is to marry your fiancébe filled out in quadruplicate (all originals, no copies).
and then apply to convert her temporary FiancéEight pages in total.
Visa to Permanent Status.Other Documentation Required:
Bringing your fiancé to America under a fiancéYou will need to provide evidence of U.S. Citizenship:
visa has several parts to it:certified copies of your birth certificate, a copy of your
· The first part consists of your application to theU.S. Passport, a copy of your Certificate of
Immigration and Naturalization Service. You areNaturalization, or a copy of your Certificate of
petitioning the INS on behalf of your fiancé. You areCitizenship.
sponsoring her in her visa application to immigrate toYou will need to send a color photo of both you and
the US.your fiancé taken within thirty days of filing. The
· Once the INS approves your application, the visaphotos must be passport style photographs submitted
application package is then forwarded to thein the approved format with the individual facing the
appropriate US embassy that handles fiancé visascamera.
for the geographic region where your fiancé lives.Do not wear any jewelry or glasses when you are
· The US embassy has its own applicationtaking these pictures. See this INS website for
requirements you must meet. The embassy thencomplete instructions regarding how the photos are to
conducts a final interview with your fiancé beforebe taken:
her K-1 visa is approved.You will need certified copies, and certified copies of
Your petition to the INS must be processed within 120translations into English if necessary, of birth
days by law, from the time all required items arecertificates, divorce decrees, death certifications, or
submitted to the INS.annulment decrees if either you or your fiancé have
If any items required for INS processing are incomplete,been previously married.
the application sits on an INS processor's desk until it isLately, the INS has stated that they do not need
complete. The visa application will expire after the 120certified copies of documents to process fiancé
days and you must either get an extension or reapply.visa applications. However, the INS and US embassy
The following INS forms are required for you to submitpersonnel may question a copy of any document that
a K-1 visa application to the INS:is submitted, with the resulting delay in your application.
· The basic form required is Form I-129F Petition forTo be safe, have certified copies of all documents and
Alien Fiancé. If your fiancé has unmarried childrencertified translations of translated documents. If they
under twenty-one years of age, they are eligible toare certified documents, INS and embassy personnel
accompany your fiancé only if they are listed on thiswill not be able to challenge the authenticity of the
form.documents.