K-1 fiancé visa cost and fees is an appropriate topic that should come to mind after you have found the “one.” Falling in love and getting married will cost you something regardless of whether you find a local or foreign-national spouse. Understanding the fiancé visa process is a fundamental step in assessing the cost of a K-1 visa.
Eligibility
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to petition for a foreign-national spouse. Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, are ineligible.
Both persons must be legally free to marry and intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign-national spouse’s arrival in the United States. If there is a divorce pending, it must be finalized before submitting the I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé.
Both persons must have met in person within two years immediately before filing the I-129F petition. This meeting may occur in any country and does not have to take place within the foreign-spouse’s country. There are 3 exceptions to the in-person meeting requirement:
- If meeting your fiancé in-person would violate long-stablished customs of your fiancé’s foreign culture or social practice;
- If meeting your fiancé would result in extreme hardship to you; or
- If you and your spouse have already been married and you have filed an immigrant petition for him or her.
Then, you do not need to meet in-person. You will still have to provide evidence of at least one of the exceptions to United States and Immigration Services (USCIS) and be granted the exemption in order to not have to meet in person.
So, now that you know this, next question is: what is the cost of the K-1 visa?
K-1 Fiancé Visa Cost for the Petition- Step One
There are three parts to the fiancé visa application process. The first step is to file form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé. The government filing fees for this application is $535.
This application provides evidence of the relationship between you and your fiancé and shows the government that you are eligible to petition for him or her.
If a qualified immigration attorney is assisting you with the application, you can expect to pay approximately $1,250 to $2,500 in attorney’s fees for this part of the process.
K-1 Fiancé Visa Cost for the Actual Visa- Step Two
If the K-1 visa petition is approved, USCIS will route the file to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate that you indicated on the application.
The visa application fee is $265. This is paid usually days or weeks before the interview. Sometimes, the embassy/consulate has an arrangement with a local bank and the fee is paid there. The best way to know how to pay the fee is by reviewing specific instructions provided by the embassy/consulate.
The foreign national spouse is required to do a medical examination prior to the interview. It costs about $200 and is paid to the panel physician that is selected by the U.S. embassy/consulate in the applicant’s home country or the country where the applicant will be attending the interview.
Attorney’s fees for this part of the process can range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Cost for Adjustment of Status – Step Three
After your fiancé has arrived in the United States, he or she will need an adjustment of status application to become a permanent resident. The government application fee for this portion is $1,140 and there is an $85 biometrics fee for applicants who are between 14 and 78 years old.
Attorney’s fees for this final phase can vary between $1,250 and $2,500.
K-1 visa costs are worth it if you have found the right partner. Think about the value that love, marriage and a good relationship is worth when compared to the cost of the visa.
