How Long Does It Take To Get a K-1 Visa?

While there are an enumerative amount of scenarios a foreign-born fiancé(e) would be in when applying for their K-1 visa, the time frame for receiving this type of visa generally takes a year. That is, if the engaged couple meets the specific requirements as established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The more variance a case has, the longer the wait-time – which could last up to two years.

What is the K1 Visa Processing Time?

Within the K-1 visa application, the Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F) is where the majority of the processing time occurs. Below is a breakdown of the stages and the length of time each stage normally takes. 

Note: These time frames do not take into account extreme or uncommon cases.
As of May 2022, the USCIS website gives an estimation of 10.5 months for processing times.

Stage 1: The USCIS reviews and processes the applicant’s Form I-129F. 

Time frame: 10.5 months

Stage 2: The National Visa Center (NVC) sends instructions to the applicant about Form DS-160 and then notifies the U.S. embassy or consulate regarding the K-1 petition. 

Time frame: 3-4 weeks

Stage 3: The U.S. embassy or consulate schedules and conducts an interview with the foreign fiancé(e).

Time frame: 4-6 weeks

Upon completion of stage 3, the interviewing officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate sends the foreign fiancé(e) the final decision. 

Time frame: within 4 weeks

K-1 Visa Marital Status & Legal Background Contingencies 

Some possible variations include, but are not limited to the following situations:

Living together or separate – outside of the United States

• The foreigner currently lives outside of the U.S., and is the fiancé(e) to a U.S. citizen
• The foreigner currently lives outside of the U.S. and is either currently married to someone else, married to a U.S. citizen who currently lives either inside or outside of the U.S., is married to a lawful U.S. permanent resident, or is married to an unlawful U.S. resident
• The foreigner and the lawful U.S. permanent resident currently live together outside of the U.S.

Living together or separate – inside the United States

• The foreigner currently lives inside the United States, and is fiancé(e) to a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident
• The foreigner currently lives inside the U.S. and is either currently married to someone else, married to a U.S. citizen who currently lives either inside or outside of the U.S., is married to a lawful U.S. permanent resident, or is married to an unlawful U.S. resident
• The foreigner currently lives in the U.S. legally, and currently lives with the U.S. citizen, or a lawful U.S. permanent resident
• The foreigner currently lives in the U.S. illegally, and is either the fiancé(e), or is married to a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident
• The foreigner and the lawful U.S. permanent resident currently live together, or they currently do not live together 

As demonstrated above, there is a vast array of combinations the soon-to-be-married couple could find themselves in. It is evident though – some cases will be processed quicker than others, and some will require additional administrative processing. Then there is another more unfortunate outcome: the rest will automatically be denied on the basis of immigration status, citizenship, relationship status, document authenticity, information factuality, sincerity of the relationship, etc.

Rather than discussing here how long a K-1 visa would take for each of the theoretical circumstances, we recommend cases with more complexity to be discussed privately with an immigration attorney. If the applicant finds themselves in a more challenging situation, please contact an experienced attorney at Shoreline Immigration for catered guidance, especially when beginning to navigate through the K-1 visa process.

How Long Can a K-1 Visa Really Take?

To answer the question in general of, “How long does it take to get a K-1 visa,” the timeframes presently range from 10-13 months. Extended processing times can vary from just a few additional months, and up to one additional year. Unfortunately, there could be certain factors resulting in K-1 visa processing delays.

Circumstances outside of the applicant’s control could include:

• The Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic 
• USCIS office closures
• USCIS backlogs
• Backlogs in U.S. embassies abroad

Circumstances within the applicant’s control may include:

• Submission of fraudulent documents
• Missed payments or inability to pay for K-1 visa filing fees
• Errors in the K-1 visa application – and/or errors in any supplemental documents
• Drug trafficking involvement
• Overstaying any previous U.S. visa
• Practicing polygamy
• Location of the office where the application is filed
• Complications in the applicant’s case
• Incorrect emails and telephone numbers
• Inaccurate mailing addresses 
• Failing to give substantial evidence the marriage in one of good faith
• False biographical information
• Other current ineligibilities

Conclusion – How Long Does It Take To Get a K-1 Visa?

Considering the variety of circumstances K-1 visa applicants could be classified under, it is quite difficult to articulate a definite period of time in which each case would be processed. It is common for simpler cases to take about a year, give or take a month or two.  So as to alleviate as much stress as possible, applicants should keep this average timeframe in mind when applying for, or while waiting on their K-1 visa application to be processed.

To keep the K-1 Visa processing times as short as possible, applicants should be diligent when completing each step in the K-1 visa application process. It is crucial both of the applicants in each case submit accurate and complete applications. Likewise, they should supply proof of a bonafide union, attend respective interviews, meet all requirements, and adhere to all the deadlines.

Form I-129F takes the longest time to process, as it will be with the USCIS for about 10.5 months. After that, Form DS-160 will be with the NVC for about 3- 4 weeks. Then, the scheduling and conduction of the interview between the foreign-born national and the U.S. embassy or consulate officer will take about 4-6 weeks. Finally, the foreign fiancé(e) will receive the officer’s decision within 4 weeks.

To get an up-to-date K-1 visa processing time, visit the USCIS website for the agency’s official estimation.