Guide To Speed Up The K-1 Visa Process In The United States

Introduction

Waiting a long time for a K-1 visa can seem like forever, especially when you and your partner are really looking forward to being together in the United States. There are ways to speed things up so you can bring your significant other over sooner. An immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can guide you through the process.

This detailed guide will show you how to make the process smoother, what you need to do to qualify, and the steps you can take to increase your chances of getting into the country.

Become familiar with the K-1 visa process

The K-1 visa is also known as the fiancé visa. It is the way a foreign fiancé can come to the US to get married to a US citizen. Once they are here, the couple has to get married within 90 days. While this is an exciting time, getting the visa can take a long time, sometimes up to a year or more, depending on a bunch of factors. Get to know these factors by speaking with an immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX.

It all starts when a US citizen fills out Form I-129F with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form is the first step in the process of getting a K-1 visa. After that, the application moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to a US consulate or embassy. A lot of couples want to speed up this process because waiting for so long can be really hard on their feelings.

How to speed up your K-1 visa?

Knowing what the USCIS and the National Visa Center look for can help you get your K-1 visa faster. Usually, if you can show something special, like:

• Really bad financial problems: Getting your fiancé here sooner can help you or them deal with big money issues.
• Serious health reasons: If your fiancé needs urgent medical care in the US, that is a good reason to speed things up.
• US government needs: If your situation helps the US government, like if you are in the military or working on a government project.
• Emergency: If something unexpected happens and you and your fiancé need to be together right away.

An immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can help you look into these criteria and see the one that fits your situation.

How to speed up your I-129F application

In order for your I-129F application to be processed more quickly, you will have to request a USCIS expedite. Here is how you can do this:

• Contact USCIS: Call them directly and speak with a representative from USCIS. Be prepared to explain why your case is urgent. An immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can do this for you.
• Collect your evidence: USCIS will require evidence to support your case. Based on the reason you are requesting it, you may have to submit medical records, bank statements, or deployment orders.
• Follow up: Stay in contact with the USCIS to follow up on the status of your request.

Keep in mind, that it does not guarantee approval. USCIS expedites cases only under conditions of emergencies and evaluates each request on its own merits.

Requesting an expedited case at the National Visa Center

Your case goes to the National Visa Center once USCIS has approved your I-129F. To speed things up at that end, you can request an expedited case. Here is how:

• Send an email to NVC: This email must state your reasons for needing it more quickly. Make sure to state your case number, who petitions, and why you need it faster. An immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can help you send this email.
• Submit the evidence: Send in additional evidence. This can be a doctor’s note if it is a medical case, proof of financial trouble, or anything else showing why you need it faster.
• Wait for NVC’s response: They will inform you whether you are clear to go or not. If you are clear, they will forward your case to the respective embassy or consulate where you will be issued your visa.

If you need help speeding up things at the NBC, connect with an immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX.

Some useful tips

Following are a few tips that will help in getting your K-1 visa processed faster:

• Complete and correct documents.

The most common cause of K-1 visa delays is incomplete or inaccurate paperwork. Ensure that all forms, especially Form I-129F, are correctly completed and signed. Also, submit all the required documents on time to avoid any delays.

• Be clear about what is going on

When you are asking for your case to move faster, be as clear and detailed as you can about your situation. Explain why you need it faster and back it up with solid proof.

• Get legal help

Immigration can be tricky and time-consuming to navigate, and getting your K-1 visa faster is no different. Speaking with a good immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can help you understand your options and put together the best case for you.

The next step after an expedited request for approval

If you get the okay for your expedited request, getting your K-1 visa will go quicker. But getting that approval doesn’t mean you are going to get your visa right away. Here is what comes next:

• Handoff to the consulate: Your case will get passed on to the US embassy or consulate in your fiancé’s country so they can deal with it a bit more quickly.
• Planning the interview: The US embassy will make you set up an interview. This interview is a big deal; so, you should make sure your fiancé has everything they need, like all the paperwork for the medical check-up.
• Getting the approval: If the visa officer thinks your interview and paperwork are solid, they will give the green light on your K-1 visa, letting your fiancé come to the US for good.

What if you don’t get an expedited request approval?

If your expedited request gets turned down, don’t lose hope; there are still other options for you and your fiancé to consider:

• Think about a tourist visa: If your fiancé just wants to come for a bit, while processing your K-1 visa, consider a tourist visa. It might be hard to get, but it is an option.
• File for a CR-1 spousal visa: If you are already married, you might want to look into a CR-1 visa instead of a K-1. It could get you permanent residency faster, unlike the K-1 visa.

An immigration lawyer in Fort Worth, TX can help you look into other options.

Get help!

Getting your fiancé a K-1 visa can be tough and requires you to really know what you are doing. Even though you might not get it done super fast, you can increase your chances by knowing how to file the right paperwork with USCIS and the NVC.

If you are really eager to see your fiancé and are waiting a long time, it is worth checking out if there are any faster ways to get it done. Whether it is showing you are having money problems or facing a humanitarian crisis, having all the right documents and a strong case can really help.

At Gehi and Associates, we really care about you being with your loved one. Get in touch with us now to see how we can help you quickly get back together with your partner and speed up your K-1 visa process.