Long-distance relationships can be challenging, especially when they are not out of choice. For foreign nationals who are engaged to U.S. citizens, the K1 visa offers the possibility to temporarily reside in the U.S. alongside their future spouse, while they await approval of their permanent residency or Green Card.
If you’re in the process of obtaining a K1 visa it is important to navigate it correctly to avoid costly mistakes or delays. To help you in this, we have outlined some common pitfalls people make when applying for a K1 fiancé visa, so you can avoid delays and complications in the application process.
Failing to Meet Qualifying Criteria
Certain eligibility requirements must be met before an individual can qualify for a K1 visa. To ensure their application is successful, they must be able to demonstrate that they meet these criteria. These include the following:
- Proof that they are in a genuine relationship with their U.S. citizen fiancé(e), and it is not a sham. They are also required to demonstrate they have spent time together as a couple and have a real connection by proving they have met in person within the last two years.
- They must also demonstrate their intent to marry their partner within 90 days of entering the U.S.
- The U.S. citizen must provide evidence that they can financially support their partner by meeting certain income requirements.
Documentation Errors
Errors with legal documentation can often create problems for applicants of K1 visas. This may be typos or grammatical mistakes which result in incorrect information such as names or dates, or missing information such as signatures. Inaccuracy or incompleteness not only makes it difficult to process an application but could also raise suspicions of fraud with officials.
By carefully reviewing an application before submission applicants can avoid any rejections or delays in processing a K1 visa application. It is also advisable to have a trusted third party proofread all documentation beforehand to minimize the chance of errors.
Insufficient Evidence
The applicant must be able to prove they are in a genuine relationship with credible supporting evidence. This can include the following:
- Travel records of trips taken together
- Photographs together
- Call log history
- Social media posts and conversations
- Supporting statements from friends and family
- Letters or cards exchanged
By gathering sufficient evidence to support the existence of an authentic and ongoing relationship, applicants can greatly improve their chances of obtaining a K1 visa.
Being Unprepared for an Interview
In addition to documentation, the U.S. citizen fiancé(e) will be required to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. This is intended to determine the authenticity of their relationship and assess that all eligibility requirements have been met.
The questions at this interview are designed to be thorough and probing and will require the fiancé(e) to answer detailed questions about their relationship history, life together, future plans, wedding arrangements and more. The more prepared they are to answer these questions, the better their chances of successfully demonstrating the genuineness of their relationship.
By following the advice outlined, foreign nationals can successfully navigate the K1 visa process.
