At Namona, we understand that navigating the complex world of immigration law can be daunting, especially when it comes to securing a K-1 visa, also known as a fiancé visa. As a family immigration law firm, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that you and your loved ones have a smooth and successful journey to the United States. 

Let’s start off your journey by breaking down the essential documents needed for a K-1 visa application in a way that's easy to understand.

Understanding the K-1 Visa

The K-1 visa allows the engaged partner of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of marriage. Once the fiancé enters the U.S., the couple must get married within 90 days. After the marriage, the foreign fiancé can apply for a marriage green card to stay in the U.S. permanently.

Essential Documents for Your K-1 Visa Application

Every situation is unique, but in general, you'll need the following documents for your K-1 visa application:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship for the U.S. citizen fiancé

• Copy of Sponsored Fiancé’s Passport

• Evidence of Terminated Marriages, if applicable

• Proof of Meeting within 2 years before applying

• Evidence of Legal Name Change, if applicable

• Sworn Statements and Evidence from both partners showing their intent to marry and proving the legitimacy of their relationship

• Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Records, if applicable

• Evidence for International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) Waiver, if applicable

• Passport-Style Photos (one for the U.S. citizen fiancé and two for the sponsored fiancé)

• Birth Certificate of the sponsored fiancé

• Valid, Unexpired Passport for the sponsored fiancé

• Police Clearance from countries where the sponsored fiancé lived for more than 6 months, including their current country of residence

• Sealed Medical Exam conducted by an approved physician in the sponsored fiancé’s country of residence

• Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from the U.S. citizen fiancé

• Most Recent Tax Returns of the U.S. citizen fiancé

Documents for Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiancé

The first step in the K-1 visa process is for the U.S. citizen to submit Form I-129F. To gain approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the following documents are required:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship for the U.S. citizen sponsor (such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport)

• Proof of Terminated Marriages for either fiancé if applicable (e.g., death certificate, divorce decree)

• Passport-Style Photos of both fiancés

• Proof of Legal Name Change (if applicable)

• Evidence for IMBRA Waiver (if applicable)

• Sworn Statements and Proof that the couple intends to marry within 90 days of the sponsored fiancé’s arrival in the U.S.

• Evidence of In-Person Meeting within 2 years before filing Form I-129F (e.g., flight and hotel itineraries, photos)

• Proof of Legitimate Relationship (e.g., photos, signed statements from friends and family, travel itineraries)

Completing the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

After the Petition for Alien Fiancé is approved, the sponsored fiancé must submit Form DS-160. The following documents are necessary for this stage:

For the Sponsored Fiancé:

• Valid, unexpired passport

• Two passport-style photos

• Birth certificate

• Sealed medical exam from an approved physician

• Police clearance from all countries where the applicant lived for more than 6 months

For the U.S. Citizen Fiancé:

• Evidence of a legitimate relationship (with the approved I-129F)

• Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)

• Most recent tax returns

Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)

The U.S. citizen sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support to demonstrate that they can financially support their fiancé during their stay in the U.S. Required documents include:

• Proof of Bank Account

• Proof of Employment

• Proof of Federal Taxes

• Proof of Bonds (if applicable)

Preparing for the K-1 Visa Interview

The final step in the process is the K-1 visa interview. The sponsored fiancé must bring the following documents to the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate:

• DS-160 Confirmation Page

• Birth Certificate

• Police Certificates

• Evidence of Financial Support

• Proof of Relationship

• Fee Payment

• Valid Passport

• Divorce or Death Certificates of previous spouses (if applicable)

• Sealed Medical Exam

• Two Passport-Style Photos

At Namona, we are committed to helping families reunite in the United States. The K-1 visa process can be complex, but with careful preparation and the right guidance, you can successfully navigate each step. Our experienced team is here to support you, ensuring that you have everything you need for a successful K-1 visa application. If you’re unsure where to start or need assistance with any part of the process, reach out to Namona today—your trusted partner in family immigration law.