A K-1 visa is crucial in various circumstances. For instance, if you’re an American citizen marrying someone overseas, you’ll need the aforementioned visa. Likewise, if you’re an immigrant marrying an American citizen, the K-1 visa is also necessary. So how long does it take to obtain a K-1 visa? Read through this guide to learn how long you’ll have to wait to have the visa in your hands.
Fiancé(e) Visas vs. Marriage Visas
Before attempting to obtain a K-1 visa, it’s crucial to ensure this is really the visa you need. The K-1, also known as the “fiancé(e) visa,” is for couples planning to marry. However, if you’re the spouse of a legal US resident, you can file for a K-3 visa, also known as a marriage visa.
Now that you know how to differentiate the two, let’s return to the titular question: How long does it take to obtain a K-1 visa?
Average Waiting Time
If you speak with a handful of professionals about a K-1 visa, the average wait times you’ll hear can vary quite a bit. In some cases, you can move through the process between six and nine months. However, it isn’t rare for obtaining a K-1 visa to take around a year, if not longer.
Suffice it to say that waiting for months to complete this process is frustrating. Thankfully, there are ways to make each step more efficient.
Speed Up the Process
The key to a quick K-1 visa process is submitting all the forms and supporting documents accurately. Accurately navigating this process can be confusing for newcomers, but partnering with a reliable attorney can help you complete each step with precision. Our K-1 visa attorney services aim to help individuals seeking the titular visa avoid simple mistakes that can result in a slower process. Sometimes, all it takes to ensure a convenient K-1 visa experience is proper preparation.