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K-1 fiancé visa application: how to put the odds in your favor


If you want to marry an American, one of the most common paths to starting your lives together in the U.S. is by applying for the K-1 fiancé visa. However, in order to prevent non-citizens from gaining residency in the U.S. under false pretenses, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has put certain protective measures in place.

This means that, beyond your visa application, you’ll also have to pass a few others tests to convince the USCIS that you deserve to get the K-1 visa:

Proving the relationship is legitimate

This judgment call is quite subjective, so it’s important to supplement your application with anything you can think of that supports the fact that you and your fiancé are in a bona fide, love-based relationship. This may include copies of communications, photos from trips you’ve taken together, etc.

If there’s anything about your relationship that can be seen as a suspicious (see our previous post on this subject), then it’s especially important to provide as much evidence as possible to refute it.

Painting a clear and accurate picture

K-1 fiancé fraud is a real issue in the U.S. immigration system – and a matter that the USCIS takes very seriously. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to present all of your information in a factually accurate way. Do not exaggerate or falsify any part of your application. Common examples that can lead to application denial include:

  • Photoshopping your photos or using fake ones
  • Exaggerating your income
  • Failing to disclose your criminal or medical history
  • Providing false affidavits from family or friends
  • Providing any evidence that is inconsistent with your application

Having a professional on your side

The immigration process to the U.S. is extremely nuanced and detailed. Failing to mention one seemingly minor detail, or failing to provide sufficient evidence for a certain assertion can lead to an automatic denial. This is why it can pay to work with an immigration lawyer from the start.

A lawyer who understands the intricacies of immigration laws – and their ever-changing requirements – can give you a significantly better chance of a successful application.