K1 Fiancee Visa Philippines

Overview

A US K1 Fiancee Visa is a Non-Immigrant Visa that allows the Filipina fiancee of an American citizen to come to the United States to get married within ninety (90) days from the date of arrival in the country. The Filipina fiancee’s unmarried children under the age of 21 may also be able to come with her through the K-2 Visa. Both visa applications are processed at the Immigrant Visa Unit at the United States Embassy in Manila. If the petitioner (American) is already married to the beneficiary (Filipina), they are no longer eligible to apply for a US K1 Fiancee Visa but should instead file an application for a K3 Marriage Visa also known as (K3 Spouse Visa).

Advantages of the US K1 Fiancee Visa over other visa applications

The K1 Visa Philippines has a faster processing time than most visa applications, taking an average period of only four to six months. Once the K1 Visa is granted and the beneficiary is already in the United States, he/she may be able to apply for a Work Permit by filing an I-765 form. The K1 Visa holder also allows to take his/her unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States with the K2 Derivative Visa.

Qualification to apply for a US K1 Fiancee Visa

In order for you to be able to apply for a K1 Visa in the Philippines, the petitioner must meet the following qualifications and requirements:

The Petitioner must be lawful citizen of the United States. Lawful permanent residents or green card holders are not eligible to file a for the K-1 Visa application.

You must be legally free to marry. If any of you two has been married previously, you must be able to show proof of the dissolution of the previous marriage by divorce, annulment, or the death of your previous spouse.

You must have met your fiancé/e at least once in person within the last two years prior to the application and should have proof of a solid and ongoing relationship. Evidence that can be used to support this fact include photos as a couple, travel and hotel receipts, chat transcripts, emails, phone logs, and other pertinent evidence affirming your ongoing relationship.

You must meet the income requirement of earning 125% above the poverty line, as per USCIS guidelines.

You must be able to prove that you are capable of marrying your Filipina fiancee within ninety (90) days upon his/ her arrival in the United States.

*please take note of some provisions of the Homeland Security Act, which also pertains to some guidelines involving K-1 Visa applications.