How Long Does It Take To Process A K1 Visa

By Tiara

A non-immigrant visa is called a “non-immigrant” status because it allows its holder to live in the United States for a certain amount of time. This article will talk about what kind of visas there are, how long they take to process, and some things that can make this process quicker or longer.

There are two main types of non-immigrant visas: employment based (EbV) and student VISA (F-student). Both require you to prove your intention to work while in America and show proof of enough money to support yourself while you are here. The difference between these two is just whether your employer needs to be sponsoring you or not!

If you already have an employee position when you come to America, your current employer does not need to submit paperwork on your behalf. They know you are looking for employment and have paid to send you here, so they include that information as part of your employment contract.

For students, most universities and colleges automatically apply for F-students on their behalves. These applications are done through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), so they take a little bit longer than if you were applying directly to DHS.

Apply for your visa

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

Now that you have gathered all of the appropriate documents, it is time to apply for your non-immigrant (or immigrant) visa. This process typically takes around two weeks, although this can vary depending upon where you apply and how quickly your family members are able to send proof that they will be there for you.

It is very important to arrive at the embassy or consulate well ahead of time to make sure you get a spot in line and an appointment. Some days there may not be too many applications, so being early helps ensure you do not have to wait for long!

Once again, using online resources to look up application procedures can save you a lot of hassle. There are even mobile apps that help you complete your form more easily.

Wait for your visa to be approved

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

Many people begin looking into immigrant visas after they receive their I-129F form from USCIS. This is typically done by contacting an immigration attorney or an organization that helps with immigrant paperwork.

However, before you do anything else, you must wait for USCIS to process your I-129F!

It can take anywhere from one week to months (or even years) depending on how quickly your agency’s officer reviews your document and whether he/she needs more information or wants to speak with you about your application.

There are several reasons why this may happen, but all of them have to do with proving who you say you are. Since most immigrants need proof of legal residency in the United States, it makes sense that some agencies would want to make sure that you are a legitimate resident first.

Provide your documents to the consulate

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

Now that you have received not only your A-file but also your K-File, you will need to take some time to go through both of them and see what information you can find about each other.

It is very important to make sure that you do not have anything in these files that could potentially hurt your case or prevent you from entering the United States. For example, if there are confidential medical records in your K-File then it would be bad to enter those into America as an employee, so definitely look into this!

Another thing to check is any legal cases either person may have filed against one another in court or things like restraining orders. These all play a huge part in determining whether or not you get admitted into the country and whether you have enough proof of intent to marry.

Pay the visa fee

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

Along with your passport, you will need to pay an additional VISA FEE for each person applying for residency in Canada. This is typically around $160 per applicant, depending on how many people are included in the application.

The process of obtaining this visa can take several weeks, even months if there are no complications. So it’s important to know what things can delay your processing date and what steps you can take to accelerate it!

This article contains some helpful tips that may save you time at the very least. If you want more info, check out our article about everything else you should do before arriving in Canada. And don’t forget to read our list of things to know before coming to Canada as well!

If you’re already in Canada, make use of the resources we’ve provided here to help you stay in touch with the immigration system. You’ll find information and links to books and online services which can be very useful when talking to officials or searching for answers.

Receive your visa

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

After receiving your I-120 petition, you can begin the process of getting your K1 visa. This includes submitting all documents required by the Department of State and USCIS, as well as ensuring that everything is updated with current information.

It may also take some time for the embassy or consulate to receive and review your application before it is processed. The length of time depends on many different factors, including how busy their schedule is at this time.

We recommend speaking with family members in the United States about what timeframe they expect to receive the visa so that you know an approximate date.

If you are waiting for word from someone else in your immigration circle, you can use this list to help you stay organized. You could also ask relatives if there is anyone they have contact info for at your destination country to see when a decision might be made.

Prepare your K1 visa petition

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

Now that you have received your I-130 paperwork, it is time to begin preparing your K1 visa petition!

The first thing you will need to do is to choose where to file your petition. There are two main places to file this document – at USCIS or at a consulate of the country receiving your immigrant.

USCIS can receive your K1 visa petition for free, but they also ask for a processing fee. This cost varies depending upon whether you are filing online or through their mobile app, as well as how many family members you include on the K1.

At a minimum, you will be asked to pay $100 to process your application. For more information about fees, see our article here.

To determine if the consulate in your recipient country offers free K1 visas, we recommend looking up their website directly. Some countries may even accept an unsponsored K1 applicant!

If this is not possible, there are some ways to lower down on the costs. By applying early before the summer season, you could find yourself paying less than $50 per person to apply.

Submit your petition

After you have gathered all of your documents, it is time to actually submit your petition for citizenship! This process can be quite tricky because there are so many different agencies that must approve your petition before processing begins.

Most countries require three separate documents in order to prove nationality. These include proof of residence or domicile (where you live), evidence of identity, and passport. Make sure to check with immigration officials as to what agency handles which document types.

It’s also important to remember that not every country requires an original copy of each document type. Some will accept a photocopy instead if necessary. Keep this fact in mind when picking out your documents.

While some agencies may be quick to review and approval your petition, others could take much longer depending on their current workload. Due to this, it is best to visit a few months after submitting your petition to ensure it has been reviewed properly.

Wait for the government to process your petition

how long does it take to process a k1 visa

A lot of people begin thinking about visas while they are waiting for their next meal, which is definitely not ideal! Before you worry too much about whether or not you will get sponsored in as soon as possible, know that there’s a good chance someone else has already started working on this exact same thing.

Immigration consultants work with private agencies that handle visa processing. These agencies can put pressure on each other for business, so it is important to find one who doesn’t advertise how quickly they can get you into the country.

Agencies also have staff members, including supervisors and managers. If you are uncomfortable having a stranger watch over you while you sleep, make sure you're aware of the size of your safety net. Are there any witnesses being interviewed by immigration officers? Can you ask them to be present during your appointment?

There is an average length of time that international agency workers spend on a k-1 visa. This includes everything from finding appropriate housing to meeting with employers and family members. Agency employees have personal lives outside of work, so don't expect every member of the team to coordinate his or her schedule around yours.

However, you should prepare yourself for some delays because international affairs do not run smoothly.