K1 Visa for German Citizens

The K1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is part of the US family-based immigration program. It allows German citizens engaged to a US citizen to come to the country with the intention of getting married.

During the process, both partners have to apply for the K1 Visa. First, the US citizen initiates the petition. Then, the German fiancé(e) completes the medical exam and attends an interview in Germany.

A key aspect of the K1 Visa is that it allows just a single entry into the United States. The couple is expected to get married within 90 days after the German citizen arrives. Once married, the German citizen can apply to become a lawful permanent resident.

Green Card holders cannot apply for the K1 Visa, and this visa is only for couples who are not already married and intend to marry within the United States. The K1 Visa is only for the purpose of getting married and is not a work visa.

Page Contents

• Overview of the K1 Visa
• What Are the Requirements for the K1 Visa for German Citizens?
• What Documents Are Required To Apply for The K1 Visa?
• Medical Requirements
• Financial Requirements
• How Do I Apply?
• What Are The Fees and How Long Does it Take to Process a K1 Visa?
• Common Reasons for K-1 Visa Denial
• How to Avoid Getting Your K1 Visa Denied
• What to Do If Your K-1 Visa Application Is Denied
• How Can Total Law Help?
• FAQ

Different documents are required from the US partner and German partner for the K1 Visa. The US citizen petitioner must provide the following documents:

• The Form I-129F to initiate the K1 Visa process
• Proof of US citizenship such as a US passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship
• Proof of eligibility demonstrating the petitioner’s eligibility to marry, such as divorce decrees or death certificates if applicable, proving the termination of any prior marriages
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) showing the petitioner’s financial ability to support the fiancé(e) upon their arrival in the US
• Employment Verification, evidence of the petitioner’s current employment or means of financial support
• Two passport photos of the US citizen petitioner
• Proof of payment of the K1 Visa application fee
• Proof of US federal income tax returns

The German citizen applying for a K1 Visa needs to provide the following documents:

• Form DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
• Form DS-156K: Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application
• Passport (photocopy of biographic page only) – must be valid for 6 months beyond visa issuance
• Birth certificate (original and one copy)
• Police Clearance Certificate (original and one copy)
• Court and prison record, if applicable (original and two copies)
• Results of a medical examination performed by an approved panel physician
• Divorce or Death Certificates (if applicable) proving the termination of any previous marriages, such as divorce decrees or death certificates (original and one copy)
• Documents indicating a legitimate relationship, including photographs, correspondence, or other evidence of regular communication
• Payment of the K1 Visa application fee
• Military record, if applicable (original and one copy)

Please note that these requirements can change, and additional documents or specific instructions may be provided by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the application process.

Additionally, German citizens should undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet health and security standards. This medical examination has to be conducted by one of the Embassy’s approved panel physicians.

A list of authorised panel physicians in Germany is automatically sent to each applicant prior to the interview.

Applicants must take two steps to complete the required medical examination:

• Fill out the DS-260 visa application form online and print the confirmation page after submitting the form
• Schedule an appointment with one of the authorised panel physicians and pay the examination fee directly to the physician at the time of the appointment

The medical exam is valid for 6 months. If there is a Class A or TB condition, the exam is only valid for 3 months from when it was completed.

The primary financial requirement is the submission of an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134). This form is used to show that the US citizen petitioner has sufficient income or financial resources to support their fiancé(e). It includes information about the petitioner’s income, assets, and employment.

The specific income requirements can change and depend on various factors, including the petitioner’s household size and the federal poverty guidelines. The US citizen petitioner should typically have an income that is at least 100 per cent of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size. However, if they don’t meet this threshold, they may still be eligible if they can demonstrate sufficient assets or find a joint sponsor who meets the income requirements.

After confirming that you and your partner meet the eligibility requirements, you can proceed to apply for the K1 Visa by following these steps:

• U.S. citizen petitioner needs to file Form I-129F with USCIS
• The German citizen fiancé(e) completes medical examination
• The German citizen fiancé(e) attends visa interview
• The German citizen fiancé(e) travels to the U.S. and gets married within 90 days

Complete the online DS-160 “Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form” for each applicant at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv and print the confirmation page after submitting the form.

Importantly, select “Frankfurt” as the processing post when filling out the form.

Your fiance/spouse is allowed to attend the interview.

What you will need to provide at the interview:

• Passport (photocopy of biographic page only)
• Proof of document delivery address
• Birth certificate (original and one copy)
• Marriage/divorce/death certificates (original and one copy)
• Police certificate from countries lived in for over 6 months (original and one copy) – less than 24 months old
• Court and prison records if convicted of a crime (original and two copies)
• Military service record if applicable (original and one copy)
• One colour photograph for each applicant
• Affidavit of support form to prove no public charge risk
• Old/expired green card if you have one – submit to USCIS
• Your appointment confirmation and travel document
• Any additional documents requested by the Immigrant Visa Unit at the consulate
• Proof of U.S. federal income tax returns

What to bring to the medical exam:

• Your interview letter
• Passport
• 3 passport photos
• Immunisation records
• Medical history info
• Pregnancy doctor’s note if applicable
• DS-260 confirmation

The medical report must be less than 6 months old at the time of US entry.

All K1 Visa fiancé(e) applicants must pay a non-refundable, non-transferable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee.

The visa application fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The total cost of applying for a K1 Fiancé(e) fee is around $800, which includes the application fee and medical examination.  You will not be able to schedule your visa appointment without first paying the online fee.

The processing time for a K1 Visa from Germany can vary, but it typically takes around 10 to 12 months from filing the initial petition to the visa interview and issuance.

Getting denied a K1 Visa can be disappointing, but learning about the typical reasons for denial can help you be better prepared for the next K1 Visa application process. Here are the most common causes of K1 Visa denials:

• Incomplete or incorrect forms and documents
• Insufficient proof of a genuine relationship with the US fiancé(e) –
• Health issues
• Criminal history or affiliations
• Financial issues

If your K1 visa application has been denied, contact our team at +1 844 290 631 or by email. Total Law’s experienced immigration lawyers will review your case and denial letter to understand what went wrong and the options available.

When applying for the K1 Visa, check all requirements and collect relationship documentation. Double-check forms for accuracy before submitting. Honesty and transparency are very important throughout the process. If you have a criminal record, consult an immigration attorney for guidance before applying.

Once you’ve submitted all the documents, make sure to answer any questions or interviews for a background check. This shows that your relationship is real. Follow all the rules carefully to avoid delays. Being well-prepared and paying close attention to details will help your K1 Visa application go smoothly.

If your K-1 Visa application is unfortunately denied, there are still several options available that you may wish to consider:

• Review the denial letter to understand the specific reasons for rejection
• Consult an immigration attorney to assess your case and explore options for reapplying or appealing the decision
• Consider addressing the issues cited in the denial and providing additional evidence to strengthen your case

Don’t let a denied visa application stop you from starting your future in America. Our attorneys at Total Law have years of experience successfully overturning visa decisions. With our in-depth knowledge of immigration protocols, we find issues with your original application and make sure mistakes are not repeated. Call us now for a consultation at +1 844 290 631.