K1 Visa for Filipino Citizens

The K1 visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows a Filipino citizen who is the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to travel to the US and marry the citizen, and later apply for a Green Card to remain in the U.S. permanently.

Philippines citizens can qualify for the K1 Visa upon satisfying certain requirements set out by the US immigration authorities.

• The Filipino fiancé(e) must be a Philippine citizen legally able to marry the US citizen.
• The Philippines fiancé(e) must have met the US citizen in person within the past two years.
• The Filipino fiancé(e) must have a valid passport and be able to support themselves financially in the United States.

Applicants will need to show they are in a legitimate relationship and intent to marry. They must also agree to a medical examination and a background check as part of the K1 Visa application process.

Page Contents

• Overview of the K1 Visa for Philippines Citizens
• K1 Visa Processing Time
• K1 Visa Requirements for Philippines Citizens
• Documents Needed for Fiancé(e) Visa
• K1 Visa Fees for Filipino Citizens
• Reasons for K1 Visa Application Denial
• How Can Total Law Help?
• FAQ

The current processing time for a K1 Visa for Filipino nationals is between 12 to 18 months but this can vary significantly depending on the circumstances and current processing backlogs.

The following considerations will determine the overall duration it takes to process your application.

• The petition Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) must be filed first with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can take 4 to 6 weeks for USCIS to approve this petition. The US embassyin Manlia will then receive the case from the National Visa Center.
• After that, the applicant must submit a DS-160 form and schedule an appointment for an interview at the US embassy in Manila. Scheduling the interview may take several weeks.

Consult with our Total Law immigration lawyers right away to explore your eligibility for a K1 Immigrant Visa and get assistance with the application process if you are planning to get marred in the United States.

Philippines nationals wishing to enter the country to marry a citizen of the United States, and their US sponsor must fulfil certain criteria in order to be granted a K1 Visa. The key requirements include the following.

• Be able to enter into a legal marriage – The beneficiary (Filipino fiancé(e)) and the Petitioner (the U.S. citizen sponsor) must both be legally able to marry under the laws of the Philippines and the United States.
• Intend to marry within 90 days of admission – The parties have to swear a statement stating their intention to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary’s admission into the United States.
• Be in a genuine relationship – The couple must be in a real and bona fide relationship and be able to evidence this, such as pictures of them together, correspondence logs, and any other pertinent records that detail the nature and history of their relationship.
• Submit a duly filled Form I-129F – A Form I-129F must be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the U.S. citizen sponsor to start the process.
• Undergo a medical examination – The beneficiary is required to have a medical exam by a panel doctor that has been approved by the American Embassy or Consulate.

Provide proof of adequate financial support – The sponsor must show that they have the means to provide for the beneficiary after they arrive in the country. In order to do this, you may need to submit Form I-134, a written statement of support, or proof of your income and assets.

The parties must provide the following specific documentation in their K1 Visa application.

• Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F
• Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support
• Reports from the medical examination
• Background examination, and police clearance forms
• A valid passport
• Evidence of meeting between the partners in person within the requirement period
• Additional supporting documentation, such as photos, letters, and emails, demonstrating the genuineness of the relationship between the American and the Filipino fiancé(e)

To make sure that all documentation requirements are accurately completed and that the K1 Visa application process runs smoothly, it is important to get legal advice and assistance. Contact Total Law immigration attorneys on +1 844 290 6312 today!

The following fees apply to the various application processing charges to Filipinos applying for the K1 Visa.

• Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e): $535 filing fee
• Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support: $120
• Medical examination: Varies with different accredited providers – from $200
• Background check: $2000 to $4000
• U.S. State Department processing fees: $265

There can be additional associated costs, including consultation fees for immigration attorneys. Ask for guidance from our legal professionals on the up-to-date information on K1 Visa fees and the entire application process.

The denial of a K1 Visa application may occur for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common explanations.

• If the couple cannot persuasively prove their intention to wed, the application may be rejected.
• The beneficiary fails to provide enough proof of an honest relationship to the petitioner.
• There is a criminal history associated with the beneficiary.
• It has been found that the beneficiary poses a security concern.
• The beneficiary suffers from a medical condition that endangers the public’s health or safety.
• Under the laws of the United States or the Philippines, the beneficiary is not permitted by law to wed the petitioner.
• The applicant misrepresented or committed fraud in relation to the K1 visa application process.
• The recipient must appear for an interview at the American embassy or consulate. If you don’t show up for the interview without a good cause, you risk getting rejected.

If the USCIS through the embassy rejects your application for a K1 Visa, they will explain why in a letter to you. You might be able to appeal the rejection, but will need to present more proof to back your appeal.

Engaging a skilled immigration lawyer for assistance may increase your chances of a successful application.