K3 Visa For Ghanaian Citizens

To apply for a K3 Visa, Ghanaian citizens generally need to meet the following criteria:

• All applicants must be legally married to a U.S. citizen. The U.S. recognises same-sex marriages for immigration purposes, so if the applicant is in a same-sex marriage with a U.S. citizen, he/she should be eligible to apply for a K3 Visa just like any other married couple.
• U.S. citizen spouses must have filed an immigrant visa petition (Form I-130) on their behalf and demonstrate they can meet financial obligations set by the U.S immigration services.
• Have the intention to immigrate to the U.S. after the visa is granted.
• Ghanaian citizens need to complete a nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) and pay the associated fee.
• Medical examination by an authorised doctor is needed.
• All applicants might need to provide a police certificate from their country of residence.
• Hold a valid passport

If you are unclear if you or your partner qualifies for the K3 Visa, then reach out to Total Law for advice on the next steps in your immigration journey and the best way to apply to ensure a successful application.

Ghanaian citizens are likely to have to visit the U.S. Embassy in Accra City in Ghana to complete an application for a K3 Visa.

The process can be complicated and time-consuming and it is important to ensure the application is completed correctly to reduce the possibility of rejection.

Step 1: The U.S. citizen spouses should file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Also, they should pay the Form I-130 fee ($535).

Step 2: Once the I-130 is approved, the applicant receives a Notice of Action (Form I-797) indicating the approval.

Step 3: After receiving the Notice of Action, the U.S. citizen spouse can file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), for the K3 Visa at the USCIS.

Step 4: When the I-129F is approved, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will send the applicant a letter with further instructions.

Step 5: U.S. citizen spouses must prepare the documents proving their financial capability to support Ghanaian citizens.

Step 6: Applicants must attend the scheduled interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Step 7: After the interview, applicants have to wait for the visa to be processed. When approved, the visa will be placed in the applicant’s passport.

Once the visa is approved, applicants can travel to the U.S. and present themselves at a U.S. port of entry.

Ghanaian citizens must provide these required documents when making a K3 Visa application:

• Birth certificate
• Valid passport
• Marriage certificate
• Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) filed by the U.S. citizen spouse
• Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F) filed by the U.S. citizen spouse
• Police certificates from countries lived in since the age of 16 (if applicable)
• Medical examination results
• Proof of financial support (Affidavit of Support). In most cases, the US spouse will have to prove financial support at least equal to 100 per cent of the federal poverty guideline requirement
• Evidence of payment of visa application fees
• Two passport-sized photographs – these should be in colour, with a white background and taken within the last six months.

There are several fees that need to be paid when applying for a K3 Visa. All charges must be paid during the application steps.

• Form I-130 fee: $535
• Form I-129 fee: $460
• Medical examination fees: About $400
• Biometric photo fees
• Translated document fees from the local language to English (changeable fees according to translator) and other fees (if applicable)
• Form D-160 fee: About $185 – $195

If the K3 Visa application is refused, the fees paid during the visa application process are not refundable to the applicant.

To avoid potential refusal, applicants may wish to seek the support of immigration experts to help reduce additional costs and lengthy delays.

The processing time for a K3 Visa can vary depending on various factors such as the volume of applications, the U.S. Embassy or consulate Ghanaian citizens applying through, and any potential delays in the application process.

On average, it could take several months, often around 3 to 16 months, but it’s important to check with the U.S. Department of State or the consulate where applicants are applying for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

In most cases, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get an interview date. Also, after the applicant submits Form I-129F, there will be a waiting time of around 30 days.

There are a number of reasons for a K3 Visa application to be rejected by U.S. authorities, these include:

• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation: Missing application forms or signatures
• Insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage: Unreal relationships for immigration
• Inability to prove eligibility: Health conditions, criminal history, previous visa misuse
• Concerns about the legitimacy of the relationship: Illegal marriage documents
• Failure to meet financial requirements: Lack of financial support

It’s essential to thoroughly review the application requirements and provide all necessary supporting documents to avoid these issues.

Our immigration lawyers at Total Law can assist and help you during these steps to avoid any rejections.

K3 Visas are usually issued for a two-year period. During this time, the K3 Visa holder can enter and exit the United States as needed.

However, it is important to note that the K3 Visa is specifically designed for the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa (Green Card). After entering the U.S. on a K3 Visa, the spouse can then apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.

If applicants need to extend their stay in the U.S. beyond the initial two years, they will need to apply for an extension by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The extension needs to be applied for well in advance of the visa’s expiration date, as processing times can vary.

If you wish to renew your K3 Visa then you may wish to reach out to an immigration specialist for advice on the process.

The K3 Visa and other foreign spouse visas like CR1 and IR1 Visas have some differences in immigration law.

CR1 Visa stands for conditional resident as a spouse. It is granted to the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen who got married abroad. This visa type comes with a permanent residency status (Green Card) and requires proof that the marriage took place within a minimum of 2 years.

IR1 Visa stands for immediate relative as a spouse. It is given to the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen who got married abroad. The IR1 Visa is issued along with an immediate permanent residency status (Green Card), regardless of the duration of the marriage.

K3 Visa stands for spouse’s visitation. It allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen, who got married abroad, to temporarily join their U.S. citizen spouse. The K3 Visa can be obtained more quickly but does not grant permanent residency (Green Card). This visa type can be used as a route to later apply for CR1 or IR1 Visas upon entering the U.S.

Eventually, a K3 Visa serves the purpose of temporary visitation and does not provide long-term permanent residency. CR1 and IR1 Visas, on the other hand, directly grant permanent residency (Green Card).