When K-1 Visa Holders Arrive In The United States

In the rush to get foreign national fiances and fiancees into the United States, U.S. citizen sponsors sometimes do not realize, or just simply over look, what steps must be taken once a loved one enters the United States on a K-1 fiance visa.  the following are a few of the steps that must be [...]

K-1 Visa Documentation Requirements Increase At Vermont Service Center

The Vermont Service Center has announced that it has heightened its requirements for K-1 fiance visas processed at the service center. Specifically, the service center will now require more documentation that a couple has met during the two years immediately preceding the filing of the K-1 petition.  With the heightened requirements, many K-1 fiancee visa [...]

Are You Engaged to a U.S. Citizen? Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations on your recent engagement.  You probably have a lot of planning to do   …and a lot of questions that need to be answered.  If you are marrying a U.S. citizen, here are the answers to some common marriage visa questions.  If your question is not answered below, get it answered by contacting  a marriage [...]

Monthly AAO Processing Times Report

The USCIS has issued its AAO processing times report for July 2011.   AAO stands for Administrative Appeals Office and is the part of the immigration agency that reviews appeals to certain immigration decisions made by the immigration agency.  A few of the more popular immigration categories are listed below (along with the processing time):

K-1 [...]

What Are The Steps in the Fiancee Visa Process?

The K-1 Visa (Fiancee Visa) Process is easily misunderstood and underestimated by many K-1 couples.  They simply do not realize the many steps that are necessary for the process – and the length of the process.  The following is meant to provide a general outline of the K-1 fiancee visa process.  For a more detailed [...]

K-2 Visa Holders Do Not Age Out – Board of Immigration Appeals Rules

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has recently ruled that a K-2 visa holder who had been under 21 when he entered the United States could adjust status – even after turning 21.

In the case, the K-2 visa holder entered the United States with his mother when he was 19 years old.  Within a [...]

District Court In Oregon Throws Out K-1 Visa Lawsuit

A Federal District Court in Oregon has thrown out a class action lawsuit that was filed there by K-1 visa Petitioners and Beneficiaries.  The K-1 visa allows for foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States to marry their U.S. citizen fiance(e)s.

The lawsuit was brought because of perceived injustices against K-1 visa applicants by [...]

Immigration Judge Adjusts Status For “Aged Out” K-2 Status Holder

An immigration judge in Charlotte, North Carolina has allowed a K-2 status holder to adjust status to permanent residency despite the K-2 holder having turned 21 before the adjustment of status application’s submission.

K-2 visas are issued to minor children of K-1 fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens.  To qualify for the K-2, the child must be [...]

Immigration Agency To Adjudicate All Adam Walsh Subject Marriage and Fiance Visas At Vermont Service Center

The Immigration agency has announced plans to adjudicate all marriage and fiance(e) visa applications subject to the Adam Walsh Act at the Vermont Service Center.  The Adam Walsh Act requires that the Immigration agency affirmatively determine that a Petitioner will not be a risk to an immigration beneficiary, if that petitioner has been convicted of [...]

Immigration Court Allows K-1 Visa Holder to Adjust Status After Marriage Ends

The BIA Immigration Court has recently ruled that a foreign national who entered into the United States through the K-1 Visa can adjust status to a permanent resident even after the marriage to the K-1 Visa petitioner has ended.  In the case, Matter of Sesay, the K-1 visa holder had married the U.S. citizen spouse [...]

Are Consulates Targeting K-1 Fiance Visas?

Are U.S. Consulates targeting K-1 fiance visas?  That is a recent allegation made by many couples and their immigration attorneys who have seen a more hostile approach taken by Consulates when interviewing foreign national fiances and fiancees.  Whether or not the K-1 Visa is being targeted is difficult to discern.  What is not difficult to [...]

Change of Address for Submitting K-1 Fiancé Visa Petitions

Effective immediately, all K-1 fiancé visa petitions must be filed with a USCIS at the USCIS Dallas lockbox. This change in address is meant to facilitate faster and more accurate adjudication of all K-1 fiancé visas. Additionally, all K-3 visas must be filed at the same address. One immediate advantage of filing at a USCIS [...]

USCIS Set To Raise Immigration Fees Again

USCIS is poised to raise the processing fees for immigration petitions once again. The raise in fees is about ten percent across the board for all immigration petitions. Two notable exceptions to the increase are the N-400 Naturalization Fee, which will remain $595 and the K-1 Fiancee visa application, which will actually decrease in cost. [...]

K-1 Visa To Be Filed in Lockbox

USCIS has announced that the K1 visa will soon be submitted to a USCIS lockbox instead of being submitted directly to a USCIS service center. This change will occur within the next couple of weeks and will be announced by a USCIS update posting.

This change is meant to streamline the K-1 visa application process [...]

K-1 Visa Couple Delayed Almost Two Years Due to USCIS Mistake

Immigration lawyer Chris Gafner recently reviewed a May 27, 2009 K-1 Visa decision that demonstrates just how long a couple might be forced to wait if their K-1 visa is not properly handled.  Not involved in the couple’s representation, Gafner Law Firm learned that the couple’s first consulate interview (where the mistake occurred) was in [...]