9th Circuit Affirms K-1 Visa Cannot Adjust By Marrying Another

The 9th Circuit has affirmed that an applicant who enters the United States on a K-1 visa can only adjust status after marrying the petitioner who petitioned for the foreign national to obtain a K-1 visa.  The extent to which this case can be applied to similar situations across the United States is debatable.  If [...]

Seeking Marriage Visa? Immigration Agency May Be Watching Your Social Network Data

If you and your lover are seeking a marriage visa or a fiancee visa, make sure you act appropriately on all social networking sites.   The immigration agency may be watching your profile and posts, and may misinterpret an innocent statement made by you or one of your friends to mean that you and your lover [...]

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 Application Fee to Increase

On June 4, 2010, the non-immigrant visa application fee for K1 category visas will increase to $350. This increase is a part of a system wide increase in visa application fees by the Department of State. These fees are collected when an applicant applies for K-1 visa at a consulate.

The visa application fee for [...]

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 [...]

Recent K-1 Visa Decision Shows Need For Retaining K-1 Visa Lawyer

Recent K-1 Visa Decision Shows Lack of K-1 Visa Lawyer Led to Extended Separation for U.S. Citizen and Nigerian Fiancee

Immigration attorney Chris Gafner recently reviewed a June 4, 2009 AAO decision concerning a U.S. Citizen and his Nigerian fiancee.  The case demonstrates why couples should retain a K-1 visa lawyer to represent them in [...]