Fiance(e) Visa / K-1 Visa

I-129F is the first steps necessary for a foreign citizen beneficiary to come to the U.S. for marriage and residence.

To qualify for a fiancé(e) / K visa, the following criteria must be met:

• one party is a U.S. citizen;
• both parties are legally free to marry;
• the marriage will take place within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the United States on the fiancé(e) visa.

To file a petition for fiancé(e) / K visa for an intended alien spouse, an American Citizen fiancée/fiancé must file the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F with the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States.  129F petition cannot be filed at an Embassy, Consulate or U.S. Immigration office abroad.

It generally takes 3 - 6 months for USCIS to adjudicate an I-129F.  The approved petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire for additional processing before being forwarded to the Embassy or Consulate having jurisdiction over the fiancé(e) visa applicant's place of residence.

Receipt of the approved petition overseas takes a minimum of 4 weeks.  An approved I-129F is valid for four months from the date of approval.

Consular Section will notify beneficiary via email when the approved petition is received from the NVC and provide the beneficiary with the necessary forms and instructions to apply for a K1 visa.  A fiancé(e) visa applicant is an intending immigrant therefore, must meet documentary requirements similar to the requirements of an immigrant visa applicant.

Documents needed by the beneficiary for the issuance of a fiancé(e) / K visa:

1. Passport must be valid for 8 months or more
2. Two copies of Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (EVAF)
3. DS-156K and DS-230
4. Birth Certificate
5. Name change Certificate
6. Death or Divorce Decree (if applicable from Petitioner or Beneficiary)
7. Military discharge, arrest, prison, court records; U.S. immigration documents
8. Police Certificate
   
   Each applicant aged 16 or older must have police clearance from any country where the applicant resided for one year or more.
   
   To learn on how to get police certificates by country, please click the drop down menu at Reciprocity by Country.
   
   Please note Indonesian Police Certificate is not required
9. Original Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from the Petitioner along with supporting evidence:
   
   a.  One year U.S. income tax returns 1040 and W-2 (copies are acceptable)
   b.  Bank statements or proof of assets
   c.  Letter of employment or job offer
10. Two identical passport size photographs of each applicant
11. Medical Examination result
12. Evidence of relationships (photos, cards, letters, emails, etc)
13. Receipt for non refundable K-1 application fee, of USD 350.00, paid in IDR at current exchange rates at Standard Chartered Bank or Permata Bank up to six months before your appointment.  Click here for Step By Step Procedure of US Embassy Visa Fee Payment in English or in Bahasa Indonesia.

For each document, the applicant must bring:

• Originals or original certified copies by the issuing office
• Photocopies of the original documents
• All documents should be accompanied by English translations

Fiancé(e) Visa Interview

Visa interviews are a discussion between the consular officer and the applicant.  The US citizen petitioner may accompany the beneficiary to the interview, but may be asked to remain outside the room for part of the interview. Due to space constraints, third parties (including lawyers) are generally not allowed to be present at the interview, though exceptions may be granted for those who do not speak Indonesian or English and need a translator, or those who need physical assistance.

All visa applicants between age 14 and 80 will have fingerprints scanned at the time of the interview.

Each applicant, regardless of age, must appear in person for his/her interview. At that time, all the documents will be evaluated and a decision will be made. There can be no guarantee regarding the outcome of the interview, and applicants are advised not to make travel arrangements until after the visa has been approved.

Please note that applicant should plan to be at the Embassy throughout the entire morning.

After the Visa Approved an Issued

K-1 visa is valid for six months for a single entry into the U.S.  After the beneficiary receives a K-1 visa, the beneficiary travels to the U.S. to marry the petitioner. The marriage must be legally possible according to laws of the state in the United States where the marriage will take place. The marriage must be concluded within 90 days of the visa applicant’s admission into the United States, otherwise the alien must leave the U.S.

After the marriage, the foreign spouse must file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live.