It’s no secret that obtaining a visa to reside in the U.S. can be challenging. Whether you’re applying to move to the U.S. for your job or applying for asylum from your home country, there are always hurdles to jump through.
Arguably one of the most highly scrutinized visa applications is the K-1 fiancé visa. In 2017, the USCIS received more than 55,000 such visa applications, and over 37 percent of them were denied.
To put the odds of acceptance more in your favor, it’s important to make sure that you’re well organized and have anticipated every possible question. When you compile your visa application, it can be helpful to take a step back and try to consider what an immigration officer would think when viewing your information. Is there any evidence—or lack of evidence—that raises questions or concerns? Below are some aspects you should consider:
- Age: Is there a big age difference between you and your fiancé? While an immigration officer won’t automatically deem a May-December relationship to be illegitimate, you might want to look for additional evidence you can supply to demonstrate your relationship’s validity.
- Communication: Do you and your fiancé speak the same language? Even if your native languages are different, you should have some language in common. You should also be able to prove that you and your fiancé communicate regularly—every day or multiple times per week. Save any relevant letters, text messages and phone records between the two of you.
- History: Have you applied for a K-1 fiancé visa before? If so, it can give an immigration officer the impression that your priority is a green card—not marriage. It’s worth waiting a couple years before applying for this visa a second time.
There are many factors to consider when petitioning for a fiancé visa. It’s advisable to consult with an immigration attorney at the onset of the application process to ensure you have all the information necessary to approach the process smartly.