Form I-129F: Overview

Introduction

In the fiscal year 2024, the USCIS approved 56,382 I-129F Forms

Thinking about starting your new life with your partner in the US but facing immigration issues? USCIS Form I-129F might be the key to unlocking a lifetime of happiness with your partner in the US. 

If you are a US citizen looking to bring a foreign fiancé to the US for marriage, or you are a US citizen who has a foreign spouse and has a pending I-130 petition, then this blog is the answer to all your immigration questions. 

We will cover the basics of Form I-129F, giving a brief overview of the filing process, its cost and processing time, and how an expert immigration attorney can help make your I-129F application easier and error-free. 

What Is Form I-129F? 

As a US Citizen, I-129F is used to apply for a ‘K’ visa. 

Filing For Your Fiancé

Filing an I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, is the first step to help in the immigration journey of your alien fiancé and bringing them to the US.

• K-1: A K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for an alien fiancé you plan to marry within 90 days of arriving in the US. After marriage, they may apply for an adjustment of status and apply for a green card. 
• K-2: The K-2 visa is linked to the K-1 visa and is used for eligible children of your K-1 visa fiancé so that they can enter the US on a non-immigrant visa.

Filing For Your Spouse

For a foreign spouse, Form I-129F is usually the second step of their immigration journey after they have filed an I-130 petition that has been received by the USCIS but hasn’t yet been processed. 

• K-3: This visa is issued to shorten the physical separation between you and your spouse. It allows them to enter the US on a non-immigrant visa for two years until their I-130 is processed. 
• K-4: This visa is connected to the K-3 visa and is used for the immigration process of an unmarried child of your foreign spouse. The K-4 visa requires that the child be under the age of 21.

Who Can File Form I-129F?

Getting to understand the eligibility criteria for filing I-129F is a must for avoiding immigration issues in the future.

• Petition for Alien Fiancé: As a US citizen, you can petition for your alien fiancé to enter the US for marriage, provided that you enter into a marriage within 90 days of your fiancé’s arrival. Further, unless you have been exempted by the USCIS, you must prove that you have physically met your fiancé at least once in the past two years. 
• Petition for Spouse: You can also petition for your spouse to enter the US if you have already filed an I-130 petition for them, and the same is pending with the USCIS

Who Cannot File Form I-129F?

As I-129F is a unique benefit provided to US citizens, you cannot file this form if you are a green card holder. 

What Documents Do I Have To Attach Along With the I-129F? 

The documents you must attach depend on whether you are applying for a K-1 or a K-3 visa. 

General Documents

• Proof of Citizenship: Copy of your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization, or a copy of your unexpired passport
• Photographs: Submit one passport-size color photograph of yourself and one of your fiancé/spouse, taken within 30 days of the date of filing the petition.
• Proof of legal name change (if applicable) 
• Proof of termination of previous marriage: If you or your partner had previously been married, then attach a copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate to prove that the previous marriage was legally terminated.

K-1 Visa

• Personal statement: Attach a personal statement in Part 8 of I-129F to explain how you first met your fiancé, where you physically met in the past two years, etc. 
• Documents and photos to prove that you met each other once in the past two years. 
• Intent to Marry: Submit documents to prove that you and your fiancé intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé’s arrival in the US. You can do this by showing any bookings of a marriage hall or courthouse wedding, wedding announcements, or even an email to a wedding planner. 
• Copy of your fiancé’s passport

K-3 Visa 

• Copy of your spouse’s passport and travel documents 
• A copy of the “receipt notice” or Form I-797, Notice of Action, issued by the USCIS, stating that it has received your I-130 petition
• Proof of marriage: You should attach a copy of your marriage certificate issued by a civil authority, wedding photos, etc. 

Attaching the proper supporting documents is the best way to increase the chances of your application being accepted and prevent delays. 

If you are confused about the supporting documents or need any help in filing an I-129F, you can contact an experienced I-129F attorney and book a consultation for just $79.

What Is The Processing Time of I-129F?

The processing time of I-129 ultimately depends on your unique situation and the backlog of the USCIS center processing your application. 

Usually, an I-129F petition for a K-1 visa is processed in around 4-8 months, while a petition for a K-3 visa can take much longer. 

What Is The Cost of Filing I-129F?

As of 2025, the filing fee for an I-129F is $675 if you apply for a K-1 visa. The USCIS does not charge any filing fee for an I-129F if you apply for a K-3 visa. 

Remember to file a separate I-129F application if you are also applying for a K-2 visa. You must pay a separate filing fee for every I-129F you submit.

Path To a Green Card

The best part of applying for a K-1 visa is that as soon as your fiancé enters the US and marries you within 90 days, he/she is eligible for a green card and can apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident. 

But what about a K-3 visa? If the I-130 petition for your spouse is approved before the I-129F, then your spouse (and children) wouldn’t need a K3/K4 visa and can directly enter the US as lawful permanent residents after going through the immigration process.

However, your spouse will get a non-immigrant visa if your I-129F is approved before the I-130. After your spouse enters the US, you can either wait for the I-130 to be approved, or your spouse can also file for adjustment of status.

Conclusion 

Starting your new life with your fiancé/spouse in the US can be very exciting. However, even the most minor mistake can lead to the rejection of your application. Remember to attach all the supporting documents required for your I-129F petition. It’s always good to consult an immigration attorney before filing an I-129F to ensure that the technical immigration procedures do not stop you from living your dream life in the US.

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