What Are the Requirements for a Form I-129F: Key Petition Criteria for Fiancé(e) Visas

The Form I-129F, known as the “Petition for Alien Fiancé(e),” sets forth specific eligibility criteria that must be met by individuals seeking to bring their fiancé(e) to the United States.

Relationship to the Fiancé(e)

The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen who is engaged to marry a non-U.S. citizen. Proof of the relationship is required in the form of photographs, correspondence, and other documentary evidence.

Requirement of Intent to Marry

Both the U.S. citizen and the foreign national must intend to marry each other within 90 days of the foreign fiancé(e)’s admission to the United States. Evidence such as a wedding venue booking or marriage license application may be requested.

Free to Marry

Each party must be legally free to marry at the time of petitioning, meaning any previous marriages must have been legally terminated through divorce, death, or annulment.

Physical Meeting Requirement

The couple must have met in person at least once within the two years preceding the filing of the petition. Exceptions are provided only in cases of extreme hardship or where meeting would violate strict and long-established customs of the petitioner or the fiancé(e)’s culture or social practice.

When filing Form I-129F for a K-1 visa, the petitioner must ensure all required documentation is meticulously prepared and submitted to USCIS. Adhering to the following checklist can facilitate a smooth application process.

Completed Form I-129F

The Form I-129F must be fully completed, without any sections left blank. If a question is not applicable, the petitioner should respond with “N/A” (not applicable) to ensure there are no delays in getting the Form I-129F Case Approved.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

The U.S. citizen petitioner must provide evidence of their citizenship. This can include a birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.

Proof of Having Met in Person

Proof must be provided that the petitioner and beneficiary have met in person within the two years preceding the filing of the application, such as stamped passports, travel itineraries, or dated photographs.

Evidence of Intent to Marry

The petitioner and beneficiary must each provide a signed and dated statement declaring their intent to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary’s arrival in the U.S. Additional evidence like engagement party photos or receipts can further substantiate the intent.

Passport Style Photos

Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign national beneficiary must submit two passport-style photos taken within 30 days of the application date.

Payment of Filing Fee

A payment of the applicable I-129F filing fee must accompany the form. The fee should be paid using a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When filing Form I-129F for a K-1 visa, it’s essential to include certain additional supporting documents that strengthen the petition. These documents provide proof of eligibility and compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

Divorce or Death Certificates

If either the U.S. petitioner or the foreign fiancé(e) has been previously married, they must provide the appropriate documentation to prove that the prior marriage has been legally terminated. This includes:

• Divorce Certificates: Official copies of divorce decrees or annulments should be included for all previous marriages of both parties.
• Death Certificates: In cases where a previous spouse has passed away, the surviving partner must provide a death certificate.

IMBRA Requirements

The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) requirements are designed to protect the safety of foreign fiancé(e)s and must be adhered to. This includes:

• IMBRA Form: A completed and signed IMBRA form that discusses any history of violent criminal offenses by the U.S. citizen petitioner.
• Clearance: Evidence that the U.S. petitioner has not violated IMBRA provisions, which could include a statement or background check results.

Proof of Legal Name Change

If the U.S. citizen petitioner or the foreign fiancé(e) has legally changed their name, they need to provide official proof. This documentation might consist of:

• Court Order: A certified copy of the court order authorizing the name change.
• Marriage Certificate: If the name was changed after marriage, a copy of the marriage certificate indicating the new name should be provided.

In the Form I-129F petition process, applicants may encounter specific situations that require additional documentation beyond the standard requirements. These situations must be addressed with clear and precise supplementary evidence.

Waiver for Meeting Requirement

The U.S. citizen petitioner must demonstrate that they have met their fiancé(e) in person within two years prior to filing the I-129F petition. In certain circumstances, a waiver for the meeting requirement can be granted based on extreme hardship or if meeting in person violates strict and long-established customs of the U.S. citizen’s or fiancé(e)’s culture or social practice.

Criteria for a waiver due to hardship:

• Proof of medical issues preventing travel
• Safety concerns, such as conflict zones
• Financial constraints documented with evidence

Criteria for a waiver due to cultural practices:

• Established and documented customs that prohibit meeting
• Statements from cultural experts or community leaders

K-1 Visa Petition for Same-Sex Couples

Same-sex couples are subject to the same I-129F petition requirements as opposite-sex couples. The U.S. recognizes same-sex engagements and marriages for immigration purposes, and the petitioner must provide:

• Evidence of a bona fide relationship: Photos, correspondence, and joint activities
• Legal documentation: If previously married, divorce decrees or death certificates for any previous spouse

Cultural or Customary Marriage Practices

When cultural or customary practices affect the nature of the relationship, petitioners should provide:

• Detailed explanations of the customs or practices involved
• Documentary evidence such as affidavits from cultural authorities
• Examples of adapted engagement ceremonies that fit customary practices

Documentation may include:

• Photos or videos showing customary practices
• Statements from both parties acknowledging understanding and adherence to these customs

The processing and adjudication of Form I-129F involve distinct stages from initial review by USCIS service centers to consular processing abroad, and finally, the possibility of adjusting status for the foreign fiancé(e) once married in the United States.

Service Center Processing

After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), it is first processed at a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) service center. The petitioner receives a notice of receipt, and the service center reviews the petition for completeness, including all required documents and evidence. If the petition meets the necessary criteria, USCIS will issue a notice of approval.

Consular Processing

Once USCIS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign fiancé(e)’s country. The beneficiary then applies for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. This step involves a visa interview, additional paperwork, and medical examinations. Upon approval, the fiancé(e) can travel to the U.S.

Adjustment of Status Post-Marriage

Upon entering the U.S. with a K-1 visa, the foreign fiancé(e) must marry their U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days. After the marriage, they must apply for an adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). This is done by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS.

When filing Form I-129F, petitioners should be prepared to navigate certain complexities throughout the petition process. These include administrative delays, additional evidence requests, and the impact of past immigration issues.

Administrative Processing Delays

Petitioners may experience prolonged processing times for Form I-129F due to administrative backlogs at USCIS. These delays can be exacerbated by high application volumes or resource constraints within the agency. It’s essential to ensure all paperwork is accurately completed to avoid further delays from requests for clarification or correction.

Requests for Evidence

If USCIS determines that the evidence provided with the Form I-129F is insufficient, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). Petitioners must respond promptly with comprehensive documentation to substantiate the relationship, or face potential denial of the petition. It’s critical to provide detailed and compelling evidence of a bona fide relationship from the outset.

Prior Visa Denials or Immigration Violations

A history of visa denials or previous immigration violations can significantly impede the approval of Form I-129F. Petitioners should disclose all prior immigration-related issues to reduce the chances of an outright denial. In certain cases, it may be necessary to seek legal counsel to navigate the complex terrain of immigration law and past infractions.