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Global Visa Wait Times: How Long Does It Take to Receive a Visa Interview

1/30/2025

Global Visa Wait Times

Last updated: 1-7-2025

The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly and is based on actual incoming workload and staffing. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate process for visa cases where the in-person interview requirement is waived. In general wait times for those cases are shorter, but they are not reflected in the table below.

Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

See more here.

List is here.

New USCIS Policy on I-539 Untimely Filed Extensions of Stay and Change of Status Requests

1/28/2024

On January 24, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address when USCIS may, in its discretion, excuse untimely filed extensions of stay and change of status requests.

Generally, certain nonimmigrants present in the United States admitted for a specified period of time, or their petitioners, may request an extension of their admission period in order to continue to engage in those activities permitted under the nonimmigrant classification in which they were admitted.1 Also, certain nonimmigrants present in the United States, or their petitioners, may seek to change their status to another nonimmigrant classification if they meet certain requirements.

In general, USCIS does not approve an extension of stay or change of status for a person who failed to maintain the previously accorded status or where such status expired before the filing date of the application or petition. These requests must be filed while a nonimmigrant is still in status,

If certain conditions are met, however, USCIS, in its discretion, may excuse the failure to file before the period of authorized status expired. This guidance, contained in Volume 2 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies prospectively to applications or petitions filed on or after that date.

The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance on the topic.

Policy Highlights

• Provides that USCIS, in its discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse the failure to timely file extensions of stay and change of status requests if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the person.

• Clarifies that extraordinary circumstances may include but are not limited to: where the delay was due to a slowdown or stoppage of work involving a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute;
or where the primary reason for the late filing is due to a lapse in government funding supporting those adjudications.

Summary of Changes

Affected Section: Volume 2 > Part A > Chapter 4 > Section A, Extension of Stay or Change of Status • Adds a new italicized subsection “Requirements to Timely File a Request to Extend Stay or Change Status.” USCIS may also make other minor technical, stylistic, and conforming changes consistent with this update. Citation Volume 2: Nonimmigrants, Part A, Nonimmigrant Policies and Procedures, Chapter 4, Extension of Stay, Change of Status, and Extension of Petition Validity [2 USCIS-PM A.4].

Requirements to Timely File a Request to Extend Stay or Change Status
In general, USCIS does not approve an extension of stay or change of status for a person who failed to maintain the previously accorded status or where such status expired before the filing date of the application or petition.[5] USCIS, in its discretion, may excuse the failure to file before the period of authorized status expired where the requester demonstrates within the extension of stay or change of status request that:

The delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the person’s control;
The length of the delay was commensurate with the circumstances;
The person has not otherwise violated their nonimmigrant status;
The person remains a bona fide nonimmigrant; and
The person is not the subject of removal proceedings and, in the case of extensions of stay, is also not the subject of deportation proceedings.[6]

In general, subject to its discretion, examples of what USCIS considers extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the person may include, but are not limited to:

Where the person remained in the United States after the expiration of the period of admission due to a slowdown or stoppage of work involving a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute; or
Where the primary reason for the late filing is the inability to obtain a certified labor condition application or temporary labor certification due to a lapse in government funding supporting those adjudications.

If USCIS approves an untimely filed application or petition to extend an applicant’s or beneficiary’s stay, the approval is effective as of the date of the expiration of the prior nonimmigrant admission period.[7] When USCIS approves a late filed application for a change of status, the change of status takes effect on the approval date. USCIS considers the applicant or beneficiary of an approved untimely change of status request to have maintained lawful status during the period USCIS excused.[8]

Who is Eligible for a Visa Interview Waiver in 2024

1/9/2024

On December 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that for 2024 it would continue to waive the requirement of consular interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applications. However, the 2024 waiver requirements are very different from the 2023 requirements. The 2024 requirements, which took effect January 1, 2024, generally apply to the following:

First-time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and nonagricultural workers).
Others applying for any nonimmigrant visa classification who
- Were previously issued any nonimmigrant visa except a B visa, and
- Are applying within 48 months of the expiration date of their most recent nonimmigrant visa.

For 2023, more limited categories were eligible for interview waivers, including students, academic (J) Exchange Visitors, and employment-based and other categories. However, waivers were available for first-time applications as well as renewal applications, and the 48-month time limitation did not apply.
For 2024, all nonimmigrant visa applications except B (Business or Visitor) are eligible for the waiver, but they are limited to renewals unless in the H-2 category, and the visa application must have been made no more than 48 months after the expiration date of the most recent nonimmigrant visa. The current authorization will be reviewed annually and will remain in place until further notice.

Additional eligibility requirements for the interview waiverTo be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:

apply in their country of nationality or residence.
have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived).
have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

Consular discretion remains
The State Department adds the caveat that consular officers have the discretion to require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions. The announcement reminds applicants to check the websites of the applicable embassy or consulate for more detailed information about visa application requirements to be sure that interview waivers are available. Conclusion The interview waiver policy plays an important part of the State Department's efforts to expedite the visa application process. The interview requirement can take time and can delay adjudication. Again, applicants should check with the applicable U.S. embassy or consulate to determine whether, and to what extent, the interview waiver policy has been implemented.

Read more at the DOS website.

What to do if the US Embassy placed you into Administrative Processing?

8/17/2023

On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of State announced that it had adopted new technology to reduce the time for Administrative Processing. Currently, Administrative Processing lacks any predictability and transparency, and many U.S. visa applications wait for the decision for many weeks, months or years.
Many Administrative Processing visa cases are still taking a very long time. This is particularly true for Russian, Chinese, and Iranian applicants, including individuals who held visas in the past, are currently living in the United States, or have U.S. citizen family members.

As the DOS stated: "National security is our top priority. Before issuing any visa, we ensure that every prospective traveler is subject to extensive security screening. Now, we can do this in a much more streamlined manner."

Applicants living in the United States needing a visa to return should seek advice on the risk of a lengthy delay before leaving the country. In some instances, deferring travel may be advisable.

If a visa applicant is told that they will be placed into Administrative Processing, they should take the following steps:

Ask the interviewing officer why the application is going into Administrative Processing, what are the reasons;
Ask how long the officer believes it will take for the application to clear Administrative Processing, what is an estimate;
Make notes immediately after the interview of all of the questions asked by the consular officer, write it down;
Preserve any paperwork given to you after the interview, keep the copies of all paperwork;
Seek professional legal advice BEFORE (not after) submitting responses to any questionnaires or requests for additional evidence.

To schedule a consultation with an attorney, please email or use our scheduling app.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Nonimmigrants Visitors to USA

11/15/2022

In October 2021, new travel rules were announced. The rules required proof of COVID-19 vaccination and applied to all nonimmigrant travelers to the USA and were supposed to expire on November 8, 2022. However, they were renewed again.

Overview

All nonimmigrant foreign nationals are required to present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country
Applies only to nonimmigrant foreign nationals entering the United States.
Nonimmigrant means someone who is NOT a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa
This latest requirement is an extension of a previous requirement which was set to expire on November 8, 2022

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the requirement for all nonimmigrant foreign nationals to present proof of being fully vaccinated prior to entering the United States. Below, we have defined “fully vaccinated” along with the documentation required to establish proof as well as exceptions to this requirement.

Definition of Fully-Vaccinated
This becomes effective November 9, 2022, and continues the requirement for all nonimmigrant foreign nationals to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to boarding a flight to the United States. The definition of a Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 includes:

two weeks (14 days) since a person received one dose of an accepted single-dose-series COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Janssen/J&J); OR
two weeks (14 days) since a person’s second dose in a two-dose series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine; OR
two weeks (14 days) since a person received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial; OR
two weeks (14 days) since the person received two doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart
NOTE: A full 14 days must have passed since the day the COVID-19 vaccine series was completed. For example, if the vaccine series was completed on the first day of the month, the person is considered fully vaccinated on the 15th of that month.

Several types of documentation are acceptable for proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including verifiable (digital or paper), non-verifiable paper records, and non-verifiable digital records.

A verifiable vaccination record, also known as a verifiable vaccination credential, may be paper or digital and typically includes a QR code (Quick Response code) that links to information confirming the credential was generated from an immunization record in an official database and is protected from tampering. When available, verifiable records are preferred as they indicate that the verifiable credential was generated from an immunization record in an official database and that the credential is valid and legitimate.
A non-verifiable vaccination record is an official record of vaccination that is not digitally linked to an official database with official immunization records and is protected from tampering.
All forms of proof of COVID-19 vaccination must have personal identifiers (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number) that match the personal identifiers on the passenger’s passport or other travel documents.
Airlines and aircraft operators must determine when the translation of documentation of vaccination is necessary for review.

Exceptions (for nonimmigrants)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has established certain exceptions to this requirement, including:

Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
Children under 18 years of age
Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
Persons with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
Persons with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (Table 4)
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
Persons whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

A complete list of required documentation for excepted travelers can be found on the CDC website.

CDC and USCIS Covid-19 vaccination requirements for IMMIGRANTS were updated in July 2022:

"Effective July 25, 2022, the lower age limit for the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is 6 months of age. Any applicant 6 months through 4 years of age who presents for a medical examination on or after this date will be subject to this requirement... This is in addition to older applicants who are already subject to these requirements."

For more, visit the CDC website.

Global Visa Appointment Wait Times

11/10/2022

The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate process for visa cases where the in-person interview requirement is waived. In general wait times for those cases are shorter, but they are not reflected in the table below. Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Here is the global visa wait times link.

На официальном вебсайте Госдеп США еженедельно публикует список сроков ожидания интервью на не-иммиграционные визы в посольствах и конслуьствах США по всему миру.

Этот список полезен для выбора посольства, куда лучше подать заявление на туристическую или студенческую визу, т.к. сроки ожиданяи интервью очень различаются по разным посольствам.

Информация обновляется каждую неделю:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/global-visa-wait-times.html

Effective November 8, 2021, COVID-19 Vaccination is Required for Nonimmigrants Visitors to USA

11/2/2021

On October 25, 2021, the President issued a Proclamation to suspend and limit entry into the United States for non-U.S. citizens who are nonimmigrants seeking to enter the United States by air travel and are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

On the same day, CDC issued an Order to implement the President’s direction. The Proclamation and CDC’s Order do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants. The Proclamation and Order also do not apply to air crew members under certain circumstances. For more information, including exceptions, see Presidential Proclamation and Frequently Asked Questions below.
What You Need to Know

If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country.
Some categories of noncitizen, nonimmigrants are excepted from this requirement. If you meet the criteria for one of these categories, you will need to fulfill additional requirements to travel by air to the United States.
At this time, all air passengers ages 2 or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must show a negative result of a COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. For more information about these testing requirements, visit Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19.

Immigrants:
The Presidential Proclamation and CDC’s Order do not apply to immigrants. People applying to enter the United States as immigrants (with exceptions) are required to have a medical examination that includes a COVID-19 vaccination requirement before they are issued an immigrant visa.

Noncitizen, Nonimmigrants:
Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants and seeking to enter the United States by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country.
If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will NOT be allowed to board a flight to the United States, unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Order.

Categories of noncitizen nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Order include:

Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
Children under 18 years of age
Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine
Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
Sea crew members traveling with to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa
Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

If you travel by air to the United States under one of these exceptions, you will be required to attest that you are excepted from the requirement to present Proof of Being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 based on one of the exceptions listed above. Based on the category of the exception, you may further be required to attest that:

You will be tested with a COVID-19 viral test 3–5 days after arrival in the United States, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days;
You will self-quarantine for a full 7 days, even if the test result to the post-arrival viral test is negative, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days; and
You will self-isolate if the result of the post-arrival test is positive or if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Based on the category of the exception, if you intend to stay in the United States for longer than 60 days you may additionally be required to attest that

You agree to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and
You have arranged to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days of arriving in the United States, or as soon thereafter as is medically appropriate, unless (for children) you are too young to be vaccinated.

A parent or other authorized person should attest on behalf of a passenger under 18 years old. An authorized person may attest on behalf of any passenger who is unable sign their own attestation (e.g., because they are too young, or because of physical or mental impairment).
If you are a noncitizen nonimmigrant and are fully vaccinated, make sure your vaccine and proof of vaccination are acceptable to board a flight to the United States.

What are acceptable Covid-19 vaccines and what is acceptable proof of vaccination? Read here.

List of acceptable COVID-19 vaccines include:

Pfizer-BioNTech
Moderna
AstraZeneca
Covishield
BIBP/Sinopharm
Sinovac
Janssen/J&J

Russian Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine is not considered an acceptable vaccine for the purpose of travel to the United States.
Russia is not included into the list of exempt countries.

Read information in Russian at Rubic here.

С 8 ноября 2021 только полностью вакцинированные туристы и другие не-иммигранты смогут приехать в США. В списке утвержденных вакцин нет российского “Спутника”. Это представляет проблему для граждан России и Беларуси и некоторых других.

Information at the US Department of State website.

Information at the CDC website.

Nonimmigrant visa interview wait times at the US embassies around the world

2/19/2021

Current wait times for nonimmigrant visas at the USA embassies around the world can be viewed here.

You can see here the most current information about B1/B2 visitor, F1 student and other non-immigrant visas.

Время ожидания интервью на визу США для резидентов. Визы туристические или гостевые, студенческие и другие неиммиграционные визы.

Immigrant Visa 60-Day Ban Extended to Nonimmigrant Visas to The End of 2020

6/22/2020

On Monday, June 22, 2020, the Trump administration said that it was extending a ban on Immigrant Visas aka "green cards" issued outside the United States until December 31, 2020, and adding many nonimmigrant and work visas to the ban, including those used heavily by technology companies and multinational corporations (H-1B, L) and also H-2B, J-1.

The administration explained this ban a way to free up jobs in an economy reeling from the coronavirus. The ban is in effect since April 23, 2020. Original ban was for 60 days. New ban is valid until December 31, 2020.

The ban on new visas applies to H-1B visas, which are used by major American technology companies, and their immediate families, H-2B visas for nonagricultural seasonal workers, J-1 visas for exchange students and L-1 visas for managers of multinational corporations. There will be exemptions for food processing workers, which make up about 15% of H-2B visas.

The administration is proposing a new way of awarding H-1B visas, which are capped at 85,000 a year. The administration wants to award them by highest salary instead of by lottery.

Text of the June 22, 2020 Proclamation is here.

.........................
Section 1. Continuation of Proclamation 10014. (a) Section 4 of Proclamation 10014 is amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 4. Termination. This proclamation shall expire on December 31, 2020, and may be continued as necessary. Within 30 days of June 24, 2020, and every 60 days thereafter while this proclamation is in effect, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor, recommend any modifications as may be necessary.”
(b) This section shall be effective immediately.
Sec. 2. Suspension and Limitation on Entry. The entry into the United States of any alien seeking entry pursuant to any of the following nonimmigrant visas is hereby suspended and limited, subject to section 3 of this proclamation:
(a) an H-1B or H-2B visa, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien;
(b) a J visa, to the extent the alien is participating in an intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien; and
(c) an L visa, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien.
Sec. 3. Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry. (a) The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 2 of this proclamation shall apply only to any alien who:
(i) is outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation;
(ii) does not have a nonimmigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and
(iii) does not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission.
(b) The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 2 of this proclamation shall not apply to:
(i) any lawful permanent resident of the United States;
(ii) any alien who is the spouse or child, as defined in section 101(b)(1) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)), of a United States citizen;
(iii) any alien seeking to enter the United States to provide temporary labor or services essential to the United States food supply chain; and
(iv) any alien whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.
..........

Read here.

Here and here.

Like in July and August, F2A is CURRENT in September 2019

8/19/2019

The USCIS will honor the Final Action Dates chart, rather than the Dates for Filing chart, in September 2019. Just as it was done in July and August. When such retrogressions have occurred in the past, the USCIS has accepted applications and held them until priority dates become current again.

If a F2A spouse or a minor child is in the USA in a valid nonimmigrant status, it is still possible to file a concurrent petition and application for adjustment of status in September 2019.

If you need help or advice, please email us to schedule a phone or Skype consultation with an attorney.

Please see USCIS' announcement here.

Effective February 1, 2019, US Embassy in Belarus resumes all visa services

1/13/2019

On February 1, 2019, full visa services returning to the U.S. Embassy in Belarus.

Belarus lifted a cap on the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in the country. Visa services have been significantly restricted at the U.S. Embassy in Belarus for the past decade.

The lifting of the cap means that starting February 1, 2019, Belarusian citizens and residents of any age may apply for any category of nonimmigrant U.S. visa at the Embassy in Minsk.

Embassy announcement: https://by.usembassy.gov/visas/

How to Check a Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Times at U.S. Embassies and Consulates?

1/10/2019

How to Check a Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Times at Different U.S. Embassies and Consulates Around the World?

If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool at the link below. Examples of nonimmigrant visas: student F-1, visitor B-1/B-2, exchange visitor J-1, H-1B, L visa, etc.

Please note that K-1 fiancee visa is a nonimmigrant visa which has its own scheduling system because it is processed at the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Click here for visa appointment times.

To schedule a consultation with an attorney, please email.

How to Apply for a Fiancee K-1 Visa

12/17/2018

What is a fiancée K-1 and K-2 visa? Who can apply? What is the process, timeframes and the costs?
The fiancée K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign national fiancée of a United States citizen. Only a U.S. citizen can petition for his or her foreign fiancée. A U.S. citizen can file a fiancée visa petition only after they have met in person in the previous two years: meeting each other online or through a video chat or messenger is not enough. The purpose of a K-1 visa is for foreign citizen fiancée to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.
The foreign fiancee will then apply for adjustment of status (aka “green card”) with the USCIS at the Department of Homeland Security. This is a separate legal process.
K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. However, because a fiancée visa is intended to help a foreign national to immigrate to the U.S. and allows him or her to apply for a green card after marriage to a U.S. citizen petitioner shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet most of the requirements of an immigrant visa.
K-2 visa is a fiancée visa for eligible children of K-1 visa applicant (unmarried children under 21).
As of 12/2018, current processing times are approx. 5 to 7 months for a I-129F Petition, plus additional 3 to 6 weeks for the NVC stage, plus additional 1-3 months for a visa application process (varies depending on a Consulate and your own readiness).

The First Step: Filing the Petition, USCIS Form I-129F
(1) The U.S. citizen fiancé, must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS. Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad.
(2) When USCIS approves the I-129F petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will assign a new a case number and directly forward the approved fiancée visa petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where a foreign fiancée will apply for a visa.

The Second Step: Applying for a Visa
The NVC will mail a letter with a new case number after it sends a fiancée visa case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Once you receive this letter, it is time to apply for a K-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants may apply for K-2 visas. Children are included into the I-129F petition. However, separate visa applications and visa fees are required for every child.

Required Documentation The foreign national fiancée and eligible children applying for K-2 visas will be required to bring the following forms and documents to the visa interview:

Completed Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Each K-1 and K-2 visa applicant must: (1) complete Form DS-160 online, (2) pay a visa fee, and (3) print the DS-160 confirmation page to bring to a visa interview.
A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.
Divorce or death certificate(s) of any and all previous spouse(s) for both you and the U.S. citizen petitioner.
Police certificates from your home country and all other countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for a foreign fiancée and all accompanying children age 16 or older)
Medical examination (for K-1 and K-2 visa applicants)
Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, and proof of sponsor’s employment and income usually are required). There is no extra fee for the Form I-134. For a fiancée visa, the Affidavit of Support, Form I-134, is required. There is another Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, which will be required later, when you apply for a green card after marriage. The forms are different. The income requirements are also different. When submitting the Affidavit of Support, Form I-134, you need to show that your U.S. sponsor's income is 100 percent of the federal poverty guideline. When submitting the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, the sponsor must be able to demonstrate that his or her income is at least 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline minimum income requirement. If you estimate that both K-1 visa and a green card will be applied for during the same tax year, you should plan and gather all required documentation in advance.
Evidence of relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancée, which is very important at the last stage, as well as at the first stage.

The consular officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs, chat logs, emails and other proof that the relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is genuine and real. Documents in foreign languages, other than the language of the country in which the application takes place, should be translated. Applicants should take to the visa interview legible photocopies of civil documents and translations, such as birth and divorce certificates.

Fees

Government filing fees are subject to change (as of 12/2018, the fees are as follows):

US$535 -- Filing fee for an Alien Fiancé(e) Petition, Form I-129F
US$265 -- Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, Form DS-160 (required for each K visa applicant)
Medical examination fee, paid directly to a designated clinic (required for each K-1 and K-2 visa applicant) – costs vary, please check with the U.S. embassy in the country where a fiancée will apply for a visa
Other costs may include translation and notarization charges, fees for getting the documents required for the visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.). Costs vary from country to country.
US$1,225 -- Filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status. Your spouse will submit this application after marriage. There could be additional applications filed concurrently: Application for a work permit and Application for advance parole. These applications are optional, but could be advisable.
Legal fees – we charge flat fee which could vary from case to case, depending on difficulty and the number of dependents. Please contact attorney for a case evaluation, and we will gladly give you a quote.

To ensure that your application is accepted and not rejected, the most current edition of the form must be submitted, accompanied by a correct filing fee. It is recommended that you check the most current edition of every application and the most current filing fees at USCIS and Department of State websites shortly before applying.

Please note that the approved I-129F petition is valid for four (4) months from the date of approval by USCIS. However, a consular officer can extend the validity of the petition if it expires before visa processing is completed.

Certain conditions and activities can make a visa applicant ineligible for a visa. Examples of these ineligibilities include: certain criminal records; overstaying a previous visa in the U.S.; submitting fraudulent documents; previous deportation or removal order, or voluntary departure; failure to prove bona fide fiancée relationship; etc. If you are found to be ineligible for a visa, the Consular Officer will advise you whether there is waiver of the ineligibility and what the waiver process is.

After your K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa was approved, you will generally wait 5 to 7 business days to pick up your passport, a visa, and a sealed packet containing the documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States.
If you have children who received K-2 visas, you will either travel together or your children holding K-2 visas will have to follow you to the U.S.

Please note that K-1 and K-2 visas are valid for a single admission to the United States within the validity of the visa, which will be a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance.

It is advisable not to purchase the tickets, not to sell real estate and business abroad until after a K-1 visa has been approved and issued. In order to limit the risk even more, some of other clients preferred not to sell their apartments, cars, businesses until after they became lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Please note that you must either marry your U.S. citizen fiance within 90 days of your entry into the United States, or depart the U.S. before the expiration of the 90-day period of admission. If not married within the 90-day window, or married within 90 days, but didn’t apply for a green card, if you wish to stay in the United States and apply for a green card, contact a competent immigration attorney for legal advice.

If you would like to schedule a telephone consultation or need help, please contact attorney for a case evaluation, and we will gladly give you a quote and advise you.

Please see below a few brief videos: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Information and videos in Russian can be found here.

List of Countries Subject to Travel Ban Was Updated: Chad Removed

4/14/2018

Effective April 13, 2018, the list of countries subject to travel ban has been updated. Follow the link to see updated table of countries whose nationals are currently ineligible for various kinds of visas under presidential proclamation Visitors visas and Immigrants Visas, including DV Lottery visas).

On April 10, a new Presidential Proclamation was issued which amended P.P. 9645 of September 24, 2017.
The new P.P. removed the visa restrictions imposed on nationals of Chad by the previous September 2017 proclamation. This change is effective at 12:01 a.m. EST on April 13, 2018.

All other visa restrictions outlined in P.P. 9645 remain in effect. (On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s motions for emergency stays of preliminary injunctions issued by U.S. District Courts in the Districts of Hawaii and Maryland. The preliminary injunctions had prohibited the government from fully enforcing or implementing the entry restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 9645 (P.P.) to nationals of six countries: Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.

Per the Supreme Court’s orders, those restrictions will be implemented fully, in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation, around the world, beginning December 8 2018.

The District Court injunctions did not affect implementation of entry restrictions against nationals from North Korea and Venezuela. Those individuals remain subject to the restrictions and limitations listed in the Presidential Proclamation, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, with respect to nationals of those countries.

See more here.