the_information_nexus/personal/k-1_visa.md

## 🛂 **Overview**

The **K-1 visa** allows a **foreign fiancé(e)** of a **U.S. citizen** to enter the U.S. for the purpose of **marrying within 90 days**. After marriage, the foreign spouse may apply for a **Green Card**.

---

## ✅ **Eligibility Requirements**

You may apply if:

* You are a **U.S. citizen**.
* You and your fiancé(e) **intend to marry within 90 days** of U.S. entry.
* You are **both legally free to marry**.
* You have **met in person** within the **past 2 years**, unless granted a waiver for cultural or hardship reasons.

---

## 📝 **5-Step Process**

### **Step 1: Petition (USCIS)**

* File **Form I-129F** to petition for your fiancé(e).
* USCIS reviews, may request more info.
* If approved, the case is sent to the **National Visa Center (NVC)**.

### **Step 2: Visa Application (State Department)**

* NVC sends the approved petition to the **U.S. Embassy/Consulate** near your fiancé(e).
* Your fiancé(e) applies for the **K-1 visa** and attends an interview.
* If approved, the visa is valid for **6 months**, **single entry**.

### **Step 3: Entry (CBP)**

* Fiancé(e) travels to the U.S. and is inspected by **Customs and Border Protection (CBP)**.
* CBP makes the **final decision** to admit.

### **Step 4: Marriage**

* Must marry **within 90 days** of entry.

### **Step 5: Green Card (USCIS)**

* After marriage, spouse files **Form I-485** for **Adjustment of Status** (Green Card).
* Interview is usually required.
* If married **less than 2 years**, Green Card is **conditional** and valid for **2 years**.
* File **Form I-751** to remove conditions before it expires.

---

## 🕒 **Processing Times**

* Times vary. Check [USCIS Processing Times](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/).
* Select `I-129F Petition for Alien fiancé`
* Check your status [Case Status Online](https://egov.uscis.gov/)
* Average 8 months

---

## 🔗 **More Info**

* [K-1 Visa Guide – USCIS](https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens)

---

Here is a **deep technical reference guide** for **Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)**, suitable for legal, immigration, or operations professionals needing precision and completeness.

---

# 🧾 **Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) or Spouse**

---

## 📌 **Purpose**

Used by **U.S. citizens** to request:

* A **K-1 visa** for a **foreign fiancé(e)** and their **K-2 eligible children**, to marry in the U.S. within 90 days of entry.
* A **K-3 visa** for a **foreign spouse** and their **K-4 children**, while awaiting adjudication of **Form I-130** (Petition for Alien Relative).

---

## 🔍 **Edition & Format**

* **Current Edition Date**: **01/20/25**
* Ensure *all pages* match this edition; inconsistent versions may be rejected.
* Edition date located at the bottom of each page.
* Use Adobe Reader for viewing/printing.

---

## 🗃️ **Filing Location**

### If using **U.S. Postal Service (USPS):**

```
USCIS
Attn: I-129F
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266-0151
```

### If using **FedEx, UPS, DHL:**

```
USCIS
Attn: I-129F (Box 660151)
2501 South State Highway 121 Business, Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
```

> ❌ Do **not** file at USCIS international offices.

---

## 💵 **Filing Fee**

* Check current fee at [USCIS Fee Schedule](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees).
* **Payment Methods**:

  * Money order, personal or cashier’s check (payable to *U.S. Department of Homeland Security*)
  * Credit/debit card via **Form G-1450**
* **Important**:

  * Fees are **non-refundable**.
  * Submit **separate payments per form** (no combined payments).
  * Use the [USCIS Fee Calculator](https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator).

---

## 📥 **Initial Evidence Checklist**

> *Do not submit this checklist with the form.*

### 🔹 **For All Petitions (K-1 or K-3):**

* Proof of **U.S. citizenship** (one of):

  * Birth certificate (U.S.-issued)
  * Naturalization/citizenship certificate
  * Form FS-240 (CRBA)
  * Unexpired U.S. passport (copy)
  * Statement from a U.S. consular officer
* Legal termination of prior marriages (if applicable):

  * Divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate
* **One color passport-style photo** each of petitioner and beneficiary (taken within 30 days)
* Evidence of legal name change (if applicable)
* G-28 (if represented by attorney)
* Evidence supporting **IMBRA waiver** (if applicable)

### 🔹 **K-1 Specific Evidence**:

* Proof of **intent to marry** within 90 days
* Evidence of **in-person meeting within 2 years** OR

  * Request for waiver citing:

    * Cultural/social customs
    * Extreme hardship to petitioner

### 🔹 **K-3 Specific Evidence**:

* Copy of **Form I-797C** (showing Form I-130 filed)
* Valid **marriage certificate**

---

## ✍️ **Form Completion Requirements**

* **Mandatory Fields** (*Form will be rejected if missing*):

  * Part 1: Petitioner's full name, DOB, mailing address, classification sought
  * Part 2: Beneficiary’s full name, DOB, classification sought
* **Signature**: Required. Unsigned forms will be rejected.
* Use [Tips for Filing Forms by Mail](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail).

---

## 📲 **E-Notification**

* Use **Form G-1145** to get text/email confirmation of acceptance.
* Clip it to the first page.

---

## ⚠️ **Do NOT Include**:

* Electronic items (e.g., CDs, USBs, greeting cards with chips)
* Graphic photos or DNA samples
* Non-paper materials

> Acceptable: photos or **copies** of evidentiary items.

---

## 🔄 **Withdrawal Requests**

* Submit **signed written withdrawal** before visa issuance to USCIS.
* If visa already issued: contact **U.S. Department of State**.
* After K-1/K-3 admission to U.S., petition cannot be withdrawn.

---

## 🧯 **Fraud and Victim Resources**

* **Report suspected marriage fraud**: ICE Online Tip Form
* **Victims of Immigration Crime**: Contact ICE VOICE Office

---

## ⏱️ **Processing & Status Tracking**

* View **processing times**: [USCIS Processing Times](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/)
* Check **case status**: [USCIS Case Status Online](https://egov.uscis.gov/)

---

## 🔗 **Downloads**

* [Form I-129F (PDF)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-129f.pdf)
* [Instructions for I-129F (PDF)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-129finstr.pdf)

---

Here is a **comprehensive technical reference section** for the **sibling-based immigration process** in the U.S., integrated as an additional module in your larger immigration documentation.

---

# 👥 **Petitioning to Bring Siblings to the U.S. as Permanent Residents**

---

## 📌 **Overview**

U.S. citizens aged **21 or older** may sponsor their **siblings (brothers and sisters)** for lawful permanent residence (Green Card). Legal **permanent residents (Green Card holders)** are **not eligible** to sponsor siblings.

---

## 🗂️ **Required Documentation**

The **petitioner** (U.S. citizen) must submit:

* ✅ **Form I-130**, Petition for Alien Relative
  *(Only one Form I-130 is needed per sibling; do **not** file separate forms for their spouse or minor children.)*

* ✅ **Proof of U.S. citizenship**, one of:

  * Valid U.S. **passport** (copy)
  * U.S. **birth certificate**
  * **Consular Report of Birth Abroad**
  * **Naturalization certificate**
  * **Certificate of citizenship**

* ✅ **Proof of sibling relationship**:

  * Your **birth certificate**
  * Your **sibling’s birth certificate**
  * Both must show **at least one common parent**

---

## 🧾 **Special Sibling Scenarios**

If the sibling relationship arises through:

* **Adoption**
* **Step-relationships**
* **Paternal half-siblings**

👉 You must provide **additional legal documentation** establishing the familial relationship as valid under U.S. immigration law (e.g., adoption decree, marriage/divorce certificates showing timeline alignment, evidence of parental legitimacy).

---

## ⏳ **While the Petition is Pending**

> ❌ **Siblings cannot immigrate while Form I-130 is pending.**

* They are generally **ineligible for nonimmigrant visas** due to **immigrant intent**, unless a strong case can be made under specific exceptions.
* Entry to the U.S. must wait until **immigrant visa processing** is completed and a **visa number becomes available** via consular processing.

For more, see:

* [Adjustment of Status](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-of-status)
* [Consular Processing](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing)

---

## ❌ **Denials and Appeals**

If Form I-130 is **denied**:

* The denial notice will include **instructions for filing an appeal**.
* Appeals are submitted via **Form I-290B**, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
* After fee processing, the appeal is referred to the **Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)**.

---

## 🔄 **Following-to-Join Benefits**

### Applicable to:

* Spouses and/or children of immigrants **who obtained permanent residence via preference categories**, and:

  * Were **married or had children** at the time of their own green card issuance
  * Those relationships still exist

### Benefits:

* No need for a **separate I-130** petition
* **No wait** for additional visa numbers

### How to Apply:

#### If adjusted in the U.S.:

File:

* ✅ **Form I-824**, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
* ✅ Copy of original immigrant petition (e.g., I-130)
* ✅ Copy of **Form I-797** (approval notice)
* ✅ Copy of your **Green Card (Form I-551)**

> If filing **concurrently** with Form I-485, no additional documentation is needed.

#### If immigrant visa was issued **via consulate**:

Contact the **National Visa Center (NVC)**:

* 📧 Email: **[NVCInquiry@state.gov](mailto:NVCInquiry@state.gov)**
* 📬 Mail:

  ```
  National Visa Center, ATTN: WC  
  32 Rochester Ave.  
  Portsmouth, NH 03801-2909
  ```

# 👪 **Petitioning to Bring Parents to the U.S. as Permanent Residents**

---

## 📌 **Eligibility Overview**

Only **U.S. citizens aged 21 or older** may petition to bring **parents** (mother, father, step-parent, or adoptive parent) to the U.S. as **lawful permanent residents**.

> ⚠️ **Green Card holders cannot sponsor their parents.**

---

## 🗂️ **Required Documentation by Parent Type**

| **If you are a U.S. citizen and your…**                                                      | **You must submit…**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mother lives outside the U.S.**                                                            | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate (showing both your name and your mother’s name)<br>- Proof of citizenship (U.S. passport or naturalization certificate)                                                                                                                 |
| **Father lives outside the U.S.**                                                            | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate (showing your name and both parents’ names)<br>- Proof of citizenship<br>- **Parents’ civil marriage certificate**                                                                                                                      |
| **Father is biological, but you were born out of wedlock and NOT legitimated before age 18** | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate (with father’s name)<br>- Proof of citizenship<br>- **Evidence of a bona fide relationship before age 21 or marriage** (e.g., financial/emotional support)                                                                              |
| **Father is biological, born out of wedlock but you WERE legitimated before age 18**         | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate (with father’s name)<br>- Proof of citizenship<br>- **Evidence of legitimation** (e.g., parent marriage, state/country legitimation law)                                                                                                |
| **Step-parent**                                                                              | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate (with names of your birth parents)<br>- Civil marriage certificate between birth parent and step-parent (must be **before your 18th birthday**)<br>- Proof that all prior marriages were legally terminated (divorce, death, annulment) |
| **Adoptive parent**                                                                          | - Form I-130<br>- Your birth certificate<br>- Proof of citizenship<br>- **Adoption decree** (must be completed **before your 16th birthday**)<br>- **Statement of cohabitation** showing dates and places lived together<br>- Any legal name change documents                    |

> 🔁 If **names have changed**, include legal name change documents (e.g., marriage certificate, court decree, adoption paperwork).

---

## 🔁 **After Filing Form I-130**

### ✅ **If Approved:**

* If parent is **outside the U.S.**, they will receive instructions from the **U.S. consulate** for **immigrant visa processing**.
* If parent is **already inside the U.S.**, they may **adjust status** by filing **Form I-485**, possibly **concurrently** with I-130.

➡️ See [Concurrent Filing of Form I-485](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/concurrent-filing-of-form-i-485) for more.

---

## 💼 **Employment Authorization (Work Permit)**

| **If Parent is…**                                    | **Work Authorization Info**                                                                               |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Admitted on immigrant visa (consular processing)** | No separate work permit needed. Passport will be stamped to authorize work until Green Card arrives.      |
| **In U.S. adjusting status via Form I-485**          | Can file:<br> - **Form I-765** for Employment Authorization<br> - **Form I-131** for Travel Authorization |

---

## 🧒 **Important Note on Siblings**

* **Minor children of your parents (i.e., your siblings)** **cannot** be included in the same petition.
* After your parent receives a Green Card, **they** may sponsor their children.

➡️ See: **[Bringing Siblings to the United States as Permanent Residents](#)** (cross-reference with sibling section)

---

## ❌ **What if My Petition is Denied?**

* The **denial letter** will explain your **right to appeal** and **filing deadline**.
* File **Form I-290B**, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
* The appeal is reviewed by the **Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)**.