Immigrant Visas

Information On Fiancé(e)s Visas

A fiance(e) of an American citizen can apply for a special K-1 fiance(e) visa, which will permit him or her to travel for the purpose of marrying within ninety days of entering the United States and residing permanently there. Note: applicants for K-1 visas do not need to demonstrate social and economic ties to their country of residence.

To apply for a K-1 fiance(e) visa, an applicant must have an I-129F fiancé(e) visa petition filed on their behalf by the U.S. citizen he or she intends to marry. This petition must be filed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the United States The INS is the sole authority for approving I-129F fiance (e) visa petitions.

In the event that the fiance(e) petition is approved, it will be forwarded by I.N.S. to the U.S. Embassy in Damascus for processing. Although it is difficult to predict how long it will take for receipt of the approved petition, it normally takes 4 to 6 weeks. Once the petition is received, the Consular Section will endeavor to inform the beneficiary of the approved petition, provide a package of documents for completion, and fix an interview date. If all documents are in order at the time of the interview, the visa will be issued the same day. Once a fiance(e) visa is issued, the applicant must arrive in the U.S. within six months, and the marriage must take place within three months following the entry date. Following the marriage, the fiance(e) must inform the nearest INS office so that the applicant may obtain a resident alien card (green card). The alien fiance(e)/spouse should not leave the United States until the immigration process has been finalized and residency has been granted.

K-1 visa applicants should be aware that the screening requirements described in the general information section above apply to K-1 visa applicants.

Questions regarding the filing and approval of I-129F fiance(e) visa petitions should be directed to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Any further questions concerning K-1 fiance(e) visas should be sent to the nonimmigrant visa mailbox: ivdamascus@state.gov

NOTE: INTERVIEW APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT SCHEDULED VIA E-MAIL.