How long does it take to get a K-1 visa?
The processing time for a K-1 fiancé visa application currently averages 13-18 months. Note this does not include the time from when your application is approved to your interview date, which differs based on the country you’re applying from.
Keep reading to find out the individual processing times that occur in each stage of the K-1 visa application:
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USCIS and Form I-129F
Average timeline: 13-18 months
The first step for an eligible couple is for the U.S. citizen fiancé to file Form I-129F with USCIS. The primary purpose of this form is to prove the validity of the relationship. For more information about what to include in Form I-129F, see the Boundless K-1 overview guide.
After the form and supporting documents are filed, USCIS will typically send a receipt notice within 30 days. USCIS may also send a Request for Evidence (RFE) if they need more information. After Form I-129F is approved, USCIS will send an approval notice.
Boundless tracks USCIS processing times data every month by application type. The median timeline (as of February 31, 2023) is 13-18 months, according to our internal analysis.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) releases processing times each quarter for all forms, including Form I-129F. Currently, the agency’s reported wait time for Form I-129F is 14.
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NVC and Form DS-160
Average timeline: 7 months, but can differ significantly based on your home country.
After Form I-129F is approved, USCIS notifies the NVC to take over processing the application. After the I-129F fiancé sponsorship form is approved, the sponsored fiancé receives a notice from the U.S. Embassy or consulate in their home country, including the date and location of their visa interview and a list of required documents. Boundless refers to this as the U.S. Embassy Packet of Instructions.
The sponsored fiancé must also complete the State Department’s online DS-160 form (technically called the “Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application”). This is the actual K-1 visa application, and it’s very important to print the confirmation page once the form has been submitted online.
Here is a breakdown of current embassy processing times based on feedback from over 1,000 Boundless couples:
| Embassy Processing Times (Months) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Brazil | 6 | 2 | 17 |
| Canada | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| China | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Colombia | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| Dominican Republic | 6 | 2 | 24 |
| India | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| Indonesia | 10 | 4 | 16 |
| Mexico | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Nigeria | 9 | 1 | 26 |
| Philippines | 16 | 1 | 30 |
| Russia | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Thailand | 5 | 0 | 23 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| United Kingdom | 6 | 2 | 23 |
| Vietnam | 10 | 7 | 13 |
U.S. Embassy or Consulate Interview
Average timeline: 1 month
The fiancé attends the visa interview at the nearest U.S.Embassy or consulate in their home country.
The interviewing officer generally makes their decision at the interview or soon thereafter. Sometimes they require additional evidence, in which case they will ask that it be submitted directly to the U.S.Embassy or consulate.
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K1 to AOS Timeline
Once your K-1 visa is approved, you have 90 days to enter the United States and get married. Once married, you will need to apply for adjustment of status (AOS) to switch to a marriage green card. The K1 to AOS timeline is currently 14-26 months, but it can be longer depending on your situation.