How long does a K-1 visa take?
On One Hand: Petition ApprovalThere are two service centers in the United States which handle K-1 (fiance) visa petitions from all 50 states: one in California, the other in Vermont. Once the petitioner (U.S. citizen) sends the application and requested documentation to the appropriate center, it must be processed for approval or rejection. Processing time from application receipt to approval is anywhere from 3 to 4.5 months, depending on application backlogs.On the Other: Consulate ApprovalIf approved, the paperwork is sent to the beneficiary’s (non-U.S. citizen fiancée) local consulate office. Depending on the consular backlog and work methods, this part of the process can take up to 4 months (the length of time an approved petition is valid). Before issuing the visa, the beneficiary must have a medical exam and interview at the consulate.Bottom LineF-1 visa processing can take 3 to 6 months; even longer in extreme cases. A visa attorney specializing in F-1 visas may be able to speed
