K-1 [Fiancé] VISAS ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY

Effective August 28, as it becomes safe to resume more consular operations at each U.S. mission, posts are authorized to give K visa cases high priority.  

The I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) is typically valid for four months; however, consular officers may revalidate the I-129F petition in four month increments if the officer finds that the parties are free to marry and intend to marry within 90 days after the fiancé(e)’s entry into the United States. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(k)(5); 9 FAM 502.7-3(B)(d)(1)(b) (July 21, 2020).

For most cases impacted by the suspension of routine visa services or COVID-19 travel restrictions it will not be necessary to file a new I-129F petition.

Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updates on what services that post is currently able to offer. 

This is potentially good news for applicants whose K-1 visa applications have been languishing. If a post decides to give K-1 applications priority, they may ask cases that have been stuck at the National Visa Center (NVC) to be forwarded to them and may schedule them for interviews.