You have decided to tie the knot but must now face the border issue because your love does not live in Clearwater. If the soon-to-be groom or bride lives beyond U.S. borders, they will need a fiancee/fiance visa before the two of you can exchange vows on Floridian sand. Here are some things you may not have known about these visas.
The Official Name is the K-1 Fiance Visa
If you are in the market for a fiance visa in Clearwater, then you have probably heard the term K-1; that is just the official name that the Department of State uses to differentiate this type of entry document from the others. Think of it as the code.
Fiance Visas Includes Children
If the soon-to-be spouse has unmarried children who are minors, the K-1 will permit you to obtain entry rights for the kids as well. They qualify for K-2s.
K-1s Insist on Pre-Clearance
One rather useful aspect of applying for a K-1 is that your partner will be screened, and you will get to discover what the consulate finds out about them. They will be checked for HIV, for tuberculosis, and for any criminal activity hiding in their closet.
Fiancé Visas Require an “I Do.”
If your love falls through and the two of do not reach the altar within ninety days from the foreign partner’s day of entry into the United States, their fiance visa will expire. They will have to leave Clearwater and go back to their homeland. If he or she decides to fall in love someone else during those ninety days, they will still have to go home and reapply for a different K-1. The K-1 does not permit adjusting the name of the petitioner to marry anyone other than the original sponsor.
You Are Required to Meet
You cannot simply click, Skype, or message your way to a fiance visa in Clearwater. You must meet your partner in person before you apply. It does not need to be right before you file— within 24 months before submitting your application will do. There are some exceptions available for particular situations, but hopefully you will have an opportunity to see your partner before you tie the knot.
Now that You Know, Get Your Fiance Visa with Julie Beth Jouben, P.A.
If you are ready to tie the knot, start the application process for your fiance visa today. Remember that it is currently taking anywhere from 6-9 months so waiting around will only push back your Clearwater wedding day. Call Julie Beth Jouben, P.A. at our office today for assistance!