Fiancée of an American Citizen
A fiancée of a U.S. citizen who wants to travel to the United States to get married and live there permanently must obtain a fiancée visa (also known as a K-1 visa.)
To qualify for a K-1 visa, the following conditions are necessary:
- Both parties are legally free to marry – (that is to say neither party is currently married.)
- Both parties have met in person within two years immediately prior to the filing on the petition.
- The marriage will take place within 90 days of the fiancée entering the United States on the visa.
Where should a fiancée petition be filed?
The first step in applying for a fiancée visa is for the U.S. citizen (the petitioner) to file Form I-129F with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This petition must be filed with a USCIS office in the States – it cannot be filed in Iraq.
Can my children be included on a fiancée visa petition?
Unmarried children under the age of 21 may be included on a fiancée visa petition. If the U.S. citizen is the natural father or mother of the child, the child may have a claim to U.S. citizenship – please contact the American Citizen Services unit at BaghdadACS@state.gov for further information.
How long does it take to process a fiancée visa?
The average processing time of a fiancée visa application ranges from nine to twelve months. Please note that this is only an average – some applicants take longer. Once a petition has been filed, you may track the status of the pending case online at the USCIS website.
What if I want to get married in U.S. and then return immediately to my residence in Iraq?
If you plan to travel to the U.S. to get married and then return to your residence in Iraq, you may be eligible to apply for a tourist visa. Please see the Embassy’s Non-Immigrant Visa webpage for further details.
What can I expect from the application process?
Please see the section entitled "Applying for an Immigrant Visa" for details of the application process. Once the visa petition is approved by USCIS, it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for additional processing. If your fiancée is resident in Iraq, the petition will then be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.