The K-1 fiancé visa process for Ukrainian beneficiaries follows the same legal framework as any other, but the ongoing impacts of conflict and recent policy changes create some unique considerations. In this article, we highlight the particularities for Ukrainian applicants—including the status of U.S. Embassy Kyiv, options for those displaced outside Ukraine, and how processing timelines have been affected.
USCIS Petition Processing Times (First Stage)
Just like any K-1 case, the process begins with the U.S. citizen petitioner filing Form I-129F to sponsor their Ukrainian fiancé(e). USCIS processing times for this petition can vary significantly, and petitioners have little control over the pace. Key points to know:
- USCIS Processing Range: Depending on the assigned service center, waiting times can range from under a year to well over two years. For example, one USCIS center recently averaged around 8–9 months for K-1 petitions, while another center’s timeline stretched to roughly 29–37 months (over three years). These figures change periodically but illustrate the wide range of possible wait times.
- Fast Approvals Are Rare: Occasionally, petitions get approved very quickly. We have seen a case approved in just 2 months, but this is highly unusual. Expedited processing is generally not available for fiancé visas, so ultra-fast approvals are outliers typically due to unique circumstances.
- Typical Timeline: In our experience, about 6 months is the average USCIS processing time for the I-129F petition. This aligns with official data showing roughly 6 months on average in 2025. Keep in mind that individual cases can be shorter or longer—plan for around half a year at this stage under normal conditions.
- Service Center Assignment: You cannot choose which USCIS service center handles your petition. USCIS assigns the center based on the petitioner’s residence or internal workload distribution. For cases involving a Ukrainian beneficiary, there’s no special routing—your petition will go wherever USCIS directs it. The disparity in timelines is due to workload differences, not the nature of the case.
In summary, patience is required during the USCIS stage. Use this time to gather supporting documents and prepare for the next steps. Once USCIS approves the petition, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to a U.S. embassy for the visa interview.
NVC and Embassy Stage – Considerations for Ukrainian Applicants
The visa interview for a K-1 is normally conducted at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the beneficiary’s country. However, the war in Ukraine disrupted normal operations. Below, we discuss where Ukrainian fiancé visa interviews take place now and what happens if the beneficiary is not in Ukraine.
U.S. Embassy Kyiv Status – Has it Resumed Visa Processing?
Yes. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv resumed processing immigrant visas and K-1 fiancé visas as of late 2024. During the initial period of the Russian invasion (2022–2023), the embassy in Kyiv was closed for visa services. All Ukrainian immigrant and K-1 visa cases were temporarily reassigned to other U.S. embassies, primarily the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. Beginning October 2024, the State Department announced that fiancé visa cases for Ukrainian citizens and residents would again be processed in Kyiv. This marks a return to a more normal procedure.
- Interviews in Kyiv: If the Ukrainian beneficiary is currently in Ukraine, the case will likely be sent to U.S. Embassy Kyiv for the interview. Kyiv is now handling K-1 visas and other immigrant visas for Ukrainians.
- Limited Capacity: Keep in mind the embassy’s operations are gradually resuming. There may be a backlog as they ramp up services. However, this is a positive development—earlier in the war, no visas could be processed in Ukraine at all. Now K-1 applicants again have the option to interview in their home country.
Applicants Outside Ukraine – Third-Country Processing
A significant number of Ukrainian beneficiaries have been displaced by the war and are living outside Ukraine (e.g., in Poland, Germany, or other countries) on temporary protection or other legal status. These individuals may prefer not to return to Ukraine for the visa interview due to safety concerns or practical difficulties. The U.S. immigration system does allow for third-country visa processing in such situations, but there are procedures to follow:
- Default Assignment vs. Transfer: By default, NVC will still assign the case to Kyiv (since the beneficiary is Ukrainian). If the beneficiary cannot go to Kyiv or would be unsafe returning, they can request the case be transferred to a different U.S. embassy—typically, one in the country where they are currently staying.
- Examples of Alternate Posts: During the Kyiv embassy closure, Consulate Frankfurt in Germany handled most Ukrainian K-1 visas. Frankfurt was chosen in part because many Ukrainians could travel there easily and Germany offered refuge. Some cases were also processed in Warsaw, Poland. If a Ukrainian beneficiary is now living in Poland, Germany, the UK, or elsewhere, they may request to interview at the U.S. embassy in that country instead of returning to Ukraine.
- Permission and Acceptance: In general, a U.S. embassy will accept a fiancé visa case for a third-country national if the person is physically present in that country and has legal permission to be there. For Ukrainians in Europe, this is often straightforward—Ukrainian nationals currently have visa-free or protected access throughout the EU, including Poland and Germany. The embassy must still agree to take the case, which usually involves coordination through NVC.
- Procedure to Transfer: If you decide to change the interview location, you or your attorney should contact the desired U.S. embassy and the NVC to request the transfer. Provide proof that the beneficiary is present in that country and under what legal status. The case will then be moved to that embassy’s queue once approved. Note that this can take time; you may need to follow up, and NVC will not move the case until the new embassy confirms acceptance.
One advantage Ukrainians had during the embassy closure was visa-free travel within Europe. No Schengen visa was required for Ukrainians to enter Germany or Poland, which made interviews in Frankfurt or Warsaw logistically feasible. If the Ukrainian beneficiary is in Europe, they likely can travel to a nearby U.S. embassy country without needing a new visa, simplifying third-country processing.
Interview Scheduling and Potential Delays
At the NVC and embassy stages, several factors can affect how quickly the visa interview is scheduled and completed:
- Kyiv Consular Operations: If the case is processed in Kyiv, the embassy is still catching up after a long pause. There may be a backlog of cases now being scheduled. Security conditions and staffing may limit how many interviews are done per day. There may be additional wait time for an interview date, though operations are expected to normalize.
- Alternate Embassy Workload: If you transfer to another embassy, your wait time will depend on that embassy’s interview schedule. Warsaw and Frankfurt have handled high volumes of Ukrainian cases, which can lead to longer queues. Embassies in less-busy countries may schedule interviews more quickly.
- Logistics of Transfer: The act of transferring the case itself can cause delays. While a case assigned to Kyiv might be scheduled once slots open, a transfer requires additional processing. In 2022, the State Department allowed unscheduled Ukrainian cases to be reassigned. Now that Kyiv has reopened, default assignment is to Kyiv, and transfers are granted by request.
- Unpredictable Factors: The situation in Ukraine remains fluid. If security conditions worsen, the embassy in Kyiv could limit services again. Beneficiaries should have a contingency plan, such as being ready to request a transfer to another embassy.
Special Focus: Ukrainians Abroad Who Cannot Return
Many Ukrainian K-1 beneficiaries are women and children who fled the war. Some are men of conscription age who may be prohibited from leaving Ukraine again if they return. For these individuals, third-country processing may not be optional—it may be the only viable solution.
- Temporary Protected Status Abroad: Many European countries have granted Ukrainians temporary residency status. If the beneficiary is under one of these programs, they are legally present in that country and generally meet the requirements for third-country embassy processing.
- Document Access: Not being able to return to Ukraine can complicate document collection. However, many Ukrainian civil documents can now be obtained remotely or through online systems.
- Medical Exam: The required medical exam must be conducted by a U.S.-approved panel physician in the country where the interview takes place. Beneficiaries should identify a panel physician in the host country early in the process.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Despite the turmoil of recent years, fiancé visa processing for Ukrainian nationals is moving forward. The U.S. government has resumed normal processing in Kyiv and continues to allow third-country processing when appropriate.
- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is again accepting K-1 visa cases.
- Ukrainian beneficiaries outside Ukraine may request to interview in another country, provided they are legally present there.
- Processing timelines vary, but most cases take approximately 6 months at USCIS and a few additional months at the embassy stage.
- Humanitarian parole may offer temporary solutions, but the K-1 visa remains the most direct route to lawful permanent residency through marriage.
Need Help Bringing Your Ukrainian Fiancé(e) to the U.S.?
Navigating the K-1 visa process for a Ukrainian beneficiary can be complicated—especially if your fiancé(e) is living outside Ukraine or cannot safely return for the visa interview. Our immigration law firm has extensive experience helping U.S.-Ukrainian couples overcome logistical hurdles, embassy transfers, and documentation challenges.
If you’re looking for a trusted immigration attorney to guide you through every step of the fiancé visa process—from USCIS filing to third-country interview coordination—we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward reuniting in the United States through a successful K-1 visa application.
