K-1 Fiancé Visa for Ukrainian Citizens in 2026: Kyiv, Interviews Abroad, and the Residence Rule

Short Answer: Ukrainian citizens applying for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa can be interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, which is processing K-1 cases. A Ukrainian fiancé(e) living abroad, for example in Poland or Germany under temporary protection, can generally interview at the U.S. post serving the country where they legally reside, if they can prove that residence. Under the Department of State's residence-based interview policies, being temporarily present in a third country is not enough to move a K-1 interview there.

Millions of Ukrainians now live outside Ukraine, and many K-1 couples need the interview to happen somewhere other than Kyiv. That is still possible, but the rule that governs it changed in 2025.

The deciding question is now where your fiancé(e) legally lives, not where they happen to be.

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Where Do Ukrainian K-1 Fiancé(e)s Interview Now?

Ukrainian K-1 fiancé(e) visa applicants who live in Ukraine are interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The embassy states that it processes most immigrant visa cases for Ukrainian citizens, including K-1 cases (U.S. Embassy Kyiv). The Department of State's list of immigrant visa posts also lists Kyiv for Ukraine (DOS list of immigrant visa posts).

Wartime conditions can affect embassy operations with little notice. Check the Kyiv embassy's website for current status before planning travel.

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Can a Ukrainian Living in Poland, Germany, or Elsewhere Interview There?

A Ukrainian K-1 fiancé(e) who legally resides outside Ukraine can generally interview at the U.S. post serving the country of residence. In my experience, posts accept these cases when the applicant can prove they live there. That includes Ukrainians living abroad under temporary protection.

This follows the Department of State's 2025 residence-based policies. The K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa processed at immigrant visa posts, and both DOS policies tie the interview to residence or nationality:

• The nonimmigrant visa policy directs applicants to their country of nationality or residence and requires proof of residence when that is the basis for applying (DOS NIV notice).
• The immigrant visa policy, effective November 1, 2025, has NVC schedule applicants by residence, or by nationality if requested (DOS IV notice). I cover it in detail in this article on the immigrant visa residence rule.

As of the date of this article, DOS has not published K-specific guidance on how either policy applies to fiancé(e) cases.

The right post is not always in the country where your fiancé(e) lives. According to the DOS list:

• Poland: Warsaw handles immigrant visa cases for residents of Poland.
• Germany: Frankfurt handles residents of Germany.
• Countries without their own immigrant visa post: the Netherlands, Croatia, and Slovakia are also served by Frankfurt.

Check the list for the country where your fiancé(e) lives.

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What Counts as Proof of Residence?

Proof of residence means documentation of the legal right to live in that country. For Ukrainians abroad, this is typically the temporary protection document or residence permit issued by the host country. The immigrant visa policy allows NVC to request additional information to confirm that a requested location is the applicant's place of residence.

A visitor does not qualify. A Ukrainian who travels to a neighboring country only for the interview, without legal residence there, should expect the case to stay in Kyiv.

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How Do You Ask to Move a Ukrainian K-1 Case to Another Embassy?

The route for moving a Ukrainian K-1 case depends on where the case sits. U.S. Embassy Kyiv directs applicants who want a case moved into or out of Kyiv to the instructions on its visa navigator. For immigrant visa cases that NVC has already scheduled, DOS directs transfer requests to NVC through its Public Inquiry Form, not to the embassy.

Because the K-1 straddles both systems, follow the specific instructions from Kyiv or NVC for your case. Include proof of legal residence with the request.

The Foreign Affairs Manual sets out several practical points for K-visa transfers (9 FAM 502.7-3(C)(1)):

• Acceptance is discretionary. The receiving post decides whether to take the case.
• Delays are possible. The receiving post may need to consult the original post, which can slow processing.
• Fees don't transfer. If the visa application (MRV) fee was already paid at the original post, it must be paid again at the new post.

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What If Your Fiancé(e) Cannot Safely Return to Ukraine?

A Ukrainian fiancé(e) who legally lives abroad does not need to return to Ukraine for the K-1 interview. Residence abroad is the realistic path, and it is the one the current DOS policies support.

For Ukrainians who are abroad without legal residence, the options are narrower. DOS describes exceptions to the residence rule as rare and limited to humanitarian emergencies, medical emergencies, or foreign-policy reasons.

Men of military age should also check Ukraine's current departure rules before any travel into Ukraine. Leaving again may be restricted, and those rules change.

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Which Police Certificates and Medical Exam Does a Ukrainian K-1 Applicant Need When Interviewing Abroad?

A Ukrainian K-1 applicant living abroad usually needs police certificates from more than one country. Under the Foreign Affairs Manual, an applicant aged 16 or older needs a police certificate from (9 FAM 502.7-3(C)(3)):

• The country of nationality, if they lived there more than six months.
• The current country of residence, if different and they have lived there more than six months.
• Any prior country of residence, if they lived there 12 months or more after turning 16.

A Ukrainian who has lived in Poland for a year will typically need both Ukrainian and Polish certificates. Many Ukrainian civil and police documents can be requested from abroad, but allow extra time.

K-1 applicants must complete the standard immigrant visa medical exam with a panel physician. Follow the interviewing post's instructions for its approved panel physicians, and book early once the case is assigned.

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How Long Does a Ukrainian K-1 Case Take in 2026?

The USCIS stage of a K-1 case is taking longer in 2026 than it did in 2025.

• USCIS processing time for Form I-129F. USCIS currently posts about 12.5 months, up from what it was posting before the January 2026 immigrant visa pause (USCIS processing times).
• What we see in practice. Petitions are taking longer than the roughly six-month average we saw before then. Twelve and a half months have not yet passed since that change, so it is too early to say how long petitions filed this year will ultimately take.
• Post scheduling. After USCIS approval, the case moves to NVC and then to Kyiv or the post serving your fiancé(e)'s country of residence. Scheduling depends on that post's workload; see the DOS IV Scheduling Status Tool and our guide to scheduling consular interviews through ATLAS.
• Transfer time. A transfer request adds time at this stage.

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Bringing Your Ukrainian Fiancé(e) to the United States

For Ukrainian couples, the interview location should be settled before the petition is approved, not after. If your fiancé(e) lives in Ukraine, the case goes to Kyiv. If they legally live elsewhere, start gathering proof of residence and the right police certificates now.

If your fiancé(e) is living outside Ukraine and you want to understand your options, contact me to discuss your circumstances. Our Ukrainian immigration team handles K-1 fiancé(e) visa cases from petition through interview, and consultations are available in English, Russian, and Romanian.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified immigration attorney.

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