Immigration Law
As an immigration attorney at SG Legal Group, I often meet couples eager to start their life together in the United States—but uncertain how long the fiancé (K-1) visa will take.
The truth is, the K-1 visa timeline in 2025 averages about 5.7 months at USCIS, followed by several more months for National Visa Center (NVC) and embassy processing. From start to finish, most couples complete the process in 8 to 12 months before entry to the U.S., and another 7 to 9 months to obtain the green card after marriage.
Below, I break down each stage, discuss the latest USCIS data, and share practical strategies I use in my own practice to keep cases moving efficiently.
The K-1 journey begins when the U.S. citizen files Form I-129F with USCIS. This petition proves the relationship is genuine and that both parties are legally free and intend to marry within 90 days of arrival.
Current median USCIS processing time (FY 2025): 5.7 months
This is a major improvement from the 8.5-month average in 2024 and the 13.9-month peak in 2023.
Your filing should include:
Mistakes or missing evidence often trigger Requests for Evidence (RFEs)—the most common cause of delay I see at this stage.
Once USCIS approves the I-129F, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center. The NVC assigns a case number and sends it to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate in your fiancé(e)’s home country.
I advise couples to begin collecting required civil documents and translations during this period so they are ready as soon as the embassy contacts them.
At this point, the foreign fiancé(e) files Form DS-160, schedules a medical exam, and prepares for the K-1 visa interview.
During the interview, a consular officer reviews the application, verifies the relationship, and confirms that both partners intend to marry.
If approved, the K-1 visa is issued and stamped into the passport.
Average timeframe for this stage
From NVC receipt to visa issuance: 3 to 5 months, depending on consulate workload.
Preparation tip: update your relationship evidence if your petition was filed many months earlier—officers appreciate current proof of ongoing contact.
Once the K-1 visa is issued, the fiancé(e) must enter the U.S. within six months of issuance.
After arrival, you have 90 days to marry your U.S. citizen partner.
I recommend setting a tentative wedding date before the visa is issued to help with planning and documentation.
After marriage, the foreign spouse applies for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to become a lawful permanent resident.
This filing may include:
The EAD and advance parole typically issue within about 6 months, even before the green card is approved.
USCIS currently takes 7 to 9 months on average to adjudicate the I-485 for K-1 entrants.
If your green card is conditional (based on a marriage under 2 years old), you must file Form I-751 within 90 days before the two-year anniversary to remove conditions.
Planning ahead ensures uninterrupted status and continued work authorization.
Processing times have steadily improved as USCIS clears backlogs from the pandemic era. Still, consular scheduling remains the main bottleneck for many couples.
The K-1 visa remains one of the most direct paths for engaged couples to reunite and begin life together in the U.S. In 2025, the process is faster than in previous years—but precision, documentation, and timing are everything.
If you need professional help preparing your K-1 petition or tracking your case through USCIS, NVC, and the embassy stage, contact me at SG Legal Group. My team and I guide clients through each phase of the fiancé visa and green-card process with care and attention to detail.
Consultations are available in English, Russian, or Romanian.
Call 410-618-1288 or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice.
Oleg Gherasimov, Esq.
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