Are you in the process of applying for a fiancé visa and feeling overwhelmed by all the steps that are involved and unsure of where to even begin? You’re not alone. Many couples feel this way at the beginning of their immigration journey. There’s a lot of steps involved but it can be broken down into four main steps.

The first step is a petition or form I-129F. Essentially, it is the application process to show immigration that you are eligible to receive the fiancé visa. In general, you’re showing immigration that you’ve met in the past two years and that you have a real relationship based on love, not just to receive an immigration benefit.

Once that petition is approved, you will go on to step two which is the Department of State visa phase of the case. This is where you have to show immigration certain civil documents such as your birth certificate, proof that the petitioner is a United States citizen, and financial documents.

There’s a fingerprint appointment, a medical exam, and an interview with a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate abroad where they will ask you questions about your immigration background and your relationship. If you are approved at that interview, you will receive the fiancé visa in your passport.

With that visa, you will go through the third step. You would enter the United States with that visa and you’ll have 90 days to get married. Once you’ve married in 90 days, we go on to step four.

Step four is the application for adjustment of status. This is essentially the application where you apply to receive your green card. It’s legally called your lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

After you apply for your adjustment of status, you’ll again have another interview with an immigration officer and then eventually receive your green card and Social Security card to be able to remain lawfully in the United States as a couple.

We have a free downloadable chart that goes over these steps in even more detail.

See: Complimentary Resource Center