After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, it may take approximately 10 to 16 months to obtain a K-1 visa. It may be shorter for some and longer for others. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.
Generally, the U.S. citizen and the fiancé or fiancée must have met each other in person during the 2 years before filing the petition. For more details, see uscis/i-129f. USCIS performs background checks on both individuals as part of the Form I-129F adjudication.
For a foreign friend/crush/girlfriend/boyfriend living in the US, you can apply for a visitor visa to visit them. However, if you belong to a visa waiver country, you do not require a visa to travel to the US. Besides, you can visit any person in a foreign country with a valid visa.
The First Step: Filing the Petition You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC).
After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, it may take approximately 10 to 16 months to obtain a K-1 visa. It may be shorter for some and longer for others. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.
If you would like to travel to get married to a U.S. citizen in the United States and then stay in the U.S. to live there permanently, you will need to apply for and obtain a fiancé(e) visa. If a fiancé(e) visa is issued, you must marry within 90 days of your arrival in the United States.
For a foreign friend/crush/girlfriend/boyfriend living in the US, you can apply for a visitor visa to visit them. However, if you belong to a visa waiver country, you do not require a visa to travel to the US. Besides, you can visit any person in a foreign country with a valid visa.