You might already know that you need a Form I-129 Petition for Alien Fiancé, but what other documents do you need for a fiancé visa? Here are detailed instructions on everything you need to either submit with your application or have your fiancé bring to their interview.
Form I-129 Petition for Alien Fiancé
The most obvious document you’ll need is the I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Make sure you have the latest edition of the form.
You’ll need to submit this form to the USCIS along with:
- A cover letter
- Evidence that the sponsoring fiancé is a US citizen (like their US birth certificate or unexpired passport)
- Proof that both fiancés have terminated any previous marriages (if applicable)
- Color passport-style photos of each person taken within 30 days of filing the application
- Sworn statements from each person describing your relationship and your intent to marry within 90 days of the sponsored fiancé entering the US
- Evidence that you have met in person at least once (unless you can prove that would be an extreme hardship or would violate strict cultural customs)
Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
After filing the Form I-129, you’ll need to submit a DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and have your fiancé bring a copy to their visa interview along with copies and originals of the applicable documents below.
Any documents in a language other than English must include a full translation along with a certification from the translator that they are competent to translate the documents into English and that the translation is accurate and complete.
You can not translate your own documents.
Birth Certificate
The sponsored fiancé must bring their official birth certificate issued by a government agency, while the sponsoring fiancé can use their birth certificate to help prove that they are a United States citizen.
Passport
Each fiancé must have a passport that expires more than six months after the sponsored applicant arrives in the US.
Proof of Ended Past Marriages
If either party was previously married, they must provide divorce, annulment, or death certificates to prove that they are currently eligible to get married.
Sealed Medical Exam Report
The sponsored fiancé must visit a doctor authorized by the State Department (a “panel physician”) for a required immigrant medical exam. The doctor can forward their report to the sponsored fiancé’s embassy, or that person can bring the sealed report to the visa interview themselves.
Police Clearance
The sponsored applicant must bring their original Police Clearance Reports from their current country of residence as well as any country they have lived in for at least six months since they were 16 years old.
Other Documents
Some other documents you or your fiancé may need to provide include:
- Proof of visa fee payment, which is usually a printed, stamped receipt.
- Proof of your relationship, such as photographs of you together, messages you have sent each other, and statements from family and friends who know about your relationship.
- Affidavit of support, which includes evidence the sponsored fiancé won’t become a public charge because the applicant can support themselves or the sponsoring applicant can support them.
- Passport-style photographs in full color, 2” X 2”, taken within the last 30 days.