I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
Starts the K-1 fiancé(e) visa process. A U.S. citizen files it to show a genuine intention to marry a foreign fiancé(e) within 90 days of their arrival. It is also used for the K-3 spouse visa, which is now rarely useful because I-130s are usually approved first. Approval goes to the National Visa Center and then to a consulate for the visa interview.
- Fee
- $675
- Fee waiver
- Not available
- Who files
- U.S. citizens only. Permanent residents cannot file it.
- Where to file
- By mail to the USCIS Texas lockbox.
- Processing time
- 8.0 months (FY 2026 national median through June 30, 2026), before consular processing
Usually filed with
Part of these processes
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- A K-1 entrant must marry the petitioner within 90 days and then adjust status on Form I-485; there is no other way to convert K-1 status. Consular K processing has slowed under the 2025-26 interview and vetting expansions.
Official page. https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f. Download the form there, never from a third-party site; check the edition date and fee before filing.