File the petition for the Alien Fiancé(e) I-129F form. This step is done by the U.S. citizen inside of the United States. The I-129F petition must be done through the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) that has jurisdiction over the applicant's geographic location. Most paperwork through the USCIS can be done online or through the mail; visit the USCIS website for office locations and addresses. The application petition costs $455 and can be found and printed online, though you must file specifically with your regional filing center.
Apply for the K-1 Visa. This is done by the foreign fiancé(e) with the U.S. embassy or Consulate General holding jurisdiction over his/her region. The appointment cannot be made until the USCIS has cleared the I-129F petition. When it is cleared, the embassy will be notified, and you will be able to make an appointment for application.
Prepare the forms for the K-1 application. Take with you your valid passport, birth certificate, divorce certificate (if applicable), a police certificate of all places lived since the age of 16, the required medical examination, the I-134 form (also available online at the USCIS website) for proof of financial sufficiency, two nonimmigrant visa applications (A Form DS-156, available at the USCIS website), one nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa application, proof of payment of application fee, and two visa photos.
Pay the application fees. The visa application is a very costly process, added to the $455 already paid by the U.S. citizen, the applicant must pay $131 U.S. for the non-immigrant application, fingerprinting fees, travel fees, medical exam fees, and any translating or notary fees and $1,010 U.S. for the I-485 form for a final application of permanent residency following the approval of the K-1 application.
Provide proof of relationship. This is often the trickiest step in the K-1 application. You must have proof that you have met and that you are indeed in a relationship. Proof of relationship is objective and can be submitted in many forms (and it can be rejected in many forms), including printed emails, phone records, written letters, birthday or holiday greeting cards, plane ticket receipts or flight records, attestations of family members, Internet messenger or Skype records, and anything that can help prove that you have met and are engaged to be married.
Wait an average 40 to 90 days for the approval of your K-1 Visa; once it is approved, you are allowed entry into the United States and must marry within 90 days of entering. Following marriage, you must apply for permanent residency (the I-485 application).
