K-1 Fiancé(e)’ Visa vs. CR-1 Spousal Visa: Which is the Right Path For Your Vietnamese Fiance(é) Or Spouse?
For many American and Vietnamese couples looking to immigrate to the United States, a major question is whether they should apply for a K-1 fiancé(é) visa or a CR-1 spousal visa. While both lead to lawful permanent residence status (“Green Card”), they work very differently. A K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows a Vietnamese fiance(é) to enter […]
New Adjustment of Status Policy May Force Applicants To Attend Visa Interviews at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
On May 22, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced a shift in policy in which the agency will approve Adjustment of Status (“AOS”) applicants for adjustment only in extraordinary circumstances. The policy, which USCIS says is consistent with long-standing immigration law and court decisions, will place a higher burden on nonimmigrants […]
What Questions Will the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City Ask My Vietnamese Fiancé(e)?
When your Vietnamese fiancé(e) (“fiance’) undergoes his/ her interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, the consular officer’s primary goal is to determine if your relationship is genuine and bona fide. While the exact K-1 visa interview questions vary based on the specific details of your case, the officer will focus on […]
Step-by-Step Guide to the K-1 Fiance(é) Visa Process
Applying for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa involves multiple government agencies, including United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), the National Visa Center (“NVC”), and the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. As a result, the process requires careful coordination at each stage. If you are researching how to apply for a K-1 visa, it’s important to […]
K-1 Visa Applicants Subjected to Social Media Vetting
Effective March 30, 2026, all K-1 fiancé(e) visa applicants will be subjected to the Department of State (“DOS”) online vetting process. As part of the interview process at the Embassy or Consulate, those applying for a K-1 visa will be required to adjust their social media settings to “public” or “open.” The updated policy comes […]
What is a Form I-129F? Petition for Alien Fiancé Explained
A Form I-129F is a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) filed through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). The form can only be filed by a U.S. citizen ages twenty-one (21) and above. Non-US citizens including lawful permanent residents are not able to petition a foreign fiancé(e). Form I-129F Requirements Before a U.S. citizen […]
Can My Fiance Work in the U.S. After Arriving on a K-1 Visa?
One your fiance arrives in the United States on a K-1 visa and you are married within ninety (90) days upon arrival, you and your fiance will need to file for adjustment of status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) in order to convert the K-1 fiance nonimmigrant visa status to lawful […]
What is the Four Month Validity Period of an Approved I-129F Petition for a K-1 Visa?
Once the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) approves an I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé, the foreign fiancé typically has four (4) months to apply for a K-1 fiancé visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. However, due to the time that it takes for an approved petition to be sent and received by […]
Enterline and Partners Lawyers Ryan Barshop and David Enterline Speak at Regional Conference
Ryan Barshop and David Enterline of Enterline and Partners recently spoke at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), Asia Pacific Chapter (“APAC”), “11th Annual Conference” in Tokyo, Japan. AILA is an international organization of more than 16,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. APAC is a District Chapter of AILA whose […]
Changing Immigrant and K-1 Visa Processing Venues for LGBT Applicants
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) in coordination with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Department of State Liaison Committee (“AILA DOS Liaison”) recently published an advisory on changing venues for immigrant and K-1 visa processing for LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender) applicants. Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in United States […]