Expediting a Marriage or Fiancé Visa in 2023

Getting married and starting a new life with your loved one in the United States can be an exciting yet complicated process when immigration is involved. Acquiring a marriage or fiancé visa typically involves extensive paperwork, fees, interviews and plenty of waiting. However, in special circumstances it may be possible to expedite the process. This article provides an overview of marriage and fiancé visas, reasons to expedite, and key tips to faster processing in 2023.

We’re an award-winning California law firm with 50+ years of experience in immigration law. Talk to an immigration attorney at Feldman Feldman & Associates PC in San, Diego California by calling 1-619-299-9600 today.

Overview of Marriage and Fiancé Visas

A marriage visa allows a foreign national spouse to immigrate to the U.S. based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. The U.S. spouse must first file Form I-130 to petition for their foreign spouse. Once approved, the foreign spouse can apply for a marriage-based green card.

A fiancé visa, also known as a K-1 visa, enables a foreign fiancé to enter the U.S. to get married to their U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days. After marrying, the foreign fiancé can apply to adjust status and receive a marriage-based green card.

Both visa types involve extensive paperwork, fees, and interviews to prove the relationship is real. Processing times currently take 12-15 months on average, sometimes longer.

Valid Reasons for Expediting

There are certain situations where expediting a marriage or fiancé visa may be warranted:

Financial hardship – Significant loss of income or major expenses due to delays.
Medical emergency – A serious or life-threatening illness affecting the applicant or petitioner.
National interest – Applicant has special immigrant status for national interest reasons.
Extreme hardship – Abusive situation or emotional trauma may occur due to delays.
Imminent event – Funeral, critical conference, or urgent family wedding.

If you meet one of these criteria, you may qualify for faster processing. However, approval depends on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Top Tips for Expediting Your Visa

If you believe your visa warrants expediting in 2023, here are some key tips:

Provide evidence – Gather documentation, statements, records to support your expedite request. Strong proof is essential. You want to avoid a request for additional evidence.
Write a request letter – Formally request expedited processing in a letter to the USCIS service center handling your case.
Follow up – Contact USCIS by phone or online to check status and emphasize urgency.
Try again – If denied initially, submit another request with additional supporting materials.
Contact Ombudsman – The USCIS Ombudsman may be able to assist with expedite issues.
Reach out to representatives – Contact your senator or U.S. representative as a last resort.

Expediting is Challenging But Possible

Meeting expedite criteria is difficult, but not impossible. However, unique emergencies occur. With strong documentation and persistence, getting your marriage or fiancé visa expedited in 2023 is achievable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions about expediting marriage/fiancé visas:

1. What are my odds of approval?

Odds are low overall, but depend on your specific situation and evidence provided. Unique emergencies have the best chance.

2. How long for a decision?

Expect to wait at least a few weeks minimum. Follow up periodically for status updates.

3. Can I request expedited processing more than once?

Yes, you can submit multiple requests if your situation changes or you get additional proof.

4. What if my request gets denied?

If denied, your case continues normal processing. You can submit a new request with extra documentation.

5. Is there an extra fee to expedite?

This depends. It’s best to consult your marriage visa lawyer before proceeding.

Finding a Marriage Visa Attorney

Getting married should be joyful. Understanding options to potentially expedite your visa in an emergency provides comfort. With the proper circumstances and persistence, faster processing in 2023 is feasible.

For your free consultation, reach out to Feldman Feldman & Associates PC at 1-619-299-9600 and learn how a legal professional can help.