What Is the Current Wait Time for a Fiance Visa?

As of 2025, the current wait time for a fiancé visa (K-1 visa) generally ranges from 10 to 16 months, depending on the applicant’s location and case specifics. The process begins with the U.S. citizen filing Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which takes about 6 to 8 months for approval. 

Once approved, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign fiancé(e)’s country, where the final steps—including submitting visa forms, medical exams, and interviews—can take another 4 to 8 months. 

Delays can occur due to backlogs, incomplete applications, or embassy-specific factors. Applicants are encouraged to check current embassy wait times and ensure all paperwork is properly submitted to help avoid unnecessary delays.