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Guide

K-1 visa processing time (Form I-129F)

As of November 4, 2026, USCIS says 80% of fiancé(e) petitions (Form I-129F, for K-1 and K-3 visas) were completed within 13 months at its Service Center Operations, counting cases decided in the past six months. That is the USCIS step only; the visa interview abroad comes after. The petition needs one 2 x 2 inch passport-style photo of you and one of your fiancé(e); SelfieToPassport makes them for $6.95.

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The short version

  1. I-129F (K-1): 80% of cases done within 13 months (USCIS, read November 4, 2026).
  2. I-130 by a U.S. citizen for a spouse: 53 months at the National Benefits Center and 83.5 months at USCIS field offices.
  3. The USCIS petition is the first step; the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate comes after.
  4. USCIS updates its processing times every month; the figure is the time it took to finish 80% of the cases decided in the past six months.
  5. Photos: one 2 x 2 inch passport-style photo of you and one of your fiancé(e), taken within 30 days of filing.
  6. SelfieToPassport makes them from phone pictures for $6.95, plus $2.95 for the second person in the same order.

How long does the I-129F take now?

USCIS publishes one figure for the category “K1/K2/K3/K4 - Fiance(e) or spouse and/or dependent children”, decided at Service Center Operations.

The rule

  • Fiancé(e) petitions (Form I-129F): 80% were completed within 13 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov

Compared with a spouse petition (I-130)

Couples who are already married file Form I-130 instead; USCIS publishes its figure in a separate category.

The rules

  • Form I-130 petitions filed by a U.S. citizen for a spouse, parent or child under 21: 80% were completed within 53 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
  • Form I-130 petitions filed by a U.S. citizen for a spouse, parent or child under 21: 80% were completed within 83.5 months at USCIS field offices. egov.uscis.gov

How USCIS counts the processing time

The figure is not a promise for your case: it looks back at cases USCIS already decided. USCIS generally works in the order it receives cases, and some take longer than others. Your receipt notice shows the form, category and office to look up.

The rule

  • A USCIS processing time is how long it took USCIS to complete 80% of the cases it decided over the past six months. egov.uscis.gov

The photos for Form I-129F

One photo of you and one of your fiancé(e), 2 x 2 inches, white to off-white background, with the name written lightly on the back in pencil.

The rule

  • Form I-129F needs one color passport-style photo of the petitioner and one of the fiancé(e), taken within 30 days of filing, 2 by 2 inches. uscis.gov

FAQ

How many photos does Form I-129F need?

One color passport-style photo of the petitioner and one of the fiancé(e), 2 by 2 inches, taken within 30 days of filing. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-129F (edition 01/20/25) › 5. Photographs", checked on Nov 4, 2026.

Is the USCIS figure the whole K-1 wait?

No. It covers the petition at USCIS; after approval the case goes to the U.S. embassy or consulate for the visa interview. Source: official page "USCIS Case Processing Times", checked on Nov 4, 2026.

Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.