From Soulmates To Spouses: Demystifying The Visa Process For Marrying A Ukrainian Woman

Once you plan to get married with your Ukrainian fiancée, obtaining the visa for her becomes the topmost priority, especially if you both have planned to get married in the States. Truth be told, several myths surround the visa acquiring process, primarily because of the lack of clarity about US entry for foreign nationals. Owing to this, either people get married in another country or waste months just to obtain an immigration visa for their would-be spouse. However, according to the foreign national immigration laws of the US, once you get married, your spouse becomes the immediate and direct relative. By way of this, she can easily apply for the green card that will provide her with the lawful permanent residence.

This being said, the below article will focus on demystifying the visa process the US government has implemented for marrying Ukrainian women.

Understanding the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

Before you sponsor your spouse, it would be best to know the visa process in detail. At least then, you won’t make any wrong calls and miss the golden period to marry your soulmate. Now, although the US government has several options for immigrating a foreign national spouse into the country, the best and immediate way will be applying for the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa. It is a non-immigration visa with a validity of 90 days only. Once your would-be wife clears the interview and gets the visa number, she can come to the States and get married with you within the expiration tenure. Many couples connect through reputable online platforms or a Ukrainian brides agency, which can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the visa process.

If you both don’t get married within the time frame, either she will have to leave the country or get deported. The document processing time for the visa is usually between 3 to 6 months but might take longer depending on the documents submitted and clearance rules. Once you get married, your Ukrainian wife can then apply for the green card based on the permanent residency you hold as a US national.

The visa application process

Step 1: File Form I-129F petition

First, if you are sponsoring your would-be wife to travel from Ukraine to the States, you need to fill and submit the I-129F petition. Only US citizens are eligible to use this form and not men who have the lawful permanent residence owing to green card. Also, your spouse can enter the country through the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa, provided you meet these two following conditions.

• You have met your fiancé in person any time within the last two years from the date of visa application.
•  The USCIS has already approved your petition for Alien Relative visa or Form I-130.

Step 2: Gather all the supporting documents

A series of supporting documents will have to be submitted along with the Form I-129F petition for K-1 Fiancé(e) visa. These are merely required to prove your identity as the US citizen and your relationship with your spouse who is a Ukrainian national.

• You should provide a valid document in support of your nationalism as a US citizen, like a certificate of citizenship, a photocopy of an unexpired US passport, or the birth certificate issued by the US governing body.
• A colored photograph of your fiancé and yours taken within 30 days of filing the visa application will be needed.
• If you have changed your name at any point of time in the past, relevant legal documents supporting the procedure should be submitted.
• An annulment order or a divorce decree needs to be submitted as a proof of marriage termination if you and your fiancé have been married previously.
• A proper proof stating that you and your would-be spouse are planning to get married within 90 days of her arriving in The States.
• You should also provide proof stating that you have met your fiancé in person during the last two years from the date of filing the petition.

Step 3: Attend the visa interview

Last but not the least, once the Form I-129 gets approved, your fiancé can then apply for the K-1 visa and attend the visa interview process. It will be held at the US embassy in Ukraine and that also in person.

Also read – Golden Opportunities: Exploring the Lifestyle Benefits of Portugal’s Golden Visa

Alternate visa options for marrying Ukrainian woman

Besides the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa, you can try some other alternate options also, including:

• You can choose to get married in Ukraine or any other country and then apply for the immigration visa. It would allow your wife to enter the US legally through the green card.
• If you are a lawful permanent resident of the US, bringing your Ukrainian wife will be possible under the F2A immigration visa.  

Conclusion

With the visa application details discussed above, we earnestly hope that you won’t get swayed by the rumors. Rest assured, you just have to follow the legal procedure or hire a reliable visa and immigration agency for a smooth application process.