Who are the best fiancé visa lawyers in New Jersey?

The Scheer Immigration Law Group is a leading fiancé visa law firm in New Jersey, serving U.S. citizens and their foreign fiancés throughout Morris, Essex, Passaic, Union, Warren, and Sussex Counties. Led by attorney Susan Scheer, who serves on the American Immigration Lawyers Association NJ Chapter Board of Directors and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Immigration and Naturalization Section, the firm provides comprehensive K-1 fiancé visa services. The firm handles I-129F petition preparation, relationship evidence compilation, embassy interview preparation, waivers for the in-person meeting requirement, overcoming denials, addressing inadmissibility issues, and coordinating the transition from K-1 visa to marriage-based green card. With offices in Morristown and bilingual services in English and Spanish, The Scheer Immigration Law Group helps international couples navigate the K-1 process to reunite and build their lives together in the United States.

What are the requirements for a K-1 fiancé visa?

To qualify for a K-1 fiancé visa, the U.S. petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (permanent residents cannot petition for K-1 visas), both parties must be legally free to marry with all previous marriages legally terminated through divorce, annulment, or death, the couple must have met in person at least once within the two years before filing the petition unless meeting would cause extreme hardship or violate strict cultural customs, both parties must have genuine intent to marry each other within 90 days of the fiancé entering the United States, and the relationship must be bona fide and not entered into solely for immigration benefits. Additionally, the foreign fiancé must meet general visa requirements including passing medical examination, obtaining police certificates, not being inadmissible for criminal, fraud, health, or other grounds, and the U.S. petitioner must meet income requirements to sponsor the foreign fiancé. The Scheer Immigration Law Group evaluates your eligibility, addresses any complicating factors like previous marriages or meeting requirement waivers, and prepares comprehensive petitions demonstrating your genuine relationship.

How long does the K-1 fiancé visa process take?

The K-1 fiancé visa process typically takes 9-15 months from filing the I-129F petition to the foreign fiancé entering the United States. USCIS processing of the I-129F petition takes 6-10 months on average, though processing times vary by service center. After USCIS approves the petition, the case transfers to the National Visa Center for processing, which takes 1-2 months. The embassy or consulate in the foreign fiancé's country then schedules the visa interview, with wait times ranging from 1-3 months depending on location. After the interview, if approved, the visa is typically issued within 1-2 weeks. The fiancé must enter the United States within six months of visa issuance. Once in the U.S., the couple must marry within 90 days and can then file for adjustment of status. Administrative processing for additional security clearances can add several months. The Scheer Immigration Law Group monitors your case throughout, ensures timely document submission, and coordinates with embassies to minimize delays.

What evidence do I need to prove my relationship is genuine?

Strong K-1 petitions include comprehensive evidence demonstrating your genuine relationship including photographs together from your in-person meetings showing different locations and time periods, travel documentation like plane tickets, hotel reservations, boarding passes, and passport stamps proving you met, correspondence such as emails, text messages, chat logs, and letters spanning your relationship, phone records and video call logs showing regular communication, social media evidence like Facebook relationship status, tagged photos, and posts about your relationship, proof of engagement such as engagement ring receipt and engagement photos, affidavits from family and friends who know about your relationship, evidence of meeting each other's families, wedding planning documentation if you have made arrangements, financial support evidence if applicable like money transfers or shared expenses, and a detailed personal statement from both parties describing how you met, your relationship development, engagement, and wedding plans. The relationship timeline should be clear and consistent throughout all documentation. The Scheer Immigration Law Group helps couples compile comprehensive evidence packages that address USCIS scrutiny and demonstrate the authenticity of your relationship.

Can my fiancé work while on a K-1 visa?

No, K-1 visa holders cannot work in the United States until they obtain employment authorization. The K-1 visa does not include work authorization, and working without authorization is illegal and will jeopardize your immigration case. After entering on the K-1 visa and getting married within 90 days, you must file Form I-485 for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. You can simultaneously file Form I-765 for employment authorization. USCIS typically issues the Employment Authorization Document within 3-6 months of filing. Once you receive your EAD, you can work for any employer in any field. Many couples plan financially for this 4-9 month period without the K-1 beneficiary working. The Scheer Immigration Law Group advises on timing strategies and ensures expeditious filing of adjustment of status and work authorization applications so your fiancé can begin working as soon as legally permitted.

What happens at the K-1 visa interview?

At the K-1 visa interview, a consular officer will review your application, examine your documents, and ask questions under oath to verify your relationship is genuine and you meet all requirements. Common questions include how and when did you meet, how did your relationship develop, when and how did your fiancé propose, describe your engagement, what are your wedding plans, where will you live after marriage, have you met each other's families, how do you communicate, how often do you visit each other, what does your fiancé do for work, and details about your relationship history. The officer will review all your supporting documents including photographs, correspondence, and travel evidence. You must bring your passport, approved I-129F petition, DS-160 confirmation, medical examination results in a sealed envelope, police certificates, birth certificate, divorce or death certificates from previous marriages if applicable, evidence of financial support, and original relationship evidence. If approved, you will receive your passport with the K-1 visa within 1-2 weeks. The Scheer Immigration Law Group provides comprehensive interview preparation including mock interviews, document organization, and coaching on answering questions confidently to maximize approval chances.

What is the in-person meeting requirement and can it be waived?

The K-1 visa requires that you and your fiancé have met in person at least once within the two years before filing the I-129F petition. This face-to-face meeting can occur anywhere in the world, either in the U.S., your fiancé's country, or a third country. Video calls and online communication do not satisfy this requirement. The meeting requirement can be waived if meeting would result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner due to circumstances like serious medical conditions preventing travel, or if the meeting would violate strict and long-established customs of your fiancé's culture or religion, such as arranged marriages where meeting before marriage is prohibited. Extreme hardship waivers require substantial documentation of the hardship circumstances. Cultural waivers require detailed evidence of the specific cultural or religious tradition prohibiting premarital meetings. Simply being inconvenient or expensive to travel is not sufficient for a waiver. The Scheer Immigration Law Group evaluates whether you qualify for a meeting waiver and prepares comprehensive waiver requests with supporting documentation when circumstances justify an exception.

Should I choose a K-1 fiancé visa or CR-1 spousal visa?

The choice between K-1 and CR-1 depends on your priorities and circumstances. K-1 advantages include generally faster processing bringing your fiancé to the U.S. in 9-15 months, you marry in the United States where family and friends can attend, and your fiancé enters the U.S. sooner. K-1 disadvantages include your fiancé cannot work immediately upon arrival and must wait 3-6 months for work authorization, cannot travel internationally until receiving advance parole, requires filing adjustment of status after marriage adding cost and time, and conditional green card if married less than two years. CR-1 advantages include your spouse receives immediate work authorization upon entering the U.S. as a permanent resident, can travel freely immediately, receives a green card directly without additional applications, and gets a 10-year green card if married over two years. CR-1 disadvantages include longer processing time of 12-18 months with spouses remaining abroad during processing, and you must marry before starting the process. The Scheer Immigration Law Group evaluates your specific situation considering factors like processing times, financial needs, desire to marry in the U.S., and employment requirements to recommend the best pathway for your family.

Do I need a lawyer for my K-1 fiancé visa case in New Jersey?

While not legally required, having an experienced K-1 fiancé visa attorney significantly improves your chances of approval and helps you avoid costly mistakes. K-1 petitions require substantial evidence proving your relationship is genuine and not fraudulent, which USCIS scrutinizes carefully. Common issues include insufficient relationship documentation, problems with the in-person meeting requirement, previous immigration violations or visa denials, criminal history concerns, public charge issues, divorce documentation complications, significant age differences requiring additional explanation, and online relationship concerns. Denials at either the USCIS petition stage or embassy interview stage can delay your reunion by years and may require waivers or new petitions. The Scheer Immigration Law Group provides comprehensive K-1 services including thorough eligibility evaluation, strategic relationship evidence compilation, detailed petition preparation addressing potential concerns, meeting requirement waivers when appropriate, embassy interview preparation including mock interviews, responses to requests for evidence, addressing inadmissibility issues, overcoming denials, and seamless coordination from K-1 visa through adjustment of status to permanent residence. Attorney Susan Scheer's leadership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association and New Jersey State Bar Association Immigration Section ensures cutting-edge representation. For international couples seeking to build their lives together in the United States, professional legal guidance is essential to successfully navigate the K-1 process and unite your family without unnecessary delays or denials.

New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

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Your situation matters. Reach out today for a legal consultation and discover how our legal team can support your goals and protect your rights.

Contact Us Today

New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

Do You Need Legal Help?

Your situation matters. Reach out today for a legal consultation and discover how our legal team can support your goals and protect your rights.

Contact Us Today

Our Legal Team

At The Scheer Immigration Law Group in Morristown, NJ, we focus exclusively on immigration law, handling everything from visas and green cards to deportation defense. With over 25 years of experience, our team is known for delivering knowledgeable, effective representation to clients across the U.S.

About Our Firm

Susan W. Scheer

Olga I. Castro

Iris M. Novo

Nicole V. Cortes

Our Legal Team

At The Scheer Immigration Law Group in Morristown, NJ, we focus exclusively on immigration law, handling everything from visas and green cards to deportation defense. With over 25 years of experience, our team is known for delivering knowledgeable, effective representation to clients across the U.S.

About Our Firm

Susan W. Scheer

Olga I. Castro

Iris M. Novo

Nicole V. Cortes

Our Legal Team

At The Scheer Immigration Law Group in Morristown, NJ, we focus exclusively on immigration law, handling everything from visas and green cards to deportation defense. With over 25 years of experience, our team is known for delivering knowledgeable, effective representation to clients across the U.S.

About Our Firm

Susan W. Scheer

Olga I. Castro

Iris M. Novo

Nicole V. Cortes

I am completely grateful to this office of Susan Scheer and paralegal Nicole Cortés. I recommend it 100%. I am already a resident!!!

- David Amaya Portillo

Very good communication with team and fast services. Facilitated services easily. Happy with their work.

- Mubarak Ahmad

Attorney Susan is excellent attorney. She gave all answers of my questions and calmly explain me the process of immigration. I would highly recommend her. She wait patiently and answer all the questions you have in your mind. Thanks

- Hardik Mehta

Susan & her team at the Scheer Law Group have been extremely helpful in streamlining & expediting our process. They are easily reached & helpful when needing questions answered. It was comforting having them in our corner as we check things off our list. We are well on our way to the finish line. Thank you!!!

- Erika Fahy

The Scheer Law Group helped my parents get their Green cards over 20 years ago. This changed our Mr family’s life in a wonderful way! We will always be grateful for their professional and compassionate service!

- Martir Alvarez

The Scheer Immigration Law Group are always so willing to help. My friend, Julio, is receiving his first work permit in 5 years! Every time I have any question, they are always there and willing to help! Jeffrey in specific is a wonder. He is so attentive and always wants to make sure we are well taken care of

- Miryam Gonzalez

The Scheer Immigration Law Group is the perfect office to help us with our immigration matters. We have just finished preparing for our citizenship test and feel like we are ready to take on the world. Anybody that needs immigration help, I recommend them a million times over

- Cristina Castro

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A Defintive Guide to U.S. Immigration Law

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New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

If you are in love with a foreign national, you might be looking for a New Jersey Fiancé Visa Lawyer. Susan Scheer is an experienced Morristown Immigration Attorney who can help you through the legal process to bring your sweet heart to the United States. Our staff is fluent in Spanish and English.

K-Fiancé(e) VISA Attorneys

The fiancé(e) K-1 non-immigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a United States (U.S.) citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. The foreign-citizen will apply for adjustment of status to a permanent resident (LPR) with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants receive K-2 visas.

Documents to be Files With I-129F Application

(Fiancé(e) Petition)

(NOTE: Supporting documentation should include those items that span the time from when you first met until the time of filing the I-129F. In other words, INS will be looking for evidence that you have had ongoing contact with each other and possess a present intent to marry).

a. Three Photographs (one of each, passport style).

b. Copy of document evidencing Petitioner’s U.S. citizenship (birth/naturalization certificate).

c. Copy of birth certificate (with certified translation) of fiancé(e) and any child(ren).

d. Documentation evidencing termination of prior marriage(s) of either party.

e. Affidavit by Petitioner highlighting progression of relationship (i.e. how/when you met, specifics of courtship, meeting one another’s relatives, common values/lifestyles), decision to marry.

f. Any other documents you consider relevant to establish that the plans to marry are based on love, and the desire to live together as husband and wife and not to circumvent immigration laws, including the following:

Photographs of time spent together (with each other and with friends and family members)
Correspondence – personal letters, cards, e-mails sent to/from each other
Plane ticket or receipts from trips visiting each other
Receipts from vacations spent together
Phone bills – highlighting calls to each other
Money wires to each other
Emails to each other

**At the time of the consular interview, the Petitioner will be required to submit evidence of financial ability to support Fiancé(e): job letter, bank letter, tax return(s).

K-Fiancé Visa Personal FAQs

My fiancé(e) is a U.S. citizen, but I am not. Can I come to the U.S. to be married?

If your fiancé(e) is a U.S. citizen but you are not, you may apply for a K-1 visa (the “fiancé(e) visa”) to travel to the U.S. and marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days of arrival. You will apply for adjustment of status to a permanent resident (LPR) with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants receive K-2 visas.

You will need certain documents to make a successful I-129F application for a K-1 visa. (Supporting documentation should include those items that span the time from when you first met until the time of filing the I-129F. In other words, INS will be looking for evidence that you have had ongoing contact with each other and possess a present intent to marry.) These include:

Three Photographs (one of each, passport style).
Copy of document evidencing Petitioner’s U.S. citizenship (birth/naturalization certificate).
Copy of birth certificate (with certified translation) of fiancé(e) and any child(ren).
Documentation evidencing termination of prior marriage(s) of either party.
Affidavit by Petitioner highlighting progression of relationship (i.e. how/when you met, specifics of courtship, meeting one another’s relatives, common values/lifestyles), decision to marry.
Any other documents you consider relevant to establish that the plans to marry are based on love, and the desire to live together as husband and wife and not to circumvent immigration laws, including the following:

Photographs of time spent together (with each other and with friends and family members).
Correspondence – personal letters, cards, e-mails sent to/from each other.
Plane ticket or receipts from trips visiting each other.
Receipts from vacations spent together.
Phone bills – highlighting calls to each other.
Money wires to each other.
Emails to each other.

You cannot come to the U.S. to marry a someone you have never met in person, nor someone you have not seen in person in over two years. Skyping, etc., does not count.

At the time of the consular interview, the Petitioner will be required to submit evidence of financial ability to support Fiancé(e): job letter, bank letter, tax return(s).

complications.

Who can apply for a non-immigrant visa?

The regulations pertaining to non-immigrant visas are strict, and the United States is careful to grant them only to individuals and families who fall within the guidelines. To ensure that you receive a visa, you must be visiting the United States for one of the following reasons:

Career (includes business owners, athletes and entertainers)
Medical care
Tourism

Family (includes children, spouses, and fiancé(e)s of current U.S. citizens)
Foreign exchange program
Education

Contact Our New Jersey Fiancé Visa Lawyer to Start Your New Life

If you are currently in a relationship with a foreign national and are ready to start your new life by bringing them to the United States, contact experienced New Jersey Fiancé Visa Lawyer Susan Scheer to start the process. Our New Jersey Fiancé Visa Lawyer has over 20 years of experience helping immigrant families stay together.

Client Reviews

Excellent experience worked with Susan Scheer’s team for over 7 years for multiple different types of
immigration cases. Every time always successfully approved. Would highly recommend!

(973) 532-5330

(973) 532-5330

New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

Do You Need Legal Help?

New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

Do You Need Legal Help?

Our Legal Team

Our Legal Team

Our Legal Team

- David Amaya Portillo

- Mubarak Ahmad

- Hardik Mehta

- Erika Fahy

- Martir Alvarez

- Miryam Gonzalez

- Cristina Castro

Client Testimonials

A Defintive Guide to U.S. Immigration Law

New Jersey Fiancé VISA Lawyer

K-Fiancé(e) VISA Attorneys

K-Fiancé Visa Personal FAQs

Contact Our New Jersey Fiancé Visa Lawyer to Start Your New Life

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