Boundless released a new report on national trends in K-1 fiancé visa applications. Here’s what we found:
- Surge in Approvals: The first three quarters of FY2023 saw an increase in I-129F approvals, surpassing the total approvals for the entire FY2022.
- Increase in backlog: The number of I-129F applications that were still pending rose from 30,408 in 2021 to 55,425 in 2022, an 82% increase.
- Recovery from 2020: K-1 fiancé visa issuances showed a significant rebound in 2022, recovering from the lows experienced in 2020.
- COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic had a profound impact on the K-1 visa application process, leading to substantial delays, backlogs, and policy changes.
- Comparison with Other Visa Categories: In 2022, K-1 visa admissions made up only 0.3% of all nonimmigrant visas.
- Shifts in Nationality: Post-pandemic, there was a noticeable decline in K visa recipients from countries like Vietnam, Great Britain/Northern Ireland, China, and Brazil. Meanwhile, the numbers for the Philippines and Mexico are approaching pre-pandemic levels.
- Popular Destination States: In 2022, the most favored states for K-1 visa holders were California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Approximately 36% of K-1 visa sponsors listed these states as their current residence.
- Impact of “90-Day Fiancé”: The debut of the show “90-Day Fiancé” had a discernible effect on K-1 visa approval rates. In 2022, approval rates reached their lowest point since USCIS started reporting the data.
For more, check out the full report.