K-1 visas are now more challenging to secure, according to recent data. The numbers for K-1 visa issuance for countries such as Cuba and Afghanistan show extremely high refusal rates, with 81.9 percent for Cuba and 73.8 percent for Afghanistan.

1. K-1 Visa Issuance:
The Statistics and
Potential Hurdles
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2. K-1 visas are now more challenging to secure, according to recent data. The numbers for K-1 visa
issuance for countries such as Cuba and Afghanistan show extremely high refusal rates, with 81.9
percent for Cuba and 73.8 percent for Afghanistan.
For couples looking to marry in the United States, understanding the restrictions on K-1 visa issuance
ensures that the marriage goes on without any costly delays.
Increased Issuance, Increased Rejections
For fiscal years 2012-2016, the number of issued K-1 visas fluctuated from the 30,000 to 40,000
range. 2014 and 2016 were particularly good years for K-1 visa applicants, with the number of
approvals staying within 41,000.
Despite the higher number of visas issued, however, K-1 visa denials are also on the rise. According
to the Worldwide NIV Workload by Visa Category for Fiscal Year 2016 from the U.S. Department of
State, there were 22,492 K-1 visa denials for 2016. This total number of denials is higher than the
figure in 2014-2015.
This could mean that while more people are applying for K-1 visas, denials also rise as a result of
increased applications. This necessitates better awareness regarding K-1 visas and the steps to
secure it.

3. Identifying the Warning Signs
Many petitioners believe that meeting the initial requirements for a K-1 Visa is enough to qualify for
the visa. But there are also other factors that can affect an applicant’s chance to secure a K-1 visa.
The following warning signs, or “red flags,” are potential hurdles in the issuance process.
1. No Commonality - the lack of any shared characteristics. Language barriers, different
religious preferences, and deviating financial and educational backgrounds are a sign of no
commonality.
2. Contradictions - the interview process for a K-1 visa is thorough, as even the stories that
people will tell are analyzed. Discrepancies in the petitioner and beneficiary’s stories can
result in a red flag.
3. Immigration History - If the non-U.S. citizen fiancé previously visited the US or applied for a
visa under other categories, U.S. immigration will not take this situation lightly. This is among
the most common red flags.
Because securing a K-1 visa is now becoming a challenge, couples who wish to marry in the U.S. must
first pursue legal guidance. An immigration lawyer's assistance ensures that every step of the process
is understandable, lawful, and thorough.

4. Sources:
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/AnnualReports/FY2016AnnualReport/FY16Ann
ualReport-TableXVIA.pdf
http://www.buhlerlawoffice.com/
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-
Statistics/NIVWorkload/FY2015NIVWorkloadbyVisaCategory.pdf
https://www.visatutor.com/fiancee-k1-visa-red-flags-of-denials/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/03/24/the-countries-with-the-highest-refusal-
rates-for-u-s-visas-infographic/#6ff91eb813d1