To Marry in U.S.
Processing Time
Valid 6 Months
After Marriage
Reunite with your loved one and marry in the United States
The K-1 visa, commonly known as the "fiancé visa," allows the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. Once in the U.S., the couple must marry within 90 days of entry. After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (green card holder).
This is a strict requirement. Your fiancé(e) must enter the U.S. and you must marry within 90 days. The visa cannot be extended or changed to another status without marriage. Plan your wedding before your fiancé(e) arrives!
Only U.S. citizens can petition for a K-1 visa. Green card holders (permanent residents) cannot sponsor a fiancé(e) under K-1. If you're a green card holder, you must marry first and then apply for CR-1 spouse visa.
Four essential criteria for K-1 fiancé(e) visa
The petitioner (sponsor) must be a U.S. citizen, not a green card holder. Only U.S. citizens can file Form I-129F for their foreign fiancé(e).
Both parties must have a bona fide (genuine) intent to marry each other within 90 days of the fiancé(e)'s arrival in the United States.
The couple must have met in person at least once within the past 2 years before filing the I-129F petition. Video calls do not satisfy this requirement.
Both parties must be legally free to marry. Any previous marriages must be legally terminated through divorce or death of former spouse.
Planning is Critical: Have your wedding date, venue, and officiant arranged BEFORE your fiancé(e) arrives. The 90-day countdown starts the moment they enter the U.S.
Six steps from petition to entering the United States
U.S. citizen petitioner files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé) with USCIS along with supporting documents and $535 filing fee.
Processing starts immediately after filing
USCIS reviews the petition, may request additional evidence (RFE), and issues approval notice (Notice of Action Form I-797).
Processing Time: 6-9 months typical
Notice: Approval sent by mail
After USCIS approval, petition forwarded to National Visa Center (NVC), then to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in fiancé(e)'s home country.
NVC processes case (2-4 weeks)
Embassy schedules interview
Fiancé(e) completes online Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and undergoes required medical examination.
Fiancé(e) attends visa interview at U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country. Bring all required documents.
If approved: Visa issued in 5-7 days
If denied: Can reapply with more evidence
Fiancé(e) receives K-1 visa, enters the United States, and couple must marry within 90 days of entry.
6-9 months
I-129F approval
2-3 months
Embassy process
90 days
To marry
Complete documentation checklist for petitioner and fiancé(e)
Filing Fee: $535 for Form I-129F (check USCIS website for current fee)
Critical: All documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by certified English translations. Bring both originals and copies to interview.
Bring your fiancé(e)'s unmarried children under 21 to the United States
The K-2 visa is a derivative visa for the unmarried children under 21 of your K-1 fiancé(e). Children can accompany the K-1 visa holder or join them later in the United States.
Children listed on the original I-129F petition automatically receive K-2 status. There's no separate petition needed, but each child must complete their own DS-160 and pay the visa fee.
Age-Out Protection: Child Support Protection Act (CSPA) may protect children who turn 21 during processing. Consult immigration attorney for age-out concerns.
Include children in I-485
File adjustment of status for children along with K-1 parent
Apply for work permit
File I-765 for each child who wants to work
Receive green cards
Children get conditional (or permanent) green cards
Good News: K-2 children who enter the U.S. and whose parent marries the U.S. citizen can easily adjust status to become permanent residents along with their parent. No separate family petition needed!
Common questions about K-1 Fiancé(e) visa
Total processing time typically ranges from 6-12 months from I-129F filing to visa issuance. Here's the breakdown:
The 90-day period is strict and non-extendable. Here's what happens:
Critical Planning Steps:
Not immediately. Your fiancé(e) cannot work upon entry with K-1 visa. However, there are options:
This is one of the most important decisions. Here's a detailed comparison:
| Factor | K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa | CR-1 Spouse Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Marital Status | Not yet married | Already married |
| Processing Time | 6-12 months | 12-18 months |
| Entry Status | Fiancé(e) (non-immigrant) | Immediate green card |
| Work Authorization | Must apply (3-5 months wait) | Immediate upon entry |
| Travel Freedom | Limited (need advance parole) | Immediate (green card holder) |
| Total Cost | ~$2,500 (petition + adjustment) | ~$1,200 (petition only) |
| Wedding Location | Must marry in U.S. | Can marry anywhere |
The couple must have met in person at least once within 2 years before filing the I-129F petition. This is a strict requirement.
Exceptions are granted only for extreme hardship or if the meeting would violate strict cultural or religious customs (e.g., arranged marriages in certain cultures). You must provide extensive documentation. The bar is very high, and most waiver requests are denied.
After marriage, your spouse needs to adjust status to become a permanent resident (green card holder):
Within 90 days of marriage, file with USCIS:
Typically arrives in 3-5 months. Your spouse can work and travel internationally while waiting for green card.
USCIS schedules fingerprinting appointment (typically 4-8 weeks after filing)
Both spouses attend interview at USCIS field office (8-12 months after filing)
Interview questions focus on relationship authenticity and marriage bona fides
Conditional Green Card (2-year): If married less than 2 years at time of approval
Must file Form I-751 to remove conditions after 2 years of marriage
Permanent Green Card (10-year): If married 2+ years at time of approval
Timeline Summary: Total time from marriage to green card approval is typically 10-18 months. Your spouse can work and travel after receiving EAD/AP combo card (3-5 months).
Schedule a free consultation with our K-1 visa specialists to get personalized answers for your specific situation.
The K-1 visa process can be complex and time-consuming. Our experienced immigration consultants help you navigate every step, from Form I-129F filing to adjustment of status after marriage. We ensure your petition is complete, properly documented, and gives you the best chance of approval.
K-1 experts • Family reunification • Fast processing
Bringing couples together since 2010
Thorough documentation review
Embassy interview preparation
Proven K-1 success record
Compare K-1 with alternative visa options
For couples already married. Foreign spouse receives immediate green card upon entry to U.S.
Temporary visa for married couples awaiting CR-1/IR-1 approval. Allows spouse to enter U.S. while waiting.
Short-term visitor visa for fiancé(e) to visit U.S. before marriage or while K-1 is processing.
| Feature | K-1 Fiancé(e) | CR-1 Spouse | B-2 Tourist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marital Status Required | Not yet married | Already married | Any (visiting only) |
| Processing Time | 6-12 months | 12-18 months | Few weeks to months |
| Entry Status | Fiancé(e) (non-immigrant) | Immediate green card | Tourist (B-2) |
| Work Authorization | Must apply (3-5 months) | Immediate | Not allowed |
| Travel After Entry | Limited (need AP) | Unlimited | Can leave/return |
| Can Marry in U.S. | Yes (must marry) | Already married | No (visa fraud) |
| Green Card Path | After marriage (I-485) | Immediate upon entry | Not possible |
| Total Cost | ~$2,500 | ~$1,200 | ~$185 |
Choose K-1 if:
Choose CR-1 if:
Choose B-2 if: