Fiancé Visas
Bringing You Together.
Compassionate, detail-oriented guidance through the K-1 visa process, from petition to wedding day.
Bringing Your Fiancé to the United States
Distance is one of the hardest parts of an international relationship. The K-1 fiancé visa exists for exactly this reason: to allow a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé to the United States so they can marry and begin their life together. It's one of the more personal areas of immigration law we handle, and we approach every K-1 case with the care that this stage of your life deserves.
Unlike a marriage-based green card petition, the K-1 visa allows your fiancé to enter the U.S. before the wedding takes place. The marriage then happens within 90 days of their arrival, after which they can apply to adjust their status to permanent resident.
Who Qualifies for a K-1 Visa?
To qualify for a K-1 fiancé visa, several requirements must be met:
- The U.S. partner must be a U.S. citizen (not a permanent resident — green card holders cannot petition for a K-1 visa)
- Both parties must be legally free to marry, meaning any previous marriages must have ended in divorce, annulment, or death
- The couple must have met in person at least once within the two years before filing the petition, with limited exceptions for cultural or religious reasons, or extreme hardship
- Both parties must have a genuine intent to marry within 90 days of the fiancé's arrival in the U.S.
The K-1 Visa Process Step by Step
Step one: file the I-129F petition. The U.S. citizen sponsor files Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS, along with evidence of the relationship, proof of having met in person, and evidence that both parties are free to marry.
Step two: USCIS approval and NVC processing. Once USCIS approves the petition, it's forwarded to the National Visa Center, which sends it to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the fiancé's home country.
Step three: the visa interview. Your fiancé will attend an in-person interview at the embassy or consulate, where a consular officer reviews the relationship evidence and determines whether to issue the K-1 visa.
Step four: entry and marriage. Once the visa is issued, your fiancé has six months to enter the United States. After arrival, the couple must marry within 90 days.
Step five: adjustment of status. After the wedding, the new spouse files Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident, along with supporting documents establishing the bona fide nature of the marriage.
Current processing times. K-1 visa processing has historically taken anywhere from 7 to 14 months from filing the I-129F to visa issuance, though this can vary significantly based on USCIS workload, embassy backlogs, and country of filing. We track current processing times closely and will give you realistic expectations specific to your case.
Building a Strong K-1 Petition
The single most common reason K-1 petitions face delays or denials is insufficient evidence of a bona fide relationship. Immigration officers are trained to look for red flags suggesting a relationship of convenience rather than genuine intent to marry. We help clients build a compelling, well-documented petition that includes communication records, photographs together, evidence of in-person meetings, and statements from family and friends who can speak to the relationship's authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I petition for a K-1 visa if I am a green card holder, not a citizen?
No. Only U.S. citizens can file a K-1 fiancé petition. If you are a permanent resident, your options are different and we should discuss your specific situation directly.
What if we have not met in person due to COVID, financial hardship, or cultural norms?
USCIS allows limited exceptions to the in-person meeting requirement for extreme hardship to the petitioner or when meeting in person would violate strict, well-established customs of the fiancé's foreign culture or social practice. These exceptions require strong documentation and are evaluated case by case.
Can my fiancé work once they arrive in the U.S. on a K-1 visa?
Not immediately. Your fiancé will need to apply for a work permit (EAD) after entering the U.S. This can be filed concurrently with the adjustment of status application after the marriage takes place.
What happens if we do not marry within 90 days?
The K-1 visa holder is required to marry the petitioner within 90 days of entry. If the marriage does not occur within this window, the fiancé falls out of status and may need to depart the United States. If your circumstances have changed, contact us promptly to discuss your options.
Can children of my fiancé also come to the U.S.?
Yes. Unmarried children under 21 of your fiancé may qualify for K-2 visas to accompany or follow their parent to the United States.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Every immigration journey is different. Let's talk through your situation and build a strategy together.