Helping couples separated by borders navigate the K-1 fiancé visa process, bringing them together to build their future in the United States.
Marriage Is A Big Step
Especially When You Live In Different Countries
For many couples, the multi-step K-1 fiancé visa process can be intimidating. It involves USCIS review as the first step, followed by an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
The process allows no room for casual mistakes. One overlooked detail or missing document can lead to months of delay or force you to start over.
Fiancé visa cases are closely reviewed by government officers. The authenticity of the relationship and intent to marry undergoes thorough examination. In addition, officers often evaluate several other factors that go beyond the K-1 petition.
The sections below will help you understand what to expect during the fiancé visa process and how to address common issues that sometimes arise.
Love Across Borders: We Can Help Bring Your Fiancé To The United States
Often, our clients are citizens who want to immigrate and bring the person they love to live with them in the United States. A fiancé visa is frequently their best solution.
For example:
- Maybe you’re a U.S. citizen engaged to your future wife whom you met during your vacation in another country.
- Perhaps while you were working overseas, you feel in love with and already betrothed yourself to the woman of your dreams.
- Or your bride-to-be has children from a previous marriage and you want to raise them as part of your family unit.
What Is A Fiancé Visa?
A fiancé visa, also known as a K-1 visa, is a visa issued to a foreign-born fiancé to enter the United States for 90 days for the purpose of marrying a U.S. citizen. If the marriage does not occur within that time period, the immigrant fiancé must leave the country.
The rules for K-1 visas apply equally to fiancés and fiancées. For the sake of simplicity, we primarily use fiancé on this page.
Both fiancé and fiancée are French words. The two words confuse many English speakers.
- Fiancé (with one “e”) is a man who is engaged to be married.
- Fiancée (with two “e’s”) is a woman who is engaged to be married.
Thus, the K-1 rules discussed here apply equally to both males and females engaged to be married.
What Are The Requirements
For Fiancé K-1 Visas?
As noted earlier, a fiancé visa allows U.S. citizens to bring their future spouses, who live in another country, into the United States in order for the couple to get married.
Here is a brief summary of how you qualify for a fiancé visa.
- You Must Be A U.S. Citizen
- You And Your Fiancé Must Intend To Get Married Within 90 Days
- You Must Have Met With Your Fiancé Within The Past Two Years
- You And Your Fiancé Must Be Lawfully Eligible To Marry
- You Must Meet The Minimum Income Requirements
- Your Fiancé Must Not Fall Into Any Of The Inadmissibility Categories
1. You Must Be A U.S. Citizen
Whether you were born in the U.S. or obtained your citizenship through the naturalization, derivation, or acquisition process, you are eligible to immigrant your future spouse through the fiancé visa process.
If you are only a permanent resident, you do not qualify to use the fiancé visa process.
2. You And Your Fiance Must Intend To Get Married Within 90 Days
Once your fiancé enters the U.S., you and your fiancé have 90 days to marry and apply for permanent residency.
This means, to qualify for the K-1 visa, you need to show you have made some marriage plans. Since you do not know exactly when the visa will be approved, some of the details will not be specific.
However, letters from companies which cater weddings, print shops which produce wedding invitations, and halls which host wedding receptions can help prove your seriousness.
Notarized letters from you and your fiancé regarding your engagement are also helpful.
3. You Must Have Met With Your Fiance Within The Past Two Years
Nowadays, many couples meet over the internet. If this is the case, you need to arrange to meet with your loved one prior to filing immigration documents.
Again, the government requires firm evidence of this meeting. Items which are useful to show such a meeting actually took place include:
- Hotel and lodging receipts
- Airplane tickets, receipts, and departure/landing schedules
- Copies of your passport with stamps showing entries and exits
- Credit card statements showing payments
- Photos taken together during your visit
- Restaurant, transportation, parking tickets, and similar items
In some limited situations, you may be excused from this requirement. For example, in some cultures, a husband and wife cannot meet before their marriage date. Or perhaps a medical or physical condition prevents you from traveling abroad.
4. You And Your Fiancé Must Be Lawfully Eligible To Marry
Here are the most common stumbling blocks which might hinder you from living happily ever after with the love of your life in the United States:
- You or your fiance is under 18 years old.
- You or your fiance has been previously married
- You and your fiance are related by blood
5. You Must Meet The Minimum Income Requirements
You must agree to be your fiance’s financial sponsor. If you do not meet the government’s income requirements, you can ask a relative or friend to serve as your fiancé’s financial co-sponsor.
6. Your Fiancé Must Not Fall Into Any Of The Inadmissibility Categories
The inadmissibility list includes certain diseases, criminal convictions, memberships in certain organizations, past history of immigration fraud, living unlawfully in the U.S., and drug trafficking.
K-2 Visas: Minor Children Of Your Fiancé
If your fiance has children born in another country, even if they are not your biological children, they may be able to join your fiancé on a K-2 visa.
The children must be under the age of 21 and unmarried.
To qualify, they must go through the same process as your fiancé. In addition, you must be able to financially sponsor them, as well as your fiancé.
Navigating The Fiance Visa Process: What You Must Know For A Successful Outcome
Throughout the fiancé visa process, there are important choices that must be made, and challenges that must be met. The articles below take a closer look at key aspects of the K-1 process and common issues couples often face.
Fiance Visas vs. Marriage Petitions: Which Path Should You Choose?
A comparison of fiancé visas and marriage-based petitions to help couples understand which option may better fit their situation.
What Types Of Questions Will You Be Asked At Your K-1 Visa Interview?
An overview of the types of questions applicants are commonly asked during the fiancé visa interview.
The Journey Of Love Prevails: Approval Rates For Fiance Visas Rebound
A discussion of recent approval patterns and what they may indicate for couples applying for K-1 visas.
Abandoned K-1 Visa Fiancees And Spouses: How To Remove Your Two-Year Permanent Residence Conditions
Information on removing conditions on permanent residence when a fiancé or marriage-based case does not continue as planned.
K-1 Visa Process: 7 Red Flags That Can Sabotage Your Fiance Visa
An explanation of issues that can raise concerns during fiancé visa review and how they are evaluated.
The Fiance Visa Process: 15 Frequently Asked Questions You Should Know
Answers to common questions about eligibility, timelines, interviews, and next steps in the K-1 process.
Three Green Card Options For Couples Before Marriage
An overview of alternative immigration paths couples may consider before getting married.
How Does The K-1 Visa Process Work?
As the chart above shows, the fiance visa process has five distinct steps from start to finish.
- The United States citizen sponsor files Form I-129F, Petition For Alien Fiancé, with supporting documents. USCIS reviews and processes the I-129F petition.
- Once USCIS approves the I-129F Petition, it sends the petition to the National Visa Center. The NVC transfers the case to the Embassy or Consulate and sends an instructional letter about Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, to the U.S. sponsor.
- The immigrant fills out the DS-160 application and submits supporting documents online. After completion, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate reviews and processes the DS-160 application and schedules the K-1 Fiancé Visa interview.
- If the K-1 Fiancé Visa is approved, the immigrant beneficiary has a period of six months to enter the U.S. Within 90 days of immigrant’s entry into the U.S., the couple must get married.
- After the couple gets married, the immigrant spouse files Form I-485, Application To Register Permanent Residence Or Adjust Status, along with companion forms, applications, and supporting documents
Your Bridge To Success: Nationwide And Worldwide Fiancé Visa Representation
Most fiancé visa cases involve couples separated by distance, living in different countries. While our physical offices serve the Inland Empire and Southern California, we assist K-1 visa clients throughout the United States and around the world.
Through our Virtual Immigration Law Office, we use secure online systems, video conferencing, and private document sharing tools to guide couples through every step of the fiancé visa process.
This approach allows us to provide experienced immigration representation regardless of where you or your fiancé currently live – without needing to meet in-person.
Additional Immigration Services
For an overview of all immigration matters we handle, in addition to our fiancé visa services, visit our Immigration Legal Services page.
Local Support For Fiance Visa Applications: Bringing Hearts And Lives Together
Ready to bring your fiancé to the United States?
The K-1 fiancé visa lets you unite with your loved one and start your life together. But the process demands precision at every step.
The government reviews these cases extensively. You will need detailed evidence, careful documentation, and flawless preparation for embassy interviews.
Batara Immigration Law can help you navigate these complexities.
We provide guidance and support to help you confidently navigate the K-1 process from the filing of your petition to the embassy interview, through our regional service hubs:
No matter where you live, we are committed to building a strong K-1 fiancé visa case, so you can move forward toward your future together with the love of your life.
Thinking about bringing your fiancé to the United States? Want clear answers about the K-1 process and how it applies to your situation?
Schedule a personalized strategy and planning session to clarify your options.
