Love knows no borders, and U.S. immigration law provides a path for couples to unite through the K-1 fiancé(e) visa. If you are a U.S. citizen engaged to someone abroad, the K-1 visa allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States so you can marry within 90 days and begin your life together. Once married, your spouse may apply for a green card through adjustment of status without leaving the U.S.
The K-1 visa process is powerful but complex. To qualify, you must show:
Both USCIS and the U.S. Department of State carefully review petitions, conduct embassy interviews, and assess supporting documentation.
At Chaney Immigration Law Firm, we guide you step by step:
Our goal is to make the process clear and manageable, so you can focus on what matters most — your future together.
A K-1 visa, also known as a fiancé(e) visa, allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States for the purpose of marriage. Once in the U.S., the couple must marry within 90 days.
To qualify, the petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. Both parties must be legally free to marry, have met in person within the past two years (with limited exceptions), and intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S.
The process involves three major steps:
The U.S. citizen petitioner typically needs to provide:
The foreign fiancé(e) will need to bring the following to the visa interview:
After marriage, to file Form I-485 for adjustment of status, the applicant needs:
The entire process usually takes 10 to 14 months, depending on USCIS and consular processing times. Processing times can vary by location and case complexity.
Children under 21 who are unmarried can come to the U.S. on K-2 visas as derivatives of the K-1 applicant. They can accompany the parent or follow within one year and must also apply for adjustment of status after the marriage.
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