FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION / K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas
Love knows no borders — and U.S. immigration law offers a special path to help couples unite across continents. If you are a U.S. citizen engaged to someone living abroad, the K-1 visa allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States so you can marry and begin your life together. Once married, your spouse can then apply for a green card through adjustment of status, without having to leave the country.
The K-1 visa is a powerful option for couples in long-distance relationships, but it involves a multi-step legal process that requires careful attention to detail. You must prove that your relationship is genuine, that you intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s arrival, and that both of you are legally free to marry. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State will closely review your petition, interview your fiancé(e), and assess the documentation you provide.
At Chaney Immigration Law Firm, we know how important it is to get this right—not just for legal approval, but for your future as a couple. We’ll guide you through every step: from preparing and submitting your I-129F petition, to helping your fiancé(e) navigate the embassy interview and travel plans, to adjusting status after your wedding. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible so that you can focus on what truly matters—starting your life together.
Whether you’ve just gotten engaged or you’re ready to file, we’re here to support your journey toward marriage, residency, and a shared future in the United States.
Family-Based Resources
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas FAQ
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:
- File Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prove the relationship and intent to marry.
- Once approved, the Department of State (DOS) processes the K-1 visa application through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
- After entering the U.S. and marrying within 90 days, the foreign fiancé(e) applies for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485 with USCIS to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
The U.S. citizen petitioner typically needs to provide:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport, birth certificate, etc.)
- Evidence of relationship (photos, messages, travel records)
- Statements of intent to marry
- Passport-style photos of both partners
- Proof of meeting in person within the last two years
The foreign fiancé(e) will need to bring the following to the visa interview:
- Valid passport
- Medical examination results from an authorized physician
- Police clearance certificates
- Birth certificate
- Evidence of financial support
- Proof of relationship
After marriage, to file Form I-485 for adjustment of status, the applicant needs:
- Copy of marriage certificate
- I-94 arrival/departure record
- Birth certificate
- Medical exam (Form I-693)
- Passport-style photos
- Evidence of bona fide marriage
- Evidence of financial support
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.
Christopher P. Chaney, Esq.
For more than twenty years, our law firm’s founder has represented individuals, families and businesses in complex immigration matters. He previously worked at two national refugee resettlement organizations, overseeing immigration legal services for refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and parolees. He has presented to congressional staff at the U.S. Capitol on various immigration law issues and was awarded a medal by the U.S. Army for providing legal services to Afghans.
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