Getting Married to a U.S. Citizen: K-1 Visa
K-1 visa for your foreign fiancé(e). Understand eligibility requirements, and how an immigration attorney can help navigate this procedure.
Falling in love with someone from another country is exciting, but bringing your fiancé(e) to the United States to marry involves a specific immigration pathway: the K-1 visa.
What is the K-1 fiancé(e) visa?
The K-1 nonimmigrant visa allows the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to travel to the United States to marry their U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. After the marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
Who qualifies for a K-1 visa?
Several requirements must be met before USCIS will approve a K-1 petition:
- The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen.
- Both partners must be legally free to marry, with any prior marriages fully and legally ended.
- You and your fiancé(e) must have met in person within the two years before filing (limited exceptions may apply).
- You must genuinely intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e) entering the United States.
- The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS.
What happens after the K-1 visa is approved?
Once the petition is approved and the visa is issued, your fiancé(e) can enter the United States, and you must marry within 90 days of their arrival. Unmarried children under 21 may accompany them on a K-2 derivative visa. After the marriage, the K-1 holder files for adjustment of status to a green card.
How an immigration attorney can help
K-1 petitions are detail-sensitive: incomplete forms, weak evidence of a genuine relationship, or missed deadlines can lead to delays or denials. Our immigration attorneys prepare the I-129F petition, assemble strong supporting evidence, and guide you through the consular interview and the later adjustment of status.
If you are planning to marry a U.S. citizen, book a strategy session with our team to map out your K-1 path.
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