Fiancees of US Citizens (K-1 Visas)

Fiancees of US Citizens (K-1 Visas)

The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a United States (U.S.) citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. The foreign-citizen will then apply for adjustment of status to a permanent resident (LPR) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa. Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants receive K-2 visas.

How to Apply

The First Step: Filing the Petition

• You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. See Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) for information on where to file the petition. Further information is available on the USCIS website under Fiancé(e) Visas.
  Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad.
• After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé(e) lives.

The Second Step: Applying for a Visa

The NVC will mail you a letter when it sends your fiancé(e) case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Once you receive this letter, inform your fiancé(e) to take the below-listed actions to apply for a K-1 visa and prepare for the interview.

Eligible children of K-1 visa applicants may apply for K-2 visas. Separate applications must be submitted for each K visa applicant, and each K visa applicant must pay the visa application fee.

Required Documentation

• Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements (PDF - 57 KB). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Divorce or death certificate(s) of any previous spouse(s) for both you and the U.S. citizen sponsor
• Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)
• Medical examination (vaccinations are optional, see below)
• Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be requested)
• Two (2) 2x2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements
• Evidence of relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e)
• Payment of fees

Note: The consular officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs and other proof that the relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is genuine. Documents in foreign languages, other than the language of the country in which the application takes place, should be translated. Applicants should take to the visa interview clear, legible photocopies of civil documents and translations, such as birth and divorce certificates. Original documents and translations will be returned.

Rights and Protections

You should read the Rights and Protections pamphlet before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you. The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview. Additionally, K-1 visa applicants will be provided with any existing criminal background information on their U.S. citizen fiancé(e)s that USCIS received from other government agencies during processing of their Form I-129F petitions.

We will be happy to clarify all intricacies of these cases. Please contact us for more information.

Web Resources

• Immigration Laws and Regulations, USCIS Website
• Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) Regulations
• Nonimmigrant Classifications and Types of Visas
• Immigrant Classifications and Types of Visas
• When to contact Department of State vs. Department of Homeland Security
• FAQs About Visas

Visa Categories

B-E

• Visitors (B Visas)
• Treaty Traders (E-1 Visas)
• Treaty Investors (E-2 Visas)

F-H

• Students (F Visas)
• Professionals (H-1B Visas)
• Temporary Workers (H-2B Visas)
• Trainees (H-3 Visas)

J-P

• Exchange Visitors (J Visas/Waivers)
• Fiancees of US Citizens (K-1 Visas)
• Spouses of US Citizens (K-3 Visas)
• Intracompany Transferee (L-1 Visa)
• Extraordinary Ability (O Visas)
• Athletes/Entertainers (P Visas)

R-U

• Religious Workers (R Visas)
• Victims of Human Trafficking (T Visas)
• Crime Victims (U Visas)