How to Obtain a Fiancé(e) Visa (K-1 Visa) in the U.S.

If you are engaged to a United States citizen and want to live with your fiancé(e) in the United States, you can petition for a fiancé(e) visa, also known as a K-1 Visa. This visa allows you to travel to the United States, where you must plan to marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days of arrival.

Qualifications for a Fiancé(e) Visa (K-1 Visas)

  • You and your fiancé(e) must have met in person within the last two years, unless one or both of your cultures is against in-person meetings before marriage.
  • The marriage must meet the legal requirements (such as minimum age requirement) of the state in which you will be married.
  • Both you and your fiancé(e) must be legally available for marriage when your petition is filed and throughout the filing process.
  • As a foreign national, you must receive a medical examination performed by an authorized physician. You can find a list of authorized physicians by visiting your U.S. Embassy or consulate.

Steps to Obtaining a Fiancé(e) Visa

If you are engaged to a United States citizen, you can apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa and begin Consular Processing. You can do this by first filing Form I-129F, then filing for a K-1 nonimmigrant Visa. Once these are approved, you can enter the United States and marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days of entering.

  1. File a form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). This identifies the relationship between you and your fiancé(e). Once approved, this form is sent to the Department of State National Visa Center.
  2. Once Form I-129F is approved, file for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa with the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you live. The National Visa Center (NVC) will forward the approved I-129F form to this U.S. Embassy or consulate.
  3. The U.S. Embassy or consulate will contact you to schedule an interview. During this interview, you must provide evidence your marriage will not become a public charge in the United States. In other words, you must prove you can support yourself or your fiancé(e) can support you if you are to live in the United States.
  4. If your K-1 nonimmigrant visa is approved, the visa is valid for up to six months for a single entry. During this time, you can travel to the United States to get married.
  5. Once you enter the United States, you have 90 days to marry your fiancé(e).
  6. Once you get married, you can file for an adjustment of status.

Am I eligible for a Fiancé(e) Visa?

You may not be eligible for a Fiancé(e) Visa if you are already married, wish to marry outside the United States, or are already living together legally in the United States.

If I am engaged to a United States citizen and have children, can they enter the United States?

Yes. If you have any unmarried child(ren) under 21 years of age, you should list these child(ren) on the Form I-129F. Once this form is approved, you can obtain a K-2 nonimmigrant visa, and the child(ren) can enter the United States. Once you are married within 90 days of admission to the United States, the child(ren) can also apply for a Green Card by filing Form I-485.