What Is a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa?
The K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to travel to the United States for the purpose of marrying that U.S. citizen petitioner. The couple must marry each other within 90 days after the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) is admitted in K-1 status. After the marriage, the foreign national may apply for lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status.
A K-1 visa permits the holder to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission; it does not guarantee admission. The visa is generally issued for a single entry and may be valid for up to six months. If admitted, the K-1 period of admission is 90 days and cannot be extended.
K-1 Eligibility
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The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. A lawful permanent resident cannot file a K-1 fiancé(e) petition.
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Both parties must have been legally free to marry when Form I-129F was filed and must remain legally free to marry.
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The couple must have a genuine intention to marry each other within 90 days after the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) is admitted to the United States in K-1 status.
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The couple generally must have met in person at least once during the two years immediately before Form I-129F was filed.
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USCIS may waive the in-person meeting requirement when meeting would cause extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner or would violate strict and long-established cultural or social customs.
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The proposed marriage must be legally valid under the laws of the U.S. state where the marriage will take place.
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The foreign-citizen fiancé(e) must otherwise qualify for the visa and be admissible to the United States.
Prior Form I-129F filings, certain criminal convictions, or the use of an international marriage broker may create additional disclosure or waiver requirements under the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, commonly known as IMBRA.