K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

What is it?

The K-1 visa allows the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the United States for 90 days to get married. After marriage, the K-1 holder must file Form I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident. The couple must have met in person within 2 years before filing (unless extreme hardship or cultural custom exceptions apply).

Who needs it?

US citizens who intend to marry a foreign national within 90 days of the fiancé(e)'s arrival in the US. Both parties must be legally free to marry and must have met in person within the past 2 years.

Required Documents

• Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) filed by the US citizen
• Proof of US citizenship (passport, birth certificate, naturalisation certificate)
• Proof of termination of any prior marriages (divorce decrees, death certificates)
• Evidence of bona fide relationship: photos together, communications, travel records
• Evidence of in-person meeting within 2 years
• Fiancé(e)'s valid passport and birth certificate
• Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in (for fiancé(e))
• Medical examination by approved panel physician (done at the embassy)
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from US citizen petitioner

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Couple has not met in person within 2 years before filing — a waiver is required but rarely granted
• Insufficient relationship evidence — USCIS scrutinises K-1 petitions for fraud
• Not getting married within 90 days — K-1 status cannot be extended; overstay has serious consequences
• US petitioner's income below 100% of federal poverty guideline
• Not filing I-485 promptly after marriage — K-1 status does not confer work authorization until EAD is issued

Approval Tips

• Start collecting evidence of the relationship early: dated photos, travel records, messages, video call logs
• File I-485 + I-765 (EAD) + I-131 (travel permit) simultaneously right after marriage
• The US petitioner should write a detailed personal statement about the relationship history
• Attend the embassy interview together if the country allows it
• After green card approval, the couple will have a 2-year conditional green card — file I-751 together before it expires