K-1 Fiancee Visa Process

American citizens seeking to marry a foreign national may bring the foreign national into the United States to marry on the K-1 visa.  Obtaining the K-1 fiance or fiancee visa requires the couple to go through the following process:

First, the U.S. citizen and the K-1 visa beneficiary must apply to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS).  At this stage in the K-1 visa process, the couple will need to demonstrate that they are eligible for the K-1 visa.  To demonstrate their eligibility a couple will need to provide significant documentation, including proof that they have meet within the past two years.  It often takes about five months for the USCIS to process an application.

Once the USCIS approves the application, the K-1 application will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) where it will be kept for a few weeks.

The fiance application (or fiancee application) will then be forwarded to the U.S. consulate where the K-1 beneficiary resides.  The consulate will require the beneficiary to attend an interview and again prove his or her eligibility for the K-1 visa and also his or her eligibility to enter into the United States.  This process can take from a few weeks to many months depending on the speed of the consulate.  Once the consulate approves the K-1 visa, the K-1 fiance (or K-1 fiancee) will be allowed to enter into the United States.

Once in the United States, the K-1 fiance (or K-1 fiancee) will be required to marry the U.S. citizen within ninety days.  Once married, the couple will need to apply to the USCIS to adjust status and become a lawful permanent resident.

If you are considering the K-1 visa for your foreign national fiance(e), please contact a NYC K-1 visa lawyer to learn more about your eligibility.