What is a K-1 fiancé visa and how does it work?

The K-1 nonimmigrant visa allows the foreign-national fiancé of a US citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. Once the couple marries within 90 days of the K-1 holder's entry, the foreign spouse can apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.

The process starts with the US citizen filing Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé) with USCIS. After approval, the petition goes to the National Visa Center and then to the US consulate in the foreign national's home country for a visa interview. The foreign national must show that the couple met in person within the two years before filing the petition (with limited exceptions for extreme hardship or cultural practice).

The K-1 visa leads to a conditional green card valid for two years. The couple must then file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) jointly 90 days before the conditional green card expires to obtain a 10-year permanent green card. If the marriage was genuine, this step is generally straightforward.

This is general information only, not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer or registered migration agent for your specific situation.