Alien fiancé K-1 visas

Alien Fiancé K-1 Visas allow U.S. citizens to marry and live with their alien fiancé in the U.S. The marriage must meet the conditions established by the state in which the prospective couple wishes to marry.

To apply for an Alien Fiancé K-1 Visa, you must file:

  • Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); and
  • An application for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

The fiancé will be interviewed and required to present the following:

  • A passport that permits him or her to travel to the U.S.;
  • Birth certificate;
  • Divorce or death certificate of previous spouse(s), if any, of both the U.S. citizen and alien fiancé(e);
  • Police certificates documenting areas of residence since age 16;
  • Medical examination;
  • Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support);
  • Two Nonimmigrant Visa Applications, Form DS-156;
  • One Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application, Form DS-156K;
  • Two visa photos;
  • Relationship evidence; and
  • Processing fees.

Marriage:

Upon receiving the K-1 Visa, the fiancé may travel to the U.S., where the prospective couple must get married within 90 days of being admitted into the country.

Traveling outside of the U.S.:

If the fiancé wishes to travel in and out of the U.S., then you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to be able to re-enter the country.

Fiancé employment:

If the fiancé wishes to become employed within the U.S., then you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to obtain a work permit.

The processing time for obtaining K-1 Visas can be significantly delayed if you do not follow the instructions carefully, your application is incomplete, or your application contains incorrect information. The attorneys at Altman and Altman LLP would like to help you with the process from the very beginning so that you and your fiancé will be able to avoid such delays and any possible inconveniences. We are also willing to expand upon any of the conditions that apply to the fiancé under a K-1 Visa.

U.S. Government Resources