Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1)

Who is Eligible for a K-1 Visa?

To successfully petition for a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa, you must meet the following baseline requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (Lawful Permanent Residents/Green Card holders cannot sponsor a fiancé).

• Intent to Marry: Both of you must have a genuine intention to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the United States.

• Legally Free to Marry: Both parties must be legally able to marry (any previous marriages must be officially terminated via divorce, annulment, or death).

• In-Person Meeting: You must have met each other in person at least once within the two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition (unless an extreme hardship waiver applies).

The Step-by-Step Process with IMMI.LAW

The K-1 visa is a multi-phase journey. When you partner with us, we guide you seamlessly through each phase:

Phase 1: The USCIS Petition (Form I-129F) We start by meticulously preparing and filing Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This proves your U.S. citizenship and establishes that your relationship is genuine. You can securely upload photos, flight itineraries, and relationship evidence directly through your IMMI.LAW client portal.

Phase 2: National Visa Center (NVC) & Embassy Processing Once USCIS approves the petition, the case is sent to the NVC, which then forwards it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your fiancé(e)’s home country. We assist your fiancé(e) in completing the DS-160 Visa Application and gathering the required civil documents and police clearances.

Phase 3: The Medical Exam & Consular Interview Before the visa is issued, your fiancé(e) must undergo a medical exam by a State Department-approved physician. Afterward, they will attend a visa interview at the Embassy. Our attorneys conduct a comprehensive mock interview beforehand so your fiancé(e) feels completely prepared and confident.

Phase 4: U.S. Entry & Marriage Once the K-1 visa is in hand, your fiancé(e) can travel to the United States. You must legally marry within 90 days of their arrival.

Phase 5: Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) After the wedding, the K-1 visa does not automatically turn into a Green Card. We will file your Adjustment of Status application so your new spouse can obtain Lawful Permanent Resident status, along with work and travel authorization.

Proving Your Relationship: Required Evidence

To prevent delays, we help you compile a strong portfolio of evidence showing a bona fide (real) relationship and proof of your in-person meeting. This typically includes:

• Passport stamps, boarding passes, and hotel receipts from trips taken together.

• Photographs of the two of you together.

• Communication logs (call histories, text messages, emails).

• Letters of intent to marry signed by both of you.

Official Government Fees (Current as of 2026)

The K-1 process requires fees to be paid to different government agencies at different times. The following are direct U.S. Government fees and do not include IMMI.LAW’s legal representation fees.

Phase 1 & 2 Fees:

• Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)): $675 (Paid to USCIS)

• DS-160 (K-1 Visa Application Fee): $265 (Paid to the Department of State)

Phase 5 Fees (After Marriage):

• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,440 (Paid to USCIS)

• Form I-765 (Work Authorization): $260 (Optional)

• Form I-131 (Travel Authorization): $590 online / $630 paper (Optional)

Note: Your fiancé(e) will also need to pay a local panel physician for their required medical exam. Medical exam costs vary by country. Please verify all current forms and fees directly on the Official USCIS Fee Schedule and the Department of State Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my fiancé(e) work in the U.S. on a K-1 Visa? Not immediately. Once you are married and we file the Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), we will simultaneously file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Your spouse will be able to work legally once that EAD is approved.

What happens if we don’t get married within 90 days? The 90-day rule is strict. If you do not marry within 90 days of their entry, your fiancé(e) will fall out of legal status and must leave the United States. The K-1 visa cannot be extended.

Can my fiancé(e) bring their children? Yes. Unmarried children under the age of 21 can accompany your fiancé(e) to the U.S. on a K-2 dependent visa. We will include them in the initial I-129F petition.

Let's Bring Your Fiancé(e) Home

Avoid the paperwork headaches and potential processing delays. Schedule an Assessment Consultation with our immigration team today, and let’s start mapping out your journey to the altar.

Schedule Your Assessment Consultation

(US $150)