K-1 Visa – How to Bring Your Fiance(é) to the U.S.

Last updated: August 12, 2025.

By Asel Williams, Esq. · Columbia Law School · Licensed immigration attorney

• K-1 visa allows a foreign-born individual entering the U.S. for the purpose of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé(e)
• K-1 visa holder must marry their U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days after arrival
• The entire K-1 visa process can take anywhere from 1 year to 2 years 

What is a K-1 Visa?

• A K-1 visa is used by U.S. citizens to bring their foreign-born fiancé(e)s to the United States for marriage
• This type of visa is also called a “fiancé(e) visa”
• Only U.S. citizens can sponsor their fiancé(e)s for a K-1 visa
• To obtain a K-1 visa, U.S. citizen must first file Form I-129F with USCIS
• K-1 fiancé(e) must marry the U.S. citizen within 90 days after arrival in the U.S.
• After you have entered into a genuine lawful marriage, fiancé(e) can then apply to adjust status filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status in the U.S.
• This begins the process of becoming a lawful permanent resident and obtaining a green card. Learn more: Adjustment of Status for Fiancé(e)s

K-1 Visa – Who Can Apply?

Only U.S. citizens are eligible to sponsor their foreign-born fiancé(e)s for K-1 visas.

K-1 visa requirements:

• Sponsor is a U.S. citizen (by birth, naturalization or through parents);
• Sponsor and the fiancé(e) must intend to marry within 90 days of fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S.;
• Both the U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) are legally free to marry in the U.S. (meaning that neither you or your fiancé(e) are currently married, and any previous marriages have been legally terminated by divorce, death, or annulment); and
• U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) have met each other in person in the last two years before applying for a K-1 visa. Exceptions:
  • Meeting in person would:
    • Violate strict and long-established customs of the fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice; or
    • Result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner

K-1 Visa – Who Cannot Apply?

You are not eligible to apply for a K-1 visa if:

• Sponsor is not a U.S. citizen;
• You do not intent to marry within 90 days of arrival in the U.S.
• U.S. citizen and the fiancé(e) are not legally free to marry (meaning, they are still married to other individuals)
• Intending to marry for the purpose of violating U.S. immigration law
• You and your fiancé(e) have not met in person in the last 2 years (unless you obtain a waiver of this requirement)

K-1 Visa Processing Steps

K-1 visa application consists of 5 steps:

Step 1. Filing Form I-129F with USCIS (12-13 months)

Step 2. Filing Form DS-160 online with the U.S. Department of State (1 month)

Step 3. Interview at the U.S. Embassy (1-2 months)

Step 4. Marriage within 90 days after entering the U.S. on K-1 visa (3 months)

Step 5. Filing Form I-485 with UCIS (8-12 months)

Filing Form I-129F with USCIS

U.S. citizen petitioner must first file Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) with USCIS.

The purpose of this form is establishing a K-1 visa eligibility requirements, including relationship verification.  

USCIS Form I-129F

Rules to remember when completing Form I-129F:

• Use the most recent edition of Form I-129F available on the USCIS website
• Failure to use the most recent edition of the form will lead to rejection and processing delays
• Type or print legibly in black ink
• U.S. citizen petitioner signs and dates the form
• If you need extra space to complete an answer, enter it on the last page of the form (Part 8) or provide the additional information on a separate sheet:
  • If you use and attach a separate sheet of paper:
    • Make sure petitioner’s Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any) is at the top of each sheet;
    • Indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answers refer; and
    • Sign and date each attached sheet;
• Be sure to fully answer each question and answer each question truthfully:
  • If a question does not apply to you, answer with “N/A” or “None” unless otherwise directed.

In completing Form I-129F, you will be asked to provide detailed information about yourself, your fiancé(e), your children (if any), and your fiancé(e)’s children (if any).

Detailed instructions on completing Form I-129F line-by-line can be found in our guide.

Some of the required information to complete Form I-129F includes:

• Petitioner’s and beneficiary’s Alien Registration Number
• Petitioner’s USCIS Online Account Number (if any)
• Petitioner and beneficiary’s Social Security Number (if applicable);
• Physical address history for the past five years;
• Employment history for the past five years;
• Date and place of birth;
• Information about parents;
• Information about prior spouses;
• U.S. citizenship information (for example, naturalization certificate);
• Information about any prior immigration applications filed
• Information about all children; 
• Information about the relationship, such as:
  • Are you related?
  • Have you and your fiancé(e) ever met?
  • Have you and your fiancé(e) seen each other in the last two years (U.S. immigration law requirement)?
    • If Yes:
      • You will be asked to describe the circumstances of your in-person meeting; and 
      • You will be asked to provide evidence of this in-person meeting;
    • If No:
      • You will be asked to explain any reasons you may have for requesting an exemption, such as:
        • Violating strict and long-established customs of your fiancé(e); or 
        • Pose an extreme hardship to you, the U.S. citizen;
• Information about the use of International Marriage Broker (if applicable);
• You will be asked to provide the city or town and country of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where your fiancé(e) will be applying for a visa;
• You will be asked about all criminal history, and asked to provide all court and police records showing the charges and disposition for every arrest or conviction;
• You will be asked to provide biographical information; 
• You will be asked to provide information about anyone who helped complete the form; and 
• You will be asked to provide USCIS your contact information

K-1 Visa Checklist

Submit photocopies of the following documents with Form I-129F application:

• Evidence of U.S. Citizenship:
  • U.S. birth certificate (if born in the U.S.)
  • Certificate of Naturalization;
  • Certificate of Citizenship;
  • Form FS-240 (Consular Report of Birth Abroad, if born abroad to U.S. citizen parents); 
  • Unexpired U.S. passport (biographic page)
• Termination of Previous Marriages – if either you or your fiancé(e) were previously married, you must provide evidence that all prior marriages have been legally terminated:
  • Divorce decree;
  • Annulment of the marriage;
  • Death certificate;
• Photographs – you must submit one color passport-style photograph of yourself and one color passport-style photograph of your fiancé(e) taken within the last 30 days
• Evidence of Legal Name Change – if either you or your fiancé(e) has ever used a name different than the one shown on the evidence submitted in support of your application, you must submit copies of the legal documents reflecting the legal name change (for example, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change court order)
• Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) – if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS ever issued your fiancé(e) an arrival and departure Form I-94, you must provide this record showing the date that your fiancé(e) authorized stay period(s);
• Evidence classifying fiancé(e) as a K-1 nonimmigrant – in addition to the above evidence, you must also submit evidence of:
  • Intention to marry within 90 days of entry – this should include statements signed by both you and your fiancé(e) or any other evidence of mutual intention to marry;
  • In-Person Meeting – you must submit evidence that you and your fiancé(e) have met in-person at least once in the two-year period before submitting the I-129F application, which may include:
    • A statement written by you and your fiancé(e) stating how you met during that two-year period;
    • A copy of airline tickets;
    • Copies of passport stamps;
    • Annotated personal photographs of your meeting; and/or
    • Notarized affidavits from witnesses who have personal knowledge of your in-person meeting;
    • If you did not have the required in-person meeting, you must provide evidence that such meeting would:
      • Result in extreme hardship to you, the U.S. citizen; or
      • Violate strict and long-established customs of your fiancé(s) foreign culture or social practice; and 
      • Include evidence that all aspects of the traditional arrangements have been or will be met by custom or practice.

K-1 Visa Fees

Form I-129F filing fee is $675.

This fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on the application.

USCIS filing fees are subject to change, verify the most current Form I-129F filing fee on the official USCIS website.

USCIS accepts the following payment methods:

• Personal check
• Cashier’s check
• Money order
• Credit card payment (submit Form G-1450)

If paying by check, it must be payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

K-1 Visa – Where to File?

Check the most current Form I-129F USCIS mailing address on their official website. USCIS frequently updates K-1 visa filing addresses.

A completed Form I-129F and supporting documents must be mailed to the USCIS Dallas lockbox:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: I-129F
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266-0151

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-129F (Box 660151)
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

If you attach a completed USCIS Form G-1145 (Notification of Acceptance of Application/Petition) to your completed I-129F application, USCIS will email or text you when your application is registered.

Make a photocopy of the completed Form I-129F application for your records.

When Will USCIS Start Processing K-1 Visa?

All Form I-129F applications are processed by USCIS on a first come, first served basis.

It typically takes 12-13 months for USCIS to process it.

You will be notified if your application is incomplete, or if more documentation needs to be provided.

Learn more: What is a Request for Evidence (RFE). 

K-1 Visa Processing Time

On average, it takes about 12-13 months for USCIS to approve your I-129F application. 

Individual cases may take longer (for example, if you did not submit all the required documents with your initial filing).

Form I-129F Processing Time

Source: USCIS Case Processing Times

To check the most current processing times for Form I-129F:

• Visit the USCIS website at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times
• Select “Form I-129F” 
• Select your service center (your USCIS service center is printed in the lower left corner of Form I-129F receipt notice)

Keep in mind that processing times are general estimates, and individual cases may take less or more time to complete.

Additionally, USCIS may issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) during the processing of your application, which can add to the overall processing time. 

It’s crucial to respond promptly and thoroughly if you receive an RFE to avoid delays.

If your case is outside the normal processing time, you place an Outside Normal Processing Time e-Request or request assistance from your local congressman’s office.

Learn more: USCIS Expedite Request

How to Track Your K-1 Visa Application

You can track the status of your I-129F application online (enter the Form I-129F receipt number).

Filing Form DS-160

Once USCIS approves your I-129F application, it will be sent to the U.S. Department of State.

U.S. Embassies typically send the further K-1 visa application instructions to the U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) via email.

Each U.S. Embassy has their own procedures regarding the payment of visa fees, documents required for the interview and medical examination.

Strictly follow the provided instructions to successfully obtain a K-1 visa in a timely manner.

The fiancé(e) must complete Form DS-160 online and upload a U.S. passport-style digital photograph.

Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page which will be required for the interview.

K-1 Visa Medical Exam

All K-1 (and K-2) visa applicants must undergo a medical examination prior to their interview at the U.S. embassy.

In the instructions emailed by the U.S. embassy, you will find the information on scheduling an immigration medical examination in your home country.

Schedule this exam quickly, because the exam and all associated laboratory tests must be completed before your interview date. 

You will need to bring the original sealed medical form to your interview.

INTERVIEW AT U.S. EMBASSY

It usually takes about one or two months for the interview at the U.S. Embassy to be scheduled.

U.S. citizen and foreign fiancé(e) will receive an email from the National Visa Center (NVC) with the location and date of the interview.

At your interview, a consular officer will ask questions about your background, relationship with the U.S. citizen fiancé(e), and make the decision to approve or deny your K-1 visa application.

The following questions might be asked at the interview:

• Your name, nationality, date of birth, and place of birth
• Have you visited the U.S. before? When? Why? What type of visa?
• Do you have relatives living in the U.S.?
• Questions about any prior marriage? Has it ended? How did it end? When? 
• Questions about any children (who may be required to attend the interview);
• Have you ever been arrested or convicted of any crime?
• Details of your in-person meeting(s) with your U.S. citizen sponsor

It’s important that you answer all questions truthfully. 

The U.S. citizen sponsor is not required to attend the interview. 

How Long Will It Take for a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to Process my K-1 Visa?

If your K-1 visa is approved, your passport with a stamped visa is typically returned in 1 week.

If your K-1 visa application is rejected, you will be informed in writing of the reasons.

K-1 visa denial reasons

Most K-1 visa applications are generally denied for one of three reasons:

• Either you or your fiancé(e) fail to meet a requirement for a K-1 visa;
• Some form was either incorrect or incomplete and never corrected; or
• There is a lack of evidence to support the claim of a relationship

How Long After Interview Will I Get My K-1 Visa?

It may take 1-2 weeks to receive your visa.

You will be instructed to pick up your passport with a stamped K-1 visa.

At the same time, you will be given a sealed packet.

Do not open the sealed packet. 

This packet is to be opened only by a Customs and Border Parole (CBP) officer when you arrive in the U.S.

You must arrive in the US before your K-1 visa expires.

What to do after K-1 visa is issued

After arriving in the U.S. on a K-1 visa, you must marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days. 

Failure to marry within 90 days breaks the terms of your visa and you might become subject to deportation (removal).

Filing Form I-485 After Marriage

After you obtain a marriage certificate, you can apply for Adjustment of Status (green card) by filing Form I-485 with USCIS.

The following immigration forms must be submitted:

• Form I-485 (green card application)
• Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
• Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD)
• Form I-131 (Advance Parole)

K-1 Visa and Work Authorization

Once a K-1 visa holder arrives in the U.S., he/she may immediately apply for evidence of work authorization by filing Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). 

In such cases, however, your work authorization is only valid for 90 days. 

Once married, you may apply for work authorization (Form I-765) at the same time as you file Form I-485 seeking permanent residency (green card) status. 

In such cases, your work authorization is valid for 1-2 years and may be extended  until your I-485 application is approved. 

Children of Fiancé(e)  – K-2 Visa

If your fiancé(e) (the K-1 visa applicant) has a child who is under 21 and unmarried, that child may be eligible for a K-2 visa. 

To apply for a K-2 visa, the U.S. citizen must include children’s names on Form I-129F. 

The children must remain under 21 and unmarried to stay eligible for a K-2 visa.

They may arrive in the U.S. with your fiancé(e) or later, but they will not be admitted into the U.S. before your fiancé(e).  

If you and your fiancé(e) married within 90 days of your fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S., your fiancé(e)’s children who entered the country on K-2 visas may also apply for permanent residency (green card) status by filing Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) with USCIS. 

However, K-2 nonimmigrant children must remain unmarried in order to be eligible for a green card. 

Also, K-2 nonimmigrant children should file their I-485 applications at the same time or after your fiancé(e).   

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How long do you have to be in a relationship for a K-1 visa?

There is no minimum period of time a couple must be in a relationship prior to applying for a K-1 visa. As long as you met each other in person in the last 2 years, you are both legally free to remarry and intend to marry within 90 days after arriving in the U.S., you can start the application process.

How long can I stay in the US on a K-1 visa?

You can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days on a K-1 visa. If you marry the U.S. citizen petitioner who sponsored you for a K-1 visa within 90 days after your arrival date and you file Form I-485 with USCIS, you are can stay in the country beyond the initial 90-day period.

How long does it take for a K-1 visa to be approved?

It takes about 14-15 months for a K-1 visa to be approved.

Minimum income for a K-1 visa

The minimum income for a K-1 visa is $25,550. The exact amount depends on the sponsor’s state of residence and household size. Learn more.

How much does it cost to file a K-1 visa application?

It will cost about $940 minimum to file a K-1 visa application. Additional expenses include:

• medical examination fee
• legal fees
• translation fees

Learn More:

Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

Form I-129F Instructions, How to Fill Out

Adjustment of Status for Fiancé(e)s