Who this is for
- Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens; green card holders cannot use the K-1 visa.
- Couples who are both legally free to marry, with any prior marriages legally ended.
- Couples who have met in person at least once in the two years before filing, unless USCIS grants an exception for extreme hardship or strict cultural or religious customs.
- Couples who intend to marry each other within 90 days after the fiancé(e) enters the U.S.
- Unmarried children under 21 of the fiancé(e), who may qualify for K-2 visas on the same petition.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | Filed by the U.S. citizen with USCIS to show a real relationship and plan to marry. |
| DS-160 | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Completed by the fiancé(e), and any K-2 children, before the consular interview. |
| I-134 | Declaration of Financial Support | May be requested by the consulate to show the fiancé(e) will not become dependent on public benefits. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Filed after the wedding to apply for the green card from inside the U.S. |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | Generally submitted by the U.S. citizen spouse with the I-485. |
Step by step
- File Form I-129FThe U.S. citizen files the petition with USCIS with proof of citizenship, proof of meeting in person and evidence of the relationship and intent to marry.
- Transfer to the National Visa CenterAfter approval, USCIS sends the case to the National Visa Center, which forwards it to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the fiancé(e)'s country.
- Prepare for the visa interviewThe fiancé(e) completes the DS-160, gathers civil documents and police certificates, and has a medical exam with an embassy-approved panel physician.
- Attend the consular interviewA consular officer reviews the relationship and documents. If approved, the K-1 visa is issued for travel to the U.S.
- Enter the U.S. and marry within 90 daysThe fiancé(e) must marry the U.S. citizen who filed the petition within 90 days of entry. The K-1 cannot be extended or changed to another status.
- File for the green cardAfter the wedding, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 with supporting forms. The resulting green card is usually conditional for two years.
Documents usually requested
- Proof of the petitioner's U.S. citizenship
- Evidence the couple met in person within the past two years, such as photos, travel records and boarding passes
- Evidence of intent to marry, such as signed statements from both partners or wedding plans
- Divorce decrees, annulments or death certificates for any prior marriages
- Fiancé(e)'s valid passport and birth certificate
- Police certificates from countries where the fiancé(e) has lived
- Medical exam results from a panel physician
- Evidence of financial support, such as tax returns and employment letters
- Passport-style photos
How long it takes
Timing depends on USCIS processing of the I-129F, National Visa Center and consulate workloads, security checks and whether more evidence is requested, and then on processing of the I-485 after the wedding. Check current estimates at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
Government filing fees
Form I-129F carries a USCIS filing fee, the visa application carries a State Department fee, and after marriage Form I-485 (and any I-765 or I-131) carries its own fees. Fees change, so check uscis.gov/g-1055 and the State Department fee page before paying.
Working and traveling while you wait
A K-1 entrant can generally apply for a work permit soon after arrival or with the I-485 after marriage. Leaving the U.S. after the K-1 entry and before getting advance parole on a pending I-485 can end the K-1 status and the green card case.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not marrying within 90 days of entry, which generally means the fiancé(e) must leave the U.S.
- Marrying someone other than the petitioner, which generally blocks a green card through the K-1.
- Getting married before the K-1 is issued, which makes the K-1 unavailable and calls for a spousal petition instead.
- Weak proof that the couple met in person in the last two years.
- Traveling abroad after marrying but before advance parole is approved.
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can a green card holder sponsor a fiancé(e)?
No, only U.S. citizens can file the K-1 fiancé(e) petition. A permanent resident usually has to marry first and then file Form I-130 for the spouse.
What happens if we don't marry within 90 days?
The K-1 status ends after 90 days and cannot be extended, so the fiancé(e) generally must leave the U.S. Staying without marrying the petitioner can create serious immigration problems later.
Can I work in the U.S. on a K-1 visa?
Yes, a K-1 entrant can generally apply for a work permit with Form I-765, either shortly after arrival or together with the I-485 after the wedding. Work is allowed only once the work permit is approved.
Is a K-1 visa better than marrying abroad?
It depends on the couple. The K-1 lets you marry in the U.S. but requires a second application for the green card, while marrying abroad and using an I-130 spousal petition leads to an immigrant visa and a green card on arrival; an attorney can compare both for your case.
Can my children come with me on a K-1?
Usually yes, unmarried children under 21 can apply for K-2 visas based on the same approved petition. They can travel with the K-1 parent or follow later within the allowed period, and they file their own green card applications after the marriage.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.