K1 Visa: A Fiancee of a US Citizen

A K1 visa is for a fiancee of a US citizen.  It allows her/him to come to the US to get married. They are available for male-female and for same-sex marriages. Both the US citizen and the fiancee must be legally able and willing to conclude a valid marriage in the United States. 

They must have previously met in person within the past 2 years unless the government waives this requirement. As soon as the processing of a case is completed and the applicant has all necessary documents, the fiancée will be interviewed at a US Consulate. If found eligible, a visa will be issued. 

In order to obtain a K1 visa, you and your fiancé must intend to marry each other within 90 days of your fiancé entering the U.S as a K-1 nonimmigrant. Your marriage must be valid, meaning both you and your fiancé have a bona fide intent to establish a life together and the marriage is not for the sole purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit.

If your fiancé marries you within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant, he or she may apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States. At the port of entry, the fiancee will receive a stamp in his or her passport giving temporary permission to work pending marriage to the U.S. citizen.

The marriage must take place within 90 days of admission into the US. Following the marriage, the K-1 spouse must apply for adjustment of status to become a conditional permanent resident. Before the green card expires in 2 years, the immigrant must apply to the USCIS for removal of the conditional status.