What Is the K-1 Visa?
The U.S. K-1 visa is designed for the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who intends to marry the U.S. citizen in the United States. Eligible unmarried children of the K-1 beneficiary may qualify for K-2 visas.
General Process
Petition
The U.S. citizen petitioner generally files Form I-129F with USCIS.
USCIS and NVC processing
After USCIS processing, an approved petition proceeds through the National Visa Center and then to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Medical and interview
The beneficiary completes the required medical examination and prepares for the consular interview with the required documents.
Visa decision and travel
The consular officer decides eligibility. If issued, the K-1 visa permits travel to the United States under its terms.
Marriage and next immigration step
A K-1 entrant must marry the U.S. citizen petitioner within the period required by K-1 status. Further immigration processing may then be required.
K-1 and IR-1/CR-1 at a Glance
| Feature | K-1 Fiancé(e) | IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Basic category | Nonimmigrant fiancé(e) visa | Immigrant spouse visa |
| Petition | I-129F | I-130 |
| Interview | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage | Marriage to petitioner is required after entry within the K-1 period | Already married |
| Support form commonly associated | I-134 | I-864 |
How our Preferred Partner Can Help
our Preferred Partner can assist with document preparation, application procedures, case-specific guidance and interview preparation. Cherry Blossoms is the referral company; our Preferred Partner provides the visa services.