A K-1 or fiancé visa allows the foreign person engaged to a United States citizen to enter the country for marriage. After getting married, they can adjust their status to acquire a conditional green card. That may be part of their journey to naturalized citizenship in some cases.
Citizens hoping to marry a foreign fiancé must petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), pay a fee and undergo a review to validate their bona fide engagement. Their fiancé must undergo a background check and a medical exam. They also need to be ready to plan rapidly after visa approval for their fiancé’s trip to the United States and their marriage.
K-1 visas are for a single entry and a limited time
Some visas allow people to exit the United States and later re-enter. A K-1 visa only allows for a single entry into the country.
Additionally, it is typically only valid for six months after the date of issuance. Couples need to be ready to rapidly resolve any outstanding obligations in the foreign country and prepare for the fiancé’s trip to the United States. Once the fiancé arrives, an even stricter countdown begins. They have only 90 days after entry to get married. Otherwise, they risk removal from the United States.
Securing a K-1 visa and adhering to the restrictions it imposes on couples can be challenging for those unfamiliar with immigration law. Working with a legal professional can help engaged citizens take the necessary steps to legally bring a foreign fiancé to the United States, get married and help them obtain a green card.