Visa Glossary/

Introduction:

The 'K-1 Visa,' commonly known as the Fiancé(e) Visa, is a nonimmigrant visa for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. This visa is a pathway for engaged couples to be together in the United States, allowing the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for the purpose of getting married.

Detailed Explanation:

To obtain a K-1 Visa, the U.S. citizen must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their foreign fiancé(e). The couple must have met in person at least once in the two years before filing the petition, and they must intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign-citizen fiancé(e)’s arrival in the U.S. After the marriage, the foreign-citizen can apply to adjust their status to a permanent resident (Green Card holder).

Visa Types and K-1 Visa Relevance:

  • Family Unification: The primary aim is to unite engaged couples where one partner is a U.S. citizen.

  • Marriage and Permanent Residency: Offers a path for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to become a permanent resident through marriage.

Application Process:

The process involves the U.S. citizen filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), and providing evidence of their relationship and intention to marry. The foreign-citizen fiancé(e) then applies for a K-1 visa and attends a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

Examples and Use Cases:

  • A U.S. citizen in New York petitions for a K-1 Visa for their fiancé(e) living in Brazil, planning to marry in the U.S.

  • A couple who met while a U.S. citizen was studying abroad in Japan used the K-1 Visa process to get married in the U.S.