U.S. Fiancé(e) Visa
United States
Residency
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See if you're a match →The K-1 visa is for a foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who plans to enter the United States, marry within 90 days, and then apply for permanent residence. It generally requires a real relationship, both partners being free to marry, and an in-person meeting within the last 2 years unless a waiver applies.
- Type
- Family residence
- Sponsor
- People joining a qualifying family member in the United States
- Core requirements
- Relationship records and the sponsor's status
- What to know
- The sponsor's status and documents matter a lot
- Duration
- K-1 lets a fiancé(e) enter for a 90-day marriage window.
- Renewal / path
- It is not renewable; after marriage, the next step is usually adjustment of status.
Summary
The K-1 fiancé(e) visa lets a U.S. citizen bring a foreign fiancé(e) to the United States to marry. After entry, the couple must marry within 90 days, and the foreign spouse can then pursue a green card.
This route is for couples who are not already married and who plan to marry in the United States.
Eligibility
You may fit this pathway if:
- Your fiancé(e) is a U.S. citizen.
- You both intend to marry within 90 days after you enter the United States on K-1 status.
- You are both legally free to marry.
- You have met in person at least once in the 2 years before filing, unless a waiver applies.
- The relationship is genuine and not entered into only for immigration benefits.
What This Route Allows
K-1 status allows entry to the United States for the purpose of marrying the U.S. citizen petitioner. If the marriage happens within the required 90-day period, the foreign spouse may apply for a green card.
What This Route Is Not
This is not usually the right route if you are already married, plan to marry outside the United States, or the foreign partner is already in the United States in a status that supports a different filing strategy.
Next Steps
- Confirm that both partners are legally free to marry.
- Gather proof of the relationship and the in-person meeting.
- Confirm whether K-1 is better than marrying first and pursuing a spouse-based immigrant process.
- Review any prior visa refusals, overstays, criminal history, or admissibility concerns before filing.