K1 Visas: Fiancé/es

The K1 visa (also known as the Fiancé/e Visa) can be filed by a U.S. citizen who wishes to bring his/her prospective spouse to the U.S. with the intention of getting married there. Minor children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of a K1 applicant may derive immigration benefits from the same I-129F petition and be issued a K2 visa. 

If the K1 beneficiary is qualified to receive this visa, s/he may be admitted to the United States for the purpose of concluding a marriage to the petitioner within a 90-day period.  Please note that the K1 visa is actually a single-entry non-immigrant visa; for a beneficiary to derive immigration benefits s/he must marry within 90 days of entering the U.S. on a K1 visa and apply with USCIS to adjust to CR1 status.  If the beneficiary leaves the U.S. without adjusting to CR1 status, s/he will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. without first applying for and receiving a new visa.

An approved K1 visa petition is valid for a period of four months. If the petition expires, a consular officer may revalidate it for another four months depending on the circumstances of the case.

Note: The cutoff date for issuance of a K2 visa is one year from the date of the issuance of the K1 visa to the principal applicant. After one year, the K2 beneficiary is no longer eligible for this visa.