United States•North America

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K-1 — Fiancé(e) of U.S. Citizen

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–10 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

$940 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

3 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Enter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. Must have met in person within the last 2 years.

The K-1 is a US nonimmigrant visa that allows a foreign-national fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the country for the sole purpose of marrying their US-citizen sponsor. The couple must have met in person within the past two years and intend to marry within 90 days of the visa holder's arrival.

The visa allows a single 90-day entry and is not renewable. After marriage, the holder files Form I-485 to adjust to permanent resident status — work requires a separate EAD. Children may accompany on K-2 status. The I-129F petition fee is $675; the DS-160 MRV fee is $265.

This visa is ideal for foreign nationals engaged to a US citizen who plan to marry in the US and pursue permanent residency.

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Cost Breakdown

I-129F USCIS filing fee$675 USD

MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee (DS-160)$265 USD

Medical exam (panel physician)—

Total$940 USD

Processing Time

USCIS petition (I-129F)	6–10 months
Consular processing	1–3 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 months

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

IR-1 — Spouse of U.S. Citizen

ValidityIndefinite

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

CR-1 — Conditional Resident Spouse of U.S. Citizen

United States

CR-1 — Conditional Resident Spouse of U.S. Citizen

ValidityIndefinite

Processing9 months – 3.0 years

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen

Both parties must be legally free to marry

Must have met in person within the past 2 years (exceptions for extreme hardship or cultural/religious reasons)

Not barred by criminal history, prior visa overstays, or fraud

U.S. citizen petitioner must meet income requirements to support fiancé(e)

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

21,640 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months validity beyond intended stay)

Birth certificate

Police certificates from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 16

Medical exam results from authorized panel physician

Evidence of bona fide relationship (photos, communications, travel records)

Divorce or death certificates for any prior marriages

Two passport-style 2×2 photos

Financial support evidence (Form I-134 Affidavit of Support may be requested)

Form DS-160 confirmation page

Visa fee payment receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Clear, defined pathway to U.S. permanent residency (green card) after marriage
Children (K-2 visa) may accompany or follow within 1 year
Same-sex couples receive equal immigration benefits
Single-entry validity provides certainty of admission upon approval

Worth Knowing

Marriage must occur within 90 days of U.S. entry — no extensions
Visa is single-entry only
Long overall processing time (often 8–14+ months)
Fiancé(e) cannot work in the U.S. on K-1 status alone (must apply for EAD after marriage and filing I-485)
Sealed embassy packet must not be opened by applicant
Adjustment of Status after marriage involves separate fees and processing time
Syrian nationals must apply through the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan
IMBRA compliance if met through international matchmaking

Application Process

U.S. citizen files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) with USCIS

USCIS approves petition and transfers case to National Visa Center (NVC)

NVC forwards case to U.S. Embassy or Consulate in fiancé(e)'s country

Fiancé(e) completes Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application)

Fiancé(e) pays visa application (MRV) fee

Fiancé(e) completes medical exam with authorized panel physician

Fiancé(e) attends visa interview at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If approved, travel to the U.S. and marry within 90 days of entry

After marriage, file for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to become a permanent resident

Application Forms

I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)	Fill online
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-134 Declaration of Financial Support	Fill online
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	Fill online
I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA	Fill online

Verified Claims (44)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

U.S. citizen files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) with USCIS; USCIS approves petition an…

travel.state.gov

Blockers

IMBRA compliance if met through international matchmaking

travel.state.gov

Can Convert To

us-ir-1; us-cr-1

travel.state.gov

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Enter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. Must have met in person within the last 2 years.

This visa is ideal for foreign nationals engaged to a US citizen who plan to marry in the US and pursue permanent residency.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen

Both parties must be legally free to marry

Must have met in person within the past 2 years (exceptions for extreme hardship or cultural/religious reasons)

Not barred by criminal history, prior visa overstays, or fraud

U.S. citizen petitioner must meet income requirements to support fiancé(e)

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

21,640 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months validity beyond intended stay)

Birth certificate

Police certificates from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 16

Medical exam results from authorized panel physician

Evidence of bona fide relationship (photos, communications, travel records)

Divorce or death certificates for any prior marriages

Two passport-style 2×2 photos

Financial support evidence (Form I-134 Affidavit of Support may be requested)

Form DS-160 confirmation page

Visa fee payment receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Clear, defined pathway to U.S. permanent residency (green card) after marriage
Children (K-2 visa) may accompany or follow within 1 year
Same-sex couples receive equal immigration benefits
Single-entry validity provides certainty of admission upon approval

Worth Knowing

Marriage must occur within 90 days of U.S. entry — no extensions
Visa is single-entry only
Long overall processing time (often 8–14+ months)
Fiancé(e) cannot work in the U.S. on K-1 status alone (must apply for EAD after marriage and filing I-485)
Sealed embassy packet must not be opened by applicant
Adjustment of Status after marriage involves separate fees and processing time
Syrian nationals must apply through the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan
IMBRA compliance if met through international matchmaking

Application Process