K-3 — Spouse of U.S. Citizen (Pending I-130)

United States•North America

Open

K-3 — Spouse of U.S. Citizen (Pending I-130)

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

At a Glance

Processing Time

6-18 months

Application Fee

2,640 USD

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

For spouses of U.S. citizens to enter while an I-130 immigrant visa petition is pending. Rarely used now.

The K-3 is a US nonimmigrant visa for the foreign spouse of a US citizen, issued while a Form I-130 immigrant petition is pending. The US citizen files Form I-129F (no filing fee) in the country of marriage; LPR spouses are ineligible to petition.

K-3 status lasts 2 years, renewable in 2-year increments, but holders must adjust to permanent residence via Form I-485. Entry grants automatic work authorization; Form I-765 provides documentary evidence. Children under 21 join on K-4. USCIS rarely issues K-3s today as I-130 processing often completes first.

This visa is ideal for spouses of US citizens abroad who want to enter the US without waiting for the full immigrant visa process to complete.

Fee Breakdown

Form I-130 petition fee (USCIS — required first step)	675 USD
Form I-129F petition fee (USCIS — for K-3)	0 USD
K-visa MRV application fee (State Dept)	265 USD
Medical examination and vaccinations (varies by country)	—
Form I-485 adjustment of status fee (after entry)	1,440 USD
Form I-765 EAD (when filed concurrently with Form I-485)	260 USD

Processing Tracks

I-129F petition at USCIS	6 months – 1.5 years
Consular processing after NVC transfer	2 months – 6 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

IR-1 — Spouse of U.S. Citizen

ValidityIndefinite

ProcessingVaries case by case; no official estimate provided

View Visa Details

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

United States

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

ValidityIndefinite

Processing9-18 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (LPR spouses are not eligible for K-3)

Valid, legally recognized marriage to the petitioning U.S. citizen

Form I-130 must already be filed and pending with USCIS

Form I-129F filed by U.S. citizen spouse in country where marriage took place

Mandatory medical examination by authorized panel physician

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended entry

No disqualifying criminal history

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months validity beyond intended entry date)

Form DS-160 confirmation page

I-129F approval notice

Two 2×2 photographs meeting U.S. visa photo standards

Marriage certificate (with certified translation if not in English)

Birth certificate

Completed medical examination and vaccination records

Police certificates from each country of residence (past 5+ years)

Evidence of U.S. citizen spouse's citizenship

Financial evidence of support (sponsor's tax returns, employment letter)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows foreign spouse to enter the U.S. while the I-130 immigrant petition is still pending
Eligible to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after entry
Children of K-3 holder may accompany or follow as K-4 visa holders
Dual intent explicitly permitted — applicant may openly intend to immigrate
Leads directly to adjustment of status and permanent residence in the U.S.
Same-sex spouses eligible on equal terms

Worth Knowing

Rarely advantageous in practice — CR1/IR1 immigrant visa is now processed at comparable speed
USCIS will administratively close the K-3 petition once the underlying I-130 is approved
Can only interview at the consulate in the country where the marriage took place
K-3 status terminates if the I-130 petition is approved before or during K-3 processing
Must adjust status (I-485) inside the U.S. — cannot use K-3 to obtain an immigrant visa abroad
K-3 is only available to spouses of U.S. citizens, not Lawful Permanent Residents
Work authorization is not automatic on entry — requires separate EAD application

Application Process

U.S. citizen files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS

U.S. citizen separately files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) for K-3 at the same USCIS office

USCIS approves I-129F and forwards to National Visa Center

NVC transfers case to U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where the marriage took place

Applicant completes Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) online

Schedule and complete medical examination with an authorized panel physician

Attend visa interview at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Pay USCIS immigrant fee if applicable; travel to the U.S.

File Form I-485 to adjust status to Lawful Permanent Resident after entry

File Form I-765 for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after entry

Application Forms

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative	Fill online
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)	Fill online
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	Fill online
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization	Fill online
I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA	Fill online

Verified Claims (28)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	U.S. citizen files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS; U.S. citizen separately file…	travel.state.gov
Dependent Visa	K-4 (children)	uscis.gov
Fee Breakdown	Form I-130 petition fee (USCIS — required first step): 675 USD; Form I-129F petition fee (USCIS — fo…	uscis.gov
Fees	Form I-130 filing fee ($675 paper / $625 online) + Form I-129F petition fee ($0 / exempt) + K-visa M…	travel.state.gov
Forms	Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative — must be filed first); Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fian…	travel.state.gov
Forms · DS-160 · description	Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	travel.state.gov
Forms · I-129F · description	Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)	uscis.gov
Forms · I-130 · description	Petition for Alien Relative	uscis.gov

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