FAQs
Who is eligible for a K-1 visa? To be eligible for a K-1 visa, you must be engaged to a U.S. citizen and plan to marry within 90 days of arriving in the U.S. You must also prove that you have met in person at least once within the two years prior to applying for the visa.
What is the immigrant visa category for the spouse of a U.S. citizen? ›
If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.
Are you an immigrant if you marry a U.S. citizen? ›
Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically grant someone U.S. citizenship. However, marriage to a U.S. citizen can be a pathway to immigration benefits, such as obtaining a green card.
Which is faster spouse or fiance visa? ›
Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.
How much does a U.S. citizen need to sponsor a spouse? ›
The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $25,550. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
Can I marry a U.S. citizen without a fiance visa? ›
Marrying Without a K-1 Visa
It is possible to come to the United States on a temporary visa, such as a B-1/B-2 tourist visa, and to get married while you're here.
What is the difference between marriage visa and fiance visa? ›
Marriage visas make it possible to be married outside of the United States, whereas fiance visas make it possible for the ceremony to take place within the United States. Some couples prefer having the ceremony abroad to be together with family (or for other reasons).
Is K3 visa faster than I-130? ›
This change means that in some cases, the I-130 can be as fast, if not faster, than the K-3 visa. Case-by-Case Basis: Each application is unique. Factors like the completeness of your application, the need for additional evidence, and the specific details of your case can affect the overall timeline.
How long does a fiance visa take? ›
Once you have filed your K visa petition through the form I-129F file, the K1 visa usually takes around 5-7 months to be processed. If approved, the petition is sent to an embassy in the applicant's home country for further processing.
How long does it take to get a visa after marrying a U.S. citizen? ›
All marriage green card applications begin with filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). The average processing time for Form I-130 is around 12 months.
The U.S. citizen spouse establishes the marriage relationship by filing Form I-130. Apply for the green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485) if you're living in the U.S. or Form DS-260 if you're a foreign national living abroad. Attend the green card interview and await approval.
What is the visa for fiancé? ›
The K-1 nonimmigrant visa is also known as a fiancé(e) visa. In order to obtain a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, you and your fiancé(e) must intend to marry each other within 90 days of your fiancé(e) entering the U.S as a K-1 nonimmigrant.
How long does an immigrant visa for a spouse take? ›
The current wait time for the CR1 visa is 13.5–15 months if you're married to a U.S. citizen and 29–40 months if you're married to a green card holder. How long is the CR1 visa valid for?
Is fiancé visa an immigrant visa? ›
The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.
How much does a fiancé visa cost? ›
In 2024, the processing timeline to get a fiancé visa averages 6 months. The cost to apply for a K-1 visa is $800.
How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to get a visa for their spouse? ›
The current wait time for a spousal visa averages about 9.3 months, although this will vary depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder. The processing time for I-130 will also vary greatly depending on the service center. The average processing time for Form I-130 is around 12 months.
What are the requirements for a fiance visa? ›
Who can bring a fiancé to the U.S. on a K-1 visa?
- You must be a U.S. citizen. ...
- Each partner must be single, e.g., not married. ...
- The couple must prove their relationship is real.
- The couple has to prove they met in person at least once within two years of applying for the K1 visa.
How Long Does It Take USCIS To Process Form I-129F for a K-1 Fiancé Visa? The processing time for a K-1 fiancé visa ranges from 12–18 months, and involves U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the National Visa Center, and a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in your foreign fiance's country of residence.
How much does a fiance visa cost? ›
The government filing fees for getting a K-1 visa is $800 or $2380 for the K-1 visa and the “Adjustment of Status” form required to transfer from a K-1 visa to a marriage green card after arriving in the United States. This does not include the typical cost of the required medical exam, which varies by provider.
