K-1 (Fiancé(e)’s of US Citizens)

K-1 VISA
The K-1 visa is a visa category that allows a foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. Here are some key details about the K-1 visa:

  1. Eligibility: To be eligible for a K-1 visa, you must be engaged to a U.S. citizen and intend to marry within 90 days of entering the United States. Both you and your fiancé(e) must be legally free to marry, meaning any previous marriages have been legally terminated.
  2. Petition: Your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) must file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to start the K-1 visa process. This petition establishes your relationship and intention to marry.
  3. Processing Time: The processing time for a K-1 visa can vary, but it usually takes several months. USCIS will review the petition, conduct background checks, and may request additional evidence or information.
  4. Embassy/Consulate Interview: Once the petition is approved, it will be forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. You will be scheduled for an interview, where you must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and that you meet the eligibility requirements.
  5. Medical Examination: As part of the visa application process, you will need to undergo a medical examination by an authorized physician. This examination ensures that you do not have any communicable diseases of public health significance.
  6. Entry and Marriage: If your K-1 visa is approved, you can enter the United States and have 90 days to marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e). After getting married, you can apply for an adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
    Remember, it’s important to consult an immigration attorney for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the K-1 visa.

K-2 VISA
The K-2 visa is a visa category for the children of a K-1 visa holder. The K-1 visa is for the fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who is planning to get married in the United States. The K-2 visa allows the children of the K-1 visa holder to accompany them to the U.S. Here are some important details about the K-2 visa:

  1. Eligibility: To be eligible for a K-2 visa, the child must be unmarried and under the age of 21. They must also be the biological or legally adopted child of the K-1 visa holder.
  2. Application Process: The U.S. citizen petitioner (the fiancé(e) of the K-1 visa holder) must file a separate Form I-129F for each K-2 visa applicant. The children will be listed as derivative beneficiaries on the petition.
  3. Interview and Documentation: The K-2 visa applicants will need to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. They will need to provide the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, birth certificate, and medical examination results.
  4. Duration of Stay: Once granted a K-2 visa, the child can travel to the U.S. and stay for the same duration as the K-1 visa holder. The K-2 visa is valid for a single entry.
  5. Adjustment of Status: After entering the U.S. on a K-2 visa, the child can apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) if the K-1 visa holder and U.S. citizen petitioner get married within 90 days of the K-1 visa holder’s entry.
    Remember, it’s always important to consult an immigration attorney for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the K-2 visa.